Gastroparesis is a condition that affects the normal, spontaneous movement of the muscles in the stomach. Under normal circumstances, strong contractions push food through the digestive tract. However, in the case of gastroparesis, the stomach movement becomes slow or may stop completely, preventing the stomach from emptying fully.
Women are more likely to develop gastroparesis compared to men.
Symptoms of Gastroparesis
Many people with gastroparesis may not experience any signs or symptoms, while others may exhibit some of the following:
Vomiting
Nausea
Abdominal bloating
Abdominal pain
Acid reflux
Heartburn
Loss of appetite
Weight loss
Malnutrition
Unstable blood sugar levels
Feeling full after eating a small amount of food
Vomiting undigested food eaten a few hours earlier
Causes and Risk Factors of Gastroparesis
Learn about the cause of gastroparesis:
1. Causes of Gastroparesis
The exact cause of gastroparesis is not well understood. Under normal conditions, the vagus nerve, which controls the muscles of the stomach and the complex processes in the digestive system, sends signals to the stomach muscles to contract and push food into the small intestine.
However, if the vagus nerve is damaged, it does not send signals properly to the stomach muscles, resulting in food remaining in the stomach longer than usual rather than being moved into the small intestine for digestion.
Notable diseases and medical conditions that may damage the vagus nerve include diabetes, stomach surgery, or small bowel surgery.
2. Other Causes
Radiation therapy to the chest or stomach to treat cancer
Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Viral infections, such as influenza
3. Risk Factors
Some of the main factors that may lead to gastroparesis include:
Diabetes
Abdominal surgery
Esophageal surgery
Infections
Scleroderma
Hypothyroidism
Digestive system diseases such as Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis
Medications that slow stomach emptying, such as antidepressants
Complications of Gastroparesis
Gastroparesis can lead to several complications, including:
Severe dehydration: Continuous vomiting can lead to dehydration.
Malnutrition: Due to poor appetite or inadequate nutrient absorption caused by vomiting.
Undigested food: Undigested food can harden in the stomach into a solid mass called a bezoar, which leads to nausea and vomiting and can be life-threatening.
Bacterial infections: When food stays in the stomach for too long, bacteria can grow uncontrollably, leading to infection.
Blood sugar level fluctuations: Gastroparesis can worsen diabetes and make it difficult to control blood sugar levels.
Decreased quality of life: The symptoms of gastroparesis can prevent individuals from carrying out daily activities and routines normally.
Diagnosis of Gastroparesis
Doctors use several tests to diagnose gastroparesis, including:
1. Gastric Emptying Tests
These tests include:
Scintigraphy
Scintigraphy is one of the key tests used to diagnose gastroparesis. In this test, the patient is given a small radioactive meal, and a scanner is placed over the abdomen to detect the movement of the radioactive material. This helps determine the rate at which food leaves the stomach.
Sometimes, the doctor may advise stopping certain medications, as they can slow down stomach emptying.
Breath Test
The patient is given either solid or liquid food containing a substance absorbed by the body, which is then measured through the breath. Breath samples are collected over a few hours to measure the amount of the substance, which helps determine the speed at which the stomach empties after eating.
2. Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
A flexible, long tube with a small camera is inserted to examine the upper digestive tract, including the esophagus, stomach, and the beginning of the small intestine. This allows the doctor to determine whether the patient has gastroparesis.
3. Ultrasound Imaging
High-frequency ultrasound imaging can help diagnose issues with the gallbladder or kidneys, which may be related to gastroparesis.
Treatment for Gastroparesis
Some of the key treatments and methods to alleviate gastroparesis symptoms include:
1. Dietary Changes
Proper nutrition is one of the main ways to alleviate gastroparesis symptoms. The doctor may recommend easily digestible foods and may implement changes to the diet, such as:
Eating small, frequent meals
Chewing food well
Eating cooked fruits and vegetables instead of raw ones
Avoiding fruits and vegetables high in fiber, such as oranges and broccoli
Choosing low-fat foods
Trying soups and mashed foods
Walking after meals
Avoiding lying down after meals for two hours
Avoiding carbonated beverages, alcohol, and smoking
2. Medication
Medications are prescribed by the healthcare provider specializing in the condition.
3. Surgery
In some cases, the doctor may use feeding tubes through the nose or mouth, or insert them directly into the small intestine through the skin, or use a gastric venting tube to help alleviate pressure from the stomach contents. These tubes are generally temporary and are only used in cases of severe gastroparesis or when blood sugar levels cannot be controlled by other means.
Prevention of Gastroparesis
Some of the key preventive measures to avoid developing gastroparesis or to prevent the condition from worsening include:
Avoiding smoking, as it can worsen gastroparesis symptoms.
Changing poor eating habits, as they may increase the risk of developing gastroparesis.
Drinking plenty of water and fluids to maintain hydration and prevent dehydration.
Managing blood glucose levels, especially for individuals with diabetes, which can help reduce the risk of developing gastroparesis.
Engaging in regular exercise and increasing physical activity.
Alternative Treatments
Some people may turn to alternative treatments, such as acupuncture, which may help alleviate gastroparesis. This involves inserting very thin needles into specific points on the body, followed by the application of a small electrical current through the needles.