Gastroparesis: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment (1)

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Gastroparesis
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What is Gastroparesis?

• Gastroparesis is a condition in which a human
  stomach cannot empty itself of food in a normal
  manner. Gastroparesis disorder is also known
  as delayed gastric emptying. The stomach takes
  too long to empty food due to the weakening of
  muscles and the nerves. Gastroparesis disorder
  affects the normal functioning of contraction
  which is required for the proper digestion of
  food. The decline in the ability of the stomach
  to absorb the nutrients results in delayed
  flushing of waste out of the body. Gastroparesis
  disorder is most common among middle age women.
  When the cause of Gastroparesis is not known it
  is known as Idiopathic Gastroparesis. 

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Causes of Gastroparesis

• The vagus nerve that controls the movement of
  food through the digestive tract gets damaged
  resulting in the delayed digestion of food. Vagus
  nerve may be affected due to the following
  causes Viral infection
• Uncontrolled diabetes
• Stomach surgery
• Eating disorder (eating high fibre foods)
• Cancer
• Chemotherapy
• Hypothyroidism
• Drug overdose
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Multiple sclerosis

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Symptoms

• The symptoms of Gastroparesis include Nausea
• Vomiting
• Stomach bloating
• Lack of appetite
• Stomach pain
• Heartburn
• Weight loss
• Acid reflux
• Swelling in the abdomen
• Malnutrition

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Diagnosis of Gastroparesis 

• A gastroenterologist will ask you about your
  medical history and may perform a physical exam.
  After performing a physical exam, the he will
  order a diagnostic test. Diagnostic tests will
  help the gastroenterologist in knowing the exact
  cause of the condition. Diagnostic tests for
  Gastroparesis may include X-ray- It is done to
  check for any type of blockage that could be
  causing Gastroparesis.
• Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy- In this
  procedure, a tiny camera is attached to a
  flexible tube to examine the upper
  gastrointestinal system.
• Gastro emptying study- It is a nuclear medical
  test to measure the speed at which a stomach
  empties the solid food and liquids.
• Gastric manometry- It uses a thin tube to measure
  the electrical impulses of the stomach and the
  small intestine.

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Preventions of Gastroparesis

• Work with a registered dietician (RD) or
  nutrition support specialist (nurse or doctor) to
  design a dietary plan to meet your individual
  needs.
• Eat frequent, small meals that are low in fat and
  fiber. Fat, fiber, and large meals can delay
  stomach emptying and worsen symptoms.
• Keep hydrated and as nutritionally fit as
  possible.
• If you have diabetes, maintain good glucose
  control. Irregular stomach emptying can
  negatively affect blood sugar levels. Keeping
  your blood sugar under control may help stomach
  emptying.
• Before having surgery, ask your doctor, surgeon,
  or health care team about risks involved and
  weigh these against the benefits. Ask about
  alternatives.
• Avoid or reduce alcohol and smoking tobacco.
  These can slow gastric emptying.
• Engage in regular physical activity as you are
  able.

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Treatments

• The most effective treatment of the Gastroparesis
  is changes in lifestyle. Mild symptoms of
  Gastroparesis can be treated at home by changing
  your eating habits. Severe symptoms of
  Gastroparesis require medical consultation and
  sometimes surgery. Below are some possible
  treatment options of Gastroparesis Avoid eating
  too much in one go instead eat at regular
  intervals throughout the day.
• Eat foods that are low in fat and fibre.
• Eat slowly and avoid drinking too much water
  after eating.
• Do yoga to get relief from painful symptoms.
• Take medicines to boost digestionIf a patient
  does not get relief from above mentioned
  treatment, then a surgery has to be performed.
  A surgery for gastroparesis includes implanting
  an electric simulator or a feeding tube in the
  small intestine to speed up the stomach emptying
  process.

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