The Center for Gastrointestinal Motility and Physiology is committed to improving the health of patients affected by conditions resulting from abnormal gastrointestinal motility (the movement of food contents through the GI tract) or sensation.
Our patients receive comprehensive and innovative care by having access to cutting-edge diagnostic techniques, novel therapeutic medicines and devices, and multidisciplinary collaboration with Columbia’s expert providers from other fields. Working within a large academic-based medical center, we are able to help patients who also have complex and multiple non GI-related disorders such as heart or lung conditions, neurological disorders, or who have undergone solid organ transplantation.
Conditions We Treat
Motility, functional GI disorders, and acid-related disorders can cause an enormous burden to patients, adversely affecting the quality of life of millions of Americans. Conditions that we treat include but are not limited to:
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Esophagitis
- Non-erosive reflux disease
- Achalasia
- Diffuse esophageal spasm
- Eosinophilic esophagitis
- Hypercontractile esophagus
- Chest pain of esophageal origin
- Chronic nausea and vomiting
- Cyclic vomiting syndrome
- Gastroparesis
- Functional dyspepsia
- Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth
- Functional abdominal pain
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction
- Constipation
- Fecal incontinence
- Pelvic floor disorders
- Scleroderma
Our Services and Technologies
The Center for Gastrointestinal Motility and Physiology offers advanced diagnostic procedures. All of these procedures are performed on an outpatient basis
- High-resolution Esophageal Manometry: In order to visualize movement of the esophagus in those with swallowing problems, we use a transnasal probe with highly sensitive pressure monitors.
- Impedance-pH Monitoring: Using a similar transnasal probe, we are able to assess both the movement of acidic fluid in the esophagus and the movement of non-acidic fluid and thus able to better diagnose those who may have troublesome non-acid reflux.
- Capsule-based 48-Hour pH Monitoring (Bravo): For those with refractory or difficult-to-diagnose acid-related symptoms, this wireless technology allows us to precisely determine acidity in the last part of the esophagus during normal daily activities.
- High-Resolution Anorectal Manometry: In order to visualize movement in the colon and coordination of the pelvic floor in those with chronic constipation or fecal incontinence, we perform a very simple test using a transrectal probe with highly sensitive pressure monitors. This test allows us to understand the cause of the patient’s symptoms and help direct therapy.
- Wireless Motility Capsule (SmartPill): NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia is one of the few centers in the region with this comprehensive technology. This multivitamin-sized disposable capsule is simply swallowed and able to measure pH, pressure, and temperature as well as regional transit times and pressure patterns throughout the gastrointestinal tract. It is most often used for diagnosis in patients with bothersome constipation and gastroparesis (delay in gastric emptying).
- Endoscopic Procedures we offer include: EGD, Enteroscopy, Colonoscopy, Esophageal dilation, Pneumatic dilation, Botox injection, Feeding tubes
- We work closely with our interventional endoscopy colleagues who additionally offer: POEM (per oral endoscopic myotomy), Stretta (radiofrequency energy for GERD), TIF (trans oral incisionaless fundoplication), MUSE, G-POEM (gastric POEM), stents
