Problematic peristalsis causes lazy bowel syndrome

Did you know that the intestines in the body are always moving to push food? This process is called peristalsis. Problematic peristalsis can lead to a disorder called lazy bowel syndrome.

Get to know more about peristalsis

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the digestive system will continue to work on processing the food and drinks we consume every day to get their essential nutrients.

The intestines will break down carbohydrates into simple sugars, convert protein into amino acids, and simplify fat into fatty acids and glycerol.

All these nutrients are needed by the body to carry out its functions properly and repair any damage that may occur. The process of breaking down food nutrients, including protein, is impossible without the help of peristalsis.

Peristalsis is the movement of the muscles that contract to push food along the digestive tract. Peristalsis itself involves the muscles in the esophagus, stomach and small intestine and large intestine.

With peristalsis, food can travel along the digestive tract to be digested and utilized until it finally has to be excreted in the form of feces.

Peristalsis is a sign of lazy bowel syndrome

Peristalsis is essential for digestion, but sometimes it doesn't work properly. The occurrence of constipation or diarrhea is a sign that there is a problem with peristalsis in your digestive tract, one of which is lazy bowel syndrome.

People with lazy bowel syndrome have intestines that work slowly to move food. That's why this syndrome is also often called slow bowel syndrome.

Every time you eat, the nerves in the digestive tract will send signals to the muscles of the digestive tract to perform peristalsis so that food moves.

Unfortunately, in people with lazy bowel syndrome, peristalsis is blocked so that the movement of the intestinal muscles becomes weaker and slower. As a result, food cannot be broken down completely.

Undigested food deposits will eventually harden in the intestines and trigger constipation.

Lazy bowel syndrome is also referred to as long-term constipation. The main cause is a lack of fiber intake for a long time.

Syndrome due to intestinal peristalsis is also often seen in people who have eating disorders, especially anorexia nervosa and bulimia. They deliberately use excessive or even addictive laxatives.

These laxatives are used to remove food so that you do not gain weight.

In addition, slow bowel syndrome is also common in people who have IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), drug users, as well as people on strict diets.

How to deal with peristaltic bowel movement disorders

How to deal with constipation due to disturbed peristalsis will depend on the factors causing it. Generally, this syndrome can be overcome with a high-fiber diet to return to sufficient daily fiber needs.

Add fiber-rich foods to your diet, such as:

Fruits: bananas, apples, pears, plums, berries
Vegetables: broccoli, carrots, cabbage, pokcoy, cauliflower
Grains: linseed, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds
Nuts: almonds
Wheat or chia seed bread

While on this diet, limit consumption of dairy products and other foods with very little fiber. Replace with foods high in probiotics such as yogurt, kefir, kimchi, or tempeh to improve digestion.

During this time you also need to drink more water up to 2 - 4 glasses from normal. Increasing your water intake during constipation can help soften your stool and make it easier to pass.

Exercise helps improve digestion

In addition to applying a diet high in fiber and probiotics, you also need regular light exercise to overcome lazy intestines. Exercise improves blood circulation to the stomach so that your peristalsis will be smoother.

Exercises that improve digestion are light aerobics that increase breathing and heart rate.

Better heart and lung fitness results in a smoother flow of blood, resulting in more efficient bowel movements.

Examples of aerobic exercise that you can do when you are constipated are walking or jogging for 10 to 15 minutes every day, cycling, swimming, or aerobic exercise.

see a doctor

If your constipation problem still recurs, even after improving your diet and exercise routine, consult your doctor. Contact your doctor immediately if you have any of the following conditions: