Gastroparesis treatment and diet #2

http://www.home-remedies-for-you.com/askquestion/7998/home-remedies-for-gastroparesis-any-natural-treatm.html

Home remedies for gastroparesis

1.Ideally you should do deep exhalation rapid and fast pushing the diaphragm inside while exhaling out. Inhalation will be natural after this as we have normally .
Repeat this exahalations for 10 minutes daily on empty stomach to exercise the abdomen and thereaby to activate the vagal nerve to avoid gastroparesis.

2.There is a good homeopathic remedy called as Nux vomica 30 that can be taken, 5 pills 3 times daily for 3 days then  once bed time for 15 days .

=====================

http://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/gastroparesis.html

09/21/2009: Allie from New Haven, Connecticut replies: "Digestive enzymes can help with Gastroparesis, i.e. Betaine HCL. You can buy domperidone from Canada or New Zealand or a US compounding pharmacy. Many people follow a liquid diet. Diets are very much individualized since each GP patient is unique."

1/09/2009: Mary from Mukilteo, Washington replies: "About 4 years ago I went thru every test they could think of to see why my stomach hurt. They ended with gastroparesis. I do not have all the paperwork they gave me to control it but I will look for it and put it on when I find it. What I finally came down to was not measured but just at the point that it did some good. I started out (and I still do) with a glass of warm water. Next I took enzyme pills that I can't name as the brandname thing but they were to soothe the acid. Then I cut into pieces and wrapped it in 2 tortillas that were heated. I also drank a glass of water which I poured the amount which covered the bottom of the lid a little bit and heated it in microwave. One I have right away and then another around lunch or in the afternoon. I then had quinoa flakes (like oatmeal) with soy milk. That took all am to eat. Sorry I never thought I would have to know the measurements.

I also took a fraction of my anxiety klonopin tablet. The thinking was that anxiety caused my stomach problems. And I agree. If I could stop the adrenalin things would be a whole lot easier.

Mary"

EC: Mary, it would probably be very helpful for people to know the name of your enzyme pill. Please send and we'll add it. Thanks!

11/09/2009: Mary from Mukilteo, Washington replies: "Some of the text has been left out in the post. It doesn't make sense without it. The enzyme is is called Acid Soothe."

EC: Nothing was edited from your first post!

11/09/2009: Mary from Mukilteo, Wa replies: "Before the tortillas something got lost when I sent it as it should say --- I use a quarter of a delicious apple sliced and heated in the microwave for a minute. Then there is the part about putting it in the tortillas.

I left out this part as I forgot about it that I have added these one by one as I thought of them....cinnamon sprinkled, ginger sprinkled and finally pumpkin pie spice. When the tortilla is warmed it tastes to me like apple pie."

============
http://www.inspire.com/groups/agmd-gi-motility/discussion/gastroparesis-question-help/

Hi,
I too suffer from constant belching. For me it is uncontrollable and it doesn't help relieve my pain or nausea. The belching and nausea are my two major symptoms with my idiopathic gastroparesis. I have not found any relief. When I sip liquids or eat soft food, my belly immediately bloats up. Sometimes my family jokes I look nine months pregnant because my belly is so swollen. When it gets like that I am in a lot of pain and uncomfortable. I try to walk because I can't sit down, it hurts, but it is difficult to walk with the nausea too. I don't have any tips but just wanted you to know you aren't alone.

• By Kozush
• Posted March 18, 2008 at 5:24 am
• Report post

That actually sounds a lot like small bowel bacterial overgrowth (small intestine bacterial overgrowth SBBO/SIBO). Especially if you're having more frequent bowel movements or diarrhea. Happens to people with gastroparesis and it's even more problematic for people who have small bowel motility problems as well. The treatment for it is pretty simple, antbiotics for a week. Think about mentioning it to your doctor.


=========

• By ktmorong12
• Posted March 25, 2008 at 6:24 pm
• Report post

I have seen some improvement in my symptoms from an amazing physical (nerve) specialist. I have tried liquid diets and it just made me full and gross. I could not do it.
I do just drink powerade and water a lot if i dont feel good and it gets me through stuff.

thanks for everyone's support!

