Gastroparesis: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

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Gastroparesis
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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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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 digestion
• If 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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