How to treat increased intestinal motility. Increased intestinal motility

Intestinal peristalsis is a wave-forming contraction of the contraction walls that moves food along the digestive tract to the anus. Suppression of peristalsis is a dangerous symptom that may indicate paralytic intestinal obstruction. In this article we will look at how to improve intestinal motility.

Rhythmic contractions of the intestines

Attention! In the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision, paralytic ileus is designated by code K56.

What is intestinal peristalsis?

The movements of hollow organs resulting from the synchronous activity of smooth muscle cells are called peristalsis. Typical movements are wavy, with alternating phases of muscle contraction and relaxation. Intestinal peristalsis is based on contraction and relaxation of the longitudinal and circular muscles of the intestine. Contraction occurs throughout the intestine, that is, in both the small intestine and the large intestine. For this function, the intestine has a special wall structure.

The inner layer of the intestinal wall is the mucous membrane. On this mucosa lies a muscular layer, consisting of a circular and longitudinal one. The outermost intestinal layer is called Tunica adventitia. Only through the longitudinal and circular muscles is intestinal peristalsis possible.

Enterocytes

In the intestine, there are propulsive and non-propulsive peristalsis. Non-propulsive peristalsis arises from circular, locally occurring waves of muscle contractions. Non-propulsive peristalsis helps mix food in the intestines.

In the case of propulsive peristalsis, the circular muscles also contract, but the movement continues with the involvement of the longitudinal muscles. This is called a tonic constant contraction of the intestinal muscles. Propulsive peristalsis is needed to transport food to the anus. In addition to these two forms of intestinal peristalsis, retrograde and orthogonal peristalsis are distinguished.

With orthogonal peristalsis, the intestinal contents are transported in the correct direction, that is, towards the rectum. With retrograde peristalsis, the direction of movement is reversed.

The main function of peristalsis is to stir and transport food to the anus. Peristalsis is controlled by special pacemaker cells. They establish the rhythm of peristalsis.

The smooth muscle cells of the gastrointestinal tract are also called interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC). These are spindle-shaped cells located in the longitudinal muscle layer of the intestine. They act as an intermediary between muscle cells and intestinal excitatory and inhibitory nerve cells.

There is another group of Cajal cells in the intestinal muscle. They form a branched connection between the longitudinal and circular muscles and create real arrows. The cells are in close connection with the so-called Auerbach Plexus. Auerbach's plexus is a network of nerves in the intestinal wall and is responsible for peristalsis. Pacemaker cells, in turn, are controlled by the autonomic nervous system.

The peristaltic reflex is responsible for accelerating intestinal peristalsis after eating. Inside the wall of the stomach and intestines there are mechanoreceptors that respond to stretching. Mechanical stretch causes cells in the enteric nervous system to release serotonin. It stimulates other nerve cells in the intestinal wall, including pacemaker cells. This, in turn, causes muscle contractions in the intestinal muscle cells.

Reasons for violation

Impaired intestinal contractions occur in various diseases. In paralytic ileus, peristalsis stops completely due to a functional disorder, which ultimately causes intestinal paralysis. As a result, feces and food debris accumulate in the intestines. The most common cause of paralytic ileus is inflammation in the abdomen (appendicitis or pancreatitis).

Vascular occlusions, pregnancy, or various medications such as opiates, antidepressants, and medications for Parkinson's disease can also cause paralytic ileus.

In the case of mechanical obstruction, the intestinal passage is blocked by a mechanical obstruction. Mechanical obstruction occurs due to foreign bodies, gallstones and congenital intestinal pathologies. Mechanical obstruction can also develop as a complication of an inguinal hernia. With mechanical ileus, the intestines try to transport food. Therefore, intestinal motility increases.

Ileus

Typical symptoms of intestinal obstruction: vomiting feces, bloating, flatulence. If the intestines are severely damaged, bacteria can enter the abdominal cavity. The result is life-threatening inflammation of the peritoneum (peritonitis).