=========

• By scoobydoob
• Posted January 30, 2009 at 5:55 pm
• Report post

Just to let you know there is one thing that worked for me. I suffered terrribly to the point of going to the ER 6 times dehydrated and hospitalized many times over. After taking Reglen, Domperidone, and several other meds, the best thing I found ONCE I was stable is taking a GOOD STRONG food enzyme with every bit of food and milk products that I put into my system. This is by far a very cheap and easy way to maintain such an uncomfortable debilitating illness. Never miss a Dose!!! You can get one at any good health food store. Today, I am one happy camper!

==========

• By busyteacher
• Posted March 30, 2010 at 11:33 am
• Report post

No gum. No straws. No carbonation. I use Bentyl sometimes, but prefer Gas-X for bloating. Also, some foods produce more gas than others when you digest them. Hard-to-digest meats, veggies, or grains, along with fiber (which now seems to be added to anything) makes this much worse. Dairy causes me to bloat. Limiting it to nonfat helps. Greek yogurt also seems to help, as do digestive enzymes and probiotics.

=======

• By JeanneB
• Posted June 14, 2010 at 4:17 am
• Report post

I have severe gastroparesis [slow emptying of stomach due to diabetic nerve damage] I was on Reglan for a year but got nerve damage from that in my facial muscles, weeping left eye and twitching nose like a rabbit some times...I too get the weird burping. it is like my stomach identifies the foods i have eaten that it does not like or makes it hard to digest. eggs, the burping and taste and smell is gross sometimes 24 hours after eating an omlette. i can eat three different things at a meal but will burp only one specific taste. i now take a European rx called Domperidone 10mg not available in the USA. you can get it from some Canadian pharmacies, it is very cheap in Europe, only 3 euro for a box. I have heard you can also get in Mexico. Iwas on Prilosec for the burping but that is pointless as it takes 3-6 hours to work and is digested in the small intestine, and because I only eat one meal and never know when, based on pain, yesterday's food digestion rate, etc, i cant take it ahead of a meal. sometimes i chew peppermints. sometimes i will take a sip of bicarbonate of soda but i am actually allergic to it so have to desperate to do it... my husband is a pre-diabetic and uses it all the time for burping

========

• By SueBee
• Posted June 14, 2010 at 12:47 pm
• Report post

Hi ktmorong12,
Timely conversation since I'm suffering from similar symptoms lately (belching and gas). I tried digestive enzymes when I first fell ill (before I changed my diet etc.) and I think it's time to try them again. One brand that was recommended to me is Jarro-Zymes Plus (http://www.jarrow.com/product/324/Jarro_Zymes_Plus). I'd talk with your doctor before taking them, though - as I plan to do. I will pick up some Gas-X, though, since this tooting has to stop! Thanks for reminding me about this product, busyteacher!
Best wishes,
SueBee

• By horsecrazygal
• Posted June 15, 2010 at 5:25 pm
• Report post

Try Beano. It works really well for me. I also use gas X and Miralax.



 ===============

http://www.daveshealingnotes.com/ailments/gastroparesis-natural-remedies.html

Herbs for Gastroparesis

Herbs are plants valued for their specific strengthening/ tonifying properties. Learn more about herbs >

Herb Combinations:
Dave’s Glucostable – for those people with digestion and blood sugar involvement.
Mother’s Milk-Aid – a collection of carminative herbs that act to relieve digestive problems such as gas and bloating, etc.
Herb singles:
Peppermint – stimulating and improves digestion
Ginger – stimulates digestion and helps nausea
Lavender – digestive stimulant as well as nerve calming
Melissa – digestive stimulant as well as nerve and cardio protective

---

Cell Salts to Help Gastroparesis

To make a cell salt solution, put up to 10 tablets of each cell salt in a 16- to 24-ounce bottle; fill with water and swirl to dissolve tablets. Sip throughout the day. Learn more about cell salts >

#3 Calc sulph 6X – pain, burning, weakness in stomach
#9 Nat mur 6X – feels empty, burning, belching
#10 Nat phos 6X – over acidity
#12 Silicea 6X – pressure in pit of stomach, sour vomiting

