DIGESTION RULES #2

by Janelle Klein, MSN, ARNP

When we eat we should thoroughly chew our food starting the digestion process and giving our tonsils time to detect pathogens that may be present and start the process of fighting them. 

Once the food is swallowed a flap closes over the vocal cords which lead to our lungs.  This means we unconsciously hold our breath and stop talking for a brief and critical moment while our food passes safely the wind pipe.  Then the food travels down the esophagus toward the stomach, assisted by gravity and muscle contractions. 

The final section of the esophagus, just before it opens into the stomach, has a narrowing made by muscle rings.  This narrowing is called the cardiac sphincter.  When this sphincter opens, food pours into the stomach.  The sphincter then prevents stomach contents from coming back up into the esophagus. 

Unlike a cow, humans do not need to rechew their food.  Doing so would be problematic, both socially and health-wise.  If the cardiac sphincter fails and stomach contents enter the esophagus an uncomfortable burning sensation in the chest can occur as well as a bad taste in the mouth, bad breath, burping and belching.  If this continues everyday, the esophagus wall will become inflamed and eroded.  It can also trigger another disease process called reactive airway disease.

The good news is that we can help our cardiac sphincter do its job by maintaining upright and straight posture while eating.  That's right, "Sit up straight at the table and don't slouch!".  The muscle rings can be easily overcome if you lay down immediately after eating.  Staying upright for at least an hour after eating allows gravity to help your cardiac sphincter keep the fluids and food down, were they belong. 

Be sure to read Digestion Rules #3 as we are in route to learn some amazing things about the stomach!