Gastroparesis
Gastroparesis (also called delayed gastric emptying) is a condition in which the muscles in your stomach don’t function normally due to damage to the vagus nerve which means that it reduces the ability of the stomach to empty its contents, but there is no obstruction (blockage).
Ordinarily, strong muscular contractions propel food through your digestive tract. But in gastroparesis, the muscles in the wall of your stomach work poorly or not at all. This prevents your stomach from emptying its contents properly. Gastroparesis can interfere with digestion, cause nausea and vomiting, and cause serious issues with blood sugar levels and nutrition.
Gastroparesis is a chronic disease which means that there is no cure for it. However, it is a condition that can be treated in various ways including making changes to your diet. Gastroparesis medications may offer some relief, but some can cause serious side effects so you should always consult your doctor before taking any medication.
Gastroparesis Causes
Diabetes is the most common cause of gastroparesis (Diabetic Gastroparesis) People with diabetes have high levels of blood sugar (glucose) which causes chemical changes in nerves and damages the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients to the nerves. Over time, high blood glucose can damage the vagus nerve as mentioned above, that will lead to stomach muscle failure.
There are other less common causes for gastroparesis:
- Stomach Surgery
- Viral infections
- Anorexia nervosa or bulimia
- Anticholinergic medication – blocks certain nerve signals
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease
- Nervous system diseases, including abdominal migraine and Parkinson’s disease
- Metabolic disorders, including hypothyroidism
- Systemic sclerosis
Gastroparesis Symptoms
There are various symptoms for gastroparesis:
- Abdominal distention
- Hypoglycemia (in people with diabetes)
- Nausea
- Premature abdominal fullness after meals
- Weight loss without any diet or intent – due to poor absorption of nutrients or low calorie intake
- Vomiting
- Heartburn
- Pain in the upper abdomen
- Early feeling of fullness after only a few bites of food
- Abdominal bloating
- High and low blood glucose levels
- Lack of appetite
- Gastroesophageal reflux
- spasms in the stomach area
Keep in mind that eating solid foods, high-fiber foods, fatty foods or drinks high in fat or carbonation may contribute to these symptoms and this is exactly why you should follow a special Gastroparesis Diet. Learn more about Gastroparesis Symptoms.
Diagnose Gastroparesis
Diagnosing gastroparesis can be done by performing one or more of the following tests on top of the regular medical history and blood tests.
- Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) – an examination of the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and upper duodenum with a small camera (flexible endoscope) which is inserted down the throat.
- Gastric emptying study (using isotope labeling)
- Upper GI series – an upper GI and small bowel series is a set of x-rays taken to examine the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine.
Gastroparesis Treatment
As with most other medical conditions, the treatment of gastroparesis depends on the severity of the symptoms. In most cases, treatment does not cure gastroparesis since it is usually a chronic condition.
The main goal of gastroparesis treatment is to help you manage the condition so you can be as healthy and comfortable as possible. Here are some of the common treatments for this condition:
- Medications
- Dietary Changes
- Feeding Tube
- Parenteral Nutrition
- Gastric Electrical Stimulation
- Botulinum Toxin
- Surgical procedure
Gastroparesis Complications
If food stays too long in the stomach, it can cause bacterial overgrowth from the fermentation of food. Also, the food can harden into solid masses called bezoars that may cause nausea, vomiting, and obstruction in the stomach. Bezoars can be dangerous if they block the passage of food into the small intestine. Keep in mind that persistent nausea and vomiting may cause dehydration, electrolyte imbalances and malnutrition.
Gastroparesis can make diabetes worse by making blood glucose control more difficult. When food that has been delayed in the stomach finally enters the small intestine and is absorbed, blood glucose levels rise. Since gastroparesis makes stomach emptying unpredictable, a person’s blood glucose levels can be erratic and difficult to control.
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My daughter had all the symptoms that are typical for this condition. However I do not agree that is not curable. Tha trick is to stmulate the Vagus nerve into action. I took my daughter to an Acupuncturist and after a few sessions she was good as new. This approach has been around for as many as 5000 years, so it should not be disregarded by medical professions.
I know that because I am one of them!
I have had this since eighth grade (when it was the worst); I am now a senior in high school. For me, it has fluctuated: sometimes it’s better, sometimes it is a lot worse. Long story short, I don’t talk or tell anyone about it so basically I deal with it how I want: either I throw up, deal with a lot of discomfort, or severely limit food intake. I was on a feeding tube, tried acupuncture, was at CHOP for a while and they could do nothing about it. Nothing worked, and I am skeptical that anything will. On top of that, good luck convincing most people to believe what you have is real. No, I’m not bulimic, thank you very much.
Golly Maggie, that’s a long time to have struggled w/this already in your young life. Was close to the feeding tube myself for awhile, lost 30lbs in a yr when it first occurred. I don’t talk about it either, seems no one’s heard of this aside from GI drs altho I’ve read how very common it is. Probably just goes misdiagnosed in most eh? You’ve had a stimulator implant too w/out success? I find food or no food, if I’m gonna ‘blow’ that’s all there is to it. I have another invisible illness, it’s hard to live in a world where things are unseen, so they’re um unbelieved too seems how it goes. I surely do wish you well and hope this finds you in a good stage at present. It does fluctuate from bad to worse to backing off for a little bit, but it’s never gone. Take care, Jeannie
Thx, that’s something I hadn’t considered but surely will.
What did you tell the acupuncture doctor? Did you explain the symptoms? Did you tell him/her you had Gastroparesis? I’m going to get acupuncture this week. Thanks!
I was told many years ago that there was no treatment but I couldn’t accept a future of parentarel nutrition etc etc. I found a product manufactured by Pro-Ma Systems, called Quantum FX containing probiotics, Rei shi mushroom, Catsclaw, Withania, oligofructose. I eat anything, have no symptoms and lead a normal life. There is a solution out there if you look hard enough and don’t believe everything the doctors say.
There are ‘solutions’ for some, but those with true Gastroparesis aren’t really helped by things that do not stimulate the vagus nerve and provide emptying. It’s amazing the help the erythromycin base offers. And there are other things in my future to look fwd to like injections that cause emptying, implant stimulators for the nerve etc.. just not things I’m ready to dive into….yet. Scary!
I’m in a level II clinical at a SNF/Subacute Rehab and one of the patients I’m working with has this condition. She’s on a feeding tube and this has made her very weak and her condition has deteriorated since this treatment approach has been instituted. She’s diabetic as well. thanks for the above suggestions re the vagus nerve stimulation.
Hi Beth, there’s a lot of info available on the net, this implant has been in use for decades now, my Mom one of the 1st to get one implanted for pain control, used widely for lots of things now. I too am diabetic and it sure makes control difficult at best when food doesn’t digest normally, or at all sometimes. I’ve been told by my GI that the tube is about the last option, perhaps there’s hope for your patient. It’s difficult to get nutrition. Wt loss is hard to avoid, I lost 30lbs in 15 mos w/out ANY effort at all, I struggle to keep lbs on now. Take care, Jeannie
Can anyone tell me where I can find the Pro-Ma Systems Quantum FX? I’m not having any luck. Thanks
If you contact Pro-Ma Systems (Aust) Pty Ltd, 14 Kingston Drive Helensvale, Gold Coast, Queensland, 4212, ph 0755738111 they should give you a supplier in your area. It’s not available retail. I’m sorry I don’t know their website.