Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesSymptomsCausesTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types
Symptoms
Causes
Treatment
A motility disorder, or dysmotility, is a condition in which muscles and/or nerves of thedigestive systemdo not work as they should. This dysfunction can alter the speed, strength, or coordination of the esophagus, stomach,small intestine, and/or the large intestine.
If the muscles aren’t working properly, it’s known asmyopathy. When the nerves affecting the digestive tract are involved, the conditions are related to neuropathy.
This article presents several types of motility disorders and their symptoms. It also explains the causes and treatments.
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Types of Dysmotility
Motility disorders vary in terms of how serious they are and the parts of the digestive tract that are affected. Some disorders tend to affect certain areas of the digestive system.
Esophageal Dysmotility
Other types ofesophageal dysmotilityinclude esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction, and both major and minor disorders of peristalsis. These major disorders include:
The minor disorders of peristalsis in the esophagus include:
Dysmotility of the Stomach
A number of motility disorders affect the stomach. They includecyclic vomiting syndrome, which typically affects children. It’s thought to be related to how neurons in the brain send messages to the gastrointestinal tract.
Other dysmotility conditions affecting the stomach include:
Motility Disorder of the Intestines
These conditions affect either the small intestine or the large intestine. Dysmotility in the small intestine includes:
Health conditions involving dysmotility in the large intestine include:
Symptoms of Dysmotility
Symptoms of a motility dysfunction will vary depending on which areas of your digestive system are affected and which type of motility problem you are having.
For example,dysphagia(trouble swallowing) is a major symptom of dysmotility with the upper digestive tract.
Other symptoms of a motility disorder in this part of the GI tract include:
When the lower GI tract is involved, symptoms are more likely to result in lower abdominal pain, cramping, and diarrhea or constipation.
The speed of GI function is a factor of dysmotility disorders. Rapid dysfunction usually causes diarrhea because the contents of the digestive system are propelled too quickly, resulting in loose, watery stool.
Constipation occurs due to motility disorders that slow transit time and the movement of fluids, leading to hard stools that are difficult to pass.
Why Chronic Constipation Occurs
What Causes a Motility Disorder?
Normally, the muscle contractions of your digestive system operate in a coordinated, orderly manner to facilitate the digestion of the foods that you eat. Dysmotility can result in slow and/or fast movement of food andchyme, the partially digested food and stomach acids in your GI tract.
Any change from normal motility can result in digestive symptoms.
Motility disorders can occur as a result of dysfunction in the nerves and muscles in any region of your digestive system. The cause is often unknown, but a number of underlying health diagnoses can cause dysmotility.
For example, about 9% of people treated for symptoms of dysphagia, chest pain, and reflux are living with a rheumatological condition such aslupus.
A number of medications can affect the nerve and muscle function in the GI tract, too. These drugs are used to treat high blood pressure, seizures, cholesterol levels, depression, and more.
Are Motility Disorders Hereditary?There may be a genetic link to a dysmotility diagnosis. For example, some cases of chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIP) are linked to specific gene mutations.Researchers continue to identify genes that influence motility and may play a role in a range of disorders.
Are Motility Disorders Hereditary?
There may be a genetic link to a dysmotility diagnosis. For example, some cases of chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIP) are linked to specific gene mutations.Researchers continue to identify genes that influence motility and may play a role in a range of disorders.
Treatment for Motility Disorders
Treatment for a motility disorder will depend on several factors, including the type of dysmotility, a person’s overall health, and any other underlying or related medical conditions.
A gastroenterologist or motility disorder specialist will first diagnose the disorder. In addition to a physical exam, tests used to diagnose a dysmotility condition may include:
In most cases, treatment will involve diet and lifestyle changes, medication, surgery, or a combination of these therapies.
For example, achalasia can be treated with calcium channel blocker drugs that limit blood flow to the esophageal sphincter, while Botox injections can help relax the esophagus to ease dysphagia.It also may be treated with a minimally invasive surgery called peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM).
