Gastroparesis

Subject: Gastroparesis

We diagnosed a patient with severe gastroparesis this week. Please read below:

Gastroparesis as the name implies is partial paralysis of the stomach. It is a condition that results from ineffective neuromuscular contractions of the stomach. This leads to delayed gastric emptying as food and liquids remain in the stomach for an extended period. Gastroparesis can affect all ages. In most people the cause is not known, however, patients with diabetes and other neurological disorders are at increased risk, especially if the patient’s diabetes is not well controlled. It is caused by dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. The function of the Vagus nerve which controls gastric emptying is affected because of metabolic diseases or prior surgery, etc. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain/bloating, as well as feeling full quickly after starting to eat.

Gastric emptying tests can be used to diagnose this condition by measuring the rate at which food leaves the stomach. It is often suspected by patients or during an upper endoscopy when an excess amount of food is retained even after fasting. This can involve X-ray imaging through a barium upper gastrointestinal series to visualize the patient’s digestive system. Another diagnosis method is a radioisotope gastric emptying scan, which measures the rate at which a meal is emptied from the stomach into the small intestine.

Treatment options aim to manage symptoms and maintain adequate nutrition. This includes dietary modifications, gastric emptying stimulating medications, anti-nausea medications, and gastric electrical simulation. This last approach involves an implanted device that provides electrical signals to the stomach to contract. While there is no permanent cure for gastroparesis, treatment provides patients with relief.

For further information you can make an appointment on the Stoneleigh Medical Group website.

Sincerely,

Sunil Gupta. MD

Olivia Fanuele