August is Gastroparesis Awareness Month

Gastroparesis Awareness Month takes place every August, and it was established in 2016 by the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD). The foundation plays a vital role in supporting the gastroparesis community by promoting awareness, facilitating education, and encouraging research efforts. The primary objective of this initiative is to educate the public about gastroparesis symptoms, causes, and available treatment options.

Raising awareness about gastroparesis is crucial because its symptoms are often common and easily mistaken for other medical conditions, leading to delayed or inappropriate medical treatment. As a result, affected individuals experience various gastrointestinal issues, impacting their physical activity and overall quality of life. By shedding light on this condition, we aim to improve understanding and support for those living with gastroparesis, enabling them to seek timely medical attention and access appropriate care.

History of Gastroparesis Awareness Month

Gastroparesis Awareness Month takes place in August. This awareness initiative was first listed on the United States National Health Observances Calendar in 2016. It is sponsored by the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders. The observance aims to focus attention on treatment, diagnosis, and general health issues associated with this poorly understood condition. Gastroparesis prevents the stomach from properly passing food into the small intestine.

Gastroparesis — also known as delayed gastric emptying — is a medical condition characterized by weak muscular contractions of the stomach (peristalsis). This results in food and liquid remaining in the stomach for long periods. As a result, stomach contents move more slowly into the duodenum of the digestive tract. This can lead to poor nutrient absorption and poor glycemic control.

Gastroparesis has symptoms ranging from life-limiting to life-threatening. Some people call it having a paralyzed stomach: ‘gastro’ means stomach, and ‘paresis’ means paralysis. Symptoms typically appear during or after a meal and can appear abruptly or gradually. Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, feeling full while eating, early satiety, heartburn, and abdominal bloating are all symptoms.

Barium beefsteak meals, radioisotope gastric-emptying scans, barium swallow x-rays, gastric manometry, and esophagogastroduodenoscopy are all used to make a diagnosis. Dietary changes, treatments to stimulate gastric emptying, medications to reduce vomiting, and surgical approaches are all part of the treatment.

Understanding Gastroparesis: Navigating the Challenges

Gastroparesis occurs when the stomach takes too long to empty food, known as delayed gastric emptying. It can also lead to other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and feeling easily full. For those living with this condition, the journey can be daunting, marked by episodes of nausea, vomiting, bloating, and abdominal pain. Gastroparesis often poses limitations on physical activity and can significantly impact a person's overall quality of life.

What are the Symptoms of Gastroparesis?

The symptoms of gastroparesis can range from mild to severe. They occur more often in some people than others. The symptoms of gastroparesis can include:

• upper abdominal pain
• nausea
• vomiting
• loss of appetite
• bloating
• feeling full
• malnutrition
• unintended weight loss

What causes Gastroparesis?

While the exact cause of gastroparesis isn’t known, it’s thought to have something to do with disrupted nerve signals in the stomach.

It’s believed that when the nerves to the stomach become affected by a variety of factors, food can move through it too slowly.

Other problems, such as the stomach being overly sensitive to signals from the nervous system and the stomach not being able to react to a meal, are also believed to have a role in this condition.

Most types of gastroparesis fit into one of these categories:

• idiopathic, or unknown
• diabetes-related
• postsurgical

Nearly 36 percent of gastroparesis cases aren’t linked to an identifiable cause. This is known as idiopathic. Many times this condition occurs after a viral illness, but it’s not fully understood.

Surgeries that involve the stomach or other digestive organs can also change signals to the stomach. About 13 percent of people with gastroparesis have the type known as postsurgical.

Diabetic Gastroparesis

A common cause of damage to the nervous system that affects the digestion is diabetes, specifically diabetes that isn’t well-controlled.

This is because high blood sugar can damage nerves over time, including the vagus nerve, which controls the movement of food through the digestive system.

Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels by making changes to your diet and lifestyle is an effective way to help control symptoms of gastroparesis for people with diabetes.

Who are at risk of developing Gastroparesis?

Other health conditions are also associated with gastroparesis but are less common. These include:

• viral infections
• some cancers
• cystic fibrosis
• Parkinson’s disease
• autoimmune diseases
• amyloidosis, a condition that causes an abnormal protein buildup in organs
• medications that make the stomach empty more slowly
• thyroid disorders

What are the Complications of Gastroparesis?

The symptoms associated with gastroparesis, such as vomiting and decreased appetite, can cause dehydration and malnutrition. Dehydration and malnutrition can cause numerous problems, including:

• electrolyte imbalances
• decreased blood pressure
• increased heartbeat
• rapid breathing
• decreased urine output
• a weakened immune system
• poor wound healing
• muscle weakness

Since gastroparesis causes food to stay in the stomach for too long, it can also cause an overgrowth of bacteria. The food can also harden into masses called bezoars that cause nausea, vomiting, and obstruction in the stomach.

