Functional GI Disorders

Functional gastrointestinal disorders are common disorders that are characterize by persistent and recurring GI symptoms. It occurs as a result of abnormal functioning of the GI tract. They are not caused by the structural (tumors or masses) or biochemical abnormalities. There are three primary features of Functional gastrointestinal disorders  that is  motility, sensation, and brain-gut dysfunction.

Motility is the muscular activity of the GI tract, which is essentially a hollow and muscular tube. Normal motility (e.g., peristalsis) is an orderly sequence of muscular contractions from top to bottom. In FGIDs, the motility is abnormal. There can be muscular spasms that cause pain and it contracts can be very rapid, very slow or disorganized.

Sensation is how the nerves of the GI tract respond to stimuli (e.g., digesting a meal). In functional GI disorders, the nerves are can be so sensitive that even normal contractions can bring pain or discomfort.

Brain-gut dysfunction is the disharmony in a way that the brain and GI system communicate. With FGIDs, the regulatory conduit between brain and gut function possibly impaired.