With irritable bowel syndrome, intestinal contractions are almost always disrupted. IBS is considered the most common bowel disease. IBS is a chronic functional disorder. Its symptoms are very varied. Weak intestinal motility leads to diarrhea (diarrhea), alternating with constipation, stomach pain and bloating. Defecation is often painful. The condition of patients worsens, especially in stressful situations. IBS makes the bowels less mobile.

A sedentary lifestyle is bad for the intestines and reduces contractions. It can disrupt the human gastrointestinal tract. Physical activity in this case helps to enhance intestinal motility. Some high-carbohydrate foods also reduce peristalsis.

Walking, small meals, timely hydration is a list of preventative measures that will make the intestines work stronger at home in both men and women.

Characteristic symptoms

Symptoms and signs of weakened peristalsis in a child and an adult patient:

• Constipation;
• Abdominal pain (especially in old age);
• Increased gas formation;
• Increased intra-abdominal pressure;
• Feeling of incomplete bowel movement.

Constipation

Medicines for relief and recovery

Many people wonder how to completely restore peristalsis? Studies have shown that combinations of medications (prescription drugs) containing bupivacaine alone or in combination with opioids relieve postoperative ileus. Continuous intravenous lidocaine after abdominal surgery reduces the duration of postoperative obstruction.

A randomized trial compared systemic lidocaine infusion with placebo infusion in postoperative patients. Patients in the lidocaine group appeared to have fewer obstruction symptoms. Systemic lidocaine reduced postoperative pain. However, the scientists recommend further studies to evaluate systemic lidocaine infusion in postoperative patients.

Peripherally selective opioid antagonists are an option for the treatment of decreased peristalsis. Methylnaltrexone and alvimopan tablets are approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of paralytic ileus. These agents inhibit peripheral mu-opioid receptors and reverse the adverse gastrointestinal effects of opioids.

They do not cross the blood-brain barrier and therefore do not impair the analgesic effects of opioids. They also do not slow down the functioning of other organs.

Methylnaltrexone is indicated for opioid-induced constipation in patients with advanced disease receiving palliative care. In a study of 14 healthy volunteers evaluating the use of morphine plus oral methylnaltrexone in escalating doses, methylnaltrexone significantly reduced morphine-induced constipation. Another study reported that subcutaneous methylnaltrexone was effective in inducing diarrhea in patients with opioid-induced constipation. Because methylnaltrexone received relatively recent FDA approval, more rigorous testing is needed.

Methylnaltrexone

Another phase III, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study found that methylnaltrexone 12 mg and 24 mg did not reduce the duration of obstruction. Although the usefulness of intravenous methylnaltrexone has not been demonstrated, it is well tolerated in patients undergoing colectomy.

Alvimopan helps restore intestinal function and reduce the consequences of surgery in the postoperative period. It has a longer duration of action than methylnaltrexone. The researchers studied 78 postoperative patients randomized to receive placebo or alvimopan. Fifteen patients underwent partial colectomy and the remaining 27 underwent radical hysterectomy. All patients were on morphine.

Compared with patients on placebo, patients with this drug had their first bowel movement 2 days earlier and returned home 2 days earlier. Other completed studies include a meta-analysis comparing alvimopan with placebo. A study was conducted in which researchers found that alvimopan accelerated gastrointestinal recovery after bowel resection, regardless of age, gender, race, or concomitant medications.

The use of prokinetic agents has shown mixed results. Randomized trials have noted some benefit of the colonic laxative bisacodyl for the treatment of intestinal ileus.

Erythromycin, a motilin receptor agonist, has been used to treat functional intestinal obstruction. Metoclopramide, a dopaminergic antagonist, has antiemetic and prokinetic activity, but evidence has shown that the drugs may actually worsen ileus.

