Health and wellness

August is Gastroparesis Awareness Month

Food is meant to be one of life’s greatest pleasures, but it can cause a great deal of pain for people who can’t stomach a normal-sized meal. Much more than mere tummy troubles, this unusual discomfort is a way of life for people with a digestive disorder called gastroparesis. However, there’s no need to be worried about feeling sick to your stomach after eating. August is Gastroparesis Awareness Month, which was started by the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD), to focus attention on the daily pains and strains of those living with gastroparesis and to improve the understanding and management of this chronic digestive condition. So, consume the details on gastroparesis and how often this discomfort emerges, along with the causes, risks, and warning signs of this digestive disorder. Then, take in the treatments to help lessen this painful problem and make eating a pleasure again.

Get a taste of gastroparesis

Your stomach isn’t likely to cross your mind unless it’s growling because you’re hungry or you’re feeling slightly bloated. But what if you felt full and nauseous after only a few bites of food? This is what life is like with gastroparesis. This chronic digestive condition occurs when the muscles in the stomach don’t move food into the small intestine as they should, which delays digestion. As a result, food sits in the stomach for a very long time, which leads to a lasting sense of fullness, nausea, and heartburn.

A seldom-seen stomach disorder

An occasional stomachache is common, but gastroparesis is somewhat rare. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Diseases, the uncommon condition affects approximately 40 women and 10 men per 100,000 people. Yet, around 1 in 4 people in the United States will have digestive symptoms that are similar to those felt in gastroparesis.

Chew on the causes

It isn’t always clear what leads to a case of gastroparesis. It could result from damage to the nerve that activates and controls the muscles in the stomach, which is known as the vagus nerve. This nerve sends signals to the stomach muscles to contract and empty food into the small intestine. When this nerve is damaged, it can’t send those signals, so the food sits and stays in the stomach too long.

Stomach the risk factors

While gastroparesis is relatively rare, certain conditions and circumstances can raise your risk of developing the digestive disorder. The following factors may make you more susceptible to this stomach condition:

• Diabetes
• Hypothyroidism
• Surgery on the stomach or on the esophagus, which is the tube that joins the throat to the stomach
• Viral infections
• Medications that slow the emptying of the stomach, such as opiates and progesterone
• Neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis
• Gender, with females more likely than males to experience gastroparesis

Digest the warning signs

It’s impossible to ignore the signs of gastroparesis because it makes the common act of eating so uncomfortable. While the occasional sour stomach is a fact of life, the symptoms of gastroparesis are much more painful and prevalent. Contact your SignatureMD-affiliated doctor if you experience the following symptoms on a regular basis:

• Long-lasting stomach pain
• Abdominal bloating
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• A sense of fullness after a small or normal-sized meal
• Feeling full soon after you start eating
• Heartburn
• Unintentional weight loss 

Remedies for relief

Diagnosing a case of gastroparesis starts with taking one or more tests, such as a gastric emptying test, an endoscopy, or an ultrasound. Once you’re diagnosed with this digestive disorder, you can focus on finding the most effective treatment for you. Surgery is always the last resort since there are many less invasive therapies that can help you manage the condition, including medications to make the stomach muscles move and relieve nausea. One of the most common treatments is changing your diet in the following ways:

• Eat smaller meals more frequently.
• Choose soft, well-cooked foods rather than hard, crunchy ones that can be challenging on your stomach.
• Eat foods that are low in fiber and fat because they are easier to digest.
• Select pureed foods and soups if liquids are easier to swallow.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Take a daily multivitamin to help prevent any vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
• Avoid carbonated drinks and alcohol, which can upset your stomach.

During Gastroparesis Awareness Month, share this important information to show that eating doesn’t need to be the enemy. You can manage the misery of gastroparesis, so enjoying meals and life is no longer such a pain.

Sources:

• https://aboutgastroparesis.org/living-with-gastroparesis/gastroparesis-awareness-month/
• https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000297.htm
• https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gastroparesis/symptoms-causes/syc-20355787

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