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Irritable Bowel Syndrome and the Neuroendocrine System
Irritable Bowel Syndrome is the condition by which the patients feel altered bowel habits that can range from mild to serious states. There are no known causes to Irritable Bowel Syndrome primarily because there are too many complications in the subject and less priority is often given towards chronic diseases that are not life threatening.
The disorder mainly affects the larger intestine, which is also popular with the term colon. The symptoms are therefore rooted from this part and are considered as a functional disorder. Meaning, the symptoms are not caused by any physical problems but are triggered by improperly functioning intestinal components which may flare up due to stress and reactions towards foods and substances.
Recent research tells us that Irritable Bowel Syndrome often arise after the symptoms of gastroenteritis subsides. Thus, there probably exist some manifestations of physical damge on the intestinal wall that can explain much of the symptoms.
The neuroendocrine system is the combination of interaction and interplay between the endocrine system and the nerves that are basically covered by the central nervous system.
Since stress is directly related with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, recent researches sought to find answers by discovering the role of the neuroendocrine system on the workings of the digestive system.
The neuroendocrine system plays as the control system for the internal state of balance in the body. Therefore, it is linked closely with the rising of body's stress level.
Chronic stress manifesting on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis can greatly affect the immune system. This then explains the low-grade inflammation observed among Irritable Bowel Syndrome patients. Besides, stress is said to either cause or aggravate Irritable Bowel Syndrome in most patients that's why it is typically advised that they practice stress management to help suppress symptoms of IBS.
Since stress is basically controlled by the hormonal secretion and balance in the body, we can conclude that the nerve cells and the endocrine system is at work in suppressing the symptoms and in bringing back the balance. Hormones are helpful in manipulating the levels of chemicals and specific fluids in the body and thus, assist us in responding and coping up with any situation posed by the environment.
Neuroendocrine tumors, on the other hand, are tumors that begin from neuroendocrine cells. These are the specialized cells responsible for the production of hormones. Neuroendocrine cells are components of the network of glands that we collectively call as neuroendocrine system.
While these may be found in other parts of the human body, no other part has the largest number of neuroendocrine tumors than the digestive system. These are thought of as the culprits of several symptoms associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome such as diarrhea, wheezing and flushing of the skin. However, not all neuroendocrine tumors act as hormone producers. Only those that are termed to as "functioning" can secret hormones while those that are incapable of this function are called as non-hormone secreting or non-functioning.
Hormones and the neuroendocrine system are thought to have a number of effects on the symptoms and states of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. However, due to lack of research on this issue, many possibilities are yet to be uncovered.
Many researchers are hopeful that once the pieces of the puzzle are put together, cures for Irritable Bowel Syndrome can be found. But as for now, there is not enough substantial information that can deliver us final treatments towards this syndrome.
About The Author
Roger Mitchell provides more free and extremely helpful information on irritable bowel syndrome like irritable bowel syndrome in children. You can also find related articles at http://www.SimplyHealthy.org/sitemap/index.html.
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