In fact, despite its name, this organ of the digestive system has sufficient strength. So by the word “breaks” we can mean, rather, damage of a different plan - not physical, but functional. But the small intestine is affected by them no less than other organs, and how could it be otherwise if we constantly load it with work, and quite often it makes it very difficult.
By the way, the small intestine is not so thin - from 3.75 to 5 cm in diameter, it was simply called so “in contrast” with the large intestine. It is a tube about 7.5 meters long, which is "folded" in the abdominal cavity with numerous loops. But the structure of the small intestine is not limited to just a tube - it distinguishes three parts: the duodenum, small intestine, and ileum. Each has its own purpose.
So, after processing in the stomach, the food slurry reflexively enters the small intestine. And this is done gradually, dosed. A powerful peristaltic wave opens a strong locking muscle - a kind of damper at the exit from the stomach. This ensures a uniform process. Thus, a portion of the slurry is "thrown out" into the initial section of the small intestine - the duodenum. Although it is the shortest part - only 25-30 cm - but it is here that the most important digestive processes are concentrated. Food processed in the stomach is abundantly mixed with gastric juice, the acid of which is carefully neutralized by enzymes produced by the wall of the duodenum, as well as those served here from the pancreas. The gall bladder also makes its contribution, which has its own entrance here - through it the product of the liver works - bile, which helps digest fats. A mixture of intestinal and pancreatic juices with bile breaks pieces of food into such tiny particles that will then be absorbed by the body through the walls of the small intestine without any problems.
In the jejunum, the length of which is about 3.5 meters, the process of exposure to enzymes continues. The walls of this department, as well as the ileum, are equipped with millions of small villi through which nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream. Their ileum gets less - calcium, some minerals and vitamins, components of bile and water are “fed” into the body from this department. And already at the exit, passing through the ileocecal canal, undigested food remains are transferred to the colon.
In the small intestine, two types of movements continuously occur - pendulum and peristaltic - they move food, on average, at a speed of 2 cm per minute. This work causes specific noises, which we call "rumbling of the stomach." Motor failure, along with various dyspepsia (disturbances in normal activity) are just the most common ailments that affect the small intestine. Often, along with the stomach or large intestine, it is affected by gastroenteritis, enterocolitis and gastroenterocolitis. Inflammatory processes in this part of the digestive tract are caused by violations of the secretory and motor functions of the "higher" departments, metabolic and circulatory disorders, allergic reactions, and even unusual climatic effects.
Symptoms of a disease of the small intestine - this is mainly what we call abdominal pain (mostly dull pain in the navel), a feeling of heaviness, bloating or rumbling. Headaches and general weakness, loss of appetite and weight loss are also characteristic, and sometimes nervous disorders can occur.
It should be remembered that the toxic effects of chemicals, drugs and low-quality products, as well as eating disorders, most often cause intestinal diseases. Therefore, the best prevention is a reasonable approach to food, refusal of tobacco and alcohol and the additional intake of dietary supplements and vitamins.