你的消化系統(tǒng)是如何工作的

Digestion is the process of breaking down food into nutrients, which your body can use for energy. This process begins in the mouth and ends in the large intestine (via Healthline).

消化是把食物分解成營養(yǎng)物質(zhì)的過程，你的身體可以利用這些營養(yǎng)物質(zhì)作為能量。這個過程開始于口腔，結(jié)束于大腸。

After you swallow food, it travels down your esophagus, through the esophageal sphincter, and into your stomach where it is broken down by a combination of enzymes and stomach acids. What remains is a mixture of partially digested food and gastric juices, known as chyme, that passes through your small and large intestines.

在你吞下食物后，它會沿著食道，通過食道括約肌，進入你的胃，在那里它會被酶和胃酸的組合分解。剩下的是部分消化的食物和胃液的混合物，稱為食糜，會通過你的小腸和大腸。

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In the small intestine, the chyme is further broken down by pancreatic enzymes and bile from the liver. From there, water and digested nutrients are absorbed by the walls of the small intestine and dispersed out into your bloodstream. Any undigested food eventually becomes waste as it proceeds through to the large intestine. While the amount of time it takes to digest food varies from person to person, the entire process can last anywhere between 24 to 72 hours.

在小腸中，食糜被來自肝臟的胰酶和膽汁進一步分解。從那里，水和消化后的營養(yǎng)物質(zhì)被小腸壁吸收，分散到你的血液中。任何未消化的食物最終都會在進入大腸的過程中變成廢物。雖然每個人消化食物所需的時間各不相同，但整個消化過程可能會持續(xù)24到72小時。

However, there are a number of health conditions that can disrupt the digestive system and have an effect on the gastrointestinal tract. While they don't necessarily affect the length or speed of digestion, they can cause unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms (via Greatist).

然而，有一些健康狀況可以破壞消化系統(tǒng)，并對胃腸道產(chǎn)生影響。雖然它們不一定會影響消化的長度或速度，但它們會引起不愉快的胃腸道癥狀。

One condition that can negatively affect digestion is lactose intolerance. Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest lactose — the sugar that's the main carbohydrate in milk and dairy products (via Greatist). It's caused by a deficiency of the lactase enzyme, which is responsible for breaking down lactose. People who are lactose intolerant often experience digestive issues after eating dairy. Common symptoms include gas, bloating, stomach cramps, nausea, and diarrhea.

乳糖不耐癥是會影響消化的一種情況。乳糖不耐癥是指不能消化乳糖——乳糖是牛奶和乳制品中的主要碳水化合物。它是由乳糖酶缺乏引起的，乳糖酶負(fù)責(zé)分解乳糖。有乳糖不耐癥的人在吃完乳制品后通常會出現(xiàn)消化問題。常見癥狀包括脹氣、腹脹、胃痙攣、惡心和腹瀉。

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can also disrupt the digestive process. IBS is a common digestive disorder that affects the large intestine. Signs and symptoms of IBS include cramping, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, and gas. Although there is no cure for IBS, it can be managed with lifestyle changes, dietary restrictions, and medicine.

腸易激綜合癥(IBS)也會破壞消化過程。腸易激綜合征是一種常見的影響大腸的消化紊亂。腸易激綜合征的體征和癥狀包括痙攣、便秘、腹瀉、腹痛、腹脹和脹氣。雖然腸易激綜合征沒有治愈方法，但可以通過改變生活方式、限制飲食和藥物來控制。

Additionally, acid reflux can impact digestion as well. Acid reflux occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter doesn't tighten and shut as it should, allowing stomach acid to move back up your esophagus. This is often triggered by acidic, spicy, or fatty foods. Chocolate and citrus can also prompt an acid reflux reaction. If you experience acid reflux and heartburn several times a week, you may have a chronic form of acid reflux known as gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD). Do consult with a physician if you have any concerns regarding your digestive health.

此外，胃酸回流也會影響消化。胃酸反流發(fā)生在食道下括約肌沒有收緊和關(guān)閉，使胃酸回流到食道。這通常是由酸性、辛辣或高脂肪食物引起的。巧克力和柑橘也會引起胃酸倒流。如果你一周有幾次胃酸反流和燒心的經(jīng)歷，你可能患有一種慢性胃酸反流稱為胃腸反流病(GERD)。如果你對你的消化系統(tǒng)健康有任何擔(dān)憂，一定要咨詢醫(yī)生。