In a randomized controlled trial of 210 patients undergoing major abdominal surgery, perioperative low-dose celecoxib was shown to markedly reduce the development of paralytic ileus compared with diclofenac. The effect was independent of narcotic use and was not associated with an increase in the number of postoperative complications.

Diclofenac

A review of meta-analyses and randomized controlled trials of drugs used for post-operative ileus has been published by British scientists. The researchers examined three meta-analyses and 18 clinical trials. Only alvimopan has been shown to be effective in preventing obstruction.

Other methods to improve peristalsis

A peripheral mu-opioid receptor blocker helps increase peristalsis. The drug binds mu-opioid receptors in the intestine, selectively inhibiting the negative opioid effects on gastrointestinal function. Five clinical studies involving >2500 patients demonstrated accelerated recovery of upper and lower gastrointestinal function with alvimopan compared with placebo. A reduction in the length of sick days was observed in the drug group compared to placebo.

According to statistics, many people from developed cities suffer from diseases of the digestive system.

Gradually, the intestinal canal loses its functionality. This is affected by insufficient intestinal motility.

Concept of motor function

Many patients have heard a lot about what intestinal peristalsis is. But what is included in this concept and is this process really necessary for the body?

Intestinal motility is a wave-like contraction of the walls of the intestinal canal. This process allows the bolus of food to be further pushed from the upper to the lower parts of the organ.

Peristalsis of the intestinal tract plays a major role. It allows food to be digested, transported and excreted naturally in the form of feces.

This phenomenon involves smooth muscle structures, which are located in the intestines in two layers. In the initial layer the muscle structures are located longitudinally, in the other layer they are circular. All movements are coordinated. This ensures the creation of a peristaltic wave. The frequency of such movements can vary.

Patients often experience poor peristalsis. This slows down the absorption of beneficial components, impairs the passage of food and complicates the process of removing waste products from the body.

Against this background, the patient begins to complain of constipation, diarrhea, pain in the abdomen, and nausea. This can lead to the appearance of ulcers and polyps.

Causes of impaired motor functionality

How to improve intestinal motility? This question concerns most people who are faced with this problem. But before you start taking any measures, you need to identify the cause of the disease.

The reasons for weak peristalsis in adults lie in:

If these pathologies are present, treatment must be started immediately. If no measures are taken, adverse consequences will occur.

Sluggish peristalsis can occur in infants and young children.

The reasons that slow down the digestion of food lie in:

• presence of hereditary predisposition;
• stressful situations;
• nutrition changes. This process is observed when complementary foods are introduced or during weaning;
• inflow of small amounts of water.

To get rid of the problem, a newborn or infant needs to have a massage. Rotational movements reduce pain and restore the functionality of the digestive canal.

Lack of peristalsis is very common in old age, the reason for this is loss of elasticity due to age.

Surgical interventions performed on the abdominal cavity can also be a decisive factor. In this case, a chamomile enema enhances intestinal motility.

Symptoms

If there is decreased intestinal motility, symptoms will manifest themselves in:

• constant pain in the abdominal area. Their intensity may vary. Some complain of slight discomfort, others of acute spasms;
• flatulence and bloating;
• stool disorders. With weakened motor functionality, prolonged constipation will occur;
• increase in body weight;
• deterioration of the general condition due to intoxication of the body in the form of weakness, irritability, insomnia;
• the appearance of allergic reactions.

If the patient is bothered by such symptoms, then an urgent need to visit a doctor.

In some cases, the opposite situation is observed - increased intestinal motility. This process is accompanied by constant bowel movements, the amount of which can reach up to eight times per day.

Increased peristalsis occurs against the background of active work of the muscle structure. As a result of this, a person does not receive enough useful microelements, loses essential salts, and the body becomes severely dehydrated.

Increased intestinal peristalsis occurs for several reasons, including intestinal infections and exacerbation of chronic diseases. The patient may be bothered by flatulence and gas formation. And mucus or remnants of undigested food may appear in the stool.

