As we age, our bodies undergo cognitive and physiological changes associated with the natural ageing process, varying from person to person. The term geriatric syndromes includes a whole series of clinical conditions of varying aetiology resulting from the combination of diseases that are highly prevalent among the elderly. In other words, they are multifactorial disorders that do not fit into a single diagnostic category.

These geriatric syndromes frequently result in functional or social incapacity, which is reflected in an impairment of the personal autonomy and quality of life of the affected persons. A series of factors contribute to this, such as advanced age, functional and cognitive impairment or mobility difficulties. These are predisposed to vulnerability and may be triggers for their onset.

In many cases, it is possible to address the potential onset of these syndromes through preventive measures. The main problem is that they are often underdiagnosed and the added difficulty is that, in most cases, their treatment requires a multidisciplinary approach to address a wide range of issues.

Many geriatric syndromes are associated with mobility disorders. For example, the risk of falls increases with age, and with it the likelihood of fractures and head injuries, as well as the fear of further falls.

Functional decline due to multiple diseases, or sarcopenia, characterised by a progressive and generalised loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength, are other syndromes that are associated with an increased risk of mortality, morbidity and institutionalisation of those affected.

While there are many other syndromes that can significantly affect the health and quality of life of older people, including cognitive impairment, depression, urinary incontinence, bowel incontinence, constipation, and pressure sores, we would like to focus on a number of physiological changes that are associated with the risk of malnutrition, and where preventive oral health can play a crucial role.

Several international studies have shown that the vast majority of malnutrition cases are associated with both obesity and undernutrition. These conditions are more prevalent among the elderly, mainly due to physiological changes in the mouth, digestive system and nervous system.

One of the aspects that can significantly contribute to malnutrition in the elderly is edentulism or tooth loss, this can be due to multiple factors and can make it very difficult to bite or chew food. This can have a direct impact on the diet and nutritional status of the person due to the need to incorporate mashed food in the form of purées, sauces or smoothies, leading to changes in both the oral and digestive systems.

These factors include gingival recession, the gradual recession of the gums associated with age, oral candidiasis consisting of a fungal infection caused by an alteration in the patient’s physical barriers or defences, or denture stomatitis, chronic inflammation of the oral mucosa in contact with removable prostheses.

It is also worth mentioning xerostomia or dry mouth, a decrease in saliva production due to changes within the salivary glands. Its prolonged presence of disorders such as dysphagia or difficulty in swallowing, one of the main causes of geriatric malnutrition, prevents the sufficient supply of nutrients and water, and with the added risk that food and digestive secretions may reach the respiratory tract and even the lungs.

There is abundant evidence that oral health and nutrition have a multifaceted relationship. Given the importance of proper nutrition to preserve the general health of the elderly, at Lura Care we recommend maintaining proper nutrition, good hygiene habits and monitoring the oral health of the elderly.  These are key elements to prevent the onset of several geriatric syndromes that can affect their wellbeing and quality of life.