Gastroparesis is a complex and potentially life altering problem that can affect patients from all walks of life.

It is essentially a delay in the removal of food from the stomach, which can lead to several problems including nausea, vomiting, acid reflux, abdominal pain and weight loss. Though it is commonly known to start with persistent early morning nausea, other issues such as chronic abdominal pain, vomiting and weight loss may be involved. Causes of gastroparesis range from diabetes, medications, viruses, thyroid disease, and immune system problems.

Evaluation can be complex and time consuming.  It usually starts with a medication review followed by several options including: an endoscopy, an Ultrasound, laboratory testing (blood work), a CT scan and finally a gastric emptying study.   The gastric emptying study is usually performed in an outpatient setting and involves eating a meal and measuring the time it takes to empty from the stomach using an X-ray camera.

Once diagnosed, treatment options include daily exercise and a special gastroparesis diet.  The diet is not complicated and may consist of smaller, frequent, low-fat and low-fiber foods such as soups, protein shakes, and canned meal supplements.  In severe cases, tube feeding or intravenous feeding may be needed.   Other treatment options include acupuncture, exercise classes, pain management specialists, antidepressants, counseling and even yoga.

Only a few medications are available to treat the emptying problems of gastroparesis.   One of the most common is Reglan or metclopramide.   Unfortunately it can be sedating and in higher doses can cause other problems.   At times, antibiotics such as erythromycin may be used, as might older acid reflux medications like Bethanecol.   Finally, a physician may choose to use a medication such as Domperidone which is available outside of the U.S.

Additionally, other medications may be needed for chronic nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.   Though at times narcotics are needed for pain control, they tend to slow gastric emptying and are used only as needed.

For patients who find the effects of the medications intolerable and that have severe gastroparesis with debilitating nausea and malnutrition, there is the possibility of a gastric pacemaker.   It is usually placed by a surgeon in conjunction with a gastroenterologist and though it may not work for every patient, it can be quite helpful for most in controlling some of the symptoms.

Fortunately, though gastroparesis can be difficult to diagnosis and at times to treat, there are new options under investigation which may finally bring further answers and potentially a cure.

Terrence L. Jackson, Jr., M.D. - Memphis Gastroenterology Group’s mission is to provide the highest quality, most cost-efficient gastroenterology services to our patients.  To accomplish this goal, we will have physicians of unsurpassed ability, an endoscopy center equipped with the finest state-of-the-art equipment, a clinical staff delivering the highest quality care in a comfortable, safe, and confidential environment; and an office staff who will offer helpful and compassionate services with patient satisfaction as their first priority.