Reverse peristalsis is a pathological condition of the intestine. In a simpler sense, it is defined as the reverse movement of content, instead of the correct direct. Digestible food should come from the stomach. When it stagnates, a person has a number of unpleasant symptoms.
General concepts
Reverse peristalsis disrupts the normal functioning of internal organs. It can affect the condition of the intestines, stomach, liver. Discomfort in the lower abdomen can be caused by a number of reasons: poor-quality or monotonous food, taking medications, the effect of infections on the microflora.
Reverse peristalsis has another name - antiperistalsis. It is formed due to wave-like contractions of muscle fibers, which is an abnormal unnatural process. Its presence leads to nausea, vomiting, halitosis, heaviness and pain in the intestines.
Reverse peristalsis can be of the following types:
- Physiological - manifests itself at a time when the body is completely healthy.
- Pathological - a violation due to illness, infection or injury.
- A common manifestation when both of these cases are observed.
Physiological
Antiperistalsis can take place with normal digestion. The body contributes to the retention of digestion products by the inverse contraction of muscle fibers. This is necessary for better digestion, mixing of the internal contents occurs.
Inverse gastric motility may occur. We observe it during the poisoning of poor-quality food. This phenomenon is nothing but a gag reflex. The body is absolutely healthy and is trying to prevent the entry of poison into the intestines.
In a normal state, reverse peristalsis can only be in the colon. In the stomach, it occurs with a deviation of health or poisoning. The muscles responsible for this function have a thicker layer than the rest of the intestinal tissue. And the movements themselves are possible due to the structure: two layers with multidirectional fibers.
The intensity of contractions can be different, it all depends on the place where the pathology is formed:
- Small intestine - contractions are quicker and less painful.
- Thick - slow and palpable through palpation of the stomach.
For the normal functioning of the intestine, the synchronization of muscle fibers is important. When it is broken, reverse processes appear. Antiperistalsis is also defined as an imbalance in the digestive tract.
Sources and the fight against pathology
If reverse intestinal motility has formed, the causes may be the presence of chronic diseases of the digestive system, an increase in decomposition processes within the body, and physical problems of the body. A sign of metabolic disorders is the occurrence of pain in the stomach and discomfort in the lower abdomen.
To the touch you can find compacted sections of the intestine, slowly pulsating. In this case, taking medications to normalize peristalsis and exercises that help relieve intestines will help.