Paralysis of the muscles of the stomach wall resulting in delayed emptying of the gastric contents into the small intestine
Symptoms of Gastroparesis
The following features are indicative of Gastroparesis:
abdominal distention
hypoglycemia
premature abdominal fullness after meals
nausea
weight loss
vomiting
abdominal pain
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Common Causes of Gastroparesis
The following are the most common causes of Gastroparesis:
disruption of nerve signals to the stomach
diabetes
abnormal eating patterns
autonomic neuropathy
scleroderma
Ehlers–Danlos syndrome
Other Causes of Gastroparesis
The following are the less common causes of Gastroparesis:
Parkinson's disease
abdominal surgery
heavy cigarette smoking
gastroenteritis
mononucleosis
Risk Factors for Gastroparesis
The following factors may increase the likelihood of Gastroparesis:
diabetes
abdominal or esophageal surgery
viral infection
narcotic pain medications
scleroderma
Parkinson's disease
multiple sclerosis
hypothyroidism
Prevention of Gastroparesis
Yes, it may be possible to prevent Gastroparesis. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
eat and drink slowly
avoid carbonated drinks and beer
skip the gum and hard candy
don't smoke
check dentures
treat heartburn
eat fewer fatty foods
temporarily cut back on high-fiber foods
Occurrence of Gastroparesis
Number of Cases
The following are the number of Gastroparesis cases seen each year worldwide:
Very common > 10 Million cases
Common Age Group
Gastroparesis can occur at any age.
Common Gender
Gastroparesis can occur in any gender.
Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Gastroparesis
The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Gastroparesis:
Gastric emptying study: To diagnose the gastroparesis
Upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy: To visually examine the upper digestive system
Ultrasound: To produce images of structures within the body
Upper gastrointestinal series: To see the abnormalities in abdomen
Doctor for Diagnosis of Gastroparesis
Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Gastroparesis:
Gastroenterologist
Complications of Gastroparesis if untreated
Yes, Gastroparesis causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Gastroparesis is left untreated:
severe dehydration
malnutrition
undigested food that hardens and remains in the stomach
unpredictable blood sugar change
decreased quality of life
Procedures for Treatment of Gastroparesis
The following procedures are used to treat Gastroparesis:
Surgery: To relieve pressure from gastric contents
Gastric electrical stimulation and pacing: To stimulate stomach muscles to move food more efficiently
Self-care for Gastroparesis
The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Gastroparesis:
Exercise: Regular exercise help relieving symptoms
Stop smoking: Smoking increases the risk of gastroparesis
Alternative Medicine for Treatment of Gastroparesis
The following alternate medicine and therapies are known to help in the treatment or management of Gastroparesis:
Acupuncture and electroacupuncture: Help treat pain and balancing the flow of energy
STW 5 (Iberogast): Help speed up gastric emptying
Rikkunshito: Help reduce abdominal pain and the feeling of post-meal fullness
Cannabis: Help easing nausea and other digestive complaints
Time for Treatment of Gastroparesis
While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Gastroparesis to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision: