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Preface

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 August 2009

Ranjit N. Ratnaike
Affiliation:
University of Adelaide
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Summary

Diarrhoea and Constipation in Geriatric Practice is a text primarily for geriatricians and other health professionals, such as general practitioners, who are involved in the care of the elderly. The elderly comprise a significant and increasing segment of the population in both the industrialized and the developing countries. The problem of diarrhoea and constipation in this aging population is likely to attract increasing attention. The extent of these problems and their social and physical implications are perhaps not sufficiently recognized. The common problem of constipation in the elderly is discussed, with emphasis on practical management issues.

The text covers the important conditions associated with diarrhoea and updates the information on pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment. The vulnerability of the elderly with regard to acquiring diarrhoea and to the complications is also highlighted.

There is a greater emphasis on diarrhoea in the text. This is because the aetiology is extensive, encompassing many infections of the gastrointestinal tract (which are relevant in the developing world) and includes systemic diseases of which diarrhoea is a manifestation. Diverse disciplines are spanned: from immunology and physiology to microbiology, nutrition and psychiatry.

The separate chapter on coeliac disease is to highlight the importance of this condition. The diagnosis may sometimes not be considered in the elderly.

The aim of this book is to provide information to help understand the many facets of diarrhoea and to assist in the prevention, diagnosis and management of diarrhoea in the elderly.

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Chapter
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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 1999

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  • Preface
  • Edited by Ranjit N. Ratnaike, University of Adelaide
  • Foreword by Gary R. Andrews
  • Book: Diarrhoea and Constipation in Geriatric Practice
  • Online publication: 17 August 2009
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511545818.001
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  • Preface
  • Edited by Ranjit N. Ratnaike, University of Adelaide
  • Foreword by Gary R. Andrews
  • Book: Diarrhoea and Constipation in Geriatric Practice
  • Online publication: 17 August 2009
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511545818.001
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Preface
  • Edited by Ranjit N. Ratnaike, University of Adelaide
  • Foreword by Gary R. Andrews
  • Book: Diarrhoea and Constipation in Geriatric Practice
  • Online publication: 17 August 2009
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511545818.001
Available formats
×