Increased gastric peristalsis - what is it?

Gastric motility

The term motility is used to describe muscle contractions in the gastrointestinal tract. Although the gastrointestinal tract is a round tube, when its muscles contract, they block this tube or make its internal lumen smaller. These muscles can contract synchronously, moving food in a certain direction - usually downwards, but sometimes up short distances. This is called peristalsis. Some contractions may push the contents of the digestive tube forward. In other cases, the muscles contract more or less independently of each other, mixing the contents but not moving them up or down the digestive tract. Both types of contractions are called motility.

The term motility is used to describe muscle contractions in the gastrointestinal tract

The gastrointestinal tract is divided into four sections: the esophagus, stomach, small intestine and large intestine. They are separated from each other by special muscles called sphincters, which regulate the flow of food from one section to another and which are tightly closed most of the time. Each section of the gastrointestinal tract performs different functions in the overall digestive process and therefore each section has its own types of contractions and sensitivities. Contractions and sensitivity that do not correspond to the functions performed by this department can cause various unpleasant symptoms in the patient. This article describes the normal contractions and sensitivity of the esophagus and stomach, and the symptoms that may occur as a result of abnormalities.

Gastric peristalsis

The modern dynamics of life forces a person to often eat on the go or eat fast food.

As a result, a phenomenon occurs such as gastric peristalsis, which is one of the stages of digestion and processing of incoming products.

Many people face this problem due to gastrointestinal diseases, and this process is observed in people of different ages. This is especially acute for patients with disorders of the digestive system.

What is peristalsis?

Intestinal peristalsis is the sequential contraction of the muscles of the walls of the organ necessary to push the contents through.

Every second inhabitant of the planet faces this problem in her work, and this is caused by various reasons.

In medicine, the process is explained as a sequential uncontrolled contraction of the hollow organs of the digestive tract, which stimulates the movement of food to the next stage.

The intestines and stomach are important organs intended for many functions, failure of which leads to discomfort in the stomach and pain while eating.

Diffuse intake of foods provokes problems in the digestion process and undigested food gets stuck in the intestines, causing spasmodic waves that impede the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

After pathological processes, patency is reduced, metabolic disorders occur, leading to chronic diseases.

Pathogenesis

Peristalsis is controlled by the autonomic nervous system. The muscles in the walls of the intestine are located longitudinally and in a ring shape. Consecutive changes of contractions or relaxations ensure the progression of content. Changed tone for various reasons leads to a decrease or increase, and a complete absence of peristalsis is observed.

In case of digestion disorders, unprocessed food enters the next department, which slows down the entire mechanical process, which negatively affects the operation of the entire system and leads to disturbances and failures. Food begins to stagnate, undergo fermentation and rotting, which stimulates the emergence of pathogenic bacteria.

As a result, a person is at risk for the following diseases:

Impaired motor activity of the organ can provoke the development of constipation.

• inflammation of the stomach;
• ulcers;
• diarrhea;
• constipation;
• erosion;
• tumors.

Accelerated peristalsis occurs against the background of chronic pathologies of the stomach, gallbladder and pancreas.

The appearance of pain symptoms in these pathologies requires immediate consultation with a doctor, since these signs may indicate the progression of the disease.

Reasons for violations

A consistent algorithm of violations and failures arises as a result of many factors, which most often depend on the patient. Decreased or increased peristalsis occurs due to:

• poor nutrition;
• unbalanced food intake;
• chronic pathologies of the stomach;
• age-related changes;
• genetic predisposition;
• neoplasms in the intestines;
• surgical manipulations in the abdominal cavity;
• disruptions in motor skills due to taking pharmaceutical drugs;
• disorders in the central nervous system.

Eating on the go can cause gastric pathology.

In addition, disorders can be caused by frequent stress or eating large amounts of high-calorie food. Most often, patients complain of problems after eating a large meal or eating on the go.

Quick, dry snacks have a negative impact not only on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, but also on the entire body as a whole.

Consumption of a small number of healthy foods increases significant dysfunctions in the digestion process, which in the long term is dangerous for the occurrence of diseases and chronic pathologies.

