A disorder known as gastro paresis is when food remains in the stomach for a more extended period than it usually would. Your medical professional may refer to this condition as delayed stomach emptying. Even though there is no obstruction in either the stomach or the intestines, this condition causes the flow of food from the stomach to the small intestine to be slowed down or even stopped altogether. Here are some facts you may need to know about gastroparesis.
Symptoms
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- An upset stomach that causes vomiting due to improper digestion of food
- A sensation of fullness that comes on quite rapidly after eating.
- Reduction of appetite leading to decreased body weight
- Difficulty in maintaining blood sugar control
- The ache in the guts
- Bloating
Causes
Doctors are unable to find out the cause of gastro paresis in most of their patients. Women are often more susceptible to its effects than males are.
The condition is most often brought on by diabetes. It is also possible to harm some cells and neurons in your stomach, particularly the vagus nerve, which is responsible for regulating your digestive system.
Other factors that might lead to gastro paresis include the following:
- Surgery-related damage to the patient’s vagus nerve
- An inadequate amount of thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism)
- Infections of the stomach due to viruses (gastroenteritis)
- A variety of pharmaceuticals, including opiates and some antidepressants
- Parkinson’s disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Amyloidosis is the deposition of protein fibers in tissues and organs
- Scleroderma is a sporadic disorder (a connective tissue disorder that affects your skin, blood vessels, skeletal muscles, and internal organs)
Complications Associated With Gastro paresis
Issues may arise:
- If you cannot maintain a water balance, you risk becoming dehydrated.
- You run the risk of developing malnutrition if your body cannot get the nutrients it requires.
- If food remains in your stomach for an excessive amount of time, it might develop germs.
- The process through which food congeals into a solid mass is known as a bezoar. This may prevent food from entering your small intestine and cause discomfort.
- If you have diabetes.
- When food is ultimately passed through the stomach and into the small intestine, your blood sugar levels could increase. It is more challenging to keep your blood sugar under control when you have gastro paresis.
Treatment
It is possible for gastro paresis to be chronic, which implies it lasts for an extended period, depending on the underlying reason.
Modifying Your Diet
Altering how you usually eat is one of the most effective methods for managing the symptoms of gastro paresis. The specialist recommends you have six smaller meals daily rather than three bigger ones. In this manner, you will feel less full since there will be less food in your stomach.
Consume a greater quantity of liquids and meals low in residue, such as apple sauce, than whole apples.
Consume a lot of water and other fluids, such as broths, soups, juices, and sports drinks low in fat.
Do not include food that is heavy in fat and fiber since they both have the potential to make digestion more difficult.
Ensure that you are receiving enough of the appropriate nutrients. You can consult a gastroenterologist, who will assist you in locating meals that are palatable and simple for your body to digest.
After eating, you shouldn’t go to bed for at least two hours.
Gravity may facilitate digestion and prevent food or acid from moving up into the neck, which can be uncomfortable.
Walking is an excellent low-impact workout that might help you feel better.
Medications
Metoclopramide
It is a medication that is taken before meals. It makes the muscles in your stomach contract, which moves food along. In addition, it soothes stomach aches and prevents vomiting. Some people may have side effects such as nausea, sleepiness, anxiety, and even, on infrequent occasions, a major neurological problem.
Erythromycin
It is an antibiotic that may elicit stomach contractions, which can assist in the movement of food through the digestive system. When used for an extended period, it might cause side effects such as diarrhea and the development of germs that are resistant to the medication.
Antiemetic’s
These are medications that assist in managing nausea and vomiting.
There are many other therapies available for gastro paresis.
If you have diabetes and can control your blood sugar levels, you may avoid experiencing significant complications.
Jejunostomy Tube
Your doctor may decide to insert a feeding tube or jejunostomy tube into your digestive tract. They insert it into your small intestine through your abdomen after first passing it through your stomach. You will put nutrients into the tube, and the tube will send them straight into your small intestine. This will allow you to feed yourself. This allows them to bypass your stomach and enter your circulation much quicker.
Botulinum Toxin Injection
The doctor may also inject botulinum toxin into your pylorus, which is the valve that connects your stomach to your small intestine. This causes the valve to loosen, which keeps it open for a more extended period so that your stomach can empty.
To induce stomach contractions, electrical stimulation employs the use of electrodes that are connected to the patient’s abdominal wall.
Per-Oral Pyloromyotomy (POP
Your doctor may make it simpler for your stomach to empty by performing a treatment known as per-oral pyloromyotomy (POP), which involves using an endoscope to cut your pyloric valve. Patients who are obese and have diabetes could have gastric bypass surgery, even though the operation can occasionally induce gastroparesis. Your stomach’s upper portion is used to construct a pouch, which your surgeon then connects to the beginning of the small intestine at its lowermost point. This restricts the amount of food that you can consume.
If your condition is severe, you may also need parenteral or intravenous nourishment. Nutrients are injected directly into your circulation by inserting a catheter into a vein in your chest. This kind of nutrition is only necessary in extreme cases. The recommended course of treatment for this is just a few weeks in most cases.
If you have diabetes and think you might have gastroparesis, you should consult a specialist. Only an expert gastroenterologist can diagnose accurately whether or not you are suffering from such a condition. Consulting the best doctor is critical; for correct diagnosis, which is only possible through Marham. You can easily book an appointment with thsse Gastroenterologist in your region through Marham.Â
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