---

Gastroparesis Homeopathic Remedies

Homeopathic remedies are non-toxic natural medicines safe for everyone including infants and pregnant or nursing women. You may use 6X, 30X, 6C or 30C potencies. Learn more about homeopathy >

Nux vomica (#1) – feels heavy below belly button. Sensitive to pressure. Indigestion from alcohol. Sour taste and nausea in morning. Hiccough (hiccup) from over eating. Nausea and vomiting with retching. Gets motion sickness.
Antimonium tart – belching, bloating, throbbing, pressure. Nausea, vomiting that comes in waves of bitter and sour substances.
Cinchona (China) – abdomen feels heavy, gas, indigestion, digestion is weak and slow. Worse form fish, tea, beer, fruit, and milk. Vomiting of undigested food.
Cuprum metallicum – feels heavy in lower abdomen, stomach cramps. Worse drinking liquids and gurgling sounds. Feels better from cold drinks. Nausea and vomiting.
Lycopodium – feels full after only eating a few bites, bloating, belching that rises to the throat. Vomiting with blood. Stomach cramps from fruits. Worse from breads, fermented foods, cabbage, beans, onions, sweets, pastry.
Pulsatilla – abdomen feels heavy, bitter taste. Indigestion from rich greasy or fatty foods. Severe gas. Belching, taste of food remains. Vomiting after fruits, fats, pastries, and ices.

===========
http://www.healthmateproducts.com/natural_remedies.aspx


Diagnosed with Gastroparesis, Feeling great because of Healthmate Creamed Papaya
-Sylvia, January 2004
In 1999, I was diagnosed with Gastroparesis. That means my stomach wouldn't digest my food or a lot of pills. (Before I began taking Healthmate Creamed Papaya Concentrate) I was on laxatives 3 or 4 times a week. My side and stomach hurt all the time. They said my liver was in bad shape. The pain was terrible. I was very depressed. I thought I was dying. I was loosing weight. My immune system went way down and I became severely allergic to a lot of medicines and ended up in the hospital with an allergic reaction...then I started taking Healthmate Creamed Papaya Concentrate. It has helped me so much. I'm also diabetic, so I have to be careful what I take. My food is digested with Healthmate Creamed Papaya. My side and stomach only hurt once in awhile. My Iron is not low now. My skin is so much better; people do not believe me when I tell them I'm 56 years old. I used to have heartburn all the time and now, only at times when I eat too much spicy foods or I cannot get my Healthmate Creamed Papaya.
I thank God for leading me to Healthmate Creamed Papaya Concentrate. My health is so much better in every way. I truly believe that I would not be here if it were not for my Lord and papaya. In my book Healthmate Creamed Papaya Concentrate is a gift from God.

=========


http://naturalalternativehealingtoday.com/what-natural-remedies-help-with-gastroparesis.html

January 11, 2010 at 6:36 am

Yes there is possible help. You should buy a supplement called R lipoic acid. It can repair damaged nerves. I am guessing you have diabetic gastroparesis. No matter. It will still work. Take 100 mg per day but if you do research you MIGHT find that more will not harm you. 100 mg may be too little. I have used it for diabetic neuropathy (nerve related to your condition) and it worked very well. I get mine from iherb.com. The brand I like is Biochem made by Country Life. You can do lots of research on gastroparesis here at the same time.Follow the links to their health libraries

c_kangaroo says:

January 11, 2010 at 7:29 am

Hi, There is a good product I am aware of called Gastronic Dr. I read a lot of good reviews on it, give it a try. I included a link to a site that has it. Check the product FAQ page and look for that product name.

======

http://www.mdjunction.com/forums/gastroparesis-discussions/general-support/1218024-any-natural-remedies-that-work-for-gastroparesis
dcaa1
Posts: 5
New Member

Perteton. It is made by gordans herbal research. My husband has gp for 4 years and we just started the medication 11 days ago. I can't beleive the diffrence it has made in just that time. It is inexpencive, effective and gaurenteed to work. Also, no side effects.

 ===============

Gastroparesis treatment and diet #1

http://www.gicare.com/diets/Gastroparesis.aspx


STEP 1 DIET consists of liquids, which usually leave the stomach quickly by gravity alone. Liquids prevent dehydration and keep the body supplied with vital salts and minerals.