Symptoms

Since signs of disturbances almost always appear immediately, it is not difficult to determine the nature of the phenomenon. A common symptom is heaviness in the stomach after eating and diffuse cramping in the abdominal cavity. In addition, there are several naturally occurring symptoms that are characteristic of this disorder:

• pain radiating to different parts of the abdominal cavity;
• quick saturation with a small amount of food;
• heaviness;
• bad breath;
• hiccups;
• bloating;
• rigidity of the stomach wall (the stomach has become lumpy);
• shortness of breath, difficulty breathing.

In patients with ulcers, the disturbance in the motor activity of the organ is very pronounced.

Weak or sluggish peristalsis is observed in people with stomach pathologies, when the walls of the mucous membrane are depleted and the organ is not able to perform its functions. Patients with ulcers feel the symptoms especially acutely, since the gastrointestinal tract does not work at full capacity, since it is weakened by pathology. This means that the active phase of digestion is hampered by the inability of the stomach to quickly absorb food and process it.

Gastric motility disorder

In normal condition, the hollow organ contracts systematically. Muscle fibers line the inner walls in two layers: in the first they are located longitudinally, in the second they are ring-shaped.

The amplitude of the wave-like movement of the muscles varies depending on the region of the intestine: the small intestine contracts at both a slow and fast pace. In addition, several reductions can be made simultaneously in a given department.

The food bolus moves much more slowly through the large intestine. The intensity of the peristaltic impulse increases several times a day at the time of the urge to defecate. The frequency of contractions is considered normal: for the duodenum - 1-12 per minute, for the rectum - 9-12, for the colon - 3-4 and 6-12, for the rectum - 3.

What happens if intestinal motility increases or, on the contrary, decreases? The process of passage of a bolus of food through the intestinal tube is complicated, as a result of which digestion suffers: beneficial substances from incoming food are absorbed more slowly and not in the proper volume, undigested food stagnates in the body, releasing toxic toxins. A pathogenic environment provokes the rapid proliferation of parasites, whose activities poison the life of the entire organism. Impaired motor function leads to the development of a number of diseases that manifest themselves as intestinal disorders in the form of diarrhea or constipation, increased gas formation, abdominal pain, inflammation of the mucous membrane, and ulcerative damage to the walls of internal organs.

Mechanism of gastric peristalsis

The motor function of the stomach is carried out due to the contractile activity of the muscular lining of the organ, consisting of three layers of smooth muscle tissue:

• external longitudinal;
• middle circular;
• internal longitudinal.

The main property of smooth muscle cells is their automatism - the ability to spontaneously excite and contract in the absence of external stimuli.

In a full stomach, the elastic muscle wall tightly wraps around the food bolus, while the normal physiology of the process involves three types of contractile activity of the stomach:

Tonic waves arise as a result of redistribution of muscle tone. The contractions are prolonged, slowly spreading throughout the entire volume of the organ. They help grind food coming from the oral cavity and compact it into a food bolus.

Peristalsis is carried out due to the action of circulatory muscle fibers. The lumen of the stomach narrows behind the food bolus and the space in front expands. The pressure difference is the way chyme moves to the final part of the stomach.

Systolic contractions in the antrum and the opening of the pyloric sphincter contribute to the entry of the next portion of acidic gastric contents into the duodenum for further processing.

Gastric dysmotility symptoms

Symptoms of motor function disorder are manifested by early satiety syndrome, nausea, heartburn, vomiting, dumping syndrome.
Symptoms of motor function disorder are manifested by early satiety syndrome, nausea, heartburn, vomiting, dumping syndrome. When the tone of the muscular wall of the stomach weakens - hypotonicity - the organ increases in size, stretches, and is not able to tightly enclose the bolus of food. The clinical picture consists of symptoms:

• the appearance of discomfort and a feeling of heaviness in the epigastric region after eating;
• belching;
• heartburn;
• nausea;
• vomiting.

Food stagnates in the stomach for a long time, its evacuation into the intestines is disrupted, processes of rotting and fermentation occur, and infectious and toxic lesions of the food tract, similar to poisoning, develop.

Signs of accelerated evacuation of food from the organ are: paroxysmal pain in the abdomen after eating; nausea; weight loss; dyspepsia in the form of periodic diarrhea. Increased levels of the hormone progesterone during pregnancy reduce the tone of the smooth muscle fibers of the stomach. There is a feeling of discomfort and fullness in the stomach even with a small amount of food consumed. Dumping syndrome develops after removal of part of the stomach, which is manifested by persistent inhibition of the contractile activity of muscle fibers.

