Diabetic Gastroparesis

What is diabetic gastroparesis?

Gastroparesis is a lack of movement in the stomach that causes food to leave the stomach more slowly. Gastroparesis is also called delayed gastric emptying. Gastroparesis may cause the stomach to dilate (stretch) and not work as fast to digest food. Gastroparesis happens most often in people who have diabetes. When diabetes leads to this problem, it is called diabetic gastroparesis.

What causes diabetic gastroparesis?

With diabetes, your blood sugar may be higher than it should be. Over time, high blood sugar may cause problems with how your nerves work. A nerve is a pathway that takes messages back and forth between your brain and your body. Gastroparesis may happen because of damage to nerves that control the movement of your stomach and intestines.

What are the signs and symptoms of diabetic gastroparesis?

You may have one or more of the following signs and symptoms:

• Blood sugar levels that go high and low without warning or in no pattern
  
  
• Bloating (swelling) and pain in your abdomen. You may burp a lot and have heartburn.
  
  
• Decreased appetite and weight loss
  
  
• Feeling full when eating even though you may not have eaten much
  
  
• Nausea (feeling sick to your stomach) and vomiting (throwing up). The food that you throw up may not be digested, even if it has been a while since you ate.

How is diabetic gastroparesis diagnosed?

Caregivers may do blood tests and other tests. Tests may be done on your esophagus, stomach, and intestines. You may need to go into the hospital for tests and treatment. Ask your caregiver for more information about the following, and other any tests you may need.

How is diabetic gastroparesis treated?

There is no cure for gastroparesis. Treatment may decrease the symptoms of gastroparesis, such as poor appetite and weight loss. Treatment may include medicine and diet changes. Good blood sugar control also helps treat gastroparesis.

• Medicines:
  
  
  • Insulin: This medicine may be given to decrease the amount of sugar in your blood. It helps your body move the sugar to your cells, where it is needed for energy.
    
    
  • Antinausea medicine: This medicine may be given to calm your stomach and prevent vomiting.
    
    
  • Motility medicine: This medicine is given to help your stomach muscles move food and liquids out of your stomach faster. This medicine also may help you digest food better.
  
  
• Diet:
  
  
  • Eat foods low in fat. Fat slows down the digestion of foods so may make gastroparesis worse.
    
    
  • Eat foods low in fiber. High-fiber foods are harder to digest. Avoid foods such as figs, berries, apples, oranges, broccoli, brussels sprouts, and green beans.
    
    
  • Eat several small meals each day, instead of fewer large meals. Small meals may be easier for you to digest.
    
    
  • Eat meals slowly, and completely chew your food. This may make it easier for your stomach to digest the food.
    
    
  • Eat liquid or blenderized meals until your gastroparesis is controlled. Blenderized meals are foods that are thinned in a blender. Liquid or blenderized meals may be easier for you to digest. A nutrition shake (pre-made, or mixed yourself) is an example of a liquid meal. A blenderized meal can be made by mixing solid foods with healthy liquid in a blender. Ask your caregiver for more information about a blenderized diet.
    
    
  • Sit up after you eat for at least 1 hour instead of lying down or exercising. This may help you digest food better.
  
  
• Feeding tube: If medicines and other treatments do not work, you may need to get your nutrition through a feeding tube. The tube is placed in your abdomen. You may need nutrition given to you through a vein (blood vessel). Ask your caregiver for information about other treatments you may need.

What are the risks of diabetic gastroparesis?

• Diabetic gastroparesis slows the speed at which your food is digested. This can make it hard for you to control your blood sugar. If food stays in your stomach too long, you may get an infection. The food can harden into a solid lump called a bezoar. A bezoar may cause pain and nausea, and it may block your digestive tract.
  
  
• Without treatment, you may have long-term nausea and vomiting. You may not get enough nutrients from your food, and you may lose weight. You may need procedures or surgery if gastroparesis gets worse. You may need to be fed through a tube in your stomach, intestine, or vein. Your blood sugar may go too high or low without any pattern, making it harder to manage diabetes. Ask your caregiver any questions you have about diabetic gastroparesis and these risks.

Where can I find support and more information?

Learn as much as you can about diabetes and gastroparesis. You may also want to join a support group. This is a group of people who also have diabetes. Ask your caregiver for the names and numbers of support groups in your area. Contact the following for more information:

• American Diabetes Association
  1701 North Beauregard Street
  Alexandria , VA 22311
  Phone: 1- 800 - 342-2383
  Web Address: http://www.diabetes.org
  

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

Copyright © 2012. Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Diabetic Gastroparesis