 

STEP 2 DIET provides additional calories by adding a small amount of dietary fat -- less than 40 gm each day. For patients with gastroparesis, fatty foods and oils should be restricted, because they delay stomach emptying. However, patients at the Step 2 level are usually able to tolerate this amount.

 

STEP 3 DIET is designed for long-term maintenance. Fat is limited to 50 gm per day, and fibrous foods are restricted, because many plant fibers cannot be digested.

Nutrition Facts

The STEP 1 Gastroparesis Diet is inadequate in all nutrients except sodium and potassium. It should not be continued for more than three days without additional nutritional support. STEP 2 and STEP 3 Gastroparesis Diets may be inadequate in Vitamins A and C, and the mineral iron. A multi-vitamin supplement is usually prescribed.

Allowed fruit juices:
apple juice, cranberry juice, grape juice, pineapple, prune juice, 
Not recommended juices: 
citrus juices, all fresh and dried fruits, canned fruits with skins  

Allowed vegetables:
vegetable juice (tomato, V-8); well-cooked vegetables without skins (acorn squash, beets, carrots, mushrooms, potatoes, spinach, summer squash, strained tomato sauce, yams)
Not recommended vegetables:
all raw vegetables; cooked vegetables with skins; beans (green, wax, lima), broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, corn, eggplant, onions, peas, peppers, pea pods, sauerkraut, turnips, water chestnuts, zucchini 


Sweets & desserts*
hard candies, caramels, puddings & custards made from skim milk, frozen yogurt, fruit ice, gelatin, ice milk, jelly, honey, syrups  

Bread & grains
breads & cereals, cream of wheat, pasta, white rice, egg noodles, low-fat crackers
Not recommended: oatmeal; whole grain rice, cereal, bread  

 

 Milk & milk products
skim milk, products made with skim milk, low-fat yogurt, low-fat cheeses
Avoid: whole milk products, creams (sour, light, heavy, whipping), half & half  

=====================


http://stason.org/TULARC/health/diabetes/44-Gastroparesis.html

TREATMENTS

NUTRITION - MALNUTRITION Dietitians recommend 6 small meals daily

Foods more easily digested   Foods increasing symptoms

fruit juices                 protein foods - meat, eggs
canned fruits & vegetables   raw fruits & vegetables
soft starches (white bread   dairy products
  & rice, mashed potatoes,
  cereals)                   caffeine, chocolate
soups                        nuts & seeds
baby foods
non-carbonated beverages
jello 

Liquid Nutritional Supplement Drinks

Diabetic: Choice dm (Mead-Johnson), Glucerna (Ross Labs)

             Ensure Glucerna OS (Ross Labs)

Non-diabetic:  Ensure/Ensure plus,  Sustacal (Ross Products Div)



 Nutrition via:

   IVs (fluids or TPN)

   Tube feedings (eq. Osmolite or Supplena)



PHYSICAL - Remaining upright at least a half hour after eating,

stomach massage, enemas, glycerine suppositories, stool softeners

(for example, psyllium husk powder: Metamucil and other brands)

 ============
 http://www.diabetes-book.com/cms/articles/9-diabetes-in-control/5869-richard-k-bernstein-md-face-facn-fccws-

Once gastroparesis has been confirmed as the major cause of high overnight blood sugars and wide random variations in blood sugar profiles, we can begin to attempt to control or minimize its effects. If your blood sugar profiles reflect significant gastroparesis, there is no way to get them under control by only juggling doses of insulin. There’s just too much danger of either very high or very low blood sugars for such approaches to work. The only chance for effective treatment is to concentrate on improving stomach-emptying.
How do we do this?
We have four basic approaches. First is the use of medications. Second is special exercises or massage during and after meals. Third is meal plan modification utilizing ordinary foods, and fourth is meal plan modification utilizing semiliquid or liquid meals. It’s unusual for a single approach to normalize blood sugar profiles fully, so most often we try a combination of these four approaches, adapted to the preferences and needs of the individual. As these attempts
start to smooth out blood sugars, we must modify our doses of insulin or ISAs accordingly.
The guidelines that we use to judge the efficacy of a given approach or combination of approaches are these:
• Reduction or elimination of physical complaints such as early satiety, nausea, regurgitation, bloating, heartburn, belching, and constipation
• Elimination of random postprandial hypoglycemia
• Elimination of random, unexpected high fasting blood sugars—probably the most common sign of gastroparesis that we encounter
• Flattening out of blood sugar profiles


