Gastroparesis:
What is Gastroparesis?
Gastroparesis, also known as delayed gastric emptying, is a disorder in which the stomach takes too long to empty its contents. It often occurs in people with type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes.
Gastroparesis can take place when nerves to the stomach are damaged or stop working. The vagus nerve controls the movement of food through the digestive tract. If the vagus nerve is damaged, the muscles of the stomach and intestines can not function normally, and therefore, the movement of food is slowed or stopped.
Diabetes can damage the vagus nerve if blood glucose levels remain high over a long period of time. High blood glucose causes chemical changes in nerves and damages the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients to the nerves.
Symptoms of Gastroparesis:
Symptoms of Gastroparesis will differ depending on the person and the severity of the disorder. Common symptoms of Gastroparesis may include:
- Heartburn
- Nausea
- Vomiting of undigested or partially digested food
- An feeling of fullness when eating
- Sudden weight loss
- Abdominal bloating
- Erratic blood glucose levels
- Lack of appetite
- Gastroesophageal reflux
- Spasms of the stomach wall
Causes of Gastroparesis:
Gastroparesis can be caused by any of the following:
- Diabetes
- Post viral syndromes
- Anorexia nervosa
- Surgery on the stomach or surgery of the vagus nerve
- Medications, particularly anticholinergics and narcotics
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Smooth muscle disorders such as amyloidosis and scleroderma
- Nervous system diseases, including abdominal migraine and Parkinson's disease
- Metabolic disorders, including hypothyroidism
Diagnosis:
The diagnosis of Gastroparesis can be confirmed by a physician using one or more of the following tests:
- Barium x-ray
- Barium beefsteak meal
- Radioisotope gastric-emptying scan
- Gastric manometry
- Blood tests
To rule out causes of Gastroparesis other than diabetes, the doctor may do an upper endoscopy or an ultrasound.
Treatment & Prevention options:
The primary treatment goal for Gastroparesis related to diabetes is to regain control of blood glucose levels. Treatments include insulin, oral medications, changes in what and when you eat, and, in severe cases, feeding tubes and intravenous feeding. It is important to note that in most cases treatment will not be able to cure Gastroparesis because it is typically a chronic condition. Treatment helps you manage the condition so that you can be as healthy and comfortable as possible. These treatments may include:
- Insulin for blood glucose control
- Medications
- Diet and lifestyle changes
- A feeding Tube
- Parenteral Nutrition
Related information:
| University of Missouri Health Care | This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. |
