"A" writes in that her son has recently been diagnosed with gastroparesis. She is looking for help to make sure he can eat healthily.
Gastroparesis is a condition where food travels through the stomach and small intestines very, very slowly thus impairing digestion and potentially resulting in complications.
The condition is most commonly associated with damage to an important nerve (the vagus nerve) involved with control of stomach and upper intestinal muscle contractions that help propel food forward. With respect to gastroparesis, the most common cause of vagus nerve damage is underlying diabetes (persistently high blood sugar levels can cause nerve damage as is unfortunately seen, for example, with the burning and tingling hand and foot discomfort of peripheral neuropathy).
Symptoms of gastroparesis include bloating, persistent fullness, abdominal discomfort, "heartburn," nausea and vomiting, and weight loss due to inadequate nutrition.
Doctors diagnose gastroparesis on the basis of specific test results. Once the diagnosis is confirmed they typically recommend a number of smaller meals (perhaps 6) spread out throughout the course of the day so as not to overwhelm the upper digestive tract and make it easier for food to pass. They often prescribe medications such as reglan (metoclopramide) to help stimulate stomach muscle contractions, and preach avoidance of high fat and high fiber foods which can slow food movement further (in the case of fat) or be difficult to digest (high fiber foods).
A good nutritionist can help develop a healthy eating progam for your son, A. Together with the frequent, small meals previously mentioned they may recommend inclusion of healthy but dilute smoothies to support proper nutrition. A small amount of research data suggest that ginger may improve stomach muscle contraction. Ginger tea tastes delicious and may help, but larger doses of ginger may be required in the form of candied ginger (caution - this candy is hot!) or encapsulated ginger. Limited data also suggest a role for acupuncture in stimulating proper food movement through the upper gastrointestinal tract.
Of course underlying processes, such as diabetes, if present need to be treated appropriately as well.
Speak with your son's doctor to see if any of the therapeutic options listed above might fit in well with your son's medical program.
I hope he is feeling well again soon, A, and that this information is helpful to you both.
Be well.
Dr. Russ
** Information on this web site is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. You should not use the information on this web site for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication or other treatment. **