Gastroparesis

What is it?

A disorder in which the stomach takes too long to empty its contents (delayed gastric emptying).

This occurs when the vagus nerve and other nerves which deliver signals to the stomach that help to control muscles in the stomach are damaged or stop working causing the pyloric sphincter to become narrower (this is where food must pass through to get to the intestines).
As result movement of food through the digestive tract and intestines do not work normally as they should and movement of food is slowed or stopped.
This then release less food into the intestine leading to less absorption of food, vitamin and minerals. can lead to malnutrition.

Ones sugar levels may go up and down in an uncontrolled manner, as sugar levels may be high or low and thus insulin is released as a response in an uncontrolled manner (this could worsen ones diabetes if applicable).

Cause

Diabetes (very common in this condition as nerve get damaged due to high glucose content in blood)
Hypothyroidism
Anorexia nervosa
Muscle disorders affecting the stomach
Myotonic Dystrophy
Neurological disorders affecting the stomach
Multiple sclerosis
Amyloidosis
Scleroderma
Parkinson’s disease

Treatments

Surgery on the stomach

Syndromes

Post-viral syndromes (conditions that occur after a virus):
- Polio
- Shingles
- Chickenpox
- Norwalk and Rotavirus
- Cytomegalovirus
- Epstein-Barr virus
Shprintzen Goldberg syndrome

Medications

Anticholinergics
Tricyclic- Antidepressants
Opioids
Calcium channel blockers
Clonidine
Dopamine agonists
Lithium
Nicotine
Progesterone

Source: https://www.gastroconsa.com

Symptoms

Constant heartburn, indigestion and abdominal pain and swelling (as food from stomach puts pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter and food pushes up into the esophagus, the bloating occurs as food ‘sits’ in the stomach too long)?
Nausea feeling?
Abdominal pain and/or are constant violently vomiting or vomiting longer than two days (one day if a child) of undigested food?
An early feeling of fullness when eating?
Erratic blood glucose levels (up and down blood glucose levels)?
Lack of appetite?
Spasms of the stomach wall?
Stomach lumps?
Unexplained weight loss?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Do not wait, phone for an ambulance if have or develop:

Aneurysm
Severe dehydration
Severe high diabetes symptoms, severe stomach swelling, vomiting and breathing difficulties

This condition can lead to:

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) – long term Heartburn (which then can lead to: pneumonitis – asthma symptoms and /or cracking sound in lungs and/or tiredness and/or finger clubbing)
Hard masses of food forming in the stomach called bezoars (as it is not being released to intestines for absorption).
Bacterial infection in the stomach
Blind Loop Syndrome (Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth)
Dehydration
Malnutrition (low vitamin and mineral levels)
Parkinson’s disease

General tips

Heartburn tips

Insulin tips for Blood Glucose Control

If you have gastroparesis, your food is being absorbed more slowly and at unpredictable times.

To control blood glucose, you may need to:

Take insulin more often
Take your insulin after you eat instead of before
Check your blood glucose levels frequently after you eat and administer insulin whenever necessary
Your doctor will give you specific instructions based on your particular needs.

verywellHealth

This condition may show similar symptoms to:

Achlorhydria
Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction
Dumping syndrome – food or liquids empty too quickly from the stomach
Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Gastroparesis in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

Medical News Today
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Medscape (Professional level)
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Healthline
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EveryDay Health
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Pharmaceutical Journal (Professional level)
The Pharmaceutical Journal covers analysis, features, opinion, learning and careers articles, providing insight and knowledge about drugs, pharmacy practice, medicines use and healthcare policy in the context of the pharmacy profession and pharmaceutical science.
NHS
Find information and advice on health conditions, symptoms, healthy living, medicines and how to get help (British National Health Service).
WebMD
Better Information. Better Health.
Cleveland Clinic
Pushing the Standards of care.
Mayo Clinic
No.1 Hospital in the Nation (America)
Drugs.com
Know more. Be sure.
National Organisation of Rare Diseases
NORD is dedicated to supporting education, elevating care, advancing research, and driving policy for rare diseases.
Verywell Health
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Nathnac
Travel health guidance for health professionals advising travellers and for travellers going overseas from the UK.
DR Axe
Health and fitness news. Recipes, Natural Remedies
Better health - NHS
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