Motility Center

If you are suffering from a motility disorder, our specially trained gastroenterologists can help. We have a sophisticated program of testing, evaluation and treatment that can pinpoint the problem and find the best solution for you.

Motility is about movement. Gastrointestinal motility refers to the ability of food to move through your digestive tract.

In a healthy person, muscles and valves move food from one part of the digestive tract to another. If there is a motility disorder, which can affect any part of the digestive system, this process doesn’t work as it should. You can have difficulty swallowing, digesting food or emptying your bowels.

At LVHN’s Motility Center, our specialists will diagnose your condition based on your combination of symptoms, a physical exam and results from diagnostic tests. Depending on the possible causes of your symptoms, testing may include:

An endoscopy or colonoscopy to see inside your body
Motility testing to see how quickly things move through your digestive tract (an esophageal manometry or anorectal manometry)
Hydrogen breath testing for small intestine bacterial overgrowth
Ambulatory pH monitoring, which tests for acid reflux
Biofeedback to test for atypical bodily functions or reflexes

Treating motility disorders

Depending on the results of your exams and tests, LVHN’s gastroenterologists will discuss with you the best alternatives for treatment. These may include lifestyle modifications, medication or surgery.