Gastroparesis Awareness Month
August is Gastroparesis Awareness Month. Unlike celiac disease, gastroparesis remains a fairly obscure disorder that the majority of the general public has never heard of. Part of our mission is raising awareness for this lesser-known condition.
What is gastroparesis (GP)?
Gastroparesis (also known as delayed gastric emptying) is a medical disorder characterized by weak muscular contractions (peristalsis) of the stomach, resulting in food and liquid remaining in the stomach for a prolonged period of time and exiting slowly into the small intestine. This can result in irregular absorption of nutrients, inadequate nutrition, and poor glycemic control.
Gastroparesis is estimated to affect up to 5 million individuals in the United States alone. Out of every 100,000 Americans, approximately 10 men and 40 women have GP.
Pathogenesis and risk factors
The onset of gastroparesis is triggered by damage to the vagus nerve, which is the main nerve of the parasympathetic nervous system. The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for involuntary functions such as digestion, heart rate, and the immune system. The vagus nerve in particular sends information between your brain, heart, and digestive system.
The most common causes of vagal nerve damage include:
Diabetes
Eating disorders
Surgeries on the stomach or vagus nerve
Some medications, especially narcotic pain killers
Neurological conditions and connective tissue disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy, systemic lupus, and scleroderma
Viral illnesses that cause gastrointestinal symptoms
Individuals with type 1 or type 2 diabetes carry the highest risk of developing gastroparesis.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of gastroparesis differ from person to person and can vary from mild to severe. Symptoms usually appear during and/or after eating a meal. The most common symptoms of gastroparesis include:
Nausea
Vomiting
Early satiety (feeling full quickly)
Bloating
Abdominal pain or discomfort
Acid reflux and heartburn
GP and its associated symptoms may lead to unintentional weight loss, malnutrition, and dehydration.
Diagnosis
There are several ways to be screened for gastroparesis. The diagnostic process may include blood tests, x-ray, CT scan, ultrasound, gastric emptying studies, manometry, and/or upper endoscopy. In some cases, the individual being screened may be required to repeat a specific test or tests multiple times.
Treatment and outlook
Treatments are aimed at managing symptoms and involve dietary and lifestyle changes. For individuals experiencing more severe symptoms, treatment may also include medications and/or procedures aimed at increasing motility and reducing symptoms like nausea and vomiting.
Dietary changes can help control your GP symptoms and ensure you're getting the right amount of calories, nutrients, and fluids. Regina can help you develop a plan to meet your needs and help prevent or treat malnutrition and dehydration.