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Persistent Reflux
Ongoing acid reflux or heartburn that continues despite treatment may require further assessment.
Understand the Cause Behind
Persistent Digestive Symptoms
Gastrointestinal (GI) motility refers to the coordinated movement of food through the digestive system. Different parts of the digestive tract work together to move and process food as it travels through the body.
When this movement does not happen as expected, it can contribute to symptoms such as reflux, difficulty swallowing, nausea after meals, bloating, constipation or bowel-control concerns.
Persistent digestive symptoms can affect far more than digestion. They can shape what you eat, where you go and how confidently you move through everyday life.
At Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC), our specialised GI Motility Flagship Service evaluates how the digestive system functions to help identify the possible cause of ongoing symptoms and guide an individualised care plan.
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Persistent digestive symptoms should not simply become something you learn to live around.
Speak to your doctor if you regularly experience symptoms such as:
Ongoing acid reflux or heartburn that continues despite treatment may require further assessment.
Difficulty swallowing, discomfort when swallowing or the feeling that food is getting stuck can have different underlying causes.
Persistent nausea, vomiting, early fullness or discomfort after eating may sometimes be related to how the stomach empties.
Long-term constipation can have several causes, including difficulties with bowel movement or pelvic-floor coordination.
Ongoing bloating alongside other digestive symptoms may warrant further medical assessment.
Difficulty controlling bowel movements is a medical concern that can be discussed openly and confidentially with your healthcare team.
A common, long-term digestive condition that affects how the large intestine functions.
Bravo Test: A wireless pH monitoring test used to assess acid reflux and oesophageal disorders by measuring acid levels in the oesophagus over 48 hours.
EndoFLIP Test: A specialised test used to evaluate swallowing disorders by assessing how well the oesophagus stretches and opens as food passes through.
Oesophageal manometry: Measures muscle pressure and coordination in the food pipe to assess how effectively it moves food towards the stomach during swallowing.
Gastric Emptying Study: A specialised test used to assess stomach motility disorders by measuring how quickly food moves from the stomach into the small intestine, helping identify delayed or rapid gastric emptying.
Anorectal Manometry: A specialised test used to investigate constipation and bowel-control difficulties by evaluating muscle strength and coordination during bowel movements.
Anorectal Manometry and Biofeedback: A specialised assessment and therapy approach used to investigate constipation and bowel-control difficulties, helping patients improve pelvic floor muscle coordination and bowel function.
Anorectal Manometry: A specialised test used to investigate constipation and bowel-control difficulties by evaluating muscle strength and coordination during bowel movements.
Not every digestive condition can be understood by looking at the structure of the digestive tract alone.
When clinically appropriate, specialised GI motility testing can help doctors understand how different parts of the digestive system are functioning.
Depending on your symptoms and clinical assessment, investigations may include:
Your doctor will recommend testing based on your individual symptoms and medical history.
Consider seeking medical advice if digestive symptoms:
A healthcare professional can assess your symptoms and advise whether referral to SSMC’s GI Motility Flagship Service may be appropriate.
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