Gastroparesis treatment
Gastroparesis is a condition that causes the stomach to not be able to be empty due to the stomach being unable to move and function properly. The condition is often caused as diabetes but it is also common preceding a surgical procedure to the stomach. Simply put, gastroparesis is a term that describes a weak stomach. The result of this condition can be many issues with the health of the mid-section. Gastroparesis can even worsen the condition of diabetes as it makes regulating blood glucose levels much harder to do.
What Does Gastroparesis Do?
Gastroparesis causes food to process slower than normal in the stomach. After a longer wait than normal it will finally reach the small intestine. When it reaches this area the blood glucose level of the individual will increase tremendously. This condition creates an inability to monitor the fullness of the stomach and ultimately leads to unstable blood glucose readings. This means that the blood glucose levels of a gastroparesis patient (whom is likely diabetic as well) are extremely difficult to control.
Causes of Gastroparesis
As previously mentioned, gastroparesis is often caused by diabetes. It is also a common after effect to surgery to the mid-section. For instance, anyone whom gets gastric surgery is at risk of developing gastroparesis after the procedure is complete. In particular, many individuals whom suffer from peptic ulcer disease and get surgery will be at very high risk of developing gastroparesis. Additionally, gastroparesis could just be a symptom of another condition (besides diabetes) such as a condition that consists of obstruction to the gastric outlet.
Problems with Gastroparesis
Besides the problems that occur in individuals with both diabetes and gastroparesis, there are still many complications that occur as a result of having this condition. For instance, the stomach is no longer contracting as it should if an individual has gastroparesis. This means that the food cannot be broken down and sent to the small intestines as it is meant to be. Basically, gastroparesis can cause the stomach to become paralysed and prevent it from functioning normally. The functionality of the stomach in gastroparesis patients will vary but for the most part it is significantly limited or restricted all together.
How to Treat Gastroparesis
Making some minor changes to your diet and taking certain medications to treat the condition can treat gastroparesis. Even with the dietary changes and medications that can be added to your daily regimen, you will not be guaranteed successful results. The results will vary for everyone so it is best to try different treatment methods and see what works for you. You should also speak with your doctor to find out what the best way to treat gastroparesis is for you.
If you suffer from diabetes and also have gastroparesis then one of the best things you could do to treat the issue would be to improve your control on your blood glucose levels. This can be accomplished by treating the symptoms of gastroparesis and not actually by trying to successfully treat the condition itself. While this will not give permanent results it will minimize the negative health affects that gastroparesis has on anyone that has diabetes as well.
Metoclopramide (branded as Reglan) may also be used to treat gastroparesis. This is a medication that is effective at stimulating the natural functions of your stomach muscles. It will improve the contractions made by your stomach and aid with emptying it properly. This will provide the proper breaking down of food and transferring of it to the small intestines. Other results that will be noticed by using this drug include reduction of certain symptoms of gastroparesis such as the nauseous feeling and throwing up regularly.
Gastroparesis is a medical condition that can have serious affects on your health if it is not cared for properly. Some individuals will experience more severe symptoms from it than others. This is especially true for diabetics that also have gastroparesis as it becomes very difficult to deal with the diabetes when you cannot regulate your blood glucose levels. To close, if you have gastroparesis then it is essential that you speak with your doctor and find out about the various ways that you could treat it.
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