Diagnosis

If there is a violation of intestinal motility and you cannot eliminate the unpleasant symptoms on your own, you need to visit a doctor as soon as possible.

Many diseases are similar to this pathology and therefore require a thorough examination of the patient.

To identify the cause of decreased or active peristalsis, you need to tell the doctor about the presence of complaints, associated symptoms and diseases.

After this, a diagnosis is prescribed, which includes:

• endoscopy;
• X-ray diagnostics;
• histological examination of the material;
• donating blood and stool for analysis.

After identifying the cause, medications are prescribed to improve intestinal motility.

Therapeutic manipulations

How to restore intestinal motility? Treatment of pathology involves the implementation of complex actions.

Drug therapy

How to strengthen intestinal motility? Treatment and restoration of motility involves the use of laxatives that stimulate the release of feces.

They are divided into several types:

1. Means for improving intestinal motility, which stimulate the entire digestive canal. The strongest and fastest-acting are Epsom and Glauber's salts. When they are consumed, pressure is exerted on the intestinal lumen. The enhancing effects are based on the obstruction of fluid absorption. The result is visible within one to two hours.
2. Medicines that help stimulate the small intestine. This type includes castor oil. When it is used, there is an improvement in the movement of contents through the intestinal tract. It is good for motor skills, but it should be taken carefully, observing a strict dosage.
3. Drugs that normalize the functioning of the large intestine. Their structure can be of plant or synthetic nature. Their effect is aimed at enhancing the tone of the colon.

Intestinal motility disorders are also treated with:

• enzyme medications - Pancreatin and Creon;
• sorbents - Activated carbon and Espumisan. They absorb gas bubbles, which normalizes peristalsis. Available in tablet form. If you need to treat an illness in a child, then it is better to purchase syrups.

How to make your digestive system work? To improve intestinal motility, antipsychotics, tranquilizers and antidepressants may be prescribed. But they must be taken strictly under the supervision of a doctor.

Creating a rational menu

How to improve digestive processes if the intestinal canal does not work? A proper diet perfectly normalizes the functionality of organs.

To normalize nutrition, the menu should include products that improve intestinal motility in the form of:

• cool decoctions;
• juices based on berries and fruits;
• mineral water and white wine;
• fresh sour milk in the form of sour cream, yogurt, curdled milk, kefir;
• ice cream;
• vegetable crops with a high presence of fiber. These include cabbage, radishes, turnips, radishes, carrots, beets;
• berry and fruit crops. These include apricot, plum, persimmon, grapes;
• porridge made from oatmeal, buckwheat and egg;
• wheat bran;
• greens and nuts.

To improve motor functionality and avoid various disorders, vegetables, fruits and berries should be consumed raw.

Freshly squeezed vegetable and fruit juices and vegetable oils are good stimulants for children, adults and the elderly.

The mixture of bran has always been good for making motor skills work. It is enough to eat two spoons after a night's rest for one month.

Small periods of time between eating food contribute to the constant functioning of the digestive system. But portions should be small. Overeating should be avoided, otherwise stagnation will form.

For accelerated motor function, it is necessary to exclude fatty, fried foods, smoked foods, sweets, baked goods and flour, and canned food.

In the child’s diet, with accelerated intestinal function, it is necessary to include products in the form of:

• fresh white bread, butter pastries;
• chocolate;
• berry jelly;
• pearl barley, rice, semolina porridge;
• rice infusions;
• pureed soups and vegetable purees;
• meat dishes, eggs and butter;
• fruits and berries. This includes rowan, bird cherry, pear, and compotes.

Such nutritional principles improve motor function and bring all processes back to normal.

Traditional methods

Improving the functionality of the digestive organs can be achieved with the help of traditional medicine. But you shouldn’t give up medications. This treatment method acts as an additional one.

