Gastroparesis – Delayed gastric emptying

Gastroparesis (Delayed Gastric Emptying)

What is gastroparesis?

Gastroparesis – one of the disorders of the digestive system. During normal digestion, the food from the stomach into the small intestine. Paresis food, getting into the stomach, delayed it. This food is either moves slowly through the digestive tract, or do not move at all. This can create problems, since the food can harden and clog the digestive tract, there may be nausea and vomiting, enhance the growth of bacteria. Gastroparesis is a potentially serious condition and requires treatment to the doctor.

Causes of gastroparesis

Promotion of food through the digestive system is controlled by the vagus nerve. Gastroparesis occurs when this nerve is damaged.

Risk factors for gastroparesis

The main risk factor for gastroparesis is diabetes. Diabetes can damage the vagus nerve and cause gastroparesis. High blood sugar levels can also damage blood vessels, which carry nutrients and oxygen to the vagus nerve, preventing it from working properly. Other risk factors include gastroparesis:

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD);
• Operation, affecting the stomach or vagus nerve;
• Taking certain medications (eg, anticholinergics or drugs);
• Viral infection;
• Disease, affects the nerves, muscle, or causing hormonal disorders;
• Disease, affecting metabolism (the body's ability to produce and use energy);
• Anorexia or bulimia;
• Exposure to radiation or chemotherapy.

Symptoms of gastroparesis

These symptoms, except gastroparesis, They may be caused by other diseases. If you experience any of them, should see a doctor.

• The early feeling of fullness during a meal;
• Anorexia;
• Nausea and vomiting;
• Swelling;
• Abdominal pain or esophagus (muscular tube, through which food enters from the mouth to the stomach);
• Heartburn;
• Weight loss.

Actions, which can worsen symptoms:

• Consumption of foods high in fiber, eg, raw vegetables and fruits;
• Consumption of fatty foods;
• The consumption of carbonated drinks.

Diagnosis of gastroparesis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical examination. Your doctor may prescribe:

• Blood tests;
• Tests to measure:
  • Stomach volume before and after a meal;
  • The rate of gastric emptying;
  • The ability of muscles in the stomach and small intestine to contract and relax;
• Medical imaging tests:
  • Ultrasound – It uses sound waves to create images of internal organs on the screen;
  • Barium enema – It uses a special fluid to enhance the contrast of the bowel on x-ray;
  • Investigation of gastric emptying – used food with the addition of special substances for increasing the contrast of the digestive system for X-ray;
• Other procedures:
  • Endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract – a thin tube with a light source at the end is inserted into the throat, to examine the esophagus, the stomach and the small intestine;
  • Smart Pill – man swallowed a pill-sized device. It is used to gather information about the digestive system.

Treatment of gastroparesis

Methods of treating gastroparesis include:

Diet for gastroparesis

Selection of food can help control gastroparesis. Dietician will help to develop a meal plan, that's right for you. This may include:

• Eating small meals several times throughout the day;
• Switching to liquid food;
• Limit consumption of foods high in fat and high in fiber.

Enteroalimentation – Feeding through a pipe

In severe cases,, perhaps, required, so that nutrients are delivered directly into the intestine, bypassing the stomach (parenteral nutrition) or directly into the blood. The tube may be inserted into the throat or through an opening in the abdomen, and introduced into the intestine. Nutrients can also be introduced through a thin tube, which is introduced into one of the veins.

Medications for the treatment of gastroparesis

They can be assigned to medication, that cure the symptoms and help free the stomach. These drugs stimulate the contraction of the abdominal muscles. Examples of drugs include:

• Metoclopramide (Reglan);
• Erythromycin.

There may also be prescribed medication, to reduce nausea.

The operation for the treatment of gastroparesis

In severe cases, your doctor may consider surgery, which may include removing a portion of the stomach.

Prevention of gastroparesis

To reduce the risk of gastroparesis:

• Kontrolyruyte diabetes. Since diabetes is a major risk factor for gastroparesis, it is important to follow the treatment plan, prescribed by a doctor;
• Avoid drugs, which cause delay of gastric emptying. These include analgesic drugs, calcium channel blockers, and some antidepressants. Make a list of all the medicines, that you take, and consult on this matter with your doctor.