GI Motility disorders

Introduction

• Motility is a term used to describe the contraction of the muscles that mix and propel contents in GI tract.
• GI tract is divided into four distinct parts that are separated by sphincter muscles; these four regions have distinctly different functions to perform and different patterns of motility (contractions).
• They are the esophagus (carries food to the stomach), stomach (mixes food with digestive enzymes and grinds it down into a more-or-less liquid form), small intestine (absorbs nutrients), and colon (reabsorbs water and eliminates indigestible food residues). Abnormal motility or abnormal sensitivity in any part of the gastrointestinal tract can cause characteristic symptoms.

Subtypes

• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

• Intestinal Dysmotility/ Pseudo-obstruction

• Small bowel bacterial overgrowth

• Constipation
• Pelvic floor dyssynergia (Outlet obstruction type constipation)

• Gastroparesis
• Achalasia

• Hirschsprung’s disease
• Diarrhea

• Fecal incontinence