Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesSymptomsComplicationsRisk FactorsDiagnosisTreatmentOutlookSelf-Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Symptoms
Complications
Risk Factors
Diagnosis
Treatment
Outlook
Self-Care
Gastroparesisis a condition that affects the stomach. It causes a delay in food moving from the stomach into the small intestine. It might also be called delayed gastric emptying. Havingdiabetes, especially when blood sugar levels are not well controlled, is a risk factor for developinggastroparesis.
This article will cover various aspects of diabetic gastroparesis, including the risk factors, how it is diagnosed, and some of the treatments that might be used.
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What Is Diabetic Gastroparesis and What Causes It?
Diabetes can have an effect on the entire digestive system. After having the condition for 10 years, people withtype 1 diabeteshave a 5% risk of developing gastroparesis. In people withtype 2 diabetes, the risk is 1%.
Gastroparesis is a condition that causes the muscles in the stomach to stop working or work too slowly. The result is that food moves too slowly from the stomach into the small intestine, which is called delayed gastric emptying.
Delayed gastric emptying is common in diabetes. However, gastroparesis is diagnosed only when other symptoms in the digestive system are also present. These can include moderate to severe digestive symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, and feeling full after only eating a little.
Diabetic Gastroparesis
It’s not completely clear why some people develop diabetic gastroparesis. However, it’s thought that having higher blood glucose levels, which may damage nerves in the stomach, may be a risk factor.
Other ways diabetes negatively affects the cells in the stomach may also contribute to gastroparesis. What’s more, having gastroparesis may make controlling blood glucose more difficult.
Gastroparesis Symptoms
Having food moving too slowly out of the stomach is not the only symptom of gastroparesis.
The symptoms of gastroparesis can also include:
Diabetic Stomach Pain: Causes and Treatment
Complications of Gastroparesis
The symptoms of gastroparesis can lead people not to be able to eat enough food to meet their nutritional needs. Not being able to eat a sufficient amount of calories or get enough vitamins and minerals could make blood glucose difficult to control. Vomiting can also cause a loss of fluids and calories.
Potential complications include:
Can Dehydration Be a Symptom of Diabetes?
Risk Factors for Gastroparesis
Some factors make a person with diabetes more likely to develop gastroparesis. The most important one is having uncontrolled blood sugar levels.
Factors can include:
Common Stomach and GI Issues With Diabetes
Gastroparesis Diagnosis
The authors of one editorial on diabetic gastroparesis calls it the “Trojan horse” of diabetes care. They used that term because once it sets in, gastroparesis makes the management of diabetes more difficult.
People may have symptoms long before they are diagnosed with gastroparesis. For type 1 diabetes, the average wait for a diagnosis is six years, and for type 2 diabetes, it is four years. The symptom that most often prompts the search for a diagnosis is vomiting.
Symptoms are important, but more evidence will be needed for a diagnosis. Some medications that might slow stomach emptying may need to be stopped to make a diagnosis. It’s also important to have blood sugar levels under 275 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) when being diagnosed.
Some of the tests that might be used to diagnose gastroparesis include:
Gastroparesis Treatment
Treating gastroparesis can take many different forms. The treatments used will be based on how much the symptoms are affecting health and quality of life.
Diet
One of the first steps in treating gastroparesis may be in changing the diet.A diet that is low in fat and fiber or a liquid diet may be recommended. Foods that are hard to digest should be restricted or eliminated.
For a liquid diet, this could mean using a blender to make shakes or drinking specially formulated premade nutritional shakes. For some, it could also mean theplacement of a feeding tubeand receiving calories that way.
Gastroparesis Diet: What to Eat and What to Avoid
Blood Sugar Control
Keeping blood sugar levels controlled is important in managing both diabetes and gastroparesis.This will mean working with your diabetes management team to ensure that treatments are working or making changes if needed.
Medications
A class of medications called prokinetics may be used, includingReglan (metoclopramide)or Motilium (domperidone). These drugs have the effect of helping the muscles in the stomach contract and move food through.
Antinausea medications (antiemetics) such as Emend (aprepitant), Zofran (promethazine), or Compazine (prochlorperazine) might also be prescribed.
Surgery and Specialist Procedures
Surgery and special procedures may be considered in some cases. These include:
Gastroparesis Life Expectancy and Outlook
There currently is no cure for gastroparesis. Symptoms may come and go over time. The condition isn’t considered to be life-threatening. However, it can cause complications. Some complications can be quite serious. For that reason, it’s important to get treatment for gastroparesis.
