Specialty Services at the Neurogastroenterology and Motility Center

Our specialists use the latest tools and methods for diagnosing and treating gastrointestinal (GI) illnesses and disorders.

When you come to the UPMC Neurogastroenterology and Motility Center, you receive a holistic method of care that recognizes the connections between GI conditions and other diseases and disorders.

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:

• Endocrinology
• Pain management
• Behavioral health
• Other specialties at the UPMC Digestive Disorders Center

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.

Visceral Inflammation and Pain (VIP) Center

People who suffer from GI conditions can often experience chronic pain that is difficult to treat.

Our doctors collaborate with a variety specialists at the UPMC Visceral Inflammation and Pain (VIP) Center, drawing upon expertise from other areas like behavioral health and nutrition.

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.