Gastroparesis Treatment

It is a common fact that the food we eat enters the stomach, where it is crushed and mixed with digestive juices and is moved to the small intestine for digestion. Such movement of food is facilitated by the muscles of the stomach and the small intestine. If these muscles fail to work properly, this movement of food will get affected. This regular contraction of stomach muscles is controlled by the vagus nerve and any damage to this nerve can affect the proper functioning of the stomach muscles. This results in slow movement of the food from the stomach to the small intestine. In some cases, there will not be any such movement. Such condition is called gastroparesis, which means partial paralysis of the stomach.

Causes and Symptoms of Gastroparesis

In some cases, gastroparesis lasts for a short time, but, in others, it can be a chronic condition. Chronic condition is often said to be caused by diabetes, damage to the vagus nerve by abdominal surgery and some autoimmune diseases (like Parkinson's disease and fibromyalgia). Even viral infections, hypothyroidism and gastroesophageal reflux disease are being linked to gastroparesis. Transient (short-lived) gastroparesis can be caused by certain medication like narcotics and medical conditions like anorexia nervosa and bulimia.

Some people develop this disease without any specific cause. Symptoms of gastroparesis include nausea (sometimes accompanied by vomiting of undigested food), stomach cramps, pain in the abdomen and bloating, heartburn, lack of appetite, weight gain or weight loss and changing blood glucose levels. Studies show that women are more prone to this condition. Some studies suggest that this may be due to hormonal effects or due to the slower emptying of stomach in women, as compared to men.

Gastroparesis Treatment Options

This is a medical condition with no cure. While in some patients, it appears intermittently, in others, it is found as a chronic condition. Diagnosis may sometimes become difficult, as the symptoms can be mistaken for a wide range of medical conditions. The doctor has to conduct tests like, ultrasound and upper endoscopy, so as to rule out the possibility of any other medical conditions, before confirming gastroparesis with tests like gastric emptying scintigraphy, smart pill and breath test.

Gastroparesis treatment is usually aimed at treating the underlying condition and also to manage the symptoms. If diabetes is found to be the cause of gastroparesis, then, it will be treated primarily. Apart from treating the cause, the doctor may also prescribe some medications to relieve symptoms like nausea and vomiting. Some drugs will be aimed at stimulating the muscles of the stomach, so as to facilitate movement of food. The doctor may also ask you to make some diet changes and start a suitable exercise regimen. They include eating smaller and frequent meals instead of large ones, avoiding foods rich in fat and fiber and increasing the intake of fluids. You have to strictly follow the gastroparesis treatment guidelines, along with medications. If nothing works for the patient to relieve the symptoms, the doctor may suggest surgery, which is done to ensure the smooth flow of food from the stomach to the small intestine.

So, if you notice any of the symptoms of this condition, get it diagnosed and treated at the earliest. Those with this condition have to stick to diet for gastroparesis, apart from timely medications, so as to manage the discomfort and symptoms.