Causes and Symptoms of Gastroparesis

Causes and Symptoms of Gastroparesis

This condition occurs when the rate of electrical waves slows and the stomach contracts less frequently. This can be caused by either diseases of the stomach muscles or the nerves that control these muscles. Some of the causes of gastroparesis are : 
Diabetes mellitus is the most common cause of gastroparesis as the nerves controlling the stomach muscles are affected. 

1. Thyroid gland problems.

2. Potassium, calcium or magnesium imbalance. 

3. Scars and fibrous tissues from ulcers and tumours can block the outlet of the stomach and mimic gastroparesis. 

4. Certain drugs weaken the stomach contractions (tricyclic antidepressants, calcium blockers, L-dopa, hyoscyamine and narcotics).

5. Previous stomach surgery. 

6. Neurologic or brain disorders such as Parkinson's Disease, stokes and brain injury. 

However, in almost 40 per cent of cases the cause of gastroparesis cannot be ascertained. 

Symptoms of Gastroparesis 

The usual symptoms of gastroparesis are a feeling of fullness after only a few bites of food, bloating, excessive belching and nausea. There may also be a vague, nagging ache in the upper abdomen, vomiting, heartburn or regurgitation of stomach fluid into the mouth. Vomiting usually occurs after meals. However, in case of severe gastroparesis, vomiting may occur even without eating. In these cases vomited material contains the accumulated secretions of the stomach. The characteristic vomiting of gastroparesis happens several hours after a meal when the stomach is maximally distended by the presence of food and post-meal secretions. Since the grinding action of the stomach is absent, the vomited material is intact food as compared to other causes of vomiting where the food appears as small, uniform, unidentifiable particles. GERD can also occur due to gastoparesis. Some patients suffer from malnutrition as a result of poor digestion and absorption of food. 

Diagnosis  of Gastroparesis

The most common method for diagnosing gastroparesis is gastric emptying study which measures the emptying of food from the stomach. In this study, a patient eats a meal containing a small amount of radioactive material. A scanner is placed over the stomach that monitors the amount of radioactivity in the stomach. In patients with gastroparesis, the food takes longer then normal (usually more than several hours) to empty into the intestine. 

An upper gastrointestinal GI endoscopy is performed to exclude the possibility of an obstruction. Obstruction can block the outflow of food and secretions from the stomach and cause symptoms which are similar to those of gastroparesis. Therefore, it s necessary to exclude the presence of such an obstruction. 

Treatment  of Gastroparesis

Treat the underlying cause

If there is a cause for gastroparesis, it needs to be treated effectively. For example, diabetes or hypothyroidism should be controlled properly. 

Gastroparesis
Causes and Symptoms of Gastroparesis
Dietary Control of Gastroparesis