People with diabetic gastroparesis may have a lower-than-usual quality of life. Nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain are the symptoms that may negatively affect people the most. People with gastroparesis may also have symptoms ofanxietyanddepression.
There is not much good evidence about how gastroparesis may affect life expectancy. One study showed that people with gastroparesis may have a shorter life span than those without the condition. Older males who have diabetes, in particular, were affected the most.
People with diabetic gastroparesis will want to work with a healthcare provider to get both conditions under control. Seeing ahealthcare providerfor mental health issues that may arise is also important.
Gastroparesis Self-Care and Dietary Changes
A healthcare provider may advise people with gastroparesis to change their diet and eating habits.
This can include the following:
It will also be important to ensure your diabetes is as well controlled as possible. A healthcare provider may suggest changes to yourdiabetes care plan. It could include checking blood sugar levels more often or changing or adding diabetes medications.
Receiving care for mental health is also important. A healthcare provider may also make a referral to a mental healthcare professional.
Summary
Gastroparesis can be a complication of diabetes. It can cause symptoms that can significantly affect quality of life. Several treatments are available, ranging from medications to surgery.
People who have diabetic gastroparesis will also be given guidelines on how to adjust their diet to avoid or lessen symptoms. Attending to your mental health is also important because gastroparesis can be associated with anxiety and depression.
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Bharucha AE, Locke GR, Murray JA.Gastrointestinal manifestations of diabetes. In: Cowie CC, Casagrande SS, Menke A, et al., eds. Diabetes in America. 3rd ed. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (US); August 2018.Young CF, Moussa M, Shubrook JH.Diabetic gastroparesis: a review.Diabetes Spectr. 2020;33:290-297. doi:10.2337/ds19-0062Limketkai BN, LeBrett W, Lin L, Shah ND.Nutritional approaches for gastroparesis.Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2020;5:1017-1026. doi:10.1016/S2468-1253(20)30078-9Bharadwaj S, Meka K, Tandon P, et al.Management of gastroparesis-associated malnutrition.J Dig Dis. 2016;17:285-294. doi:10.1111/1751-2980.12344Camilleri M, Chedid V, Ford AC, et al.Gastroparesis.Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2018;4:41. doi:10.1038/s41572-018-0038-zKalra S, Sharma A, Priya G.Diabetic gastroparesis.Diabetes Ther. 2018;9:1723-1728. doi:10.1007/s13300-018-0475-4Bharucha AE, Kudva YC, Prichard DO.Diabetic gastroparesis.Endocr Rev. 2019;40:1318-1352. doi:10.1210/er.2018-00161Johns Hopkins Medicine.G-POEM for gastroparesis.International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.Procedures & surgery for gastroparesis.Parkman HP, Wilson LA, Yates KP, et al.Factors that contribute to the impairment of quality of life in gastroparesis.Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2021;33:e14087. doi:10.1111/nmo.14087Gourcerol G, Melchior C, Wuestenberghs F, et al.Delayed gastric emptying as an independent predictor of mortality in gastroparesis.Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2022;55:867-875. doi:10.1111/apt.16827American Academy of Family Physicians.Gastroparesis.Additional ReadingNational Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.How Does Gastroparesis Affect People with Diabetes?Oct. 27, 2021.
