Gastroparesis Diet Tips

Gastroparesis is a medical condition associated with decreased motility of the stomach. This decreased motility is attributed to the weakening of the muscles of the stomach. When these muscles become weak, the stomach is unable to contract and crush the solid food and move it into the small intestine. As a result, the stomach takes too long to empty its contents. The symptoms of gastroparesis generally include weight loss, fatigue, feeling of fullness, bloating, heartburn, nausea, vomiting and changes in the blood glucose levels. Wondering what causes gastroparesis and how it can be treated? Well, gastroparesis can be controlled by making certain changes to your dietary habits. Here's some information on gastroparesis diet tips that will help you in alleviating the symptoms of gastroparesis to a great extent.

What Causes Gastroparesis?

Wondering what causes the muscles of the stomach to become so weak? Movement of food through the digestive tract is facilitated with the help of the vagus nerve. Any damage to the vagus nerve could cause gastroparesis. Diabetes is one condition that can make one vulnerable to developing gastroparesis. If glucose levels remain high for long stretches of time, it could lead to chemical changes or damage to the vagus nerve. Those suffering from medical conditions such as scleroderma, autoimmune conditions and neuromuscular diseases are also at an increased risk of developing this condition. Damage to the vagus nerve due to a surgery on the esophagus, stomach or duodenum could also lead to the decreased motility of the stomach. Use of certain drugs could also be responsible for causing gastroparesis.

Diet for Gastroparesis

Those who suffer from gastroparesis definitely need to make some dietary changes. One must have several smaller meals instead of larger meals. It is the best way to reduce the load on the muscles of your stomach. Besides having smaller meals several times a day, you also need to know about the food items that you need to avoid. A gastroparesis diet plan generally includes food items that are low in fat. Why you need to follow a low fat diet? Since consumption of food items rich in fat slow down the digestion of food and create problems, these must be avoided.

People who have been diagnosed with diabetic gastroparesis must avoid the consumption of food items that have a high fiber content. Since these fiber-rich food items are not easily digestible, having these will just add to your troubles. When your stomach is unable to empty its contents and undigested food stays for a long time in the stomach, it could give rise to fermentation of food. This will give an open invitation to bacteria and cause health problems. Hardening of indigestible food into hard solid masses called bezoars can also cause a lot of discomfort. To avoid formation of bezoars, you can add pureed food to your diet. Since raw fruits and vegetables are rich in fiber, you can have fruit and vegetable juices instead. If you wish to eat vegetables, make sure that their skin is removed and that they are very well-cooked.

Gastroparesis diet recipes generally include nutritional shakes, soups, pureed meals and juices. You can also have skimmed milk, fat-free broth containing pasta, low fat yogurt, saltine crackers, custards made from skimmed milk, jelly, and juices. If you have any doubts, you can consult your doctor or a nutritionist. Though you need to avoid certain food items to prevent complications and alleviate the symptoms of this motility disorder, you need to make sure that you are getting all the required nutrients. You can take nutritional supplements to ensure that your body gets the required nutrients. Since people suffering from this disorder might get dehydrated due to bouts of vomiting, it is important that they keep themselves well-hydrated. If the symptoms are severe, doctors might recommend a procedure called jejunostomy. Under this procedure, a feeding tube is inserted through the abdomen. The required nutrients and medicines are directly placed into the small intestine with the help of this tube. The feeding tube bypasses the stomach and places nutrients and medication directly into the small intestine.

Those who have been diagnosed with gastroparesis must religiously follow the dietary guidelines that have been recommended by their doctor. This will help in preventing complications.