All this talk about the digestive system but what does it mean…

What is the digestive system?

The digestive system is made up of the gastrointestinal tract—also called the GI tract or digestive tract—and the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. The GI tract is a series of hollow organs joined in a long, twisting tube from the mouth to the anus. The hollow organs that make up the GI tract are the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and anus. The liver, pancreas, and gallbladder are the solid organs of the digestive system.

What does the digestive system do?

Your digestive system breaks down foods and liquids into their chemical components—carbohydrates, fats, proteins which the body can absorb as nutrients and use for energy or to build or repair cells. The process of the digestive system begins with the mouth and ends in excretion through the stool.

Mouth. Food starts to move through your GI tract when you eat. When you chew. Your salivary glands make saliva, a digestive juice, which moistens food, so it moves more easily through your esophagus into your stomach. Saliva also has an enzyme that begins to break down starches in your food.

When you swallow, your tongue pushes the food into your throat. A small flap of tissue, called the epiglottis, folds over your windpipe to prevent choking and the food passes into your esophagus.

Esophagus. Once you begin swallowing, the process becomes automatic. Your brain signals the muscles of the esophagus and peristalsis begins.

Lower esophageal sphincter. When food reaches the end of your esophagus, a ring like muscle—called the lower esophageal sphincter —relaxes and lets food pass into your stomach. This sphincter usually stays closed to keep what’s in your stomach from flowing back into your esophagus.

Stomach. After food enters your stomach, the stomach muscles mix the food and liquid with digestive juices. The stomach slowly empties its contents, called chyme, into your small intestine.

Small intestine. The muscles of the small intestine mix food with digestive juices from the pancreas, liver, and intestine, and push the mixture forward for further digestion. The walls of the small intestine absorb water and the digested nutrients into your bloodstream. As peristalsis continues, the waste products of the digestive process move into the large intestine.

Large intestine. Waste products from the digestive process include undigested parts of food, fluid, and older cells from the lining of your GI tract. The large intestine absorbs water and changes the waste from liquid into stool. Peristalsis helps move the stool into your rectum.

Rectum. The lower end of your large intestine, the rectum, stores stool until it pushes stool out of your anus during a bowel movement.

What digestive issues might occur?

There are many different causes of digestive discomfort. The most common digestive health conditions include:

Acid reflux (also known as GERD), Barrett’s Esophagus, Celiac disease/ gluten intolerance, Crohn’s disease, Diverticulitis, Food poisoning, Gallbladder disease, Gastric ulcers, Gastrointestinal motility disorders, H. pylori, Indigestion, Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBD), Lactose intolerance, Pancreatitis, and Ulcerative colitis.

What are ways to keep your gut healthy?

Eat the right foods. Increase your fiber intake and eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.

Get plenty of sleep. Lack of sleep is linked to obesity which can set up your body for digestive disorders.

Getting plenty of exercise. Exercise can help lose weight and maintain a healthy body weight.

Manage stress. Stress can cause heartburn, so relaxation therapies can help ward off the feeling of digestive issues.

Getting help for anxiety and depression. Mood and digestive system health (especially disorders like irritable bowel syndrome) are closely linked via the brain-gut connection.

At Hunterdon Gastroenterology Associates, our University-trained physicians are leading specialists in the diagnosis and treatment of digestive diseases and disorders. Each of our physicians is board-certified in the specialty of gastroenterology, with advanced training from some of the top medical institutions in this country. As a team of medical partners, we work together, sharing our unique strengths and specialties to ensure you get the best outcome possible. We are supported by an outstanding staff devoted to providing compassionate, responsive care for your digestive condition.

To learn more or discuss your digestive health please call us at 908-483-4000 and visit us on our website www.HunterdonGastro.com