Ebook: Gastrointestinal Motility: Tests and Problem-Oriented Approach

Gastrointestinal motility has evolved from an esoteric laboratory tool into a sophisti­ cated diagnostic technique that is now widely used clinically to guide in management of complex gastrointestinal problems. Today, it is the most rapidly growing subspecialty within gastroenterology. Previously, many of the gastrointestinal motility problems were either ignored or attributed to a disturbance of "psyche." But with the growing knowledge and understanding of how a dysfunction of the gastrointestinal muscle and nerves can cause disease, we are at the threshold of a revolution in our approach to the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal motility disorders. The purpose of this book is to serve as a useful, up-to-date reference manual and guide for the diagnostic and therapeutic approach towards common adult and pediatric gastrointestinal motility problems. In order to enhance the understanding of these disor­ ders, a problem-oriented approach has been chosen, and wherever possible the authors have provided clinical case scenarios to illustrate their message. The emphasis has been on how to diagnose and treat motility disorders rather than to provide an encyclopedic infor­ mation. The reference list at the end of each chapter should enable the enthusiast to seek further information. Some of the material presented in this book has been derived from the proceedings of the annual University ofIowa College of Medicine GI Motility Symposia.

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The purpose of this volume is to serve as a useful, up-to-date reference manual and guide for the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to common adult and pediatric gastrointestinal motility problems. In order to enhance the understanding of these disorders, a problem-oriented approach has been chosen, and whenever possible the authors have provided clinical case scenarios to illustrate their message. Gastrointestinal motility has evolved from an esoteric laboratory tool to a sophisticated diagnostic technique that is now widely used clinically to guide management of complex gastrointestinal problems. Today it is the most rapidly growing subspecialty within gastroenterology. Previously, many of the gastrointestinal motility problems were either ignored or attributed to a disturbance of `psyche'. With the growing knowledge and understanding of how gastrointestinal muscle and nerve dysfunction can cause disease, we are at the threshold of a revolution in our approach to the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal motility disorders. Practitioners and trainees in gastroenterology, radiologists, internists, family practitioners, as well as general surgeons, each of whom encounter patients with motility problems on a daily basis, will find this volume of use. The authors, experts in the field, have provided a succinct, practical, and balanced approach that can be used in any laboratory.