Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Causes Gastroparesis?Signs and SymptomsDiagnostic TestsComplicationsHow to Treat Gastroparesis
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Causes Gastroparesis?
Signs and Symptoms
Diagnostic Tests
Complications
How to Treat Gastroparesis
Gastroparesis, also called delayed gastric emptying, is a disorder in which the stomach takes too long to empty its contents. It often occurs in people withtype 1 diabetesortype 2 diabetes. Though there is no cure for gastroparesis, symptoms can be managed using a combination of medications, surgical procedures, and dietary changes.
This article discusses the symptoms and potential causes of gastroparesis. It also covers how the condition is diagnosed and potential treatment options.
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Gastroparesis happens when nerves in the stomach are damaged or stop working. The vagus nerve controls the movement of food through the digestive tract. If the vagus nerve is damaged, the muscles of the stomach and intestines do not work normally, and the movement of food is slowed or stopped.
These symptoms may be mild or severe, depending on the person:
What Are the Easiest Foods to Digest? What to Eat and Avoid
The diagnosis of gastroparesis is confirmed through one or more of the following tests:
To rule out the causes of gastroparesis other than diabetes, the medical professional may do anupper endoscopyor an ultrasound.
If food lingers too long in the stomach, it can cause problems like bacterial overgrowth from the fermentation of food.Also, the food can harden into solid masses, calledbezoars, that may cause nausea, vomiting, and obstruction in the stomach. Bezoars can be dangerous if they block the passage of food into the small intestine.
The primary treatment goal for gastroparesis related to diabetes is to regain control of blood glucose levels. Treatments include insulin, oral medications, changes in what and when you eat, and, in severe cases, feeding tubes and intravenous feeding.
It is important to note that in most cases treatment does not cure gastroparesis—it is usually a chronic condition. Treatment helps you manage the condition so that you can be as healthy and comfortable as possible.
Insulin for Blood Glucose Control
If you have gastroparesis, your food is being absorbed more slowly and at unpredictable times. To control blood glucose, you may need to:
Your healthcare provider will give you specific instructions based on your particular needs.
Medication
Several drugs are used to treat gastroparesis. Your healthcare provider may try different drugs or combinations of drugs to find the most effective treatment, including:
Dietary Changes
Changing your eating habitscan help control gastroparesis.Your practitioner or dietitian will give you specific instructions, but you may be asked to eat six small meals a day instead of three large ones. If less food enters the stomach each time you eat, it may not become overly full.
Also, your healthcare provider or dietitian may suggest that you try several liquid meals a day until your blood glucose levels are stable and the gastroparesis is corrected. Liquid meals provide all the nutrients found in solid foods, but can pass through the stomach more easily and quickly.
In addition, your healthcare provider may recommend that you avoid high-fat and high-fiber foods. Fat naturally slows digestion—a problem you do not need if you have gastroparesis—and fiber is difficult to digest. Some high-fiber foods, like oranges and broccoli, contain material that cannot be digested. Avoid these foods because the indigestible part will remain in your stomach too long and possibly form bezoars.
Feeding Tube
A jejunostomy is particularly useful when gastroparesis prevents the nutrients and medication necessary to regulate blood glucose levels from reaching the bloodstream. By avoiding the source of the problem—the stomach—and putting nutrients and medication directly into the small intestine, you ensure that these products are digested and delivered to your bloodstream quickly.
Types of Feeding Tubes and Their Uses
Parenteral Nutrition
For feeding, you attach a bag containing liquid nutrients or medication to the catheter. The fluid enters your bloodstream through the vein. Your practitioner will tell you what type of liquid nutrition to use.
Other Options
A gastric neurostimulator (“pacemaker”) has been developed to assist people with gastroparesis. The pacemaker is a battery-operated electronic device that is surgically implanted. It emits mild electrical pulses that stimulate stomach contractions so food is digested and moved from the stomach into the intestines. The electrical stimulation also helps control nausea and vomiting associated with gastroparesis.
Botox (botulinum toxin) injected into the pyloric sphincter showed promise as a potential gastroparesis treatment. However, the American College of Gastroenterology does not recommend botox for gastroparesis as studies have not found it effective.
10 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.Parkman HP.Idiopathic gastroparesis. Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2015;44(1):59-68. doi: 10.1016/j.gtc.2014.11.015Liu N, Abell T.Gastroparesis Updates on Pathogenesis and Management.Gut Liver. 2017;11(5):579-589. doi: 10.5009/gnl16336Fritz T, Hünseler C, Broekaert I.Assessment of whole gut motility in adolescents using the wireless motility capsule test.Eur J Pediatr. 2022;181(3):1197-1204. doi:10.1007/s00431-021-04295-6U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Gastric emptying tests.Sachdev AH, Pimentel M.Gastrointestinal bacterial overgrowth: pathogenesis and clinical significance. Ther Adv Chronic Dis. 2013;4(5):223-31. doi:10.1177/2040622313496126Krishnasamy S, Abell TL.Diabetic Gastroparesis: Principles and Current Trends in Management. Diabetes Ther. 2018;9(Suppl 1):1-42. doi:10.1007/s13300-018-0454-9Abrahamsson H.Treatment options for patients with severe gastroparesis. Gut. 2007;56(6):877-83. doi:10.1136/gut.2005.078121U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Highlights of prescribing information: Reglan (metoclopramide) tablets.Sadiya A.Nutritional therapy for the management of diabetic gastroparesis: clinical review. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes. 2012;5:329-35. doi:10.2147/DMSO.S31962Camilleri M, Kuo B, Nguyen L, et al.ACG Clinical Guideline: Gastroparesis.Am J Gastroenterol.2022;117(8):1197-1220. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001874
10 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.Parkman HP.Idiopathic gastroparesis. Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2015;44(1):59-68. doi: 10.1016/j.gtc.2014.11.015Liu N, Abell T.Gastroparesis Updates on Pathogenesis and Management.Gut Liver. 2017;11(5):579-589. doi: 10.5009/gnl16336Fritz T, Hünseler C, Broekaert I.Assessment of whole gut motility in adolescents using the wireless motility capsule test.Eur J Pediatr. 2022;181(3):1197-1204. doi:10.1007/s00431-021-04295-6U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Gastric emptying tests.Sachdev AH, Pimentel M.Gastrointestinal bacterial overgrowth: pathogenesis and clinical significance. Ther Adv Chronic Dis. 2013;4(5):223-31. doi:10.1177/2040622313496126Krishnasamy S, Abell TL.Diabetic Gastroparesis: Principles and Current Trends in Management. Diabetes Ther. 2018;9(Suppl 1):1-42. doi:10.1007/s13300-018-0454-9Abrahamsson H.Treatment options for patients with severe gastroparesis. Gut. 2007;56(6):877-83. doi:10.1136/gut.2005.078121U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Highlights of prescribing information: Reglan (metoclopramide) tablets.Sadiya A.Nutritional therapy for the management of diabetic gastroparesis: clinical review. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes. 2012;5:329-35. doi:10.2147/DMSO.S31962Camilleri M, Kuo B, Nguyen L, et al.ACG Clinical Guideline: Gastroparesis.Am J Gastroenterol.2022;117(8):1197-1220. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001874
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.
Parkman HP.Idiopathic gastroparesis. Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2015;44(1):59-68. doi: 10.1016/j.gtc.2014.11.015Liu N, Abell T.Gastroparesis Updates on Pathogenesis and Management.Gut Liver. 2017;11(5):579-589. doi: 10.5009/gnl16336Fritz T, Hünseler C, Broekaert I.Assessment of whole gut motility in adolescents using the wireless motility capsule test.Eur J Pediatr. 2022;181(3):1197-1204. doi:10.1007/s00431-021-04295-6U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Gastric emptying tests.Sachdev AH, Pimentel M.Gastrointestinal bacterial overgrowth: pathogenesis and clinical significance. Ther Adv Chronic Dis. 2013;4(5):223-31. doi:10.1177/2040622313496126Krishnasamy S, Abell TL.Diabetic Gastroparesis: Principles and Current Trends in Management. Diabetes Ther. 2018;9(Suppl 1):1-42. doi:10.1007/s13300-018-0454-9Abrahamsson H.Treatment options for patients with severe gastroparesis. Gut. 2007;56(6):877-83. doi:10.1136/gut.2005.078121U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Highlights of prescribing information: Reglan (metoclopramide) tablets.Sadiya A.Nutritional therapy for the management of diabetic gastroparesis: clinical review. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes. 2012;5:329-35. doi:10.2147/DMSO.S31962Camilleri M, Kuo B, Nguyen L, et al.ACG Clinical Guideline: Gastroparesis.Am J Gastroenterol.2022;117(8):1197-1220. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001874
Parkman HP.Idiopathic gastroparesis. Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2015;44(1):59-68. doi: 10.1016/j.gtc.2014.11.015
Liu N, Abell T.Gastroparesis Updates on Pathogenesis and Management.Gut Liver. 2017;11(5):579-589. doi: 10.5009/gnl16336
Fritz T, Hünseler C, Broekaert I.Assessment of whole gut motility in adolescents using the wireless motility capsule test.Eur J Pediatr. 2022;181(3):1197-1204. doi:10.1007/s00431-021-04295-6
U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Gastric emptying tests.
Sachdev AH, Pimentel M.Gastrointestinal bacterial overgrowth: pathogenesis and clinical significance. Ther Adv Chronic Dis. 2013;4(5):223-31. doi:10.1177/2040622313496126
Krishnasamy S, Abell TL.Diabetic Gastroparesis: Principles and Current Trends in Management. Diabetes Ther. 2018;9(Suppl 1):1-42. doi:10.1007/s13300-018-0454-9
Abrahamsson H.Treatment options for patients with severe gastroparesis. Gut. 2007;56(6):877-83. doi:10.1136/gut.2005.078121
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Highlights of prescribing information: Reglan (metoclopramide) tablets.
Sadiya A.Nutritional therapy for the management of diabetic gastroparesis: clinical review. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes. 2012;5:329-35. doi:10.2147/DMSO.S31962
Camilleri M, Kuo B, Nguyen L, et al.ACG Clinical Guideline: Gastroparesis.Am J Gastroenterol.2022;117(8):1197-1220. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001874
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