Simple Health Cures

   Gastro paresis is also known as delayed gastric emptying. It is a medical condition involving partial paralysis of stomach, due to which food remains in the stomach for a longer part than normal. The most common cause of gastro paresis is diabetes.

   Normally, stomach contracts through vagus nerve to move food down into the small intestine for digestion. Gastro paresis may occur when the vagus nerve is damaged. Food then moves slowly or stops moving through the digestive tract. Gastro paresis may be chronic or transient.

   Chronic gastroparesis is mostly due to autonomic neuropathy. This may occur in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Over the years the vagus nerve gets damaged due to high blood glucose, resulting in gastro paresis.

   One of the complications of gastro paresis is that it can make diabetes worse by making blood sugar control more difficult. When food that has been delayed in the stomach finally enters the small intestine and is absorbed it results in rise of blood glucose levels. Since gastro paresis makes stomach emptying unpredictable, a person’s blood sugar levels can be erratic and difficult to control.

   Symptoms of gastro paresis include early fullness, abdominal pain, stomach spasms, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, bloating, gastro esophageal reflux, lack of appetite and weight loss. It is diagnosed with tests such as x-rays, ultrasound, breath test and gastric emptying scans.

   Treatment of gastro paresis depends on the severity of the symptoms. In most cases, treatment does not cure gastro paresis it is usually a chronic condition. Treatment helps you manage the condition so you can be as healthy and comfortable as possible.

   Treatment includes dietary changes, oral medications and adjustments in insulin injections for people with diabetes.