First way

Laxative mixtures increase intestinal motility. To do this, take a spoonful of wheat, two apples, two spoons of oatmeal, honey and lemon.

The apples are peeled and grated on a fine grater. Mix with other ingredients. Pour in two tablespoons of water and mix well.

This recipe is a good stimulation for the digestive system, so it is better to consume the mixture in the morning or before bed.

Second way

A mixture of dried fruits will help increase motor function and avoid severe constipation.

To make the medicine, take 400 grams of prunes and dried apricots. Pass through a grater or blender. Senna grass, honey and propolis are added to the mass. Mix everything well until smooth.

You need to take the product at night. This will facilitate easier emptying of the intestinal canal.

Third way

Treatment with folk remedies that reduce intestinal motility is used much less frequently. When consumed, it is possible to reduce the amount of stool and ensure that the body is saturated with useful elements.

This remedy includes raisin decoction. To make it, take 100 grams of fruit. They are poured with a mug of boiled water and placed on the stove for 10-15 minutes. After this, the decoction is infused for two to three hours.

The finished product should be taken after meals up to three times a day. This recipe will quickly restore the functioning of the digestive tract.

If intestinal motility fails, only a doctor can answer what it is and how to cope with this condition. A properly selected diet improves motor skills.

The superimposed system better absorbs beneficial elements, so you should carefully monitor the functioning of the intestinal tract.

Intestinal dysfunction is a serious problem. Impaired peristalsis is often a symptom of another disease, but can also occur independently. Luckily, there are several ways to improve your gut muscle tone. But first, let's look at a process called peristalsis.

Peristalsis is usually called a wave-like contraction of the walls of the intestine (small and thick), which leads to the movement of food, chyme or feces in one direction. Peristalsis is a reflex act that involves intestinal muscle fibers. Their coordinated movement, controlled by the nervous system, creates a contractile wave. The frequency of formation of such waves in different parts of the intestine is different. Peristalsis also occurs during the interdigestive period.

Peristalsis is a wave-like contraction of the intestinal muscles.

Normal peristalsis

The rate of muscle contraction in the small intestine is different from that in the large intestine. Depending on the situation, food gruel can move at a rate of contraction of the walls of the small intestine from 8 to 10 times per minute. In the large intestine, where feces are formed, the contraction rate is slower and ranges from 3 to 4 times per minute. Pathological changes that lead to faster or slower contractions lead to problems with bowel movements (diarrhea or constipation).

What leads to impaired peristalsis

There are many reasons (from minor to serious) that lead to impaired motor skills:

• changes in diet and water imbalance;
• constant stress;
• bad habits;
• side effects of certain medications;
• intestinal infection;
• previous operations on the gastrointestinal tract;
• helminthic infestations;
• pregnancy;
• oncological diseases of the intestine, etc.

As a rule, impaired peristalsis in the form of diarrhea or constipation is just a symptom of a disease. “” is an example of a violation of nervous and humoral regulation. With it, under the influence of negative emotions, the motor and absorption function of the intestine changes, which is accompanied by either constipation or diarrhea.

Prolonged diarrhea is a health condition that causes loss of electrolytes and fluids, disrupts the mineral balance in the body and contributes to dehydration.

Intestinal atony or decreased peristalsis

Atony translated from Latin means lack of tone. Intestinal atony is associated with loss of muscle tone, resulting in excessive relaxation of the intestines, leading to constipation. Often the cause of loss of tone is errors in eating food with insufficient fiber content. In addition, psychogenic, endocrine, and toxic causes of atony and constipation are distinguished.

Decreased intestinal muscle tone reduces peristalsis

We are talking about intestinal atony if a person has not had a bowel movement for more than 2 days. Obvious symptoms of constipation include:

• abdominal pain;
• bloating, flatulence;
• general discomfort;
• loss of appetite.

