Enhanced intestinal motility how to treat. Increased intestinal peristalsis

Intestinal peristalsis is the undulating contraction of the contraction walls that propels food through the digestive tract towards the anus. Inhibition of peristalsis is a dangerous symptom that may indicate paralytic intestinal obstruction. In the article we will analyze how to improve intestinal motility.

Rhythmic contractions of the intestines

Attention! In the international classification of diseases of the 10th revision, paralytic ileus is designated by the 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 the contraction and relaxation of the longitudinal and circular muscles of the intestine. The contraction occurs in the entire intestine, that is, in areas of the small intestine and 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 a longitudinal one. The outermost intestinal layer is called Tunica adventitia. Only through the longitudinal and annular muscles is intestinal peristalsis possible.

Enterocytes

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

In the case of propulsive peristalsis, the annular muscles also contract, but the movement continues with the involvement of the longitudinal muscles. This is called tonic constant contraction of the intestinal musculature. 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 contents of the intestine are transported in the correct direction, that is, to 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 set the rhythm of peristalsis.

The smooth muscle cells of the gastrointestinal tract are also called Cajal interstitial cells (ICCs). These are spindle-shaped cells located in the longitudinal muscular 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 musculature. They form a branched connection between the longitudinal and annular muscles and create real arrows. The cells are closely related to 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 the acceleration of intestinal motility after eating. Inside the walls of the stomach and intestines are mechanoreceptors that respond to stretching. Mechanical stretch causes the cells of 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

Violation of intestinal contractions occurs in various diseases. With paralytic ileus, peristalsis completely stops 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 drugs for Parkinson's disease can also cause paralytic ileus.

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

Ileus

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

In irritable bowel syndrome, intestinal contractions are almost always disturbed. 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 intestines less mobile.

A sedentary lifestyle is bad for the intestines and reduces contractions. It can disrupt the functioning of the human gastrointestinal tract. Physical activity in this case helps to increase intestinal motility. Reduce peristalsis and some high-carb foods.

Walking, fractional meals, timely hydration - a list of preventive measures that will make the intestines work harder at home for 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 emptying of the bowels.

Constipation

Preparations for relief and recovery

Many are wondering how to fully restore peristalsis? Studies have shown that drug combinations (prescription drugs) containing bupivacaine alone or in combination with opioids relieve postoperative ileus. Continuous intravenous administration of lidocaine after abdominal surgery reduces the duration of postoperative ileus.

In a randomized trial, systemic lidocaine infusion was compared with placebo infusions 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 a treatment option for impaired 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. Also, they do not slow down the work of other organs.

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

Methylnaltrexone

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

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

Compared to patients on placebo, patients on 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 scientists found that alvimopan accelerates recovery of the gastrointestinal tract 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 from the colon-stimulating laxative bisacodyl for the treatment of intestinal ileus.

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

In a randomized controlled trial of 210 patients undergoing major abdominal surgery, perioperative low dose celecoxib was shown to significantly reduce the development of paralytic ileus compared to diclofenac. The effect did not depend on 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 postoperative ileus has been published by British scientists. The researchers studied three meta-analyses and 18 clinical trials. Only alvimopan has been shown to be effective in preventing obstruction.

Other Methods for Improving Peristalsis

A peripheral mu-opioid receptor blocker helps increase peristalsis. The drug binds to mu-opioid receptors in the gut, selectively inhibiting the negative opioid effects on gastrointestinal function. Five clinical studies involving > 2500 patients have demonstrated accelerated recovery of upper and lower GI 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.

The concept of motor function

What is intestinal peristalsis, many patients have heard. But what is included in this concept and is this process necessary for the body?

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

Peristalsis of the intestinal tract plays one of the main roles. It allows food to be digested, promoted and excreted naturally in the form of feces.

This phenomenon involves smooth muscle structures that are in the intestine in two layers. In the initial layer, the muscle structures are located longitudinally, in the other - circularly. All movements are coordinated. This ensures the creation of a peristaltic wave. The frequency of such movements can be varied.

Often, patients have poor peristalsis. This slows down the absorption of useful 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, nausea. This can lead to ulcers and polyps.

Causes of impaired motor functionality

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

The causes of weak peristalsis in adults lie in:

In the presence of these pathologies, it is urgent to begin treatment. If no action is taken, there will be adverse consequences.

