Motility Program

The Mount Sinai South Nassau Gastrointestinal Motility Program is led by a team of gastroenterologists who subspecialize in motility disorders. We work in collaboration with radiologists, colorectal, surgeons, GI surgeons, thoracic surgeons, urologists, urogynecologists, and physical therapists to care for patients with complex motility disorders.

As part of our multidisciplinary approach, our team meets monthly to discuss complex cases to ensure that each patient receives an individualized treatment plan.

Motility Disorders

“Motility disorders” is an umbrella term that encompasses many conditions that can affect the different parts of the intestinal tract. In essence, the cause of these motility disorders is a dysfunction of either the nerves or muscles that leads to the intestinal muscles contracting or relaxing improperly. Some motility disorders (like gastroesophageal reflux disease) are very common, while others, like gastroparesis, are more rare. Some patients have a motility disorder that only affects one part of their intestine while others may have more than one.

Examples of Conditions we treat:

Swallowing disorders/dysphagia: trouble swallowing or food feeling stuck
Achalasia: failure of the lower esophageal sphincter to relax that leads to dysphagia or regurgitation
Esophageal spasm: hyperactive contractions of the esophagus that can lead to chest pain or dysphagia
Gastroesophageal reflux disease: exposure of the esophagus lining to stomach contents that can lead to symptoms like heartburn
Gastroparesis: slow gastric emptying of food from the stomach
Functional dyspepsia: uncomfortable stomach fullness, burning, or pain
Cyclic vomiting syndrome: repeating bouts of vomiting that stop on their own
Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction: a rare condition where the small intestine is unable to push digested food through the digestive tract, as if there were an intestinal obstruction but there is no actual physical blockage
Intestinal dysmotility: abnormal intestinal contractions, such as spasms and weak contractions that affects the digestion process
Refractory constipation: disorders that slow the process of moving stool through the large intestine. While chronic constipation is usually managed by general gastroenterologists, it sometimes requires specialized testing or treatment provided by motility specialists.
Pelvic dyssynergia: uncoordinated muscle movements in the pelvis that leads to difficulty evacuating stool
Fecal incontinence: loss of bowel control