GASTROPARESIS: CAUSES AND EFFECTS
Most of these symptoms, as well as effects upon blood sugar, relate to delayed stomach-emptying. This condition is called gastroparesis diabeticorum, which translates from the Latin as “weak stomach of diabetics.”  It is believed that the major cause of this condition is neuropathy (nerve impairment) of the vagus nerve. This nerve mediates many of the autonomic or regulatory functions of the body, including heart rate and digestion. In men, neuropathy of the vagus nerve can also lead to difficulty in achieving penile erections. To understand the effects of gastroparesis, refer to Figure 22-1.

On the left is a representation of a normal stomach after a meal. The contents are emptying into the intestines, through the pylorus. The pyloric valve is wide open (relaxed). The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is tightly closed, to prevent regurgitation of stomach contents. Not shown is the grinding and churning activity of the muscular walls of the normal stomach.

On the right is pictured a stomach with gastroparesis. The normal rhythmic motions of the stomach walls are absent. The pyloric valve is tightly closed, preventing the unloading of stomach contents. A tiny opening about the size of a pencil point may permit a small amount of fluid to dribble out. When the pyloric valve is in tight spasm, some of us can sometimes feel a sharp cramp above the belly button. Since the lower esophageal sphincter (LES in Figure 22-1) is relaxed or open, acidic stomach contents can back up into the esophagus (the tube that connects the throat to the stomach). This can cause a burning sensation along the midline of the chest, especially while the person is lying down. I have seen patients whose teeth were actually eroded over time by regurgitated stomach acid.

Because the stomach does not empty readily, one may feel full even after a small meal. In extreme cases, several meals accumulate and cause severe bloating. More commonly, however, you may have gastroparesis and not be aware of it. In mild cases, emptying may be slowed somewhat, but not enough to make you feel any different. Nevertheless, this can cause problems with blood sugar control. Consuming certain substances, such as tricyclic antidepressants, caffeine, fat, and alcohol, can further slow stomach-emptying and other digestive processes.

======================

http://www.suite101.com/content/foods-to-avoid-on-the-gastroparesis-diet-for-slow-stomachs-a242038

Low Residue Diet for Gastroparesis

Because the stomach is emptying more slowly, the Gastroparesis and Dysmotilities Association recommends a low residue diet of foods that are easy to digest. This includes foods that are processed and refined such as white breads, white rice and cereals which are often not considered part of a healthy diet.
Because fiber is hard to digest, patients with gastroparesis should avoid foods with high fiber content like:

• beans
• bran
• high-fiber breads and cereals
• nuts and seeds
• dried fruits
• raw fruits like berries, oranges, apples and persimmons
• high fiber vegetables such as peas, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, corn, sauerkraut, tomato and potato skins

People with gastroparesis should also avoid high-fiber laxatives like Metamucil and Benefiber as these maybe hard to digest. Too much undigestible fiber can lead to formation of a bezoar, an undigested mass that can block the stomach or intestines and lead to an obstruction.
A lowfat diet is also preferred. Fat digests more slowly and can take awhile to leave the stomach. This can make it difficult for some people to get enough calories in their diet. Liquid fats like milkshakes maybe helpful to prevent weight loss due to gastroparesis.
Some people may find solid foods more difficult to digest and require a blender or food processor to liquefy their food before eating. Most people with gastroparesis can digest liquids, even when solids are a problem. Smoothies are a great way to ensure appropriate nutrition and help to decrease symptoms from digesting solid foods. Nutritional supplements like Boost and Ensure may also be helpful.

Dietary Changes for Patients with Gastroparesis

People with gastroparesis often must alter their dietary habits to help decrease the symptoms of their condition. This involves a lifestyle modification that includes:

• eating small meals more frequently
• keeping a food diary for particular foods that cause problems
• reducing stress
• not lying down after eating
• exercising to improve digestion

Most people with gastroparesis will do well with treatment and following the low residue diet. Anyone with questions about gastroparesis or the low residue diet should contact their healthcare provider or a nutritionist for more information.

