Motility Disorders Program Overview
Meet the Team Members
The staff of the Motility Disorders Program includes (left to right): Keith McConnell, MS, biomechanical engineer; Jackie Dierig, RN; and Ajay Kaul, MBBS, MD.
The Motility Disorders Program at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center was started in 1992 and is directed by Ajay Kaul, MBBS, MD.
The program is nationally known for its expertise in the evaluation of motility in every region of the digestive tract:
Motility Disorder Diagnosis and Treatment
The Motility Disorders Program collaborates with two other unique programs, the Small Bowel Transplant Center and the Colorectal Center.
State-of-the-art technology is combined with individualized care to correctly diagnose bowel motility. Diagnostic information is combined with input from the patient's family to develop treatment plans.
There are a number of symptoms that may indicate a motility disorder. These include:
- Difficulty swallowing
- Heartburn
- Unexplained chest pain
- Persistent vomiting
- Bloating / abdominal distension
- Weight or appetite loss
- Constipation
- Fecal incontinence
When a motility disorder is suspected, often the symptoms do not provide enough information to accurately predict the location of the disorder. The Motility Disorders team can test multiple regions of the digestive tract at the same time. We also have the facilities to combine very different tests to study a problem.
The Motility Disorders Program also provides biofeedback training for control of fecal incontinence. Biofeedback training uses a computer to show the patient appropriate muscle activity. This training is used to help give the patient a clear understanding of the muscle control necessary for defecation and withholding.
Family-centered Care
Our specialists recognize that the role of the family in successful treatment is crucial. Therefore, it is our goal to make certain that we provide each family with educational materials and that we regularly communicate with you.
Contact Us
To make an appointment with the Motility Disorders Program at Cincinnati Children's, call 513-636-7475 (or call toll free at 1-800-344-2462 and ask for extension 67475); then select option 1.
