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Digestive Health Current Topics in Digestive Health
Your stomach has a mind of its own
The stomach, the small intestines, and the colon, have an extensive network of nerves known as the enteric nervous system. Some scientists liken the enteric nervous system to a "second brain" because it functions, at least in part, independently of the brain in your head. This system encompasses millions of nerves, and it controls the wave-like muscle contractions--known as peristalsis--that propel food through the digestive tract. But the enteric nervous system does much more. It controls the secretion of digestive enzymes and it plays a role in appetite. Researchers believe that disorders in the enteric nervous system can play a role in a variety of digestive disorders, including constipation and irritable bowel syndrome. Drugs have been developed that can help regulate the transmission of nerve signals in the gut, helping treat digestive problems.
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