=======

http://www.acg.gi.org/patients/gihealth/gastroparesis.asp

Diet is one of the mainstays of treatment for those who suffer from gastroparesis. Some foods are more difficult than others for the stomach to digest. Fatty foods take a longer time to digest, as do foods that are fibrous, like raw vegetables. People with gastroparesis should reduce their intake of fiber or avoid these foods. Fiber when eaten should be chewed well and cooked until soft. Food that is poorly digested can collect in the stomach and form what is called a bezoar. This mass of undigested matter may cause a blockage, preventing the stomach from emptying and result in nausea and pain. In such a case, it may be necessary to use endoscopic tools to break the bezoar apart and remove it. Fortunately, even when stomach emptying is significantly impaired, thick and thin liquids (e.g. pudding and nutrient drinks) are usually tolerated and can pass through the stomach. Many people with gastroparesis can live a relatively normal life with the aid of supplemental nutritional drinks, soft foods the consistency of pudding and by pureeing solid food in a blender. Feeding tubes placed in the small intestine (jejunostomy) may be required if gastric paralysis is severe and a person is unable to manage with a pureed or soft diet. These feeding tubes are usually placed endoscopically or surgically through the skin and directly into the small intestine (figure 1). 

 

===========

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/diet-for-gastroparesis.html

Specific dietary changes play an important role in controlling gastroparesis. Changes in diet is the right approach to improve the patient's health. Doctors often recommend to have small frequent meals (6 to 8 meals daily) instead of having large meals twice a day. The stomach will require more effort to digest a super sized meal than a lighter snack. Pureed or a liquid diet will be better tolerated, as liquids can easily and quickly pass through the stomach. When it comes to eating food some guidelines should be followed by gastroparesis patients. It is necessary to avoid high fiber and high fat foods.

Fiber is mainly found in raw vegetables and fruits, legumes and whole grains. As the stomach will take extra time to digest fiber foods, the intake of these foods must be minimized. For this reason people diagnosed with gastroparesis, are often recommended to have low fiber foods, well cooked vegetables, fish and refined breads. This is because fat slows down the process of digestion and fiber cannot be easily digested. The indigestible part of food forms bezoars in the stomach. Foods that can cause bezoars include berries, dried figs, coconut, apples, tomato peels, potato, brussels sprouts and corn.

 

High fiber foods such as broccoli and orange contain nutrients that are simply difficult to digest. Indigestion is something that cannot be tolerated as the stomach is already weak in this condition. An important point to note is the food that cannot be digested remains in the stomach, and can cause further complications.

Fried or greasy vegetables can aggravate the symptoms, hence it must not be consumed. To fulfill the requirement of calories and nutrients contained in high fat liquids, one can have small servings of rich drinks such as milkshakes. The diet for gastroparesis must contain adequate protein and calories. This can be easily achieved by taking nutritional supplements like Ensure, Boost or Glucerna.

People with gastroparesis are comfortable eating pureed food and soups. The process of pureeing involves crushing fruits and vegetables to make a thick paste (sauce). Almost any type of food can be pureed. As gastroparesis patients are not allowed to eat high fat foods, deficiency in essential nutrients such as calcium, iron and vitamin B-12 may occur. To compensate the loss, one can include mineral supplements in their diet.

Vomiting is the most common symptom of gastroparesis. This often leads to dehydration (loss of water). So it is necessary to have plenty of water in a day. One can also have fruit and vegetable juices. The daily dosage of fluids required by the body needs to be fulfilled in order to stay healthy.

Most patients respond well consuming pureed foods and nutritional supplements. But some people with gastroparesis suffer from severe stomach problem. As a result, they are not able to tolerate any liquids or food. In such a case, the doctor may insert a feeding tube into a small intestine.

 

 

==============

http://www.mamashealth.com/stomach/gastroparesis.asp

What is Gastroparesis?

Gastroparesis is delayed stomach emptying. Gastroparesis often occurs in people with type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes.

Symptoms of Gastroparesis?

