Motility Center
Diagnosing and treating motility disorders is a highly specialized area of gastroenterology that focuses on abnormalities of the digestive tract. To provide the level of care needed by those suffering from these disorders, Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates has opened the Southeastern Center for Functional GI and Motility Disorders.
As the first practice-based center of its kind in the southeast, the Center has been designed to provide a comfortable, stress-reducing atmosphere for patients. Office visits and motility tests are performed at one convenient location, while more extensive procedures can be performed just steps away. Under the guidance of our experienced medical director, patients can be assured of individual care and treatment plans and on-going communication is maintained with referring physicians to ensure continuity of care.
The Southeastern Center for Functional GI and Motility Disorders offers a variety of diagnostic tests and treatment plans for each area of the digestive tract:
The Esophagus
- Characterized by difficulty in swallowing liquids or solids, heartburn, regurgitation, chronic cough and wheezing, and chest pain that isn’t related to heart problems
- Typically defined as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD, with both typical symptoms and atypical or extraesophageal manifestations), dysphagia (ineffective swallowing), achalasia (difficulty in swallowing both liquids and solids), and functional heartburn
Tests conducted for esophageal disorders include:
- Esophageal Manometry
- 24-Hour pH Testing
- BRAVO 48-Hour pH Testing
- Combined Multichannel Intraluminal Impedance pH Testing
- Upper Endoscopy (EGD)
The Stomach
- Characterized by digestion that is not in sync
- Typically defined as gastroparesis (delayed gastric emptying) and functional dyspepsia (pain or discomfort in the center of the abdomen).
Tests conducted for stomach disorders include:
- SmartPill® Monitoring System
- Gastric Emptying Scan (hospital-based)
- Upper Endoscopy (EGD)
The Small Intestine
- Characterized by non-absorption of food and abnormal digestive cycles
- Typically defined as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or small bowel bacterial overgrowth (too many bacteria in the upper part of the small intestine).
Tests conducted for small intestine disorders include:
- EGD
- Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (Hydrogen Breath Test)
- SmartPill® Monitoring System
Large Intestine or Colon
- Characterized by the inability of the large intestine to store food residue and to absorb water necessary for hydration
- Typically defined as constipation (simple vs. colonic inertia), diarrhea, IBS or a rare congenital condition known as Hirschsprung’s disease
Tests to determine disorders of the colon include:
- Colonoscopy
- Sitzmark Study
Pelvic Floor and Rectum
- Characterized by involuntary passing of fecal matter or difficulty with evacuation
- Typically defined by weakness in sphincter muscle control, lack of coordination of the straining reflex, problems with sensory nerves that allow detection of the need for a bowel movement
Tests to determine disorders of the pelvic floor and rectum include:
- Anorectal Manometry
Location:
- Southeastern Center for Functional GI & Motility Disorders
- 550 Peachtree Street, Suite 1620
- Atlanta, Georgia 30308
Referrals can be made by calling 404.888.7595.
Kavita R. Kongara, M.D., Medical Director
For a map to this location, click below.