Sluggish peristalsis can also occur in infants and young children.

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

• the presence of a hereditary predisposition;
• stressful situations;
• change in nutrition. This process is observed with the introduction of complementary foods or during weaning;
• small amount of water.

To get rid of the problem, a newborn or baby needs to be massaged. Rotational movements reduce pain and restore the functionality of the alimentary canal.

The absence of peristalsis is very often observed in old age, the reason for this is the loss of elasticity due to age.

Also, surgical interventions that are carried out on the abdominal cavity can become a decisive factor. In this case, chamomile enema enhances intestinal motility.

Symptoms

If there is reduced intestinal motility, the symptoms will appear in:

• constant pain in the abdomen. 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 be observed;
• increase in body weight;
• deterioration of the general condition due to intoxication of the body in the form of weakness, irritability, insomnia;
• occurrence of allergic reactions.

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

In some cases, the opposite situation is observed - increased intestinal peristalsis. This process is accompanied by a permanent chair, the amount of which per day can reach up to eight times.

The increase in peristalsis occurs against the background of the active work of the muscular structure. As a result, a person receives less useful trace elements, loses the necessary salts, and the body is severely dehydrated.

Increased intestinal motility occurs for several reasons, which include intestinal infections, and exacerbation of chronic diseases. The patient may be disturbed by flatulence and gas formation. And in the stool, mucus or the remains of undigested food may appear.

Diagnosis

If there is a violation of intestinal motility and it is not possible to eliminate 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 reduced or active peristalsis, you need to tell your doctor about the presence of complaints, concomitant symptoms and diseases.

After that, a diagnosis is assigned, which includes:

• endoscopy;
• x-ray diagnostics;
• histological examination of the material;
• donation of blood and feces for analysis.

After identifying the cause, drugs are prescribed that improve intestinal motility.

Therapeutic manipulations

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

Medical therapy

How to increase intestinal peristalsis? Treatment and restoration of motility consists in 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. Epsom and Glauber's salts are among the strongest and fastest acting. When they are used, there is pressure on the intestinal lumen. Reinforcing effects are based on the obstruction of fluid absorption. The result is visible in one to two hours.
2. Medications that stimulate the small intestine. Castor oil is one of these types. With its use, there is a relief in the movement of the 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 work of the large intestine. Their structure is of vegetable and synthetic nature. Their effect is aimed at strengthening the tone of the colon.

Bowel dysmotility is also treated with:

• enzyme medicines - Pancreatin and Creon;
• sorbents - activated carbon and Espumizan. They absorb gas bubbles, which allows you to normalize peristalsis. Are issued in the form of tablets. If it is necessary to treat the disease in a child, then it is better to purchase syrups.

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

Creating a rational menu

How to establish digestive processes if the intestinal canal does not work? The correct 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 an increased presence of fiber. These include cabbage, radish, turnips, radishes, carrots, beets;
• berry and fruit crops. These include apricot, plum, persimmon, grapes;
• porridge from oatmeal, buckwheat and eggs;
• wheat bran;
• greens and nuts.

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

Good stimulants for children, adults and elderly people are freshly squeezed vegetable and fruit juices, vegetable oils.

The mixture of bran always made motor skills work well. It is enough to eat two tablespoons after a night's rest for one month.

Small intervals between meals contribute to the constant work of the digestive system. But portions should be small. Overeating should not be allowed, otherwise stagnation will form.

For accelerated motor function, it is necessary to exclude fatty, fried, dishes, smoked meats, sweets, pastries and flour, canned food.

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

• white fresh bread, rich pastries;
• chocolate
• berry kissels;
• barley porridge, rice, semolina;
• rice infusions;
• grated soups and vegetable purees;
• meat dishes, eggs and butter;
• fruits and berries. These include mountain ash, bird cherry, pear, compotes.

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

Folk ways

Improving the functionality of the digestive organs can be achieved with the help of traditional medicine. But you don't have to give up medicines. This method of treatment acts as an additional.

First way

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

Apples are peeled and rubbed on a fine grater. Mixed 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 use the mixture in the morning or before bedtime.

Second way

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

For the manufacture of the medicine, 400 grams of prunes and dried apricots are taken. Pass through a grater or blender. Senna grass, honey and propolis are added to the mass. Everything is well mixed until a homogeneous mass.

