The digestive tract has multiple responsibilities and roles that play an important part in overall health. People suffering from digestive tract issues may complain of pain and discomfort. If left untreated, the symptoms can worsen and lead to more complications. One of the most common types of digestive issues is called Gastroparesis.

What is Gastroparesis?

Gastroparesis is a condition that can affect the normal movement of stomach muscles. Stomach muscles are important because they can help push the food through your digestive tract. With this type of digestive condition, the food in your stomach stays longer than it should, which leads to delayed gastric emptying.

What are the symptoms of Gastroparesis?

People who are suffering from this condition often complain of:

• Upset stomach
• GERD or heartburn
• Vomiting
• Throwing up food that is not digested
• Lack of appetite
• Weight loss
• Stomach pain

What causes Gastroparesis?

In most cases, the cause why people are suffering from Gastroparesis cannot be determined. People who are suffering from diabetes tend to also suffer from Gastroparesis. This condition can damage nerves, including the vagus nerve, which helps regulate the digestive system. It can also cause damage to stomach cells and tends to affect more women than men.

Other causes of Gastroparesis can include hypothyroidism, gastroenteritis, antidepressant medications, Multiple Sclerosis, or Parkinson’s disease.

How to diagnose Gastroparesis?

A medical diagnosis is needed for Gastroparesis, which means you would have to see a doctor or medical professional. This is imperative to make sure that no underlying health conditions are causing the presence of this condition.

A physical exam and specific tests will be ordered to reach a diagnosis when you go to the doctor. Your doctor can order gastric scintigraphy, barium x-rays, or blood tests. Depending on your symptoms, the doctor can also order an ultrasound to take pictures of your organs or an upper endoscopy to see what is in your esophagus and stomach area.

Common treatments for Gastroparesis

Treatment for Gastroparesis is dependent on the cause, and if it is chronic, the treatment plan will take longer. However, the symptoms can be managed and controlled by making several lifestyle changes to your diet and eating habits.

Changing your eating habits and eating more frequent but smaller meals throughout the day means that you will have less food in your stomach and won’t feel as full.

It is recommended to avoid high-fat foods because they can slow the digestive process or high-fiber foods, which can be harder to digest.

Your doctor might recommend you to see a registered dietician evaluate your diet and help you make changes in your eating habits.

After eating, you have to stay upright for at least 2 hours. By sitting or standing upright, your food will be easily digested, and it keeps food or acids from going down your throat, which can exacerbate symptoms of Gastroparesis. Your doctor can prescribe Metoclopramide, Antiemetics, or Erythromycin in terms of medication.

Another way that you can manage the symptoms of this condition includes gentle exercise like walking after you have eaten.