Stool retention does not go away without a trace: fecal stones form and pathogenic microflora multiply. Harmful substances enter the bloodstream, poisoning the body. Against the background of constipation, the intestinal mucosa becomes inflamed, the biocinosis of beneficial microorganisms is disrupted, which predisposes to the development of intestinal cancer.

Colon spasm

The meaning of the word “spasm” translated from Greek means cramp. In fact, this pathological process, accompanied by prolonged compression of the intestinal muscle tissue, is called colic.

Spasm disrupts peristalsis, making it difficult for feces to move through the intestines.

If the cause of the spasm is thrombosis of the mesenteric vessels or intestinal obstruction, then the above symptoms appear very quickly. In this case, the pain is diffuse, the anterior abdominal wall is sharply tense. The condition is considered dangerous if pain disappears against the background of signs of spasm, which indicates possible intestinal necrosis.

How to improve peristalsis

If there are no serious changes in intestinal health, then you can improve intestinal motility with the help of foods containing fiber. It is especially abundant in fresh fruits and vegetables. The daily diet should include: apples, tomatoes, cabbage, etc. Dried fruits include dried apricots and prunes. You need to drink at least 1.5 liters of water per day. Fermented milk products will help support microflora.

Other measures to prevent constipation include:

• special gymnastic exercises, walking;
• healthy lifestyle and daily routine;
• the use of traditional medicine that stimulates the intestines.

Deterioration of peristalsis is a serious problem, leading to stagnation of feces and self-poisoning of the body. If you notice this symptom, do not delay visiting a specialist and self-medicate. The above recommendations are only a good addition to medical prescriptions.

- This is motor activity associated with the work of its smooth muscles. Regular contraction and relaxation of muscles promotes digestion and movement of contents through the digestive tract. If motor function is impaired, the bowel movement pattern changes and the state of health worsens.

The muscular lining of the intestine consists of two layers, which differ in the arrangement of the fibers: longitudinal outer and circular inner. Coordinated muscle contractions produce bowel movements.

Types of physiological contractions

Regulation

Intestinal motility is the result of the coordinated work of hormones, the autonomic and central nervous systems.

• cells of the neuromuscular plexus of the intestinal wall provide background rhythmic activity;
• motility is enhanced by the influence of food breakdown products;
• irritation of rectal zone receptors inhibits upper motor skills;
• food intake first reflexively inhibits, then stimulates the motor activity of the intestines;
• hormones that enhance motility: gastrin, histamine, vasopressin;
• hormones that reduce motility: secretin, vasoactive intestinal peptide.

With normal intestinal motor function, the digestion process lasts from 1 to 3 days.

Weak motor skills

Decreased motility leads to infrequent and insufficient bowel movements. Chronic constipation appears.

Symptoms

Causes

Enhanced motor skills

With high intestinal motility, food remains in the body for less than a day. During this time, it does not have time to be completely digested and absorbed. Arises.

Symptoms

Causes

Improving intestinal motility

Diet

If you have intestinal atony, eat regularly, at least 4 times a day. Drink at least 2 liters of fluid per day. Include foods with a laxative effect in your diet.

Grocery list

Set of exercises

Do morning exercises, do exercises to stimulate intestinal function:

Drugs

Reducing intestinal motility

Diet

Nutrition during accelerated peristalsis should be gentle. Eliminate fatty, fried, spicy, rough foods. Eat small portions up to 6 times a day. For diarrhea, prepare pureed dishes: casseroles, puddings, soufflés, purees. The basis of the diet should be foods with a fixing effect.

When contractions of the intestinal walls become insufficient, they speak of decreased intestinal motility, and if they are increased, they speak of increased ones. Both of these conditions require correction. Often it is enough to change the diet and increase physical activity, but in some cases medication is necessary.

Physiological basis of intestinal motility

Intestinal peristalsis: what is it? Consecutive wave-like contractions of the muscles of the walls of the organ, necessary to move the contents.

