Gastroparesis (GP), also called delayed gastric emptying, is a condition that affects the normal spontaneous movement of the muscles in your stomach. It will slow or even stop the movement of food from your stomach to your small intestine, preventing the stomach from emptying properly. By delaying digestion, gastroparesis may lead to symptoms such as nausea and complications.
Out of 100,000 people, about 10 men and 40 women suffer from gastroparesis. Although gastroparesis is not common, 1 out of 4 American adults have symptoms similar to those of this condition.
If you have gastroparesis, you may have the following symptoms:
In many cases, people with gastroparesis may have no noticeable symptoms.
Besides these symptoms, gastroparesis can result in some complications, including:
Doctors can’t find the exact causes of gastroparesis in most people. But diabetes is a common underlying cause of gastroparesis. It can damage a nerve called vagus nerve that controls the muscles of the stomach and small intestine. Once this occurs, your muscles can’t work as normal, slowing or even stopping the movement of food. Other possible factors contributing to it include:
Doctors make a diagnosis of gastroparesis with medical history, a physical exam and medical tests. Tests used to look for signs of gastroparesis complications and rule out other conditions that have similar symptoms include:
It is the most important test to diagnose gastroparesis. This test can help monitor rate at which food leaves the stomach.
This test allows your doctor to visually examine your upper digestive system.
This procedure enables your doctor to know whether problems with your gallbladder or your kidneys could be causing your symptoms.
After drinking a white, chalky liquid that coats the digestive system, you can make abnormalities show up to help your doctor diagnose gastroparesis.
Treatment options for gastroparesis depend on many factors, such as cause, severity and response of treatment. If the cause has been identified, treating the cause may stop gastroparesis at the same time. If the cause remains unknown, your doctor will recommend treatments that improve symptoms and reduce complications.
Changes to your diet
Many people can well manage their gastroparesis with diet changes which help maintain adequate nutrition. You may be recommended to:
Medications
Medications that may help treat gastroparesis include:
Surgery
For people whose conditions are so severe that they are not able to tolerate any food or liquids, doctors may use a feeding tube (jejunostomy tube). A gastric venting tube that can help relieve pressure from gastric contents may also be recommended.
Keyword: gastroparesis.
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