Gastroparesis is a chronic digestive disorder that affects the stomach's ability to empty food properly. The word "gastroparesis" literally means "paralysis of the stomach," but it’s not a complete paralysis. Instead, it refers to a condition where the stomach muscles contract slowly or not at all, leading to delayed gastric emptying.
What is Gastroparesis?
Normally, the stomach muscles contract to push food through the digestive tract. In people with gastroparesis, these muscles fail to work efficiently. As a result, food moves too slowly from the stomach into the small intestine or may stay in the stomach longer than it should.
The exact cause of gastroparesis isn’t always clear, but it’s often linked to nerve damage, particularly to the vagus nerve, which controls stomach muscles. When this nerve is damaged, it disrupts normal gastric motility. The condition can vary in severity, with some people experiencing mild symptoms and others facing more debilitating effects.
Symptoms of Gastroparesis
The symptoms of gastroparesis can range from mild to severe and may vary over time. Common symptoms include:
Nausea and vomiting: Food that doesn’t move through the stomach properly can cause nausea and vomiting, sometimes several hours after eating.
Feeling full after eating little: Due to delayed emptying, individuals with gastroparesis may feel full quickly after starting a meal.
Bloating: This is a common symptom due to the retention of food in the stomach.
Abdominal pain: Some people with gastroparesis experience discomfort or pain in the upper abdomen.
Weight loss and malnutrition: When food doesn’t move efficiently through the digestive system, it can result in poor nutrient absorption, weight loss, and malnutrition.
Treatment of Gastroparesis
At AW&H, we create custom treatment plans for our patients. We first and foremost recommend you schedule an appointment with your provider. Some of our common recommendations are:
Add stomach acid back into your system: Betaine hydrochloride supplements are an excellent option.
Reduce the intake of medications like Pepcid: This can interfere with your digestive process. Talk to your provider about your dosage.
Strengthen the vagus nerve: There are exercises that can help strengthen the vagus nerve, which will improve the symptoms of gastroparesis
These are a few of the many recommendations we make at our practice! To learn more, schedule an appointment with us here.
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