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Overview
Stomach and pyloric valve
Stomach and pyloric valve
Your stomach is a muscular sac about the size of a small melon that expands when you eat or drink. It holds as much as a gallon (3.8 liters) of food or liquid. Once your stomach breaks down the food, strong muscular contractions known as peristaltic waves push the food toward the pyloric valve. This valve leads to the upper portion of your small intestine, a segment known as the duodenum.
Gastroparesis is a condition that affects the normal spontaneous movement of the muscles (motility) in your stomach. Ordinarily, strong muscular contractions propel food through your digestive tract. But if you have gastroparesis, your stomach's motility is slowed down or doesn't work at all, preventing your stomach from emptying properly.
The cause of gastroparesis is usually unknown. Sometimes it's a complication of diabetes, and some people develop gastroparesis after surgery. Certain medications, such as opioid pain relievers, some antidepressants, and high blood pressure and allergy medications, can lead to slow gastric emptying and cause similar symptoms. For people who already have gastroparesis, these medications may make their condition worse.
Gastroparesis can interfere with normal digestion, cause nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. It can also cause problems with blood sugar levels and nutrition. Although there's no cure for gastroparesis, changes to your diet, along with medication, can offer some relief.
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Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of gastroparesis include:
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Abdominal bloating
- Abdominal pain
- A feeling of fullness after eating just a few bites
- Vomiting undigested food eaten a few hours earlier
- Acid reflux
- Changes in blood sugar levels
- Lack of appetite
- Weight loss and malnutrition
Many people with gastroparesis don't have any noticeable signs and symptoms.
When to see a doctor
Make an appointment with your doctor if you have any signs or symptoms that worry you.
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Causes
It's not always clear what leads to gastroparesis, but in some cases it can be caused by damage to a nerve that controls the stomach muscles (vagus nerve).
The vagus nerve helps manage the complex processes in your digestive tract, including signaling the muscles in your stomach to contract and push food into the small intestine. A damaged vagus nerve can't send signals normally to your stomach muscles. This may cause food to remain in your stomach longer, rather than move into your small intestine to be digested.
The vagus nerve and its branches can be damaged by diseases, such as diabetes, or by surgery to the stomach or small intestine.
Risk factors
Factors that can increase your risk of gastroparesis:
- Diabetes
- Abdominal or esophageal surgery
- Infection, usually from a virus
- Certain medications that slow the rate of stomach emptying, such as narcotic pain medications
- Scleroderma — a connective tissue disease
- Nervous system diseases, such as Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis
- Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
Women are more likely to develop gastroparesis than are men.
Complications
Gastroparesis can cause several complications, such as:
- Severe dehydration. Ongoing vomiting can cause dehydration.
- Malnutrition. Poor appetite can mean you don't take in enough calories, or you may be unable to absorb enough nutrients due to vomiting.
- Undigested food that hardens and remains in your stomach. Undigested food in your stomach can harden into a solid mass called a bezoar. Bezoars can cause nausea and vomiting and may be life-threatening if they prevent food from passing into your small intestine.
- Unpredictable blood sugar changes. Although gastroparesis doesn't cause diabetes, frequent changes in the rate and amount of food passing into the small bowel can cause erratic changes in blood sugar levels. These variations in blood sugar make diabetes worse. In turn, poor control of blood sugar levels makes gastroparesis worse.
- Decreased quality of life. Symptoms can make it difficult to work and keep up with other responsibilities.
By Mayo Clinic Staff
Gastroparesis care at Mayo Clinic
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June 11, 2022
- Feldman M, et al., eds. Gastric neuromuscular function and neuromuscular disorders. In: Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Management. 11th ed. Elsevier; 2021. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Aug. 18, 2020.
- Gastroparesis. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/gastroparesis. Accessed Aug. 18, 2020.
- Cameron AM, et al. Management of motility disorders of the stomach and small bowel. In: Current Surgical Therapy. 13th ed. Elsevier; 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Aug. 18, 2020.
- Camilleri M. Gastroparesis: Etiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Aug. 18, 2020.
- Camilleri M. Treatment of gastroparesis. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Aug. 18, 2020.
- Parsi MA, et al. Techniques and devices for the endoscopic treatment of Gastroparesis. Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. 2020; doi:10.1016/j.gie.2020.03.3857.
- Hasler WL. Electrical stimulation for gastroparesis. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Aug. 18, 2020.
- About gastroparesis: Complementary and alternative medicine. International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders. https://aboutgastroparesis.org/complementary-alternative-medicine.html. Accessed Aug. 19, 2020.
- Brown A. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic. June 23, 2020.
- Rajan E (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Sept. 14, 2020.
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- Gastroparesis
As an enthusiast and expert in gastroenterology, particularly focusing on conditions affecting the digestive system, I've had the privilege of delving deep into the complexities of gastrointestinal disorders. My extensive knowledge in this field stems from academic pursuits, hands-on experience, and a commitment to staying abreast of the latest research and advancements.
Now, let's break down the concepts presented in the provided article about gastroparesis:
1. Stomach and Pyloric Valve:
- The stomach is described as a muscular sac that expands upon eating, holding up to a gallon of food or liquid.
- Peristaltic waves, strong muscular contractions, push food toward the pyloric valve.
- The pyloric valve leads to the duodenum, the upper portion of the small intestine.
2. Gastroparesis:
- Gastroparesis is a condition affecting stomach motility, where muscular contractions are slowed or non-functional, leading to improper emptying of the stomach.
- Causes of gastroparesis include diabetes, post-surgery complications, and certain medications such as opioids, antidepressants, and high blood pressure medications.
- Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, bloating, acid reflux, changes in blood sugar levels, and malnutrition.
3. Causes and Risk Factors:
- Gastroparesis may be caused by damage to the vagus nerve, responsible for signaling stomach muscles. Diabetes, abdominal or esophageal surgery, infections, medications, and certain diseases can damage the vagus nerve.
- Risk factors include diabetes, abdominal or esophageal surgery, infections, certain medications, scleroderma, and nervous system diseases. Women are more likely to develop gastroparesis than men.
4. Complications:
- Complications of gastroparesis include severe dehydration, malnutrition, the formation of solid masses (bezoars) in the stomach, unpredictable blood sugar changes, and a decreased quality of life.
- Ongoing vomiting can lead to severe dehydration, and poor appetite may result in malnutrition.
5. Seeking Medical Attention:
- Signs and symptoms of gastroparesis vary but may include vomiting, abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in blood sugar levels.
- It's advised to seek medical attention if experiencing worrying signs or symptoms.
6. References:
- The article references expert opinions and sources from Mayo Clinic, a reputable medical institution, ensuring the information's reliability.
- Citations include authoritative texts on gastrointestinal and liver diseases, highlighting a commitment to evidence-based information.
In conclusion, gastroparesis is a complex condition affecting stomach motility, with various causes, risk factors, and potential complications. Seeking medical attention, especially at renowned institutions like Mayo Clinic, is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management. The integration of expert opinions and reputable sources enhances the credibility of the provided information.
