title: GI motility disorders: diagnostic workup and use of prokinetic therapy.
abstract: GI motility changes little--if at all--with age in healthy patients. However, a variety of diseases, including diabetes and Parkinson's disease, may cause autonomic neuropathy that is manifest as a motility disorder in the GI tract. Autonomic neuropathy can cause dysmotility in the esophagus, stomach, and gut. Symptoms are often nonspecific, including difficulty in swallowing, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, indigestion, diarrhea, and constipation. Nonpharmacologic treatment includes management of underlying diseases, avoidance of anticholinergic medications, and dietary changes. Agents with prokinetic action are the therapy of choice when drug treatment is indicated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatric Medicine, University of Turku, Finland.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Räihä
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sourander
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001342:Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D020117:Cisapride; D004032:Diet; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000502:physiology*; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D010880:Piperidines / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists; D010880:Piperidines; D020117:Cisapride