Gastroparesis happens when nerves to the stomach are damaged or stop working. Theautonomic nervous systemcontrols the movement of food through the digestive tract. If the autonomic nervous system is damaged, the muscles of the stomach and intestines do not work normally, and the movement of food is slowed or stopped.
Diabetes can damage the autonomic nervous system if blood glucose levels remain high over a long period of time. High blood glucose causes chemical changes in nerves and damages the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients to the nerves.
The digestive system
Signs and Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of gastroparesis are:
- vomiting of undigested food
- an early feeling of fullness when eating
- weight loss
- abdominal bloating
- erratic blood glucose levels
- lack of appetite
- gastroesophageal reflux
- spasms of the stomach wall
- erratic bowel movements
These symptoms may be mild or severe, depending on the person.
Complications of Gastroparesis
If food lingers too long in the stomach, it can cause problems like bacterial overgrowth from the fermentation of food. Also the food can harden and cause nausea, vomiting, and obstruction in the stomach.This can be dangerous ifit blocks the passage of food into the small intestine.
Gastroparesis can make diabetes worse by adding to the difficulty of controlling blood glucose. When food that has been delayed in the stomach finally enters the small intestine and is absorbed, blood glucose levels rise. Since gastroparesis makes stomach emptying unpredictable, a person's blood glucose levels can be erratic and difficult to control.
Major Causes of Gastroparesis
Gastroparesis is most often caused by
- postviral syndromes
- anorexia nervosa
- surgery on the stomach or vagus nerve
- medications, particularly anticholinergics and narcotics (drugs that slow contractions in the intestine)
- gastroesophageal reflux disease (rarely)
- smooth muscle disorders such as amyloidosis and scleroderma
- nervous system diseases, including abdominal migraine and Parkinson's disease
- metabolic disorders, including hypothyroidism
Adapted and excerpted from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health.
Reviewed by Francine Kaufman, MD. 01/09
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