Intestinal peristalsis is controlled by the autonomic nervous system. The muscles in the walls are located in two layers: in one - longitudinally, in the other - circularly (ring-shaped). Information about their contraction or relaxation comes from the brain along nerve fibers.

Consecutive changes in these states ensure the movement of food, and then feces to the anus. The process of evacuation (defecation) also requires peristaltic movements of the intestinal walls.

Thanks to peristalsis, the supply of liquids to the digestive system necessary for the absorption of useful substances and the processing of the remaining ones is ensured: outflow occurs from the small intestine, from -. Therefore, motor skills are important not only for transportation, but also for digestion of food.

Intestinal peristalsis in each section of the digestive tract has its own specifics. First, the contents enter the duodenum. Muscle contractions in it occur in response to stimulation of the walls with food; they can be slow, increased or rapid. Usually several types of peristaltic waves move at the same time.

In the jejunum and ileum, motility is less intense. In the thick section, food takes a long time to digest. Contractions occur only a few times a day and move contents to the anal sphincter.

Reasons for violation

Enhanced, active intestinal motility is one of the types of intestinal peristalsis, in which contractions occur frequently and food moves very quickly, without having time to be absorbed.

The reasons for this dysfunction may be:

• substances that excessively irritate the intestinal walls - medications, sour or spicy foods;
• large amount of food;
• inflammatory processes in the intestines - enterocolitis;
• psycho-emotional overload, stress, .

Inhibition or absence of peristalsis, when contractions of the walls are rare, slow or absent at all, occurs for the following reasons:

• frequent and uncontrolled consumption of high-calorie foods;
• chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract - colitis, gastritis;
• tumors - polyps, cancer;
• abdominal surgery;
• age-related changes - muscle atrophy, hormonal imbalance, chronic pathologies;
• hypodynamic lifestyle;
• influence of drugs.

Symptoms

Symptoms of intestinal motility disorders depend on its type.

With increased, frequent contraction of the muscle walls,:

• Spasmodic pain. Irritation of the intestinal walls and increased peristalsis lead to a sharp and intense contraction of its walls. The symptom increases after eating, taking medications, and decreases during sleep.
• Frequent stools, sometimes loose (diarrhea).
• Increased gas formation, bloating.
• Changes in the nature of stool: it becomes liquid, mucus appears, and sometimes streaks of blood.
• After visiting the toilet, there is a feeling that the intestines are not completely emptied.

Weak intestinal motility has the following symptoms:

• Abdominal pain of varying localization and intensity. During the day, they can manifest themselves either as barely noticeable discomfort or as severe cramps. Often this symptom subsides after defecation, release of gas, during sleep, and intensifies after eating.
• Excessive gas formation, bloating.
• Constipation. Stool disorders of this type are persistent, but in rare cases they alternate with diarrhea, and if left untreated they become chronic.
• Weight gain occurs due to disturbances in digestion and metabolic processes in the body.
• Signs of intoxication: deterioration in general health, weakness, headaches, bad mood, allergic reactions, skin rashes. Prolonged presence of processed foods in the intestines leads to the absorption of toxins from them.

Diagnostics

To know how to restore and normalize intestinal motility, it is necessary to find out the nature of the disorder and its causes.

The minimum set of diagnostic methods includes:

• Finger examination.
• Coprogram - analysis of stool to identify other digestive disorders.
• Endoscopy is an instrumental examination of the intestine.
• Irrigoscopy is an X-ray examination with the introduction of a contrast agent into the intestines.

In difficult cases, an ultrasound of the abdominal and pelvic organs and computed tomography may be prescribed. Based on the results of the data obtained, the doctor makes a diagnosis and prescribes treatment.

What do intestinal motility disorders lead to?

Poor intestinal motility contributes to fecal stagnation. As a result, bacteria actively multiply there and rotting processes begin. The resulting toxins are absorbed into the blood and travel to various organs, disrupting their functioning.

