GI Motility Laboratory Service
The GI Motility Laboratory Service at UNC Hospitals was established by Dr. William Whitehead. However, diagnostic evaluations and clinical care are now managed by other faculty -- Dr. Yolanda Scarlett (Medical Director) for lower GI motility disorders, and Dr. Nicholas Shaheen (Medical Director) and Dr. Doug Morgan for swallowing disorders and ambulatory pH testing. Sheila Crawford, RN, is the head nurse for the GI Motility Service.
Patients with GI motility disorders may be seen initially in the Functional GI and Motility Disorders Clinic (see above), or they may be referred directly to the medical staff of the GI Motility Service if referring physicians anticipate that diagnostic motility testing or biofeedback training will be needed. Diagnostic motility tests may be scheduled directly by outside physicians, but a medical consultation from one of the clinicians affiliated with the GI Motility Service is recommended. The following services are provided by the GI Motility Service:
The Anorectal Motility Case Conference is held monthly and is central to the training, patient care and research objectives of the GI Motility Service. The format for the conference is a discussion of cases that have been seen by the gastroenterology and urogynecology services, focusing on cases that present complex decision making about patient care or important teaching points. There is also discussion of whether certain patients are appropriate for referral to one of the ongoing research studies at the Center, or to the surgical treatment trials and epidemiological studies sponsored by the Pelvic Floor Disorders Network, for which UNC serves as one of six sites. The conference also provides on opportunity for updates on new publications, research conferences, and new research initiatives.
The GI Motility Laboratory Service at UNC Hospitals was established by Dr. William Whitehead. However, diagnostic evaluations and clinical care are now managed by other faculty -- Dr. Yolanda Scarlett (Medical Director) for lower GI motility disorders, and Dr. Nicholas Shaheen (Medical Director) and Dr. Doug Morgan for swallowing disorders and ambulatory pH testing. Sheila Crawford, RN, is the head nurse for the GI Motility Service.
Patients with GI motility disorders may be seen initially in the Functional GI and Motility Disorders Clinic (see above), or they may be referred directly to the medical staff of the GI Motility Service if referring physicians anticipate that diagnostic motility testing or biofeedback training will be needed. Diagnostic motility tests may be scheduled directly by outside physicians, but a medical consultation from one of the clinicians affiliated with the GI Motility Service is recommended. The following services are provided by the GI Motility Service:
- Diagnostic anorectal motility tests for fecal incontinence, constipation or rectal pain
- Biofeedback treatment for fecal incontinence or constipation
- Ambulatory pH studies
- Esophageal motility testing
- Hydrogen breath tests for small bowel bacterial overgrowth and carbohydrate malabsorption
- Breath tests for h. pylori infection
The Anorectal Motility Case Conference is held monthly and is central to the training, patient care and research objectives of the GI Motility Service. The format for the conference is a discussion of cases that have been seen by the gastroenterology and urogynecology services, focusing on cases that present complex decision making about patient care or important teaching points. There is also discussion of whether certain patients are appropriate for referral to one of the ongoing research studies at the Center, or to the surgical treatment trials and epidemiological studies sponsored by the Pelvic Floor Disorders Network, for which UNC serves as one of six sites. The conference also provides on opportunity for updates on new publications, research conferences, and new research initiatives.