Symptoms of impaired intestinal motility

Signs indicating dysfunction of the digestive tract are:

• pain that has varying degrees of severity - from unnoticed discomfort to sharp spasms. Pain sensations decrease after going to the toilet and passing gas. They can also subside at night, and with food intake (with a morning cup of coffee or strong tea) they intensify again. Negative emotions can provoke increased pain;
• Difficulty defecating (constipation). Over time, constipation becomes chronic. It becomes almost impossible to empty the intestines naturally;
• feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen;
• bloating, increased gas formation;
• bad breath;
• loss of appetite due to weight gain;
• pale skin;
• signs of general malaise: lethargy, fatigue, fatigue, headaches, insomnia, irritability;
• dizziness: with anemia developed as a result of lack of nutrients;
• signs of poisoning: allergies, deterioration of skin and hair.

Dysfunction, characterized by an increase in contractile movements of smooth muscles, is accompanied by:

• acute pain in the intestinal area;
• frequent diarrhea with mucus or blood particles;
• flatulence, bloating;
• lack of relief after defecation, false urge to defecate;
• signs of dehydration are observed: dry mouth, weakness, drowsiness, chills, increased heart rate, decreased immunity.

The listed symptoms are warning signs that should not be ignored. To prevent serious consequences, you need to go to a clinic, where specialists, based on the results of tests and studies, will be able to determine an accurate diagnosis and prescribe effective therapy.

Poor gastric motility causes

The main reasons for weakening motor function are:

• poor nutrition, consumption of large amounts of simple carbohydrates, high-calorie foods;
• eating disorders: long intervals between meals, overeating;
• insufficient amount of fluid consumed; dehydration;
• low level of physical activity;
• chronic diseases of the liver, gall bladder, pancreas;
• infection of the body;
• malignant neoplasms in the intestines;
• complications after surgical intervention on the abdominal organs;
• chronic fatigue syndrome, constant stress, depression;
• side effects of medications;
• heredity and characteristics of old age;
• bad habits: smoking, alcohol abuse, drug addiction.

Weak peristalsis, most often a consequence of poor nutrition, leads to constipation. Snacks on the go, junk food (fast food, sweets, flour products, coffee, carbonated drinks) cause digestive disorders.

Constant fermentation and rotting of undigested and unremoved food leads to intoxication: the destructive effect is first on nearby organs - kidneys, liver - then other systems are affected by harmful substances. A high level of slagging and the formation of fecal stones negatively affect the condition of the mucous membrane. Persistent constipation contributes to the development of hemorrhoids, the formation of polyps in the intestines, which can develop into cancerous tumors.

Another less common variant of peristalsis dysfunction is increased muscle contractions. The following factors can enhance the motor activity of the digestive organs:

• consumption of foods that irritate the mucous membrane: sour, spicy foods;
• oncology;
• dysbacteriosis;
• chronic infectious diseases;
• neuropsychiatric disorders;
• taking certain medications (for example, antibiotics).

In this case, the patient suffers from severe pain and diarrhea: the stool is very liquid and has a foamy consistency. Frequent diarrhea leads to dehydration. Therefore, if motor skills increase, especially in children, it is necessary to urgently consult a doctor.

Causes of impaired motor function of the stomach

Changes in the tone of the muscular lining of the organ:

• increase – hypertonicity ;
• decrease – hypotonicity;
• complete lack of tone - atony .

This leads to a failure in the forward movement of chyme through the sections of the stomach to the duodenum. Violation of gastric motility in the form of hyperkinesis (increased) or hypokinesis (slowed down) of the process.

The causes of impaired gastric motility are various pathological processes: gastritis, erosion, ulcers, scars, tumors, polyps. Depending on the location of painful foci and their prevalence, peristalsis weakens or intensifies.

• How to improve intestinal function, foods that activate and reduce peristalsis

Gastric motility also suffers when there is a disorder in the humoral and nervous regulation of the motor activity of the organ. An increased concentration of hydrochloric acid, as well as the hormones secretin and cholecystokinin, slow down motility, and the secretion of gastrin and motilin, on the contrary, enhance peristalsis.

With the predominant influence on the smooth muscles of the stomach of the parasympathetic part of the autonomic nervous system (vagus nerve), motility increases, and activation of sympathetic fibers suppresses motor activity.

