Gastrointestinal Motility

We help treat symptoms commonly associated with intestinal motility disorders such as bloating, nausea, abdominal discomfort, weight loss, and diarrhea.

Types of Intestinal Motility Disorders

There are several types of motility disorders that can occur in the intestines:

• Intestinal pseudo-obstruction
• Colonic inertia
• Scleroderma
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Intestinal amyloidosis
• Spinal Muscular Atrophy
• Short bowel syndrome
• Lactose intolerance
• Fructose intolerance
• Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
• Small intestinal fungal overgrowth
• Megacolon

Intestinal Motility Procedures

The small intestine can be a challenging area of the body to see for clear diagnosis. New technology is changing the course of intestinal diagnoses, offering advanced measuring capability of the rate of gut transit time and muscle contractions through the small bowel.

To diagnose an intestinal motility disorder, our team might perform one or several of the following procedures:

Bacterial and Yeast/Fungal Overgrowth Test

Overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine is known as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). It can cause symptoms such as:

• Fatigue
• Sudden onset of bloating
• Diarrhea
• Excessive flatulence
• Nausea

Since symptoms of SIBO overlap with other common digestive conditions such as gastroparesis and IBS, it's important to get a definitive diagnosis. SIBO can be associated with certain vitamin deficiencies and autoimmune conditions.

To check for SIBO, liquid is collected from your small intestine using a special tube that's inserted endoscopically into your duodenum (first part of your small intestine). This liquid is examined for excessive amounts of bacteria and fungus.

SmartPill Wireless Motility Capsule

The SmartPill wireless motility capsule is a pill-sized sensor that is swallowed.

It measures:

• Temperature
• pH
• Pressure
• How quickly the stomach empties
• How quickly the small intestine and colon empty

The capsule transmits these measurements to a receiver you carry with you for five days. The test records and helps diagnose conditions including intestinal pseudo-obstruction, gastroparesis, colonic inertia, rapid gastric emptying and constipation.

There are several types of motility disorders that can occur in the stomach, such as gastroparesis and dumping syndrome. Under normal conditions, the stomach empties its contents at a controlled rate.

But in some people, the rate at which their stomach empties its contents into the small intestine is not normal.

Types of Gastric Motility Disorders

Our team diagnoses and treats the following gastric (stomach) motility disorders:
• Gastroparesis or delayed gastric emptying
• Rapid gastric emptying (dumping syndrome)
• Idiopathic vomiting
• Functional dyspepsia
• Cyclic vomiting syndrome
Gastric Motility Procedures
Tests used to diagnose a motility disorder of the stomach include:
SmartPill Wireless Motility Capsule
The SmartPill wireless motility capsule is a pill-sized sensor that is swallowed.
It measures:
• Temperature
• pH
• Pressure
• How quickly the stomach empties
• How quickly the small intestine and colon empty
The capsule transmits these measurements to a receiver you carry with you for five days. This test records and helps diagnose conditions including gastroparesis, colonic inertia, rapid gastric emptying and constipation.
Helicobacter Pylori (H. Pylori) Testing
H. pylori is a bacteria found in the stomach that can cause inflammation, peptic ulcers and even gastric cancer.
Checking for H. pylori can be done with a blood antibody test, breath test, stool antigen test or stomach biopsy. Our team uses the noninvasive breath test.
Breath Testing
Hydrogen and methane breath testing is a noninvasive diagnostic test that can help detect:
• A food intolerance
• Bacterial overgrowth
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Fructose intolerance
• Lactose intolerance
• Constipation

Pelvic floor conditions impact both men and women. The pelvic floor refers to the connective tissues, nerves and muscles (e.g., sphincter muscles, puborectalis muscle) that support functions of the bladder and rectum; and the uterus and vagina in women.

Also see Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery

Our specialists provide comprehensive evaluation and care for pelvic floor disorders, such as fecal incontinence and constipation. 

Types of Pelvic Floor Motility Disorders

The GI motility team diagnoses, treats and researches pelvic floor disorders such as:

• Anal fissure
• Anal sphincter dysfunction
• Constipation
• Fecal incontinence
• Hirschsprung's disease
• Poor or impaired rectal sensation
• Stool leakage
• Chagas disease
• Scleroderma
• Levator ani syndrome

Pelvic Floor Procedures

Anorectal Manometry:This procedure is used to evaluate conditions associated with constipation or fecal incontinence.

By inserting a thin tube containing many sensors into the rectum, this test assesses nerve and muscle function as well as the coordination and strength of the pelvic floor.

Balloon Expulsion Test
During anorectal manometry, a balloon expulsion test may be performed.

What to expect:

• A thin tube with a balloon attached is inserted into the rectum.
• The balloon is filled with water.
• The patient is asked to expel the balloon into the toilet.
• The length of time it takes to expel the balloon is recorded.

Electromyography Testing

This procedure tests to see if the nerves that serve the anorectum are functioning normally. Similar to an EKG of your heart, electrodes are placed on the skin that painlessly record the electrical potentials produced by the nerves firing.

Pelvic Floor Disorder Treatment

With careful examination, and collaboration with colorectal surgeons, our specialists provide advanced diagnostics and comprehensive care for pelvic floor disorders.

Treatment may include biofeedback therapy, tissue expander injection, motility medications and surgical treatment such as sacral nerve stimulator placement.

GI Comprehensive Biofeedback Program

Biofeedback therapy is an educational and physical therapy program occurring over several sessions. It is highly effective in helping patients retrain their pelvic floor muscles and regain control over their bodily functions. 

In our physician-led program, you will be shown how to improve the strength and coordination of the muscles in the anorectum. Training will include instruction on breathing exercises and postural techniques, such as foot evaluation with the Squatty Potty system. Biofeedback is very safe and effective in relieving symptoms of incontinence and constipation.

Our team works closely with the minimally invasive and robot-assisted surgery teams to treat disorders of the esophagus. 
More about esophageal care