MANAGEMENT OF GASTROINTESTINAL MOTILITY DISORDERS - A PRACTICAL GUIDETO DRUG SELECTION AND APPROPRIATE ANCILLARY MEASURES

Citation
Jr. Malagelada et E. Distrutti, MANAGEMENT OF GASTROINTESTINAL MOTILITY DISORDERS - A PRACTICAL GUIDETO DRUG SELECTION AND APPROPRIATE ANCILLARY MEASURES, Drugs, 52(4), 1996, pp. 494-506
Citations number
96
Categorie Soggetti
Pharmacology & Pharmacy",Toxicology
Journal title
DrugsACNP
ISSN journal
00126667
Volume
52
Issue
4
Year of publication
1996
Pages
494 - 506
Database
ISI
SICI code
0012-6667(1996)52:4<494:MOGMD->2.0.ZU;2-8
Abstract
The focus of management of gastrointestinal motility disorders should be to improve survival and quality of life. Some motor disorders are a nnoying, but are compatible with virtually normal activity and carry n o significant life risk. Conversely, other motor disorders are highly incapacitating and may shorten life expectancy because of complication s and nutritional impairment. Management is based first on establishin g the correct diagnosis and prognosis; secondly, on adjusting therapy to the severity of illness; and thirdly, on preventing significant com plications. Simple recommendations on appropriate changes in lifestyle and reassurance may suffice in mild cases. Pharmacological therapy an d, exceptionally, surgical or nutritional measures may be required in other patients. Generally, pharmacological agents should be directed t owards correcting specific pathophysiological abnormalities, but this is not always possible. Symptomatic relief may be achieved on an empir ical basis. Long term treatment may often require the combination of d ifferent therapeutic approaches either sequentially or simultaneously.