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

Third way

Treatment with folk remedies that reduce intestinal motility is used much less frequently. With their use, it is possible to reduce the amount of stool, and ensure the saturation of the body with useful elements.

This remedy includes a decoction of raisins. For its manufacture, 100 grams of fruit are taken. They are poured with a cup of boiled water and put on the stove for 10-15 minutes. After that, the broth is infused for two to three hours.

Take the finished product after meals up to three times a day. This recipe will quickly restore the digestive tract.

If intestinal motility fails, what it is and how to cope with such a condition, only a doctor can answer. A well-chosen diet improves motor skills.

The superimposed system better absorbs the absorption of useful elements, so you should carefully monitor the work of the intestinal tract.

Intestinal failure is a serious problem. Violation of peristalsis is often a symptom of another disease, but can also occur on its own. Fortunately, there are several ways to improve intestinal muscle tone. But first, let's look at a process called peristalsis.

Peristalsis is called the wave-like contraction of the walls of the intestines (thin and thick), which leads to the movement of food, chyme or feces in one direction. Peristalsis is a reflex act in which the muscle fibers of the intestine are involved. 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 in the interdigestive period.

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

Normal peristalsis

The rate of contraction of the muscles of the small intestine is different from that of the large intestine. Depending on the situation, the food gruel can move at the 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 rate of contraction is less and ranges from 3 to 4 times per minute. Pathological changes leading 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 dysmotility:

• change in diet and violation of water balance;
• constant stress;
• bad habits;
• side effects of certain medicines;
• intestinal infection;
• transferred operations on the digestive tract;
• helminthic invasions;
• pregnancy;
• bowel cancer, etc.

As a rule, a violation of peristalsis in the form of diarrhea or constipation is just a symptom of a disease. "" - an example of a violation of the 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 condition that leads to loss of electrolytes, fluids, leads to a violation of the mineral balance in the body and contributes to dehydration.

Intestinal atony or decreased peristalsis

Atony in Latin means lack of tone. Intestinal atony is associated with a loss of muscle tone, resulting in excessive relaxation of the intestine, leading to constipation. Often the reason for the loss of tone is errors in eating food with insufficient fiber content. In addition, there are psychogenic, endocrine, toxic causes of atony and constipation.

Reduced intestinal muscle tone reduces peristalsis

We are talking about intestinal atony if a person has not emptied the intestines for more than 2 days. Obvious symptoms of constipation include:

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

Without a trace, stool retention does not go away: fecal stones are formed, pathogenic microflora multiplies. Harmful substances enter the bloodstream, poisoning the body. Against the background of constipation, the intestinal mucosa becomes inflamed, the biocenosis of beneficial microorganisms is disturbed, which predisposes to the development of oncological bowel disease.

Spasm of the large intestine

The meaning of the word "spasm" in Greek means spasm. In fact, this pathological process, accompanied by prolonged contraction of the intestinal muscle tissue, is called colic.

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

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

How to improve peristalsis

If there are no serious changes in the health of the intestines, then you can improve its peristalsis with the help of foods containing fiber. Especially a lot of it is found in fresh fruits and vegetables. The daily diet should include: apples, tomatoes, cabbage, etc. From dried fruits, dried apricots and prunes are useful. You must drink at least 1.5 liters of water per day. Fermented milk products will help support the microflora.

Other measures to prevent constipation include:

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

The deterioration of peristalsis is a serious problem, leading to stagnation of feces and self-poisoning of the body. Do not delay with a visit to a specialist if you find this symptom and self-medicate. The above recommendations are only a good addition to medical prescriptions.

- this is a motor activity associated with the work of its smooth muscles. Regular contraction and relaxation of the muscles promotes the digestion and promotion of the contents through the digestive tract. In violation of motor function, the mode of bowel movement changes, the state of health worsens.

The muscular coat of the intestine consists of two layers, which differ in the arrangement of fibers: longitudinal outer and circular inner. Coordinated muscle contractions provide 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 action of food breakdown products;
• irritation of the receptors of the rectal zone inhibits the motility of the upper sections;
• food intake first reflexively inhibits, then stimulates the motor activity of the intestine;
• motility-enhancing hormones: gastrin, histamine, vasopressin;
• motility-reducing hormones: secretin, vasoactive intestinal peptide.

