• Gastro paresis a condition also known as delayed gastric emptying where by the movement of food from the stomach to the small intestine is extremely slow or stops moving altogether. • The vagus nerve which normally controls the muscles of the stomach contracts to break up food and moves it through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
• Gastro paresis occurs when the vagus nerve is damaged by illness or injury and the stomach muscles stop working normally. • Causes: Diabetic people are commonly diagnosed with Gastro paresis. People are often diagnosed with idiopathic gastro paresis whereby the cause cannot be detected even with the help of medical tests.
• Intestinal surgery and nervous system diseases such as Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis may also lead to this condition. • Diabetic people have high blood sugar levels that can damage the vagus nerve. • Gastro paresis is commonly found in women than in men.
• The symptoms may relapse over longer period of time. • Symptoms: The common symptoms of Gastro paresis can be considered as nausea, feeling of fullness after having a small quantity of food and vomiting undigested food which may go on for several hours after having a meal.
• Gastroesophageal reflux (GER), also known as acid reflux or acid regurgitation a condition the food may travel back into the esophagus may take place.
• Other associated symptoms may be pain in the stomach, abdominal bloating, lack of appetite, etc.
• Intake of oily rich foods, fiber rich foods such as raw fruits and vegetables or drinking beverages high in fat or
carbonation may aggravate the condition. • Treatment
• Erythromycin – It is an antibiotic which may aid gastric emptying if prescribed at low doses. • Like metaclopramide, erythromycin works by increasing
the contractions that travel food through the stomach. • Metoclopramide (Reglan) – This medicine stimulates
stomach muscle contractions to help with gastric emptying.
• This medication should be taken 20 to 30 minutes before meals and at bedtime.
• Diabkil Capsules – It is a wonderful herbal supplement that can be taken besides medication. • Botulinum Toxin - A nerve blocking agent also known as Botox which when injected into the pylorus keeps it open for longer periods of time improving symptoms of gastroparesis.
• Gastric Electrical Stimulation – In this procedure a gastric neuron stimulator is a surgically implanted battery-operated device that sends mild electrical pulses to the stomach muscles to help control nausea and vomiting.
• This is an alternative treatment procedure and may be helpful for people whose nausea and vomiting does
not improve with dietary changes and medications.
• Jejunostomy – This is an alternative treatment method when medication and dietary changes fail to work and people who are losing weight and frequent hospitalization for dehydration. • In this procedure a feeding tube is surgically placed through the abdominal wall directly into a part of the small intestine called the jejunum.
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