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  #9 (permalink)  
Old 07-04-2008, 10:45 PM
jacobsam622's Avatar
jacobsam622 jacobsam622 is offline
Senior Member
I am a: Type 2
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Mind -Langhorne PA Heart - The Shenandoah Valley
Posts: 635
Here is some info

What causes gastroparesis?
The most common cause of gastroparesis is diabetes. People with diabetes have high blood glucose, also called blood sugar, which in turn causes chemical changes in nerves and damages the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients to the nerves. Over time, high blood glucose can damage the vagus nerve.

Some other causes of gastroparesis are

surgery on the stomach or vagus nerve
viral infections
anorexia nervosa or bulimia
medications—anticholinergics and narcotics—that slow contractions in the intestine
gastroesophageal reflux disease
smooth muscle disorders, such as amyloidosis and scleroderma
nervous system diseases, including abdominal migraine and Parkinson’s disease
metabolic disorders, including hypothyroidism
Many people have what is called idiopathic gastroparesis, meaning the cause is unknown and cannot be found even after medical tests.

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What are the symptoms of gastroparesis?
Signs and symptoms of gastroparesis are

heartburn
pain in the upper abdomen
nausea
vomiting of undigested food—sometimes several hours after a meal
early feeling of fullness after only a few bites of food
weight loss due to poor absorption of nutrients or low calorie intake
abdominal bloating
high and low blood glucose levels
lack of appetite
gastroesophageal reflux
spasms in the stomach area
Eating solid foods, high-fiber foods such as raw fruits and vegetables, fatty foods, or drinks high in fat or carbonation may contribute to these symptoms.

The symptoms of gastroparesis may be mild or severe, depending on the person. Symptoms can happen frequently in some people and less often in others. Many people with gastroparesis experience a wide range of symptoms, and sometimes the disorder is difficult for the physician to diagnose.

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How is gastroparesis diagnosed?
After performing a full physical exam and taking your medical history, your doctor may order several blood tests to check blood counts and chemical and electrolyte levels. To rule out an obstruction or other conditions, the doctor may perform the following tests:

Upper endoscopy. After giving you a sedative to help you become drowsy, the doctor passes a long, thin tube called an endoscope through your mouth and gently guides it down the throat, also called the esophagus, into the stomach. Through the endoscope, the doctor can look at the lining of the stomach to check for any abnormalities.

Ultrasound. To rule out gallbladder disease and pancreatitis as sources of the problem, you may have an ultrasound test, which uses harmless sound waves to outline and define the shape of the gallbladder and pancreas.

Barium x ray. After fasting for 12 hours, you will drink a thick liquid called barium, which coats the stomach, making it show up on the x ray. If you have diabetes, your doctor may have special instructions about fasting. Normally, the stomach will be empty of all food after 12 hours of fasting. Gastroparesis is likely if the x ray shows food in the stomach. Because a person with gastroparesis can sometimes have normal emptying, the doctor may repeat the test another day if gastroparesis is suspected.

Gastroparesis
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