Book excerpt: The study and care of gastrointestinal disorders in the elderly have become priority topics for both clinicians and researchers as the aged constitute an ever-increasing part of the overall population. This publication presents the results of recent studies in geriatric gastroenterology, reviewing both basic research and clinical aspects. A significant part is devoted to the physician's clinical approach to the elderly suffering from specific gastroenterological problems. Another focal point is diagnostic testing, which becomes very important in old age because clinical features such as history and physical signs are often very difficult to interpret: clinical manifestations and the response to therapy may seem to differ because the older patient has several concomitant disorders that may distort the classic features of the primary gastrointestinal disease. Also discussed are the effects of aging on the physiology of the gastrointestinal tract and liver functions, as well as the management of disorders of the small intestine, colon, and liver. This publication will be useful for general physicians, specialists in geriatrics and gastroenterology, and all healthcare providers who are involved in planning care management of elderly people with gastrointestinal disorders.