Introduction

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The digestive system is made up of organs that work together to absorb the nutrients from the ingested food. It is formed by the organs:

• Mouth ;

• Pharynx;

• Esophagus;

• Stomach ;

• Small intestine ;

• Large intestine ;

• Anus.

 

It is linked to auxiliary glands that secrete inside the digestive tract in enzymes and other substances that help to dissolve food. Are they:

Salivary glands;

Pancreas;

Liver;

Gallbladder.

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Stomach

The stomach is a large pouch that is located in the abdomen and is responsible for the digestion of proteins.

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The organ entrance is called cardia .

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Emotions related to the stomach: It takes care of the assimilation of experiences. If the person feels very overwhelmed due to the situations in his life and cannot assimilate them properly, then the stomach begins to show signs of malfunction and the result of a worry creates a crack between the mind and emotions.

 

When the reflex area in the feet hurts: It signals that the person is "swallowing frogs" because he is having difficulty digesting situations.

 

Facilitates the Reflexotherapist to understand the questions and how?

Do you feel sick when you are witnessing a situation?

Do you have the feeling that there are "butterflies" in your stomach?

Correlation with the Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Nervous System:

In the digestive system, glandular secretion of digestive juices in the gastrointestinal tract is predominantly controlled by parasympathetic enervations, while sympathetic nerve fibers have less effect on most of these glands.

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The control of the gastric glands in the stomach is an almost exclusive function of the parasympathetic nerve fibers.

 

In the intestine , the glands are partially controlled by the parasympathetic, and for the most part, by local factors, produced in the intestine itself. Parasympathetic stimulation stimulates peristalsis and also decreases the tone of gastrointestinal sphincters. Peristalsis moves the food forward, while the open sphincters allow the food to pass easily. Sympathetic stimulation inhibits peristalsis while causing sphincter contraction.

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In the liver , sympathetic stimulation causes the rapid degradation of glycogen and the formation of glucose in the liver that will be released into the blood. This available blood glucose is a source of supply of nutrients available in the short term to tissue cells. This energy source is very useful during physical activity.

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In the pancreas , sympathetic stimulation inhibits the secretion of insulin and digestive enzymes. It also stimulates the production of glucagon. Parasympathetic stimulation acts in the opposite way, causing the secretion of digestive enzymes and insulin, inhibiting the glucagon.

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The salivary glands of the mouth are normally controlled, almost entirely by parasympathetic nerve fibers.

 

Hormonal relationships:

Ghrelin, a hormone produced by the back of the stomach, promotes the release of GH from the pituitary gland, increases food intake and improves memory.

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I ntestino

The brain-gut connection is a topic that deserves to be well understood. Our reptilian brain controls the automatic functioning of the intestine, but this is directly influenced by the limbic or emotional brain that reacts directly to feelings of anger, anxiety, sadness, euphoria and others and has the potential to unbalance the normal functioning of our intestines. The brain therefore has a direct effect on the intestines.

 

This connection takes place both ways. A troubled gut can send signals to the brain, just as a troubled brain can send signals to the gut. If an intestinal discomfort does not have a direct physical cause, it can be a product of anxiety, stress or depression. Thus, it is difficult to try to normalize a troubled gut without considering the emotional role that is involved.

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By this understanding, stress and or other emotional factors can affect movement and contractions of the gastrointestinal tract, worsen inflammation and even increase the chances of suffering infections. A situation of prolonged stress, in this case, can trigger an autoimmune disease, such as Crohn's Syndrome (Read about Stress ).

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Digestive health depends on food, emotions and lifestyle. Aspects that influence its proper functioning:

Physicists :

• Muscles rigid or tense, especially in the neck and shoulders. It affects the cervical and decreases the sympathetic communication that unnerves the small and large intestine through the nervous ganglia that exit the vertebra T12 and L1;

• Sleep problems. Affect melatonin production;

• Weight loss or gain. It affects the control system in the central nervous system;

• Low intake of soluble fibers (nuts, oat bran, seeds and vegetables) and insoluble (wheat bran, whole grain vegetables);

• Drink little water. Very important for the metabolism of soluble fibers;

• Eating excess fat-rich foods;

• Excessive consumption of coffee, alcohol and cigarette use;

• Do not use probiotics or low-fat yogurt;

• Do not exercise.

behavioral:

• Self-sabotage and Procrastination. Difficulty completing work tasks;

• Rumination (frequent or disturbing conversations about stressful situations).

Emotional :

• Sadness;

• Nervousness;

• Stress;

• Depression;

• Impatient;

• Loss of sense of humor;

• Indecision;

• Restlessness.

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People with unregulated intestines usually have:

• Low concentration;

• Problem remembering things;

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Bearing in mind that the brain-intestinal relationship is a two-way link, the listed aspects trigger an intestinal disorder, as well as an intestinal disorder can trigger the occurrence of one or more aspects listed above. Example :

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• Intestinal problems caused by self- sabotage .

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