Motility Studies
Gastrointestinal Motility Studies:
Understanding how your digestive tract moves
Motility studies measure how well your food pipe, stomach, and intestines move and coordinate. They help uncover the reason behind symptoms that are not explained by routine tests.
When it’s advised?
- Swallowing difficulty or chest discomfort not caused by heart disease.
- Persistent reflux despite medication.
- Bloating, early fullness, or nausea after meals.
- Severe constipation or incomplete evacuation.
Common Tests:
- Esophageal Manometry: Measures muscle strength and coordination of swallowing.
- 24-Hour pH + Impedance Study: Detects acid and non-acid reflux episodes.
- Antroduodenal or Colonic Manometry: Checks movement of stomach or colon muscles.
Why it matters?
- Provides a clear diagnosis of motility disorders like achalasia, gastroparesis, or functional constipation.
- Prevents unnecessary medication or surgery by identifying the true cause.
- Guides therapy—from dietary changes to endoscopic or surgical correction.
Procedure & Care:
- Usually an outpatient test, done without anesthesia.
- A thin, soft catheter is gently placed through the nose or rectum into the digestive tract; you may swallow small sips of water or eat light meals as part of the study.
- No pain, only mild discomfort.
- Resume normal activity right after the test.