Dear Doctor: I have been having trouble with bowel movements and my doctor started talking about gastrointestinal motility. Could you please explain what that is? She also wants you to undergo something called an anorectal manometry test. She would like to know more about it too.
Dear Reader: Your symptoms have alerted your doctor to a potential problem with gastrointestinal motility (often shortened to gastrointestinal motility). This term refers to the body’s ability to move liquids and solids throughout the gastrointestinal tract.
Gastrointestinal motility requires a series of coordinated wave movements. We rarely notice it unless something goes wrong with the muscles, structures, and associated signaling. But the journey itself, along with the organizations involved, is complex. It begins in the throat, also known as the pharynx, and progresses to the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine. The ingested liquid and the solids that remain after digestion and absorption complete their journey through the rectum and anus. This is where the final stage of gastrointestinal motility takes place. Nerves and muscles in the rectum and anus work together to cause bowel movements.
In some cases, symptoms such as ongoing constipation or diarrhea may indicate problems with gastrointestinal motility. Other symptoms include heartburn, indigestion, nausea, difficulty swallowing, and vomiting. Because each of these is common to a wide range of symptoms, disorders, and diseases, testing may be necessary to narrow down and identify the cause.
Among these tests is the anorectal manometry test you asked about. It is used when it is necessary to assess gastrointestinal motility at the end of the lower gastrointestinal tract. This result provides information about the function of the anorectal sphincter, which is involved in the control of defecation. This involves measuring the pressure exerted by the anal sphincter and the sensations present within the rectum. This test also evaluates the nerve connections and reflexes that your intestines need to function properly.
Anorectal manometry uses a flexible, pressure-sensitive tube that is approximately the same length and width as an old-fashioned thermometer. There is a small inflatable balloon attached to the end. The patient lies sideways on an examination table and a lubricated instrument is introduced into the rectum. Although it may be uncomfortable, it is usually not painful. During the test, your doctor will ask you to tighten, relax, and press down on your rectal muscles.
Another part of the test involves inflating a small balloon with air. How the body responds provides important information about reflex pathways within the rectum. In the final part of the test, the balloon is filled with water. The patient is asked to move the rectal muscles to push the balloon out, just as they would during a bowel movement.
The various parts of the examination taken together provide a detailed profile of rectal and anal function. This information can help narrow down potential causes of symptoms related to bowel control, which are common to many conditions.
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