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Bharucha AE, Locke GR, Murray JA.Gastrointestinal manifestations of diabetes. In: Cowie CC, Casagrande SS, Menke A, et al., eds. Diabetes in America. 3rd ed. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (US); August 2018.Young CF, Moussa M, Shubrook JH.Diabetic gastroparesis: a review.Diabetes Spectr. 2020;33:290-297. doi:10.2337/ds19-0062Limketkai BN, LeBrett W, Lin L, Shah ND.Nutritional approaches for gastroparesis.Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2020;5:1017-1026. doi:10.1016/S2468-1253(20)30078-9Bharadwaj S, Meka K, Tandon P, et al.Management of gastroparesis-associated malnutrition.J Dig Dis. 2016;17:285-294. doi:10.1111/1751-2980.12344Camilleri M, Chedid V, Ford AC, et al.Gastroparesis.Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2018;4:41. doi:10.1038/s41572-018-0038-zKalra S, Sharma A, Priya G.Diabetic gastroparesis.Diabetes Ther. 2018;9:1723-1728. doi:10.1007/s13300-018-0475-4Bharucha AE, Kudva YC, Prichard DO.Diabetic gastroparesis.Endocr Rev. 2019;40:1318-1352. doi:10.1210/er.2018-00161Johns Hopkins Medicine.G-POEM for gastroparesis.International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.Procedures & surgery for gastroparesis.Parkman HP, Wilson LA, Yates KP, et al.Factors that contribute to the impairment of quality of life in gastroparesis.Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2021;33:e14087. doi:10.1111/nmo.14087Gourcerol G, Melchior C, Wuestenberghs F, et al.Delayed gastric emptying as an independent predictor of mortality in gastroparesis.Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2022;55:867-875. doi:10.1111/apt.16827American Academy of Family Physicians.Gastroparesis.Additional ReadingNational Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.How Does Gastroparesis Affect People with Diabetes?Oct. 27, 2021.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Bharucha AE, Locke GR, Murray JA.Gastrointestinal manifestations of diabetes. In: Cowie CC, Casagrande SS, Menke A, et al., eds. Diabetes in America. 3rd ed. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (US); August 2018.Young CF, Moussa M, Shubrook JH.Diabetic gastroparesis: a review.Diabetes Spectr. 2020;33:290-297. doi:10.2337/ds19-0062Limketkai BN, LeBrett W, Lin L, Shah ND.Nutritional approaches for gastroparesis.Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2020;5:1017-1026. doi:10.1016/S2468-1253(20)30078-9Bharadwaj S, Meka K, Tandon P, et al.Management of gastroparesis-associated malnutrition.J Dig Dis. 2016;17:285-294. doi:10.1111/1751-2980.12344Camilleri M, Chedid V, Ford AC, et al.Gastroparesis.Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2018;4:41. doi:10.1038/s41572-018-0038-zKalra S, Sharma A, Priya G.Diabetic gastroparesis.Diabetes Ther. 2018;9:1723-1728. doi:10.1007/s13300-018-0475-4Bharucha AE, Kudva YC, Prichard DO.Diabetic gastroparesis.Endocr Rev. 2019;40:1318-1352. doi:10.1210/er.2018-00161Johns Hopkins Medicine.G-POEM for gastroparesis.International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.Procedures & surgery for gastroparesis.Parkman HP, Wilson LA, Yates KP, et al.Factors that contribute to the impairment of quality of life in gastroparesis.Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2021;33:e14087. doi:10.1111/nmo.14087Gourcerol G, Melchior C, Wuestenberghs F, et al.Delayed gastric emptying as an independent predictor of mortality in gastroparesis.Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2022;55:867-875. doi:10.1111/apt.16827American Academy of Family Physicians.Gastroparesis.
Bharucha AE, Locke GR, Murray JA.Gastrointestinal manifestations of diabetes. In: Cowie CC, Casagrande SS, Menke A, et al., eds. Diabetes in America. 3rd ed. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (US); August 2018.
Young CF, Moussa M, Shubrook JH.Diabetic gastroparesis: a review.Diabetes Spectr. 2020;33:290-297. doi:10.2337/ds19-0062
Limketkai BN, LeBrett W, Lin L, Shah ND.Nutritional approaches for gastroparesis.Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2020;5:1017-1026. doi:10.1016/S2468-1253(20)30078-9
Bharadwaj S, Meka K, Tandon P, et al.Management of gastroparesis-associated malnutrition.J Dig Dis. 2016;17:285-294. doi:10.1111/1751-2980.12344
Camilleri M, Chedid V, Ford AC, et al.Gastroparesis.Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2018;4:41. doi:10.1038/s41572-018-0038-z
Kalra S, Sharma A, Priya G.Diabetic gastroparesis.Diabetes Ther. 2018;9:1723-1728. doi:10.1007/s13300-018-0475-4
Bharucha AE, Kudva YC, Prichard DO.Diabetic gastroparesis.Endocr Rev. 2019;40:1318-1352. doi:10.1210/er.2018-00161
Johns Hopkins Medicine.G-POEM for gastroparesis.
International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.Procedures & surgery for gastroparesis.
Parkman HP, Wilson LA, Yates KP, et al.Factors that contribute to the impairment of quality of life in gastroparesis.Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2021;33:e14087. doi:10.1111/nmo.14087
Gourcerol G, Melchior C, Wuestenberghs F, et al.Delayed gastric emptying as an independent predictor of mortality in gastroparesis.Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2022;55:867-875. doi:10.1111/apt.16827
American Academy of Family Physicians.Gastroparesis.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.How Does Gastroparesis Affect People with Diabetes?Oct. 27, 2021.
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