What is gastroparesis and how is it treated?

The stomach is one of the most important parts of the digestive system. If a disorder or disease prevents the stomach from working properly, it can affect the entire digestive process and deprive you of the benefits of eating. One of the diseases related to the stomach is gastroparesis. In this article, we are going to fully review gastroparesis; From the causes to the treatment of this disease, we examine everything. So, to know what gastroparesis is and how it is treated, stay with us.

Quick access - What is gastroparesis? - What are the symptoms of gastroparesis? - When should we see a doctor? - What are the causes of gastroparesis? - What are the ways to diagnose gastroparesis? - What are the ways to treat gastroparesis? - Recommendations for diabetics - Final word

What is gastroparesis? Gastroparesis is a disorder that affects the natural and involuntary movements of the stomach muscles, which are essential for digesting food. In fact, these contractions cause food to be ground in the stomach and primary digestion is done in it. These contractions also push food forward. If you are one of the people who have gastroparesis, it is likely that your stomach contractions are slowed down or not at all. This prevents the proper emptying of substances from your stomach. The cause of this disease has not been fully identified; But according to research, this complication is more likely to occur in diabetics. Taking drugs such as narcotic pain relievers, high blood pressure control drugs, anti-depressants and anti-allergy drugs can slow down the gastric emptying process. Also, if you have a history of gastroparesis, taking these drugs may worsen your condition. Gastroparesis can disrupt normal digestion and lead to blood sugar problems. What are the symptoms of gastroparesis? Gastroparesis has various symptoms and not all of them may appear in the same person. Also, these symptoms vary from person to person. Now it's time to know what are the symptoms of gastroparesis. Some of the symptoms of gastroparesis include the following: - Weight loss - Abdominal pain - Flatulence - Heartburn - Feeling full quickly while eating - Decreased appetite and desire to eat - Nausea and vomiting It should be noted that these symptoms can be mild or severe, or there is no news of them for a while; but reappear. When should we see a doctor? Our constant advice is to never ignore any disease or symptom. Also, avoid self-medication. Because you may not only not improve the situation with self-treatment, but also make the disease worse. If you experience symptoms of gastroparesis and suffer from its complications, you should see a doctor.

- Gastroesophageal reflux (exit of stomach acid from the stomach to the esophagus) - Dehydration due to frequent vomiting - Malnutrition due to not receiving enough nutrients due to lack of appetite and vomiting Unpredictable blood sugar levels are a serious risk for diabetics What are the causes of gastroparesis? In most cases, there is no obvious cause for gastroparesis. But the known causes of gastroparesis are as follows: - Complications of stomach surgery for weight loss such as gastric sleeve or other weight loss surgeries - Taking some drugs such as narcotic painkillers, antidepressants, anti-allergy drugs and high blood pressure control drugs Type 1 or type 2 diabetes if not well controlled. This disease is the most common answer to the question "What are the causes of gastroparesis?" - Parkinson's disease (gradual damage to part of the brain) - Scleroderma (a rare disease that causes hard and thick areas in the skin. It can also cause problems in internal organs and blood vessels) - Amyloidosis (a group of serious and rare diseases caused by protein deposits in the organs and tissues of the body) What are the ways to diagnose gastroparesis? Your GP will ask questions about your symptoms and medical history. The doctor may also prescribe tests. These tests include the following: - Barium X-RAY: In this test, you must drink liquid containing barium. Then, the way this liquid passes through your digestive system is determined and visible in the photography. - Stomach emptying scan: This test is a good answer to the question "What are the ways to diagnose gastroparesis?" is considered In the gastric emptying scan test, you eat food that contains a small amount of radioactive material. This food is usually eggs. Radioactive substances in this food will be visible in the scan. Gastroparesis is diagnosed if 10% of the food remains in your stomach after 4 hours of eating. - Wireless capsule test: In this test, you swallow a small electronic device and the device will send information about the speed of your stomach movements to a special device. Endoscopy: An endoscope is a thin, flexible tube that is passed through your stomach and throat to examine the lining of the stomach. This method is used to rule out other possible causes.

Although gastroparesis cannot be cured in most cases, following some tips and lifestyle changes can help to improve this disease and reduce its complications. Some ways to treat gastroparesis are as follows: ### Dietary change - One of the effective ways to treat gastroparesis is to change the diet. For example, instead of eating three meals a day, it is better to divide the calories and food ingredients into smaller and frequent meals. For example, instead of eating a plate of rice in one meal, eat a third of it in three meals spaced apart. This will make a smaller amount of food enter your stomach each time and pass through the digestive system more easily. - eat soft foods; Because it is easier for your stomach to digest soft and watery foods. - Chew your food well to make it easier to digest. - Drink liquids with every meal. Note that these liquids should not be carbonated. - Avoid eating foods that are difficult to digest, such as apples, oranges, broccoli, fatty foods, high-fiber foods, etc. ### Medicines A common answer to the question "What is the treatment for gastroparesis?" Taking medicine. Your doctor may prescribe the following medications: - Domperidone: taking this drug before eating stimulates the stomach muscles and helps food move in the stomach. - Erythromycin: This antibiotic helps the contraction of the stomach and facilitates the movement of food. - Anti-vomiting drugs: These drugs reduce vomiting. Although these drugs are only effective for relieving the symptoms of gastroparesis, they can have side effects. Do not take these medicines on your own and you must take them according to the doctor's order. Also note that domperidone should be taken in very small amounts and for a very short period of time. Otherwise, it will lead to serious complications related to the heart. ### Surgery Surgery is one of the ways that can help reduce the symptoms of gastroparesis. To know what are the types of surgery to treat gastroparesis, pay attention to the following. - Gastroenterostomy: creating a small hole between the stomach and the small intestine - Gastrojejunostomy: Connecting the stomach to the second part of the small intestine directly

These surgeries can reduce symptoms by facilitating the movement of food through the digestive tract. You should consult your doctor to know the possible risks of each surgery. ### Electrical stimulation A suitable and new method to improve the condition is called electrical stimulation. But what is this gastroparesis treatment technique and how does it work? In this method, a device is placed under the skin of the abdomen. Two wires are connected to this device, which are fixed to the lower abdominal muscles. These wires send electrical waves to stimulate the muscles involved in controlling the passage of food. This device is turned on using the control. This method does not work for everyone and its effect will disappear within a year. Of course, most people get better with electrical stimulation. ### Feeding tube The last answer to the question "What are the ways to treat gastric gastroparesis?" Feeding tube. This will be the last resort. First, a temporary feeding tube is inserted into the digestive system through the nose, and through this tube, food goes directly to the small intestine. A feeding tube may be inserted into the intestine through an incision in the abdomen. By doing this, food enters the small intestine without passing through the stomach. Recommendations for diabetics If you have diabetes, you should know that high blood glucose levels can damage the nerves in your stomach. If you want to know what is the best way to prevent gastroparesis, we must say that blood sugar control is the most important and best way. Your doctor may make changes to your diet and you should take these changes seriously. Also, if you take insulin, you may need to split the insulin dose before and after meals and inject the insulin into parts where absorption is slower, such as your thighs. It should be noted that you should check your blood glucose level after eating. Final word What is gastroparesis and what are its symptoms? What are the ways to treat it? These are the questions that you have answered by reading this article. We recommend that if you have symptoms of gastroparesis, you must see a doctor so that you do not suffer from its complications. We also strictly prohibit you from self-medication.

Dr. Abdul Hosseini

Surgeon and advanced laparoscopic surgery fellowship, bariatric and metabolic surgery, metabolic surgery for the treatment of type 2 diabetes