GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS

Gastrointestinal disorders are indicated by symptoms. Simple blood work ups, exams even x-rays cannot be used to diagnoses these problems.

Recurring symptoms and, age and length of time symptoms are occurring all help identify functional GI disorders. It is a good idea to keep track of symptoms in a diary to help the doctor be more accurate when diagnosing.

Indicators or symptoms related to GI Disorders:

• pain

• nausea

• vomiting

• diarrhea

• constipation

• problems in the passage of food or feces

• any combination of these symptoms

Motility Disorders

Movement of the digestive system is defined as gastrointestinal motility

"the spontaneous peristaltic movements of the stomach that aid in digestion, moving food through the stomach and out through the pyloric sphincter into the duodenum. Excess gastric motility causes pain that is usually treated with antispasmodic medication. Below normal motility is common in labor, after general anesthesia, and as a side effect of some sedative hypnotics."

These symptoms may include:

• heartburn

• difficulty swallowing

• abdominal distention and pain

• nausea

• vomiting

• constipation

• diarrhea

• a combination of these symptoms

GI motility can be measured and abnormal patterns identified using tests. For each area of the GI tract, there are different GI motility tests that assess different functions and provide different types of information to help with diagnosis and treatment. 

Examples of functional GI and/or motility disorders include:

• Chronic abdominal pain

• Constipation 

• Cyclic vomiting syndrome

• Diarrhea

• Dyspepsia

• Encopresis (fecal soiling)

• Functional fecal retention

• Gastroesophageal reflux (GER)

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) 

• Gastroparesis

• Hirschsprung’s disease

• Incontinence

• Intestinal pseudo-obstruction

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Other Disorders

A physician will be able to make a distinction between gastrointestinal functional or motility disorders and the disorders below because they are characterized by more identifiable features. Some symptoms however can overlap with functional gastrointestinal or motility disorders.

Examples include:

• Celiac disease

• Lactose intolerance

• Inflammatory bowel disease

• Eosinophilic gastroenteritis

• Volvulus

This information has been gleaned from sources listed below, where you can find resources and more information

Center for Motility and Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders

Kids & Teens - iffgd.org

[PDF] Childhood Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: Neonate/Toddler

Relation of childhood gastrointestinal disorders to autism

How common are gastrointestinal disorders in children
with autism?

Frequency of Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders and Association with Family History of Autoimmune Disease

Diagnosis and Treatment of Feeding Disorders in Children With Developmental Disabilities

Gastrointestinal disorders in children with neurodevelopmental disabilities.

Evaluation, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Disorders in Individuals With ASDs: A Consensus Report

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