Digestive Disorder system and IBS

Your digestive system is a delicate mechanism. IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) usually flares up because this delicate balance is put out of sync. Knowing how your digestive system works, as well as determining the different characteristics of your digestive system and IBS, will allow you to be aware of a functioning digestive system.

The digestive system is mainly used to mix food and breakdown chemicals so that they can be used as nutrients. Food will move through your digestive system through muscles that contract to help the food to move downwards. As the food moves throughout your digestive system, the muscles help mix the contents thus enabling easier digestion. This includes movements through the esophagus, stomach and intestine.

From here, the digestive system has several functions that need to occur for the proper transportation of different types of foods. The first part of this is production of digestive juices. These are usually produced in each area of the system, allowing the food to be properly broken down and moved through the system.

Next the process takes care of the digestive system by making sure that nutrients are properly divided, dissolved or absorbed. This usually takes place in the upper intestine.

Proteins are broken down in the digestive system. The proteins will need to be digested by enzymes which then are used to produce and help with tissues. The proteins then move into the blood and provide different sources throughout the system.

If you have IBS, you may not have enough enzymes to break down the proteins. This is what may be causing your digestive system to react and in turn tensing the muscles. But keep in mind that this may not be the only source for your problems.

Simple carbohydrates that require no further breaking down in the digestive tract will be absorbed completely in the first part of the small intestine. When there is incomplete breakdown of carbohydrates, (i.e., sugars and starches) this can cause problems in the digestive system.

If you have IBS, this is usually the part of the digestive system that is failing. This is why many suffers think that cutting down on sugars and starches will help your body in not reacting.

Nerves are also part of the functioning with the digestive system. The nerves will release chemicals that will push food through the system and into the right areas.

The sensitivity of your digestive system may be what is causing IBS. Knowing the different functions and areas of the digestive system, as well as knowing what the problems may be in relation to this, can help you determine why you are having IBS symptoms.