Gastrocolic reflex
The gastrocolic reflex is a reaction of the large intestine to irritation of the stomach . Other parts of the upper digestive tract can also trigger the gastrocolic reflex.
The term “ reflex ” is not entirely correct, since it is not a typical fast nervous reflex, but a slow response that is not only controlled by the nervous system , but probably hormonally . The gastrocolic reflex is particularly evident in the morning. Although the reflex is important for regular bowel evacuation, it has been relatively little researched systematically. The reflex occurs unconsciously with every food intake.
Typical process
When food is in the mouth, stretch receptors in the oral cavity , esophagus and stomach are excited. This information is passed on to the colon via the autonomic nervous system . There, strong contractions are triggered that push the contents of the colon forward into the rectum. The stretching of the rectum then leads to the urge to defecate and to defecate.
Investigation methods
- Interviewing subjects
- Observation of subjects
- Ultrasonic
- Measurement of the sphincter pressure on the rectum
Disorders of the gastrocolic reflex
In autonomic neuropathy , the gastrocolic reflex can be disturbed. This can be found, for example, in patients with longstanding diabetes mellitus . The reflex is also disturbed in a megacolon (including Hirschsprung's disease ) and Jirásek-Zuelzer-Wilson syndrome . The gastrocolic reflex can also be disturbed in irritable bowel syndrome . While it is often too strong in irritable bowel syndrome with a tendency to diarrhea (IBS-D), it is often too weak in irritable bowel syndrome with a tendency to constipation (IBS-O).
literature
- WM Battle, WJ Snape, A. Alavi, S. Cohen, S. Braunstein: Colonic dysfunction in diabetes mellitus. In: Gastroenterology . 79, 1980, pp. 1217-1221.
- M. Camilleri, JR Malagelada: Abnormal intestinal motility in diabetics with gastroparesis syndrome. In: Europ J Clin Invest. 14, 1984, pp. 420-427.
- EB Chang, RM Bergenstal, M. Field: Diabetic diarrhea: loss of adrenergic regulation of intestinal fluid and electrolyte transport. In: Gastroenterology. 84, 1983, p. 1121.
Web links
- Barbara Häcker: Percutaneous measurement of the myoelectric activity of the colon in children. (PDF file; 42 kB). Dissertation.
- Winfried Voderholzer: Pathophysiology and therapy of the slow colon transit. Dissertation. Berlin 2007.