Coordinated Care With Other Specialties
Many GI symptoms are connected to other conditions such as:
- Scleroderma
- Diabetic complications
- Multiple sclerosis
- Neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson's disease
- Nervous system disorders like spina bifida
Our doctors specialize in finding those whole-body connections to provide the right treatment for each person.
And, we work closely with physicians in:
Advanced Tests for Diagnosing GI Disorders
Experts at the UPMC Neurogastroenterology and Motility Center use the latest diagnostic tests, such as:
- Complex motility testing — a technique called manometry measures pressure in your GI system to diagnose disorders that impair motion in the esophagus, stomach, intestine, or anorectum. In most instances, this quick outpatient procedure involves placing a thin tube into your GI system through your nose, throat, or anal area.
- Ambulatory pH testing — this small device temporarily placed into your GI system measures the reflux of the stomach's acid or gastric contents to determine the root cause of symptoms like heartburn.
- Hydrogen breath testing — a method of breath testing that can determine if there is an overgrowth of bacteria in the small bowel or malabsorption of compounds like lactose (found in dairy) that can cause GI conditions.
Leading-Edge Neurogastroenterology Research
At the Neurogastroenterology and Motility Center, our physicians are involved in leading-edge research to further understand how the brain modulates the GI system.
Our work is contributing to new developments for treatment of GI conditions that accompany neurological diseases, and to a better understanding of chronic pain in the GI system.