What is Gastroparesis and can diet improve my symptoms?
Gastroparesis is a condition where there is abnormal gastric motility and delayed gastric emptying (i.e. slower emptying of stomach contents to the intestine).
Often those with this condition experience symptoms one to two hours after eating such as nausea, bloating, vomiting, retching, early satiety, upper abdominal pain, poor appetite and reduced quality of life. Gastroparesis is also more common in diabetics.
Dietary Management:
Small frequent meals to allow time for emptying
Avoiding foods that slow gastric emptying such as high fat and fibre. Thus low fat (<30% of total daily energy from fat) and lower fibre
Reducing particle size such as chewing more or pureeing foods
More fluids to help move through the gut quicker
Limit carbonated beverages to reduce distension of stomach
Limit alcohol that inhibits gastric emptying
Remain upright 1-2 hours after meals as gravity can help increase gastric emptying
Normalise blood sugar levels (high blood sugar levels can reduce gastric emptying)
Nutrition support to restore fluids, electrolytes and high energy high protein to meet nutritional requirements where necessary
Other Management:
Antiemetic medications to relieve symptoms of nausea and vomiting
Prokinetic medications to stimulate gastric emptying and may improve nausea, vomiting and bloating
Psychotropic medications to relieve nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain
Botulinum toxin injection of the pylorus to reduce pyloric pressures that delay gastric emptying
Gastric electric stimulation implant to moderate gastric contractions reducing vomiting frequency
surgical treatment
Book now to see a dietitian to relieve your symptoms and ensure your diet is nutritionally adequate!
Source:
https://www.pennutrition.com/KnowledgePathway.aspx?kpid=7346
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3722580/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15370684