Gastroparesis

Gastroparesis affects the stomach's ability to empty its contents, leading to a range of uncomfortable symptoms.

While gastroparesis can significantly impact quality of life, there are emerging treatment options that offer hope for those living with this condition.

So what is gastroparesis?

Gastroparesis occurs when the nerves that control stomach muscle contractions become damaged or impaired. As a result, the stomach can't empty properly, causing food to remain in the stomach for longer periods. This can lead to a variety of symptoms, including nausea and vomiting, early satiety when you feel full quickly after a meal, abdominal pain and bloating, heartburn, and weight loss or weight gain.

Gastroparesis can be diagnosed in various ways. If your doctor has a clinical suspicion, they may request you perform a gastric emptying study. This involves ingesting a small amount of food mixed with contrast material and performing a series of x-rays to assess the time it takes for food to exit the stomach. Gastric emptying time varies between individuals, but for the most part, half of your stomach content should be emptied after two hours and 90% emptied after four hours.

A gastroenterologist may also suspect gastroparesis if you have residual food in your stomach during a gastroscopy, despite having an adequate fasting time.

Traditional treatments for gastroparesis have focused on managing symptoms and improving digestion.

These include dietary modifications. A low fibre, low fat diet can be helpful.

Smaller, more frequent meals may also be recommended.

Medication. Medications like Prokinetics can help stimulate stomach contractions.

Botox injection. Botox injections can help relax the pyloric sphincter, the muscle that controls the opening between the stomach and the small intestine.

Newer and emerging treatments are becoming available, targeted at stimulating stomach contractions and motility.

Whilst gastroparesis can be a challenging condition to manage, emerging treatments offer hope for improved quality of life. If you're experiencing symptoms of gastroparesis, it's important to consult with a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Additional videos on a range of common conditions are available to view on the Gastroenterology Specialist Care YouTube channel.

Note, this video is not a medical consultation. Any medical information is general in nature and is not intended to provide individual clinical advice. You should contact your doctor or other healthcare professional in relation to any concerns they may have, as your own circumstances may be different.

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