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

Weakened motor skills

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

Symptoms

Causes

Enhanced motor skills

With high motor activity of the intestine, food is in the body for less than a day. During this time, she does not have time to fully digest and assimilate. Arises.

Symptoms

Causes

Improving intestinal motility

Diet

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

Grocery list

A set of exercises

Do morning exercises, do exercises to stimulate bowel function:

Preparations

Decreased intestinal motility

Diet

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

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

The physiological basis of intestinal peristalsis

Intestinal peristalsis: what is it? Sequential 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). From the brain, nerve fibers receive information about their contraction or relaxation.

The successive change of these states ensures 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 liquids necessary for the absorption of nutrients and the processing of the remaining ones are supplied to the digestive system: outflow occurs from the small intestine, from -. Therefore, motor skills are important not only for transportation, but also for the digestion of food.

Intestinal peristalsis in each of the sections 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 is digested for a long time. Contractions occur only a few times a day and move the contents to the anal sphincter.

Reasons for violation

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

The reasons for this dysfunction may be:

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

Inhibition or absence of peristalsis, when wall contractions 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 failure, chronic pathologies;
• hypodynamic lifestyle;
• the effect of drugs.

Symptoms

Symptoms of intestinal peristalsis depend on its type.

With increased, frequent contraction of the muscle walls,:

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

Weak intestinal motility has the following symptoms:

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

Diagnostics

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

The minimum set of diagnostic methods includes:

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

In difficult cases, ultrasound of the abdominal cavity and small pelvis, computed tomography can be prescribed. Based on the results of the data obtained, the doctor establishes a diagnosis and prescribes treatment.

What causes intestinal motility disorders

Poor intestinal motility contributes to the stagnation of feces. As a result, bacteria actively multiply there, and decay processes begin. The resulting toxins are absorbed into the bloodstream and enter various organs, disrupting their work.

First of all, the liver suffers. Receiving an increased load, it cannot cope with the filtering function. Signs of intoxication of the body are growing: headaches, lethargy, drowsiness, decreased mood, deterioration of the skin in the hair, the appearance of acne and other rashes.

Reverse peristalsis of the small intestine and stomach can lead to belching, vomiting. Strengthened 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, 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

Violation of intestinal motility requires treatment, as it worsens well-being and can lead to complications. Therapy is carried out in a complex way, it implies nutrition correction, performing special physical exercises and taking medications. The doctor makes all appointments after establishing the cause of the violations and determining their nature.

Treatment of sluggish peristalsis of the intestines and stomach is aimed at its stimulation. From the diet it is necessary to exclude high-calorie foods: sweets, fatty foods. Also banned are foods that increase gas formation and fermentation: legumes, boiled eggs, fresh pastries, fresh milk.

The basis of the daily menu should be vegetables, fruits, cereals, bran - sources of fiber. Eating should be frequent and in small portions. Drink about 2 liters of water throughout the day.

When changes in nutrition are not enough, the doctor prescribes drugs to increase intestinal motility:

• increasing the muscle tone of the walls (Vasopressin, Prozerin);
• 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 can 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 straight legs and bring them over your head, slowly lower them. Perform 10-12 times.
4. Standing, feet shoulder-width apart, twist the body to the left and right. Perform 10-12 times in each direction.
5. Walking in place for 3-5 minutes.

With increased and frequent contraction 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 observations of the patient.

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, 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 the muscles, physical exercises are combined with breathing exercises. When choosing them, the main thing is to avoid stress on the abdominal muscles.

Starting position: standing on all fours or lying on your back. Suitable exercises from yoga, Pilates ("kitty", stretching oblique muscles).

Prevention

Since it is most 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 in order to timely identify and eliminate diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• maintain moderate physical activity - walk and cycle, visit the pool, etc .;
• follow a diet and eat a healthy diet - a diet for normal intestinal motility includes eating foods high in fiber, avoiding sweets, legumes, pastries, spicy and seasoned foods.

Peristalsis of the intestine 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.

When peristalsis is disturbed, it is weakened or strengthened. Both conditions bring discomfort, complications and require treatment. To restore normal bowel function, nutrition correction, medication, and exercise are necessary.

Useful video about the normalization of bowel function