Gastroparesis is paralysis of the stomach, a condition in which the muscles in the stomach can’t move food as they ought to (peristalsis), for aiding digestion. This is because the stomach muscles and nerves can’t activate properly and the stomach is unable to process food or empty itself as it normally does. This affects the digestive process.

The cause of gastroparesis is often unknown. The condition is sometimes linked to diabetes while some get gastroparesis following surgery or after a viral illness. Certain medications like opioid pain relievers, some antidepressants, medicines for hypertension, weight loss and allergies can also affect stomach emptying. Gastroparesis can affect sugar levels and nutrition. While there is no cure for it, medicines and diet correction can help.

Common symptoms of gastroparesis:

# Vomiting

# Nausea

# Bloated stomach

# Feeling full after just a few bites and long after a meal

# Throwing up undigested food

# Acid reflux

# Changes in blood sugar levels

# Loss of appetite

# Weight loss from inadequate nutrition

What causes gastroparesis?

What causes gastroparesis is not often clear. It can sometimes be precipitated by damage to the vagus nerve that controls the stomach muscles. A damaged vagus nerve can’t send signals to the stomach muscles to contract and relax when they should, in order to push food into the small intestine. Diabetes or surgery to the stomach or small intestine can also damage the vagus nerve and its branches.

Risk factors for gastroparesis:

# Diabetes

# Surgery on the stomach region or oesophagus

# A viral infection

# Certain cancers and cancer treatments

# Certain medications like opioid pain medicines

# Scleroderma, a condition that contains the skin to harden and tighten

# Nervous system diseases like migraine, Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis

# Hypothyroidism

# Those assigned female at birth

How is gastroparesis diagnosed?

# Stomach emptying tests

· Scintigraphy: The principal test to diagnose gastroparesis, this involves having a light meal that has a small amount of radioactive material in it. A scanner is used to track the movement of the radioactive material to find the rate at which food leaves the stomach.

· Breath tests: For these tests, one must consume a solid or liquid food that has a substance that the body absorbs. In time, the substance is detected in the breath which is measured to reveal how fast the stomach empties.

Upper GI endoscopy:

This procedure uses a tiny camera on the tip of a long, flexible tube to examine the oesophagus, stomach and the beginning of the small intestine.

Ultrasound:

Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of structures inside the body. It helps to figure out if problems with the gallbladder or kidneys could be causing the symptoms.

What are the treatment options for gastroparesis?

# Dietary changes

Your dietitian might suggest:

· Eat small, frequent meals

· Chew your food well

· Eat well-cooked fruits and vegetables

· Avoid fruits and vegetables with too much fibre

· Choose low-fat foods

· Drink 1 to 1.5 litres of water a day

· Avoid fizzy drinks, alcohol

· Don’t smoke

· Take a multivitamin daily

# Medications

· Medicines to help the stomach muscles work.

· Medicines to control nausea and vomiting.

# Surgery

· For feeding tube to be placed in the small intestine.

· To insert gastric venting tube to help relieve pressure from gastric contents.

· For placing an intravenous feeding tube.