Re: Visceral Myopathy

Posted By HFHSM.D.-ym on June 02, 1998 at 19:29:30:

In Reply to: Visceral Myopathy posted by Vanda on May 25, 1998 at 09:19:10:






Please can anyone supply me with any information about Visceral
Myopathy of the small and large bowel. I have being diagnosed as
having this disease after 17 years of bowel problems. I am at the
moment taking cisapride to help aleviate this problem, but I know
little about this disease, and do not know where to get any
information from.Please help. I am 35 years old.
Vanda
Dear  Vanda,
Visceral myopathy is a type of smooth muscle disorder that can cause chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction. In other words, because the smooth muscle lining the small and large intestinal wall is damaged, food travels slowly down the intestinal tract and causes symptoms. These symptoms mimic an obstruction or blockage even though a mechanical obstruction is not present. Reflux, difficulty swallowing, abdominal fullness and bloating, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain and weight loss may occur. In all cases a mechanical obstruction must be excluded with x-rays of the gastrointestinal tract. Sometimes a full thickness biopsy of the intestine must be performed to confirm the diagnosis. This may require surgical exploration. Some centers will perform small intestinal manometry (pressure studies) to document poor intestinal propulsion of contents. A family history is present in up to 30% of patients with chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction.
Unfortunately, treatment with prokinetic agents such as cisapride (Propulsid) has not been uniformly successful. Another consideration is to treat small bowel bacterial overgrowth with antibiotics as needed. Since intestinal contents move slowly down the gastrointestinal tract, the growth and proliferation of bacteria occurs. Small bowel bacterial overgrowth usually presents with diarrhea and poor absorption (malabsorption). Finally, malnutrition can occur in affected patients and may require treatment with oral nutritional supplements, tube feeding or total parenteral nutrition (intravenous nutrition-in severe cases). I hope you find this information helpful. Good luck to you.
This response is being provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or consultation. Always check with your personal physician when you have a question pertaining to your health.
If you would like to be seen at our institution please call 1-800-653-6568, our Referring Physicians' Office and make an appointment to see Dr. Muszkat, one of our experts in Gastroenterology.
HFHSM.D.-ym
*Keywords: visceral myopathy, chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction, symptoms, treatment



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