Gastroparesis Symptoms, Diagnosis, & Treatment

August is Gastroparesis Awareness Month, so we’re taking the opportunity to talk about this GI motility disorder. Not everyone is familiar with gastroparesis because it isn’t as common as other GI disorders. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), out of 100,000 people, 10 men and about 40 women have gastroparesis. Although it is somewhat rare, gastroparesis symptoms can interfere with people’s everyday life and cause serious complications.

What is Gastroparesis?

According to the American College of Gastroenterology, gastroparesis literally translated means “stomach paralysis.” And that’s a pretty accurate description of the disorder.  Gastroparesis occurs when there is a motility dysfunction in the stomach. 

Gastrointestinal (GI) motility refers to the movements made by the organs in the digestive system to keep food moving during digestion. These movements are made by muscles in the organs and controlled by your nervous system. If the nerves or muscles in a digestive organ do not function properly, you can have problems with motility. 

Gastroparesis Symptoms

Not everyone with gastroparesis experiences the same symptoms, but the following symptoms are very common:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Excessive belching
• Heartburn
• Feeling full after only a few bites of food
• Feeling full long after eating a meal
• Lack of appetite
• Heartburn
• Bloating
• Epigastric pain

Causes of Gastroparesis

Most people with gastroparesis will not have a diagnosed underlying condition causing their motility issues. This is known as idiopathic gastroparesis. Some underlying conditions will cause gastroparesis, including:

• Diabetic nerve damage
• Injury to the vagus nerve during surgery
• Hypothyroidism
• Nervous system disorders
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Multiple sclerosis
• Viral infections of the stomach
• Side effects of certain medications

Diagnosing Gastroparesis

If someone has symptoms of gastroparesis, they should consult a gastroenterologist. A GI specialist can get a medical history of symptoms and do a physical exam. They may also recommend one of the following diagnostic tests:

• Upper endoscopy
• Gastric emptying study
• Gastroduodenal manometry
• X-ray of the small intestine
• Wireless capsule GI monitoring

Treatment Options

The treatment of gastroparesis depends on the underlying cause as well as the severity of symptoms. If the cause is known, treating the underlying condition can stop gastroparesis symptoms. Other ways to manage gastroparesis include diet & lifestyle changes, medication, and surgical procedures.

• Diet: One of the best ways to manage gastroparesis symptoms is to alter your diet and eat five or six small meals a day instead of two or three larger meals. Some basic diet guidelines for gastroparesis include:
  • Foods and beverages low in fat & fiber
  • Soft foods that are well cooked
  • Liquid nutrition meals or pureed foods if you can’t tolerate solid foods
  • Plenty of liquids that contain glucose and electrolytes
  • No carbonated (fizzy) beverages
• Lifestyle habits: You can change some of your habits to manage your symptoms.
  • Avoid lying down for 2 hours after a meal
  • Get gentle exercise after a meal like taking a walk
  • Take a multivitamin each day
• Medication: Some medications can be prescribed to help the stomach wall muscles work better. Other medications can be prescribed to control symptoms like nausea and vomiting or reduce abdominal pain.
  • Metoclopramide: Increases muscle contraction & may improve gastric emptying
  • Domperidone: Increases muscle contraction, but only available through a special FDA program
  • Erythromycin: Increases muscle contraction & may improve gastric emptying
  • Antiemetics: Drugs that help relieve nausea and prevent vomiting. These drugs don’t improve gastric emptying.
  • Antidepressants: Some antidepressants can help control nausea and vomiting. However, they don’t improve gastric emptying.
• Surgery: In extreme cases of gastroparesis that are not well controlled with other treatment methods, surgery may be recommended. These procedures include placement of feeding tubes or other devices used to relieve symptoms.

Make an Appointment

If you have symptoms or signs of gastroparesis you should seek medical attention from a GI specialist for evaluation and treatment. The team at Birmingham Gastroenterology has decades of experience treating diseases and disorders in all parts of the digestive system. This includes diagnosing and helping patients manage gastroparesis. To make an appointment to discuss your symptoms and treatment options, call us at (205) 271-8000.