Symptoms of Gastroparesis : Causes, and Treatment

Comprehensive Guide to Gastroparesis: Symptoms and Treatment

Do you experience overfullness even after having a small portion of food? Or if you get bloated, nauseous or heartburn, which never seems to be away, then it might be essential to get these symptoms checked as it can be due to gastroparesis.

Gastroparesis is a condition where the stomach struggles to empty food properly. This issue may stem from a range of factors, and while there’s no known cure, understanding its symptoms and causes can help you manage it better. 

Continue reading this blog to understand gastroparesis symptoms, associated factors, and other details regarding gastroparesis. The first step to wellness is understanding the problem!

What is Gastroparesis?

Gastroparesis, or delayed gastric emptying, is a disorder in which functional gastric muscles and their nerves are ineffective in propelling food into the small intestine. As a result, food preparation for the small intestine stops almost entirely.

Gastroparesis has different types and various cases. However, diabetic gastroparesis is one of the most common types. Elevated blood sugar levels have been said to harm the vagus nerve.

The patient may experience nausea, painful bloating, a chronically decreased appetite, and conditions such as bezoars, which are characterized by hard accumulations of food in the stomach due to stagnation.   

Main Causes of Gastroparesis

Gastroparesis, or delayed gastric emptying, occurs due to several factors that disrupt stomach muscles and interfere with nerve function. Understanding gastroparesis causes is essential. Mentioned below are a few common causes:

Diabetes

• High blood sugar levels in Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes can lead to diabetic gastroparesis.

Surgery

• Procedures like gastric bypass, gastrectomy, or vagotomy can cause post-surgical gastroparesis.

Infections

• Viral or bacterial infections, such as norovirus or rotavirus, can damage stomach nerves.

Autoimmune Diseases

• Diseases such as lupus or other autoimmune gastroparesis can also lead to gastroparesis.

Medications

• Calcium channel blockers, opioids, and anticholinergics can also block stomach never signals.
• Additionally, neurological diseases (e.g., Parkinson’s), endocrine disorders, and connective tissue diseases are also linked to gastroparesis. 

Symptoms of Gastroparesis

Gastroparesis symptoms can vary from mild to severe in everyday life. This problem can get worse over time. If you have any symptoms, then it is crucial to get it checked by a healthcare professional:

• Feeling full after a few bites of a meal.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Acid reflux and heartburn.
• Bloating.
• Pain the upper abdomen.

Moreover, other symptoms to look out for are poor appetite, fluctuations in blood sugar levels, and severe constipation.

What are the Complications of Gastroparesis?

There are a few complications of gastroparesis and its consequences that might affect your health and daily activities. 

1.  Malnutrition

With nausea and vomiting comes weight loss and excessive thirst, which eventually leads to malnutrition. If the situation gets worse, then the patient might have to get hospitalised for further treatment.

2.  Acid Reflux

Due to discomfort in the abdominal, the risk of acid going to the esophagus increases, which causes heartburn and inflammation.

3.  Irregular Blood Sugar Levels

Irregular digestion affects glucose release, leading to unpredictable blood sugar spikes and drops, which is especially problematic for those with diabetes.

Moreover, gastroparesis can lead to Bezoar, which is basically a food 'mass' that has solidified and moved around within the stomach, getting stuck and blocking the gastric outlet. Such blockages might be treated with drugs and surgical intervention in the most severe situations.

Diagnostic Processes of Gastroparesis

The diagnosis of gastroparesis requires a detailed evaluation of the medical history, followed by a clinical examination and advanced tests to assess the stomach's motility and digestive health. The steps followed in the course of the diagnosis include the following:

1. Medical History 

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, current medications, and past health conditions. They may also inquire about:

• Any surgery on the esophagus, stomach and intestines
• Radiotherapy to the chest or the abdomen
• Current medications and dietary supplements

2. Physical Examination

During the exam, your healthcare provider will:

• Assess blood pressure, temperature, and heart rate.
• Assure the patient for the signs of dehydration or malnutrition.
• Check the abdomen for tenderness, pain, or abnormal sounds.

3. Advanced Diagnostic Tests

• Gastric Emptying Scintigraphy (GES): A nuclear imaging test that enables the tracking of the movement of a meal tagged with a small amount of a radioactive substance through the digestive tract, including the esophagus.
• Gastric Motility Breath Test (GEBT): Measures specific gases in your breath after consuming a meal with a carbon-13 molecule to track digestion progress.
• SmartPill Wireless Capsule: A pill-sized device you swallow that collects data on your stomach’s motility as it travels through your digestive system.

Treatment of Gastroparesis

The treatment of gastroparesis includes lifestyle changes, medication and, in severe cases, surgery. Although a complete cure hasn’t been discovered yet, the medications and lifestyle changes minimize the symptoms:

1. Gastroparesis Self-Care

Dietary and behavioral modifications can be enough in many cases to reduce these symptoms:

• Limit meals to small, low-fat, and low-fiber portions and spread these throughout the day.
• Refrain from consuming carbonated beverages and alcohol, and be in a supine position for 2 hours post meals.
• Replenish fluids with oral intake of nutrient-dense liquids like broths, lemonades, and vegetable and fruit juices.
• Tightly control food intake and ensure that the food consumed is well-chomped, blended, or cooked in case of severe symptoms.

Maintaining blood sugar levels is mandatory for diabetics. Your physician can adjust the insulin routine so that there are no spikes that exacerbate the symptoms.

2. Medications for Gastroparesis

Doctors may prescribe medicines to enhance stomach muscle contractions or control nausea and vomiting, such as:

• Metoclopramide and erythromycin for improving gastric motility.
• Antiemetics like ondansetron for nausea.
• Pain relievers or antidepressants for abdominal pain.

3. Advanced Treatments

• Gastroparesis Surgery and Procedures: Severe cases may require feeding tubes (oral, nasal, or jejunostomy) or venting gastrostomy to relieve stomach pressure.
• Gastric Electrical Stimulation (GES): A device implanted in the stomach can reduce long-term nausea and vomiting in diabetes-related or idiopathic gastroparesis patients.
• Parenteral Nutrition: Nutrients are delivered directly into the bloodstream when other methods fail.

If you’re asking, “How do I cure my gastroparesis?”—the key is often a combination of self-care, dietary changes, and medical guidance tailored to your needs. With proper management, many individuals see significant improvements in their symptoms and quality of life.

Gastroparesis disrupts the normal movement of food from the stomach to the intestines, leading to symptoms such as nausea, bloating, and heartburn. For those with diabetic gastroparesis, managing this condition becomes even more crucial, as it can intensify complications associated with diabetes.

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