Taking Control of Gastroparesis

Introduction:

Gastroparesis is a condition that can alter a person’s day-to-day life in more ways than one. Not only does it have an impact on their physical health, but it can also take a toll on their social life and even their mental health. Some people with gastroparesis may avoid going out to dinner with family and/or friends because they are embarrassed by only being able to take a bite or two of their meal. In this blog post, we take a closer look at the symptoms and management strategies that are crucial for people diagnosed with this condition.

What is Gastroparesis?

Gastroparesis is a problem with the stomach where the emptying of the food  is delayed. Gastroparesis literally means “stomach paralysis.” This is due to the nerves and muscles of the stomach being weak causing the food to sit around too long in the stomach. Sometimes it is caused by diabetes, but it can happen for lots of other reasons too. When a person has gastroparesis, they might experience the following symptoms:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Getting full quickly from eating
• Loss of appetite
• Abdominal pain
• Bloating
• Increase in heartburn
• Weight loss

What can I do?

While gastroparesis can be a challenging problem, if you have it or if you think you might, please talk to a gastroenterologist about it! Often they do an upper endoscopy to make sure there is no blockage between the stomach and small intestine. The best test to diagnose gastroparesis is a radiology test called a gastric emptying study. For this test, the patient eats an egg sandwich that is labeled with a radiotracer, and then the scan sees how long it takes to empty from the stomach. If it takes too long, the diagnosis of gastroparesis is made.

There are several medicines that can treat gastroparesis by making the stomach speed up its emptying. These meds include azithromycin, erythromycin, bethanechol, reglan, domperidone and motegrity. There are different pros and cons to each one. These medications are often used in conjunction with a gastroparesis diet.

If the gastroparesis is particularly difficult to control, there are some procedures to try to help. Including:

• Botox injection into the bottom of the stomach
• G-POEM (cutting the bottom muscles of the stomach)
• Gastric pacemaker

Conclusion:

For those living with gastroparesis or caring for someone with the condition, understanding its complexities can empower you to take control and seek the best possible care. Remember, you’re not alone, and help is available.

Written by Dr. Christopher J. Fyock, Gastroenterologist