GASTROPARESIS

By: Sarah Schneider

Henry Ford College

What is Gastroparesis (GP)?

Gastroparesis means
paralysis of the
stomach.

GP is characterized by
delayed to severely
delayed stomach
emptying.

Gastroparesis is in the category of gastric

motility/functional disorders and most medical
practitioners tend to rule out other disorders
before diagnosing a patient with GP.

Prevalence

GP is more prevalent in women than in men.

The true number of those affected is
unknown. It is estimated that 1.5 to 5 million
Americans are affected. It is likely that GP is
as common as other well known disorders like
Crohn's and UC.
Of those affected, 90% are women under the
age of 45.

Causes

Most cases of GP are idiopathic

(no one cause can be identified).
The second most common cause is
Diabetes (either type 1 or 2).
Third cause is abdominal surgical
procedures (acute and self-limits
in 3 months to a year).
Both idiopathic and Diabetes
caused GP can be attributed to
damage to the Vagus nerve.

Symptoms

Symptoms are general

and can mimic other
disorders.

Main symptoms of GP
are bloating, early
satiety (postprandial
fullness), nausea,
vomiting, constipation
and middle epigastric
pain.
Other symptoms are
wt. loss/gain, gastric
reflux, H. pylori
infection, fatigue, and
decrease appetite.

Diagnosis

In most cases it takes

years to be diagnosed
as patients are
typically over tested.

Most definitive test is the

Gastric Scintography or
Gastric Emptying Study.
EGD is used to rule out
mechanical obstruction
and confirm diagnosis.

Management
(Currently no cure)

Dietary- Frequent small

meals, avoid high fat
foods, low fiber, chew
(masticate) well before
swallowing, ingest water
and fruit juices, avoid
carbinated drinks, avoid
milk and whole dairy,
take peels off fruits and
vegetables, daily
multivitamin, and
Ensure clear/Enlive
supplements.

Pharm: ondansetron,
Reglan, Compazine
PPIs, H2 receptor
agonists, Miralax, Milk
of Magnesium,
benadryl, Phenergan,
Tigan, Tums,
erythromycin, Unisom,
acidophilis, Gas-X.

Other methods of management

Surgical placement of a
gastric pacer (actual
pacemaker for the
stomach) and stomach
transplant.
J-tube placement, gastric
button, and TPN.

Botox injections to
relax the pyloric
sphincter and
accupuncture.

Quality of Life

Gastroparesis affects every aspect of a patient's life. As treatments

for GP continue to evolve, therapies to help patients address the
psychological impact and the feelings of loss need to be addressed.
Often times, GP patients need to prepare foods a certain way or plan
for consequences of eating the wrong foods when trying to avoid
awkwardness when traveling, at a restaurant, dating, or at social
gatherings.

Overall, depending on the severity,

GP quality of life is fair to good once
on an effective management plan.
Each plan is different for every
patient. Flare-ups may occur, but
can be controlled. However,
consequences of GP are elyte
imbalances, malnutrition, bezors
(hardened undigested food), and
dentition issues.

Video
https://youtu.be/OMyaT6uxrTc
G-PACT Gastroparesis
awareness and info:

https://www.g-pact.org
/