The most common symptoms of gastroparesis are:

• nausea
• vomiting of undigested food
• full stomach when you eat a small amount of food
• weight loss with normal eating
• abdominal bloating
• heart burn

What Causes Gastroparesis?

Gastroparesis is caused by impairment of the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve is responsible for mediating many automatic functions of the body, including heart rate and digestion. If the vagus nerve is not working properly, the muscles of the stomach and intestines do not work normally, and the movement of food is slowed or stopped.

What happens during Gastroparesis?

When a person has gastroparesis, the stomach is able to receive food from the esophagus but it is unable to release the food to the small intestine. When this happens, the stomach acid can travel up the esophagus causing a burning sensation in the middle of the chest (heartburn).

As a result of having gastroparesis, the stomach may feel full after small meals. This occurs because the stomach may not have emptied its contents from previous meal(s). In extreme cases, several meals will accumulate in the stomach and cause severe bloating.

How does Gastroparesis affect Diabetics?

Gastroparesis can make it difficult for people with diabetes to control their blood sugar levels. This occurs because if the stomach empties too slowly, it can have the same effects on blood sugar as skipping a meal. Blood sugars will plummet and rise depending on when the stomach empties.

How is Gastroparesis Diagnosed?

Your doctor can diagnose gastroparesis by performing the following tests:

• R-R interval study
• Gamma-Ray Technetium scan
• Barium Hamburger test

Treatment Options for Gastroparesis?
Gastroparesis can be treated. The most common treatments for gastroparesis are:

• medications
• special exercises during and after meals
• special massages duing and after meals
• modification of meal plan

==========

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastroparesis

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Gastroparesis

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This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (January 2009)

Gastroparesis
Classification and external resources
ICD-10	K31.8
ICD-9	536.3
DiseasesDB	32575
MedlinePlus	000297
MeSH	D018589

Gastroparesis, also called delayed gastric emptying, is a medical condition consisting of a paresis (partial paralysis) of the stomach, resulting in food remaining in the stomach for a longer period of time than normal. Normally, the stomach contracts to move food down into the small intestine for digestion. The vagus nerve controls these contractions. Gastroparesis may occur when the vagus nerve is damaged and the muscles of the stomach and intestines do not work normally. Food then moves slowly or stops moving through the digestive tract.

Contents [hide] 1 Causes 2 Signs and Symptoms 3 Diagnosis and Treatment 4 Complications 5 References 6 External links

[edit] Causes

Gastroparesis may be chronic or transient; transient gastroparesis may arise in acute illness of any kind, with the use of certain cancer treatments or other drugs which affect digestive action, or due to anorexia nervosa, bulimia and other abnormal eating patterns.
Chronic gastroparesis is frequently due to autonomic neuropathy. This may occur in people with type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes. The vagus nerve becomes damaged by years of high blood glucose, resulting in gastroparesis. Gastroparesis has also been associated with various autoimmune diseases and syndromes, such as fibromyalgia and Parkinson's disease, and may occur as part of a mitochondrial disorder.
Chronic gastroparesis can also be caused by other types of damage to the vagus nerve, such as abdominal surgery.^[1]
Idiopathic gastroparesis (gastroparesis with no known cause) accounts for a third of all chronic cases; it is thought that many of these cases are due to an autoimmune response triggered by an acute viral infection. "Stomach flu", mononucleosis, and others have been anecdotally linked to the onset of the condition, but no systematic study has proven a link.
Gastroparesis sufferers are disproportionately female. One possible explanation for this finding is that women have an inherently slower stomach emptying time than men.^[2] A hormonal link has also been suggested, as gastroparesis symptoms tend to worsen the week before menstruation, when progesterone levels are highest.^[3] Neither theory has been proven definitively.