Motility disorder diets with added soluble fiber can help with conditions such asdyssynergic defecationand IBS with constipation. Your healthcare provider will develop a treatment plan that’s specific to your condition.
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Schlottmann F, Patti MG.Primary Esophageal Motility Disorders: Beyond Achalasia.Int J Mol Sci.2017 Jun 30;18(7):1399. doi:10.3390/ijms18071399.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Cyclic vomiting syndrome.International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.Disorders of the stomach.International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.Disorders of the large intestine.Wilkinson JM, Codipilly DC, Wilfahrt RP.Dysphagia: evaluation and collaborative management.Am Fam Physician. 2021;103(2):97-106. PMID: 33448766Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.Intestinal dysmotility.International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.Motility disorders.Turshudzhyan A, Abbasi AF, Banerjee P.Hidden in Plain Sight: Esophageal Dysmotility in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.Cureus. 2022 Mar 16;14(3):e23208. doi: 10.7759/cureus.23208.International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.Medications that Can Affect Colonic Function.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Chronic Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction.National Library of Medicine.Barium swallow.Temple University Health System.Motility Disorder Treatment Options.
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Schlottmann F, Patti MG.Primary Esophageal Motility Disorders: Beyond Achalasia.Int J Mol Sci.2017 Jun 30;18(7):1399. doi:10.3390/ijms18071399.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Cyclic vomiting syndrome.International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.Disorders of the stomach.International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.Disorders of the large intestine.Wilkinson JM, Codipilly DC, Wilfahrt RP.Dysphagia: evaluation and collaborative management.Am Fam Physician. 2021;103(2):97-106. PMID: 33448766Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.Intestinal dysmotility.International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.Motility disorders.Turshudzhyan A, Abbasi AF, Banerjee P.Hidden in Plain Sight: Esophageal Dysmotility in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.Cureus. 2022 Mar 16;14(3):e23208. doi: 10.7759/cureus.23208.International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.Medications that Can Affect Colonic Function.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Chronic Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction.National Library of Medicine.Barium swallow.Temple University Health System.Motility Disorder Treatment Options.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Schlottmann F, Patti MG.Primary Esophageal Motility Disorders: Beyond Achalasia.Int J Mol Sci.2017 Jun 30;18(7):1399. doi:10.3390/ijms18071399.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Cyclic vomiting syndrome.International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.Disorders of the stomach.International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.Disorders of the large intestine.Wilkinson JM, Codipilly DC, Wilfahrt RP.Dysphagia: evaluation and collaborative management.Am Fam Physician. 2021;103(2):97-106. PMID: 33448766Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.Intestinal dysmotility.International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.Motility disorders.Turshudzhyan A, Abbasi AF, Banerjee P.Hidden in Plain Sight: Esophageal Dysmotility in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.Cureus. 2022 Mar 16;14(3):e23208. doi: 10.7759/cureus.23208.International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.Medications that Can Affect Colonic Function.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Chronic Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction.National Library of Medicine.Barium swallow.Temple University Health System.Motility Disorder Treatment Options.
Schlottmann F, Patti MG.Primary Esophageal Motility Disorders: Beyond Achalasia.Int J Mol Sci.2017 Jun 30;18(7):1399. doi:10.3390/ijms18071399.
National Organization for Rare Disorders.Cyclic vomiting syndrome.
International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.Disorders of the stomach.
International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.Disorders of the large intestine.
Wilkinson JM, Codipilly DC, Wilfahrt RP.Dysphagia: evaluation and collaborative management.Am Fam Physician. 2021;103(2):97-106. PMID: 33448766
Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.Intestinal dysmotility.
International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.Motility disorders.
Turshudzhyan A, Abbasi AF, Banerjee P.Hidden in Plain Sight: Esophageal Dysmotility in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.Cureus. 2022 Mar 16;14(3):e23208. doi: 10.7759/cureus.23208.
International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.Medications that Can Affect Colonic Function.
National Organization for Rare Disorders.Chronic Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction.
National Library of Medicine.Barium swallow.
Temple University Health System.Motility Disorder Treatment Options.
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