What do you need to know about gastroparesis?

Summary Summary. Gastroparesis, or delayed gastric emptying, is a disorder where the food does not move or moves very slowly from the stomach to the small intestine. In gastroparesis, the muscles of the stomach do not work well and digestion takes an abnormally long time.

Can a person get a Bezoar from gastroparesis?

Some patients with gastroparesis are also at increased risk of blood clots. In rare, severe cases of gastroparesis, patients may develop a bezoar, a mass of poorly digested food that forms in the stomach.

What should I avoid eating and drinking if I have gastroparesis?

If your symptoms are moderate to severe, your doctor may recommend drinking only liquids or eating well-cooked solid foods that have been processed into very small pieces or paste in a blender. What should I avoid eating and drinking if I have gastroparesis? If you have gastroparesis, you should avoid foods and beverages that are high in fat

How is parenteral nutrition used to treat gastroparesis?

Parenteral nutrition. Your doctor may recommend parenteral, or intravenous (IV), nutrition if your gastroparesis is so severe that other treatments are not helping. Parenteral nutrition delivers liquid nutrients directly into your bloodstream. Parenteral nutrition may be short term, until you can eat again.

Are there any over the counter medications for gastroparesis?

Over-the-counter antiemetics include bismuth subsalicylate . Antiemetics do not improve gastric emptying. . Certain antidepressants, such as mirtazapine , may help relieve nausea and vomiting. These medicines may not improve gastric emptying. Pain medicines.

How to prevent or delay nerve damage that can cause gastroparesis?

If you have diabetes, you can prevent or delay nerve damage that can cause gastroparesis by keeping your blood glucose levels within the target range that your doctor thinks is best for you. Meal planning, physical activity, and medicines, if needed, can help you keep your blood glucose levels within your target range.

How are migraines related to diabetic gastroparesis?

Gastroparesis is a relatively common complication of diabetes. In a population of patients with symptoms of diabetic gastroparesis, the patients with cyclic symptom patterns had a higher incidence of migraine headaches (47 vs. 20%, p = 0.02) compared to patients without cyclic vomiting pattern (20).

How is the vagus nerve damaged in gastroparesis?

In its normal state, the vagus nerve contracts (tightens) the stomach muscles to help move food through the digestive tract. In cases of gastroparesis, the vagus nerve is damaged by diabetes.

What kind of drugs do you take for gastroparesis?

1 Reglan: You take this drug before you eat, and it causes your stomach muscles to contract to help move food out of your stomach. 2 Erythromycin: This is an antibiotic that also causes stomach contractions and helps move food out. 3 Antiemetics: These are drugs that help control nausea.