The liver is the first to suffer. Receiving increased load, it cannot cope with the filtering function. Signs of intoxication of the body are increasing: headaches, lethargy, drowsiness, decreased mood, deterioration of the skin and hair, the appearance of acne and other rashes.

Reverse peristalsis of the small intestine and stomach can lead to belching and vomiting. Intensified and frequent contractions of the walls provoke diarrhea, which is dangerous due to dehydration.

With a large loss of fluid, chills, tachycardia, and dizziness develop. If medical assistance is not provided, these conditions develop into shortness of breath, convulsions, vomiting, and increased heart rate.

Another complication of increased intestinal motility is insufficient absorption of nutrients, which can lead to disruption of metabolic processes in the body.

Treatment

Impaired intestinal motility requires treatment, as it makes you feel worse and can lead to complications. The therapy is carried out comprehensively and involves correcting nutrition, performing special physical exercises and taking medications. The doctor makes all prescriptions after establishing the cause of the violations and determining their nature.

Treatment of sluggish intestinal and gastric peristalsis is aimed at stimulating it. It is necessary to exclude high-calorie foods from the diet: sweets, fatty foods. Also prohibited are foods that increase gas formation and fermentation: legumes, boiled eggs, fresh baked goods, fresh milk.

The basis of the daily menu should be vegetables, fruits, cereals, bran - sources of fiber. You need to eat food often and in small portions. Drink about 2 liters of water during the day.

When dietary changes are not enough, the doctor prescribes medications to enhance intestinal motility:

• increasing muscle tone of the walls (Vasopressin, Proserin);
• laxatives (Epsom salts, castor oil, Senade, Regulax, magnesia).

Medicines are not always prescribed by a doctor, since intestinal motility can be increased by correcting nutrition and physical exercises aimed at stimulating blood flow and strengthening the abdominal muscles.

An approximate complex of morning exercises could be like this:

1. Exercise "bicycle" lying on your back. Perform 25 times.
2. Lying on your back, bend your legs and pull them to your chest, hold for 5 seconds, return to the starting position. Perform 10-12 times.
3. Lying on your back, raise your legs straight and behind your head, slowly lower them. Perform 10-12 times.
4. Standing with your feet shoulder-width apart, twist your body left and right. Perform 10-12 times in each direction.
5. Walk in place for 3-5 minutes.

With increased and frequent contractions of the intestinal walls, another treatment is prescribed, since in this case it is necessary to reduce peristalsis. The diet is compiled individually, based on the patient’s observations.

It is necessary to determine which foods cause irritation and the development of spasms. Most often these are spicy, smoked, fatty foods, carbonated drinks and alcohol, and milk. Products to reduce intestinal motility - stewed and boiled vegetables, rice, oats, jelly.

To eliminate increased intestinal motility, drugs are prescribed that slow it down: Imodium, Loperamide, Lopedium, Diara. Therapeutic gymnastics is aimed at relaxing muscles, physical exercises are combined with breathing. When selecting them, the main thing is to avoid stress on the abdominal muscles.

Starting position: standing on all fours or lying on your back. Exercises from yoga, Pilates ("cat", stretching the oblique muscles) are suitable.

Prevention

Since it is often not easy to establish peristalsis in an adult, it is worth paying attention to the prevention of its violations:

• visit a gastroenterologist at least once a year to promptly identify and eliminate diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• maintain moderate physical activity - walking and cycling, visiting the pool, etc.;
• follow a diet and adhere to a healthy diet - a diet for normal intestinal motility includes eating foods high in fiber, avoiding sweets, legumes, baked goods, spicy and seasoned foods.

Intestinal peristalsis is its ability to rhythmically contract the walls. It is necessary for moving food from the stomach to the anus, as well as for its digestion.

If peristalsis is disturbed, it weakens or strengthens. Both conditions bring discomfort, complications and require treatment. To restore normal bowel function, nutritional correction, medication, and physical exercise are necessary.

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