What is peristalsis?

It is known as peristalsis at muscle contractions that happen in the tubular organs of the human body. This includes the digestive system and also the urinary system, where tube-shaped structures transport substances.

The contractions of peristalsis are organized and rhythmic. They have a frequency that is considered normal and they are made through the smooth muscle present in the walls of the tubular organs.

The smooth muscle has the characteristic of being autonomous, that is, involuntary. We cannot give conscious orders to this muscle to contract, but instead It depends exclusively on brain orders on which we do not decide when or how.

When the brain receives information about the presence of a food in the digestive tract, it sends the order to the smooth muscle of the organs involved to perform certain movements. These movements generate the displacement of food from the mouth to the anus.

The same mechanism is also applied to the urinary system. When the brain detects the presence of urine produced by the kidneys, sends information for the ureters to transport it to the bladder through peristalsis.

We could say, then, that there are three main actions of peristaltic movements:

• Propel food in the digestive system
• Circular bile in the liver system, which is part of the digestive system
• Move urine into the urinary tract

The steps that peristalsis follows

Peristalsis allows the bolus to move along the digestive system.

Peristalsis happens rhythmically and in an organized way. Once the food enters the mouth and is crushed, they access the esophagus. There, peristaltic movements are responsible for moving the food bolus to the stomach. These same movements prevent the bolus from going back up.

When the stomach secreted gastric acid and performed the relevant actions on the bolus, the next step is the small intestine. It will be peristalsis that transfers substances to the duodenum, jejunum and ileus. Here bile acids from the gallbladder will be added.

In the small intestine the absorption of nutrients depends on a good peristalsis, since well-made movements allow the movement of small substances towards the intestinal walls.

Finally, the digested food will be dehydrated in the large intestine. Here the coordinated movement plays a fundamental role for outward faecal expulsion. Both the rectum and the anus depend on these movements to finalize the last step.

Keep reading: Habits to avoid digestive problems

Causes of decreased peristalsis

It may happen that, due to various reasons that we will now explain, peristaltic movements are slower than usual. That can lead to constipation in the digestive system. And constipation can lead to health problems.

Among the most frequent causes of decreased peristalsis we have:

• Extreme ages: both the elderly and young children are more likely to get constipated, due to their age and the deficits that age produces in the smooth muscle.
• Diabetes: This disease affects neurological transmissions in many regions of the body, including the digestive system.
• Parkinson's disease: Those who suffer from this disease also have a higher frequency of constipation.
• Autoimmune diseases: decreased peristaltic movements are recorded in patients with scleroderma, for example, or with polymyositis.
• Medicines: Some drugs have an adverse effect on constipation and decreased peristaltic activity. It is important to know that possibility before consuming them and consult with the doctor who prescribes it, so as not to be afraid if necessary.

Pediatric age is one of the most undergoing changes in peristaltic rhythm.

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Causes of increased peristalsis

Just as peristaltic movements can decrease, they can also increase the count more, causing the final effect of diarrhea. These are the most frequent causes:

• Bacterial infections: the germs that most commonly cause diarrhea are the Escherichia coli, Salmonella and Shigella. It may be a contamination from the intake of intoxicated food or water.
• Virotic infections: in pediatric age, increases in peristalsis occur due to common viruses. Medical control is essential in these cases to avoid dehydration.
• Medicines: Just as certain drugs have constipation among their adverse effects, others cause diarrhea.
• Chronic diseases: Some pathologies of high prevalence in the general population have as an associated symptom the increase in peristaltic movements. Classically we can mention the dysfunctions of the thyroid gland.
• Psychological origin: in stress situations the intestine responds. It is logical to think now that we know that its movement depends on the nervous system that stimulates smooth muscle.
• Previous digestive surgery: Those who have undergone gastric or intestinal surgery, for various reasons, may suffer future changes in the peristaltic rhythm, either by destruction of the intervening nerve fibers or by shortening the digestive tract.

In conclusion

Peristalsis is a normal and vital function of the organism. Without it we could not live normally. It is responsible for transporting food through the digestive tract and urine in the urinary system.

However, that normal function may be altered. Because, We should consult the medical professional if we notice that our evacuation rhythm changes. Doctors will tell us if it is a momentary change or is something that requires specific treatment.