My wife was just diagnose with Gastroparesis does anyone have any information on this condition?

Answer 1

Here is a site with great information:

http://www.gicare.com/pated/ecdgs45.htm

Answer 2

Gastroparesis means parThe stomach is a hollow organ composed primarily of muscle that serves as a storage container for food. Food in the stomach is ground into tiny pieces by the constant churning that is generated by the contractions of the stomach’s muscles. Once the food has been adequately ground, it slowly is emptied from the stomach into the intestine in a metered fashion. Only food ground into small particles can be emptied from the stomach in a normal fashion, and smaller particles are digested better in the intestine. Moreover, the metering process allows the emptied food to be well-mixed with the digestive juices of the intestine, pancreas, and liver (bile) and to be absorbed well from the intestine.

When the stomach’s muscles are paralyzed, food is not thoroughly ground and does not empty into the intestine normally. Since the muscular mechanisms whereby ground, solid food and liquid food are emptied from the stomach are different, there may be delayed emptying of solid food (most common), solid and liquid food (less common), or liquid food alone (least common).


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alysis of the muscles of the stomach

Answer 3

Definition

Gastroparesis is a condition in which the stomach's ability to empty its contents is impaired, unrelated to obstruction.

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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

The cause is unknown, but disruption of nerve stimulation to the intestine may be responsible. The condition is a common complication of diabetes and can be a complication of some surgeries. Risk factors for gastroparesis include diabetes, systemic sclerosis, previous vagotomy, previous gastrectomy, visceral neuropathy, and use of anticholinergic medication.

Answer 4

What is gastroparesis?
Gastroparesis is a stomach disorder in which the stomach takes too long in emptying its contents. If food remains in the stomach for too long, it can cause problems such as bacterial overgrowth from the fermentation of the food. The food can also harden into solid masses, called bezoars, that may cause nausea, vomiting, and, sometimes, obstruction in the stomach. This can be dangerous if they block the passage of food into the small intestine.

What causes gastroparesis?
Most often, this condition is a complication of type 1 diabetes. It can also occur in persons with type 2 diabetes, although not as frequently. Gastroparesis is caused when the vagus nerve, which controls the movement of food through the digestive tract, is damaged or stops working. When this happens, the movement of food is slowed down or stopped.

The vagus nerve becomes damaged in persons with diabetes when blood glucose (sugar) levels remain high over a long period of time.

Other causes of gastroparesis include the following:

anorexia nervosa
surgery on the stomach or vagus nerve
postviral syndromes
certain medications, particularly those that slow contractions in the intestine
smooth muscle disorders, such as amyloidosis and scleroderma
diseases of the nervous system, such as abdominal migraine and Parkinson's disease
metabolic disorders, including hypothyroidism
What are the symptoms of gastroparesis?
The following are the most common symptoms of gastroparesis. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

nausea
vomiting
weight loss
feeling full early when eating
abdominal bloating and/or discomfort
The symptoms of gastroparesis may resemble other medical conditions or problems. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.

How is gastroparesis diagnosed?
In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination, diagnostic procedures for gastroparesis may include the following:

blood tests (to check blood counts and measure chemical and electrolyte levels)
upper GI (gastrointestinal) series (Also called barium swallow.) - a diagnostic test that examines the organs of the upper part of the digestive system: the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (the first section of the small intestine). A fluid called barium (a metallic, chemical, chalky, liquid used to coat the inside of organs so that they will show up on an x-ray) is swallowed. X-rays are then taken to evaluate the digestive organs.
barium beefsteak meal - during this test, the patient eats a meal containing barium, allowing the radiologist to watch the stomach as it digests the meal. The amount of time it takes for the barium meal to be digested and leave the stomach gives the physician an idea of how well the stomach is working and helps to detect emptying problems that may not show up on the liquid barium x-ray.
radioisotope gastric-emptying scan - during this test, the patient eats food containing a radioisotope, which is a slightly radioactive substance that will show up on a scan. The dosage of radiation from the radioisotope is very small and not harmful, but allows the radiologist to see the food in the stomach and how quickly it leaves the stomach, while the patient lies under a machine.
gastric manometry - this test measures electrical and muscular activity in the stomach. The physician passes a thin tube down the patient's throat into the stomach. This tube contains a wire that takes measurements of the electrical and muscular activity of the stomach as it digests foods and liquids. This helps show how the stomach is working, and if there is any delay in digestion.
Sometimes, in an effort to rule out other digestive conditions, an endoscopy and ultrasound may be performed.

For Patients with Diabetes
Gastroparesis means food is being absorbed more slowly and at unpredictable times. Therefore, persons with diabetes should take insulin more often, take insulin after eating instead of before, and check blood glucose levels frequently after eating, administering insulin when necessary.

Treatment for gastroparesis:
Specific treatment for gastroparesis will be determined by your physician based on:

your age, overall health, and medical history
extent of the condition
your tolerance of specific medicines, procedures, or therapies
expectations for the course of the condition
your opinion or preference
Gastroparesis is usually a chronic condition, so treatment does not cure it, but rather helps the patient manage the condition. In gastroparesis related to diabetes, the primary goal is to regain control of the blood glucose levels.

Treatment may include:

medications
Several medications are used to treat gastroparesis. Your physician may prescribe combinations of medications or different medications to determine which is the most effective. Botulinum toxin has also been shown to improve symptoms when injected directly into the pyloric sphincter.
dietary modifications
Changing eating habits can also help control gastroparesis. Sometimes, eating six smaller meals a day is more effective than eating three larger ones. Some physicians recommend several liquid meals a day until blood glucose levels are stable and gastroparesis is stable. Your physician may also recommend avoiding fatty and high-fiber foods, as these can slow digestion and be difficult to digest. It is important to consult your physician or dietitian for the best eating plan for your condition. Botulinum toxin has also been shown to improve symptoms when injected directly into the pyloric sphincter.
surgery
Occasionally, when other approaches fail, it is necessary to perform a surgical procedure called jejunostomy, in which a feeding tube is inserted through the skin on the abdomen into the small intestine. This tube then allows nutrients to be put directly into the small intestine, bypassing the stomach. This is used only when gastroparesis is severe and prevents the nutrients and medications necessary to regulate blood glucose levels from reaching the bloodstream.
A new surgically implanted device, known as a "gastric neurotransmitter," may also be used to control nausea and vomiting.

parenteral nutrition
An alternative to the jejunostomy tube is parenteral nutrition, in which nutrients are delivered directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system. The physician places a catheter in a chest vein, leaving an opening on the outside of the skin. A bag with liquid nutrients or medication can be attached to the catheter, allowing the fluid to enter the bloodstream through the vein.

Answer 5

Gastroparesis is a condition where there is delayed stomach emptying (due abnormal gastric motility), often see as a complication of diabetes mellitus. Risk factors include diabetes, systemic sclerosis, previous vagotomy, previous gastrectomy, viceral neuropathy and the use of anticholinergic medications.
Symptoms include bloating, nausea, vomiting and constipation. Treatment include dietary modification and the use of cholinergic medications and metachlopromide.

Answer 6

http://www.medicinenet.com/gastroparesis/article.htm

Answer 7

Heres a good web site for you that will give you the info you need.... Good Luck

http://www.gicare.com/pated/ecdgs45.htm

Answer 8

http://www.medicinenet.com/gastroparesis/article.htm
http://www.hmc.psu.edu/healthinfo/g/gastroparesis.htm

Answer 9

YES....it's called THE INTERNET

Answer 10

Go to www.webmd.com