NEUROLOGICAL DISEASES

• Age-related cognitive decline

Cerebral ageing starts between 20 and 30 years old and may produce, as of a certain age, memory disorders, lack of concentration and behavioural disorders.

Neurologically, cerebral ageing is characterized by a progressive reduction of:

• The cerebral reserve, i.e. the neuronal mass (reduction in the number of synapses and neurons);

• The cognitive reserve, i.e. the quality of cerebral activity (less effective take-up and functioning of neuronal networks).

GASTROENTEROLOGY

• Constipation

The frequency of bowel movements varies from person to person, but constipation is generally defined by less than 3 bowel movements per week. Constipation is said to be chronic when it lasts more than three months.

Under normal conditions, large volumes of stools distend the colon, and this distension in turn stimulates colon motility. However, in constipated individuals, stools are often dehydrated and therefore markedly smaller, which causes a drop in colon motility.

• Diarrhea

Diarrhea is defined as excessive and frequent stools which are too liquid and too abundant (more than 3 stools per day, or a stool weight greater than 300 g per 24 hours). Diarrhea is said to be chronic when it lasts more than one month.

The major risk in diarrhea is dehydration. It is all the more serious when it affects children, the elderly, or vulnerable subjects.