Improving gastric motility

Prokinetic drugs are used among drugs.
In addition to improving and normalizing gastric peristalsis, these drugs increase the tone of the lower esophageal sphincter, which reduces the manifestations of GERD. Prokinetic agents are used among drugs. In addition to improving and normalizing gastric motility, these drugs increase the tone of the lower esophageal sphincter, which reduces the manifestations of GERD. These drugs include type 2 dopamine receptor blockers (metaclopramide), a prokinetic agent with a combined effect (itopride), and second-generation selective dopamine receptor blockers (domperidone).

With gastroparesis - with a decrease in muscle tone and suppressed gastric emptying, accompanied by profuse vomiting, electrolyte disturbances and ketoacidosis, treatment of the underlying disease is required. A group of antiemetic drugs based on domperidone is prescribed: Motilium, Motilak, Passazhiks. You can improve gastric motility with the help of prokinetic drugs: Ganaton, Itomed, Trimedat.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis is carried out on the basis of a study of the patient’s objective data, laboratory tests, and instrumental examination methods:

• X-ray of the stomach with barium is a method that allows you to track the motor and evacuation functions of the organ;
• Ultrasound – abnormalities in the muscle layer of the stomach are monitored;
• electrogastrography – examines the motility of the gastric organ;
• endoscopy - the sensitivity threshold of the stomach wall is determined.

After examination and clarification of the cause of the malfunction in the motor function of the body’s digestive system, treatment is prescribed.

For gastric motility tablets

Drugs to improve gastric and intestinal motility stimulate smooth muscles and activate the transit of food through the digestive tract. Let's take a closer look at each of these drugs.

Metoclopramide

This drug is a non-selective dopamine receptor antagonist that stimulates gastric smooth muscle cells. Its main features include:

• increased motility and peristalsis of the stomach;
• improvement of anthro-duodenal consistency;
• reduces the urge to vomit;
• eliminates nausea.

Many studies have proven its effectiveness.

Despite these positive qualities, there is a fly in the ointment, namely frequent side effects that occur in almost a third of patients taking metaclopramide:

• extrapyramidal disorders;
• depression;
• drowsiness;
• hyperprolactinemia.

All of these side effects are caused by the drug's ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier into the brain. That is why its widespread use was suspended at one time.

Experts do not recommend prescribing this drug to relieve symptoms of MEF disorder. It should only be used in cancer patients who are vomiting due to chemotherapy.

Domperidone

This drug does not cross the blood-brain barrier.
This drug does not cross the blood-brain barrier. Among its positive properties we note:

• improving the tone of the lower esophageal sphincter;
• activation of peristalsis of the esophagus and gastric outlet;
• antiemetic effect.

Domperidone has not been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration because it has been associated with an increased risk of sudden death. Despite this, the drug is successfully used in many European countries.

Itopride

This drug is a prokinetic agent with a combined effect. Itopride leads to increased gastric motility and also accelerates the excretion of food masses further into the small intestine.

No serious side effects were found with the use of itopride.

Diagnostics

An important issue is the timely diagnosis of the pathological phenomenon, especially for people with lesions of the mucous walls of the stomach, in whom peristalsis is increased. This disease can aggravate the condition of the stomach, up to its complete loss of functionality. Therefore, at the first signs that are repeated and permanent, you should consult a doctor. To diagnose the disease, a complete history of symptoms is carried out, based on which the cause of the occurrence is determined. A gastroenterologist conducts an examination for primary disorders after excluding all possible gastrointestinal diseases. To investigate violations, the following are assigned:

• X-ray;
• Ultrasound;
• electrogastrographic study;
• endoscopy.

Return to contents

How to improve gastric motility with proper nutrition

In addition to drug treatment, diet therapy plays a large role in alleviating the patient’s condition.

With sluggish gastric peristalsis, food lingers in the cavity for too long, and the normal digestion process is disrupted. The basic principle of a diet for this pathology is to eat in small portions, no more than two dishes at a time; it is not recommended to drink liquids while eating. Products that cause increased gas formation are prohibited: sweet, salty, carbonated drinks. Increase the amount of protein in the diet by consuming lean meat, cottage cheese, and lactic acid products.

Strengthening gastric motility with exercise therapy

Therapeutic exercises are aimed at strengthening the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall.

A set of exercises that restore muscle tone:

1. Starting position (IP) lying on your back: alternately press your leg bent at the knee to your stomach.
2. Lying on your back, perform the movements performed when riding a bicycle with your legs.
3. From a lying position on your back, try to lift your legs up, supporting your lower back with your hands.
4. While standing, bend your torso to the sides.
5. Standing on your knees and leaning on your hands, stretch your legs back one by one.

