Esophageal Motility Disorder in Kansas City, MO
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Find a ProviderWhat is esophageal motility disorder?
Esophageal motility disorder, also known as esophageal dysmotility, is the condition where the musculature of the esophagus fails to contract and the esophagus cannot adequately transport food and liquids to your stomach. Esophageal motility disorder can also be used as an umbrella term for all swallowing disorders which could include:
- Dysphagia Blockage of the esophagus or difficulty swallowing
- Nutcracker esophagus
- Inefficient esophageal motility disorder
- Achalasia
- Diffuse esophageal spasm
- Hypertensive lower esophageal sphincter
It also refers to secondary esophageal motility disorders related to:
- Diabetes
- Scleroderma
- Mellitus
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
If you or a loved one have difficulty swallowing, it could be a result of an esophageal motility disorder. Contact our Digestive Health Specialists practice for help. Our board-certified gastroenterologists manage and treat esophageal motility disorder for individuals in Kansas City, MO.
What causes esophageal motility disorder?
There is not one individual culprit for esophageal motility disorder. The root causes are distinct to the condition you are diagnosed with, and often include:
- Weak muscles in the esophagus
- Neuromuscular abnormality
- Neurological abnormality
- Spasms in the esophagus
- Benign or malignant strictures
What are the symptoms of esophageal motility disorder?
Symptoms will present differently in each person. Some of the common symptoms of esophageal motility disorder in Kansas City, MO patients include:
- Heartburn and acid reflux
- Pain in the chest
- Low-quality sleep
- Loss of weight
- Trouble with swallowing
- Regurgitation
- Anxiety
- Recurring pneumonia
- The sensation of food blocking your chest or neck
If you or someone you love suffer from any of the above-listed symptoms, please reach out to our team at Digestive Health Specialists as soon as possible.
How is esophageal motility disorder treated?
There are different treatment methods that a GI provider could recommend, depending on your case. Some of the most common methods for treating esophageal motility disorder include:
- Balloon dilation of the lower esophagus to disrupt the abnormal obstructing sphincter
- Botulinum toxin or Botox® injection in the affected areas
- Heller myotomy (the division of the esophageal sphincter muscle to allow food to pass through)
- Surgical intervention to allow the valve at the lower esophageal sphincter to reduce pressure on the muscle
- Medications to treat muscle spasms
Clinical trials are continually being carried out to test novel treatments and to increase the efficacy of current treatments. To learn more about the esophageal motility disorder treatments available in Kansas City, MO please reach out to one of our gastroenterology providers.
Cutting-edge treatment for esophageal motility disorder
The providers at Digestive Health Specialists continue to research surrounding esophageal motility disorder and innumerable other conditions that trouble the GI system. If you are suffering from symptoms, such as acid reflux, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, and regurgitation, please request a consultation with a local GI provider at Digestive Health Specialists as soon as you can. We work diligently to provide a personalized, patient-focused method for the management and treatment of esophageal motility disorder in Kansas City, MO individuals.
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