Esophageal Motility Disorder in Northwest Arkansas
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Find a ProviderWhat is esophageal motility disorder?
Esophageal motility disorder, sometimes referred to as esophageal dysmotility, is an ailment in which the musculature in the esophagus is unable to contract in a way that efficiently delivers food and liquids into the stomach. Esophageal motility disorder can also be used as an umbrella term for all swallowing disorders, which might include:
- Inefficient esophageal motility disorder
- Nutcracker esophagus
- Hypertensive lower esophageal sphincter
- Diffuse esophageal spasm
- Dysphagia Blockage of the esophagus or difficulty swallowing
- Achalasia
Esophageal dysmotility may also relate to other issues affecting the esophagus, including:
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Mellitus
- Diabetes
- Scleroderma
If you or a member of your family have difficulty swallowing, it might be due to esophageal motility disorder. Contact a GI Alliance of Arkansas practice in your community for help. Our skilled GI providers manage and treat esophageal motility disorder for patients throughout Arkansas.
What causes esophageal motility disorder?
Esophageal motility disorder is not caused by any one factor. The root causes will be specific to the unique condition you deal with, but they most commonly include:
- Benign or malignant strictures
- Weak muscles in the esophagus
- Spasms of the esophagus
- Neurological disorder
- Neuromuscular problems
What are the symptoms of esophageal motility disorder?
Some of the most frequent signs of esophageal motility disorder in Arkansas patients include:
- The feeling of food getting stuck in your chest or neck
- Acid reflux and heartburn
- Recurring pneumonia
- Unexplained weight loss
- Regurgitation
- Trouble with swallowing
- Low-quality sleep
- Feeling of anxiousness
- Pain in the chest
If you or someone you love experience the listed symptoms, please reach out to a local GI Alliance of Arkansas location as soon as possible.
What are the treatments for esophageal motility disorder?
The providers at GI Alliance of Arkansas routinely treat esophageal motility disorder with treatments such as:
- Heller myotomy (the division of the esophageal sphincter muscle to allow food to pass through)
- Botulinum toxin or Botox® injections in the areas suffering spasms
- Medications to treat muscle spasms
- Lower esophageal balloon dilation to disrupt the abnormal obstructing sphincter
- Surgical manipulation of the valve at the lower esophageal sphincter to decrease pressure on the muscle
Clinical trials are consistently being performed to find novel treatments and to improve upon treatments that are currently being used. To hear more in regard to the treatment options for esophageal motility disorder in Arkansas, we urge you to reach out to one of our gastroenterology providers.
Cutting-edge research into esophageal motility disorder
The specialists at GI Alliance of Arkansas continue to work to learn more about causes and treatments for esophageal motility disorder and many other conditions that disrupt the digestive tract. If you or someone you love are dealing with symptoms such as acid reflux, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, and regurgitation, we urge you to request an appointment with a local GI provider at GI Alliance of Arkansas as soon as possible. Our providers work diligently to provide a compassionate and patient-centric method for the management and care of esophageal motility disorder for Arkansas patients.
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