[edit] Signs and Symptoms

The most common symptoms of gastroparesis are^[4]

• Chronic nausea
• Vomiting (especially of undigested food)
• Early satiety

Other symptoms include

• Heartburn
• Weight loss
• Weight gain (often attributed to the 'starvation mode' effect)
• Abdominal pain
• Abdominal bloating
• Erratic blood glucose levels
• Lack of appetite
• Gastroesophageal reflux
• Spasms of the stomach wall

Morning nausea may also indicate gastroparesis. It is important to note that vomiting may not occur in all cases, as sufferers may learn to adjust their diets to include only small amounts of food.^[5]

[edit] Diagnosis and Treatment

Gastroparesis can be diagnosed with tests such as x rays, manometry, and gastric emptying scans. The clinical definition for gastroparesis is based solely on the emptying time of the stomach and not on other symptoms, and severity of symptoms does not necessarily correlate with the severity of gastroparesis. Therefore, some patients may have marked gastroparesis with few, if any, serious complications.
Treatment includes dietary changes (low-fiber and low-residue diets, and in some cases, restrictions on fat and/or solids), oral medications such as metoclopramide (Reglan, Maxolon, Clopra), cisapride (Propulsid)(no longer available in the US), erythromycin (E-Mycin, Erythrocin, Ery-Tab, EES) and domperidone (Motilium); adjustments in insulin dosage for those with diabetes, a jejunostomy tube, parenteral nutrition, implanted gastric neurostimulators ("stomach pacemakers"), or botulinum toxin.
Viagra, which increases blood flow to the genital area, is also being used by some practitioners to stimulate the GI tract in diabetic gastroparesis.
The antidepressant mirtazapine has also proven effective in the treatment of gastroparesis unresponsive to conventional treatment. This is due to its anti-emetic and appetite stimulant properties. Mirtazapine acts on the same serotonin receptor (5-HT3) as the popular anti-emetic ondansetron.^[6]

[edit] Complications

Primary complications of gastroparesis include:

• Fluctuations in blood glucose due to unpredictable digestion times (in diabetic patients)
• General malnutrition due to the symptoms of the disease (which frequently include vomiting and reduced appetite) as well as the dietary changes necessary to manage it
• Severe fatigue and weight loss due to calorie deficit
• Intestinal obstruction due to the formation of bezoars (solid masses of undigested food)
• Bacterial infection due to overgrowth in undigested food

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http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA400595/Natural-Treatment-for-Gastroparesis.html

The most common cause of gastroparesis is diabetes. Here, high blood sugar affects the health of nerves throughout the body and can damage the vagus nerve. Other causes include surgery on the stomach, viral infections, eating disorders (anorexia nervosa or bulimia), medications that slow contractions in the intestine, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Sometimes no cause can be found - these cases are referred to as idiopathic gastroparesis.

I discussed your question with Gerard Mullin, M.D., associate professor of medicine and an integrative gastroenterologist at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He told me that acupuncture and electroacupuncture have been shown in randomized trials to be effective for gastroparesis, and that a study published in the European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology in May, 2008, found that ginger accelerates gastric emptying. The dose used in the study was three capsules containing a total of 1,200 mg of ginger. Another natural remedy that may prove useful is Swedish bitters - an herbal concoction. The typical dose is one tablespoon before meals. Dr. Mullin also recommended visceral manipulation-massage, a type of massage that aims to release stress and tension from abdominal organs.



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http://www.ucsfhealth.org/conditions/gastroparesis/treatment.html

Dietary Requirements

Therapy for gastroparesis requires that you follow certain dietary requirements, such as eating small meals throughout the day and avoiding foods that are difficult to digest. These include fatty foods, legumes, lentils and citrus fruits. If you have gastroparesis as a complication of diabetes, you may need to increase your insulin therapy.



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Гастропарез

 Гастропаре́з — расстройство пищеварения, характеризующееся снижением активности мышечного аппарата желудка

Симптомы

Первичные симптомы гастропареза - тошнота и рвота. Другие проявления гастропареза: боль в животе, вздутие, раннее насыщение и, в серьезных случаях, потеря веса из-за снижения потребления пищи (из-за симптомов). Уменьшенное потребление пищи и ограничение видов пищи могут привести к пищевым дефицитам.
Рвота при гастропарезе обычно происходит после приемов пищи; однако, при серьезном гастропарезе, рвота может произойти не после приема пищи, а из-за накопления еды в желудке. Характерная рвота случается спустя несколько часов после еды, когда желудок максимально надувается из-за съеденной пищи и пищи, которая уже была в нем до последнего приема еды.
Иногда при гастропарезе развивается гастроэзофагеальная рефлюксная болезнь.