Identifying Stomach Issues by Taking a Deep Breath

In Baltimore, Maryland, a new breath and motility center is changing the way gastrointestinal disorders are diagnosed and treated. Traditional methods like endoscopies and colonoscopies only show structural issues in the digestive tract, but this new center focuses on how food is moving through the system, known as motility.

Gastrointestinal diseases affect a large portion of the American population, with around 40% of people experiencing issues like nausea, fecal incontinence, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Lateara White, who suffered from nightly vomiting for a year, turned to the breath and motility center at Mercy Medical Center for help. By breathing into a bag and having her breath gases analyzed, she was able to get a diagnosis of gastroparesis, a condition where the stomach does not efficiently process food.

Gastroparesis left White feeling full even when she was hungry, making it difficult for her to eat a full meal. Through the breath analysis, her doctor was able to identify potential food intolerances and work with a dietitian to make necessary dietary changes. This process ultimately provided White with the relief she had been seeking for over a year.

For individuals experiencing chronic gastrointestinal symptoms such as constipation, diarrhea, nausea, and heartburn, it may be time to consider a motility disorder as the underlying cause. The new approach offered by the breath and motility center at Mercy Medical Center is providing patients with a more comprehensive and accurate diagnosis for their gastrointestinal issues.