Motility disorders of the colon and rectum.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Symptoms associated with disorders of the motility of colon and rectum are common problems in clinical practice. Advances in this field continue to expand our understanding of these disorders and provide new and different treatments with promising results.

RECENT FINDINGS

This article reviews new advances in the past year on the measurement and diagnosis of colonic transit. Recently published data question the importance of dietary fiber in the prevention of colonic diverticulosis and diverticulitis, and support the efficacy of a number of different therapies aimed at improving colonic motility and visceral sensation in constipation and reversing the effects of opioid induced constipation with peripherally acting opioid antagonists.

SUMMARY

The articles referenced in this review help inform the reader on new developments in the diagnosis and management of patients with colonic and rectal motility disorders.