Common gastrointestinal diseases in the elderly.

Gastrointestinal diseases, such as gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and peptic ulcers, are prevalent in the elderly. These disorders have been found to develop because of an imbalance between aggressive and defensive physiologic factors, but specific causes remain unknown. If neglected or improperly treated, gastrointestinal disease can cause serious complications, particularly in the elderly. Pharmacologic therapy has proven effective for treating both GER and peptic ulcers.