Managing blood glucose levels is essential for people with diabetes. Gastroparesis can make it harder to manage those levels. Other medications stimulate the stomach muscles and help with digestion. These include:

• metoclopramide (Reglan)
• erythromycin (EES)
• domperidone (Motilin)
• However, these drugs can cause side effects. Talk with your doctor to weigh the pros and cons of each medication to find out which one is right for you.

How is Gastroparesis diagnosed?

Your doctor will perform a physical exam and ask you questions about your medical history. In order to rule out other possible causes of your symptoms, your doctor will probably want to run some tests. These might include:

• An ultrasound. Ultrasounds use sound waves to create an image of your organs. It can be used to rule out liver disease, pancreatitis, and gallbladder disease.
• Blood tests. Blood tests can check for diabetes and other conditions.
• An upper endoscopy. In an upper endoscopy procedure, your doctor guides a long, thin scope down your esophagus and into your stomach to check for blockages in the stomach and other conditions.

Once your doctor has ruled out other possible causes of your symptoms, they’ll order tests to evaluate how well your stomach empties. These tests can include a:

• Gastric Emptying Scintigraphy Test. A gastric emptying scan involves eating a small amount of food with a harmless radioactive substance so your doctor can see how fast food is being digested and emptied from your stomach.
• SmartPill. A SmartPill is a capsule that contains a device to track how fast food moves through your digestive tract.
• Carbon Breath Test. In this test, carbon dioxide production is tracked through the digestive system.

Cure for Gastroparesis

Gastroparesis is a chronic condition and there is currently no known cure. However, symptoms can be managed effectively for many people using a combination of treatments, including medications, surgical procedures, and diet and lifestyle changes.

How is Gastroparesis Treated?

If your gastroparesis is caused by a condition like diabetes, the first step is to improve control of that underlying condition. After that, your doctor may recommend medications, diet changes, and even surgery in some cases.

Medication

Your doctor may prescribe  one or more medications to treat your gastroparesis. Medications to control nausea and vomiting caused by gastroparesis can include:

• prochlorperazine (Compro)
• ondansetron (Zofran)
• promethazine (Phenergan)

Surgery

If your malnutrition or vomiting remains an issue even with the use of medications, your doctor may decide surgery is necessary. The goal of surgery for gastroparesis is to help your stomach empty more effectively. A stomach stimulator known as a GES (gastric electrical stimulator) can be implanted into the stomach. This device is FDA-approved for use if medications don’t work.

One study of 33 people showed that in the first year after this surgery, up to 97 percent of people with a GES have less nausea and vomiting and are able to gain weight. The device may also improve life expectancy related to gastroparesis.

Diet changes

Seeing a dietitian — an expert on food and nutrition — is a common part of treatment for gastroparesis. A dietitian can suggest foods that your body can digest more easily, allowing your body to absorb more nutrients. Your dietitian might make suggestions, including:

• eating four to six meals per day
• drinking high-calorie liquids
• limiting alcohol and carbonated beverages
• taking a daily multivitamin, if tolerated
• limiting certain meats and dairy
• eating well-cooked vegetables and fruit to lower the amount of fiber they contain
• eating mostly low-fat foods
• avoiding high-fiber foods, like broccoli and oranges
• not lying down for bed immediately after a meal
• substituting solid foods for puréed or liquid foods

A change in diet could be preferable to taking medication, as medicine tends to have undesirable side effects. If you have a severe case of gastroparesis, you might not be able to eat solid foods and drink liquids. In this case, you may need a feeding tube until your condition improves.

Empowering Change Through Awareness

During this significant month, we aim to raise awareness and encourage organizations and individuals to:

Educate

Through awareness campaigns, blog posts, and informative content, we strive to increase public knowledge about gastroparesis. Recognizing the symptoms, causes, and available treatment options is vital for early diagnosis and improved patient outcomes.

Advocate

Gastroparesis Awareness Month calls for advocacy on behalf of those living with the condition. By amplifying the voices of patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals, we aim to create a more compassionate and supportive environment for all.

Empower

Empowerment lies at the heart of this awareness month. We seek to empower individuals affected by gastroparesis to seek proper medical attention, connect with support networks, and lead fulfilling lives despite the challenges they may face.

Spreading Compassion and Support

Gastroparesis is often misunderstood, and its symptoms can be confused with other medical conditions, leading to delayed or misdiagnosed treatment. By raising awareness, we strive to bridge this knowledge gap and create a more informed community, reducing the burden on those living with the condition.

Sotera Digital Health stands in solidarity with the gastroparesis community. As advocates for positive change and compassionate healthcare, we are committed to supporting initiatives that promote understanding and empowerment. Together, let's make a difference during Gastroparesis Awareness Month. Share this blog post to spread knowledge, extend support, and foster a world where those affected by gastroparesis can thrive and live life to the fullest.