The changing body: How medicines work differently in old age than in young people
The fact that our body changes with age is a natural process. We get wrinkles and the head is covered with a gray sheen. Sooner or later, everyone has to deal with the natural consequences of age. However, this natural process includes not only external appearances, but also mental and physical abilities. After all, our bodies have had to endure a wide variety of activities, illnesses, ups and downs over decades. It is therefore not absurd that the body changes over the years and reacts differently to external influences - including medication in old age. Not every medication is still appropriate in old age and the changes in one's own body must always be taken into account.
Effects of the change of body functions in old age
The body functions in old age become weaker with time or behave differently than they did in younger years. In the following, we explain how individual areas of the body are affected. In the discussion:
- Intestinal movement & gastric acid production.
- Transport of nutrients into the blood
- Excretion of waste products in kidneys and liver
Intestinal movement & gastric acid production
The intestinal flora changes and food & Co are broken down more slowly. An even more aggravating factor is that our musculature decreases over the years. However, this is crucial for the removal in the digestive tract. The whole process takes much longer than many years before and vitamins are absorbed more poorly.
The additional intake of medication has a further influence on intestinal function. Especially in old age, antihypertensives and ACE inhibitors are not uncommon. These promote an intestinal sluggishness however strengthened. This leads to a chain reaction that further weakens an already slowed intestine.
As a result, the slowed stomach movement can trigger increased stomach acid production or heartburn. For many of those affected, heartburn is almost a known evil in old age and is tolerated accordingly. However, you do not have to simply accept this circumstance. With a balanced and healthy diet, heartburn can be contained and digestion stimulated. In addition, sufficient water intake is the measure of all things. At birth, our bodies consist of almost 95% water. As we age, this number decreases because the body has a harder time storing water. However, even then it continues to consist of 70% and thus takes an important and large part. It is therefore no surprise that we urgently need water for our bodily functions. This helps the intestine to break down food better and faster and in the course of this, to devote itself to other functions and to boost digestion again.
Transport of nutrients into the blood
The transport of nutrients into the cells of our entire body is one of the most important functions. Important nutrients keep our metabolism active and protect us from external influences. This transport is supported by a healthy diet rich in high-quality nutrients. In order to transport these more easily to the respective cells, regular exercise and sport are also necessary. However, these two points in particular decrease enormously with age. The musculature degrades and the general fatigue often increases. It is precisely due to this circumstance that we largely stop physical activities. However, many people are not aware that this can have serious consequences.
Studies have found that certain drugs should not be taken with food. Certain substances cannot be processed by the body in conjunction with food, and important vitamins are consequently simply excreted. Anticonvulsants, which is used to treat epileptic seizures, triggers vitamin D deficiency in many patients. Proton pump inhibitors, on the other hand, impair the absorption of vitamin C, which is important for our body's defense functions. Especially in old age, such side effects must be taken into account and adapted to individual needs. Only in this way can all the important nutrients continue to enter the blood and strengthen our body from the inside out.
Excretion of waste products in kidney & liver
Our organs accompany us throughout our lives and consequently always age with us. The logical conclusion is that the kidneys and liver are also affected. From the second half of life, these organs change particularly. If you take a closer look at our kidneys, you will quickly realize that they are capable of peak performance - and that for a lifetime! For decades, our blood was filtered here and cleansed of harmful substances. The kidneys were always running at 100% in the background, so to speak. But this leaves clear traces. The fact that kidney function declines with age is initially nothing to worry about. Unfortunately, however, other diseases accompany us in old age. If diseases such as diabetes are added to a weakened kidney, the function of the kidney can decline rapidly. In the worst case, this can result in kidney failure, which must be treated with transplantation or dialysis. Regular and extensive checks by a trusted doctor are therefore a top priority and should always be carried out. In this way, kidney disease can be detected and treated at an early stage in an emergency.
The liver is in no way inferior to the kidneys. It, too, provides a lifetime of top performance in our body and ensures our health. Its volume and function slowly decrease. If diseases such as diabetes are also present, this makes the function even more difficult. In particular, many different medications in old age can have significant consequences for liver function and can no longer be broken down as they were in younger years.
Conclusion: Drugs often have a completely different effect in old age
Our body is known to change constantly in the course of a lifetime. External influences as well as diseases play a major role here. Toxins have to be eliminated, medicines broken down and diseases fought. All this is still quite easy at a young age. Medications are broken down again within hours and leave no noticeable traces. Due to the slowed intestinal activity as well as the partially limited functions of the kidneys and liver, medications have a different effect in old age. Tablets are broken down only slowly and the duration of action is thus significantly prolonged. Sleeping pills can still cause fatigue and confusion the next day and significantly restrict the affected person in everyday life. It is precisely this circumstance that one should be aware of and adjust the medication accordingly. In consultation with the attending physician, a review of the medications to be taken at regular intervals makes perfect sense. Tablets that you already took 20 or 30 years ago do not have to continue to be the best choice for your treatment. We must always adapt to our bodies over the years and build a good foundation through proper nutrition and regular exercise. With this foundation, medications are also better tolerated and better broken down.