Improve gastric and intestinal motility using folk remedies

Traditional healers offer decoctions and infusions of plants as additional supportive treatment.

• yarrow herb;
• chamomile inflorescences;
• dandelion root;
• dog-rose fruit;
• plantain grass;
• oregano

Medicinal plants are used in the form of infusions. Dose calculation: 30 g of crushed dried raw materials are poured into a glass of boiling water. After 30 minutes, filter and consume 100 ml between meals for at least a month.

Disorders of the motor activity of the stomach and the entire digestive system as a whole can be both functional and pathological in nature

Diagnostics

Modern modifications of X-ray examination with contrast make it possible to accurately determine the types of motor activity of the stomach: tone, peristalsis, evacuation rate, the presence or absence of esophagogastric or duodenogastric reflux.

A method of recording biopotentials or electrogastromyography, based on recording signals that can be used to judge the motor activity of the gastrointestinal tract.

Ballonographic method. A balloon with a probe and an electromanometer is inserted into the stomach. The device records the vibrations that the gastric wall causes when it contracts to the medium (water or air) inside the balloon.

The open catheter method is recognized as the simplest, physiological and at the same time informational way to study disorders of motor activity of the stomach and intestines. A catheter filled with a special solution is inserted into the gastric cavity. A column of fluid senses and transmits changes in pressure in the stomach. These fluctuations are displayed graphically. The method makes it possible to evaluate the muscle tone of the organ, the frequency, amplitude and rhythm of contractions.

Disturbed gastric motility, advice from a gastroenterologist

Disturbances in the motor activity of the stomach and the entire digestive system as a whole can be both functional and pathological in nature.

The doctor has all the tools at his disposal for timely detection of the disease and prescribing adequate treatment. Therefore, at the first signs of discomfort in the gastrointestinal tract, you should seek advice from a medical institution, and not try to cope with the problem with painkillers or traditional medicine.

Disease prevention

Any disease is easier to prevent than to treat. Therefore, following these recommendations will make a significant contribution to the health of your intestines:

• adhere to the basics of a balanced diet: the diet should be varied, including plant fiber and protein. Do not allow yourself to overeat, excessive indulgence in sweets, flour products, smoked, salty and fatty foods;
• keep your body in good shape: do morning exercises, walk in the fresh air, ride a bike and ski, swim in open reservoirs or a pool;
• maintain a work and rest schedule: sleep 7-9 hours, avoid psychological stress and negative emotions;
• Visit a gastroenterologist regularly (1-2 times a year) for preventive examinations and timely detection of abnormalities in the gastrointestinal tract.

Paying close attention to your body will help you avoid many troubles. Be healthy!

Disorders of gastric motor function and the consequences of gastric motility disorders are presented in Fig. 25–5.

Y Layout File “PF Fig. 24 05 Typical disorders of the motor function of the stomach and its consequences”

Rice . 25–5 . Typical disorders of gastric motor function and its consequences .

A remedy for gastric motility: what you need to know, contraindications

Before using the above groups of drugs, you must consult with a gastroenterologist and therapist, since only after diagnosis is their use considered possible.

Contraindications to their use will be:

• Oncology of the gastrointestinal tract, in particular the intestines. Laxatives and any other medications that improve peristalsis may not only not solve the problem, but also aggravate it. If the intestinal cavity is completely or partially closed by a tumor or polyp, then a sharp increase in pressure due to stimulation of motility can cause acute intestinal obstruction, intestinal volvulus, or perforation of the formation.
• Ulcerative defects of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Threatening bleeding.
• Intestinal obstruction.
• Inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in the acute stage.
• Allergic reaction to the components of the drug.
• Acute surgical pathology.
• Pregnancy and lactation period. This contraindication is relative, since the use of lactulose-based laxatives (Duphalac) can be prescribed to pregnant women and even infants

Sources

https://www.gastroscan.ru/patient/tips/352/6884

https://zdorvok. ru/kakoj-gormon-tormozit-peristaltiku-zheludka.html

https://tsitologiya. su/zheludok/narushenie-motoriki-zheludka-simptomy-i-lechenie

https://snab-complect.ru/narushenie-motoriki-zheludka-lechenie/