(BlackDoctor.org) — Gastroparesis is a diabetes-related condition where the stomach cannot empty itself of food in a normal fashion. Most often, gastroparesis occurs in people with type 1 diabetes; however, it can also occur in those with type 2 diabetes. Most sufferers have had diabetes for at least 10 years and have other complications of diabetes.
Gastroparesis is caused by damage to the vagus nerve, which regulates the digestive system and makes muscles function. Diabetes is a leading cause of gastroparesis, accounting for about one-third of cases. Damage to the vagus nerve keeps the muscles of the stomach and intestine from functioning properly. In gastroparesis, food remains in your stomach because it is not processed and pumped through the intestines.
• Viral infections
• Abdominal surgery with injury to the vagus nerve
• Medications such as narcotics and some antidepressants
• Amyloidosis (deposits of protein fibers in tissues and organs) and scleroderma (a connective tissue disorder that affects the skin, blood vessels, skeletal muscles, and internal organs)
The symptoms of gastroparesis linked to diabetes include:
• Heartburn or reflux (backup of stomach contents into the esophagus)
• Nausea
• Vomiting undigested food
• Poor control of blood sugar in diabetes
• Feeling full quickly when eating
• Abdominal bloating
• Poor appetite and weight loss
If you have diabetes and gastroparesis, you should be aware of the following complications:
• Food that stays in the stomach for a long time can spoil, which can lead to the growth of bacteria.
• Food in the stomach can harden into a lump called a bezoar. Bezoars can cause blockages in the stomach that keep food from moving into the small intestine.
• Gastroparesis can cause additional health problems for people who have diabetes. When food finally does leave the stomach and enter the small intestine, there is a rise in blood sugar levels. Gastroparesis can make it difficult for the person with diabetes to control his or her blood sugar levels consistently.
• In severe cases, daily vomiting may occur.
If you have diabetes and your doctor suspects gastroparesis, he or she will review your symptoms and medical history with you. Your doctor will also perform a physical examination and may order certain blood tests, including blood sugar levels. Your doctor will want to make sure an obstruction is not the cause of your symptoms.
Just like diabetes, gastroparesis is a chronic (long-lasting) condition. This means that while the treatment usually doesn’t cure the gastroparesis (or diabetes), you can still manage gastroparesis and its symptoms.
People who have diabetes should try to control their blood sugar levels to minimize the problems of gastroparesis. For instance, if you have diabetes, you may want to change when and how often you use insulin, and check your blood sugar levels more often. Adjusting your diet may also help to alleviate your symptoms of gastroparesis.
Talk to your doctor about discontinuing/changing medications that might worsen gastroparesis, such as some antidepressants, high blood pressure drugs, or certain medications used to treat diabetes.
• If you have diabetes, one of the best ways to help control the symptoms of gastroparesis is to vary when and how you eat. For instance, instead of three meals a day, you can eat six small meals. In this way, there is less food in your stomach; you won’t feel as full, and it will be easier for the food to leave your stomach. Another important factor is the texture of food; liquids and low-residue foods are encouraged (for example, applesauce should replace whole apples with intact skins).
• With gastroparesis, you should also avoid foods that are high in fat (which can slow down digestion) and fiber (which is difficult to digest).
Diabetes makes you susceptible to dumping syndrome. Dumping syndrome produces symptoms like gastroparesis. With dumping syndrome, you might feel uncomfortable after eating high-sugar/high-fat foods with symptoms of lightheadedness, rapid heart rate, cramping, nausea, sweating, and fatigue. People with severe cases of dumping syndrome may experience weight loss and even malnutrition.
Contact your doctor if you develop signs and symptoms of gastroparesis or dumping syndrome.
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