Gastroparesis is a common complication of Diabetes. It is a type of diabetic neuropathy that affects the vagus nerve, a long nerve running from the brainstem to the colon and controls the movement of food through the digestive tract, along with other functions. If the vagus nerve is damaged, the muscles of the stomach and intestines do not work normally, and the movement of food is slowed or stopped.
What Happens in the Stomach?
After you eat, food is normally digested in the stomach by wave-like contractions that break down food into small particles. Enzymes and gastric acids from the inner lining of the stomach further dissolve these particles of food. The stomach contractions then push the food through the pyloric valve into the small intestine where food ultimately becomes a thin, watery mixture. At this point, nutrients from the food are absorbed into the bloodstream and converted to energy.
Digestion is a slow process. Depending on what you’ve eaten (fats take longer to break down), it can take food several hours to pass through your stomach and small intestine.
Stomach Paralysis
Gastroparesis translates to “stomach paralysis,” which is what can happen if the vagus nerve is damaged. Diabetes can damage the vagus nerve if blood sugar levels remain high for a prolonged period of time. High blood sugar causes chemical changes in nerves and damages the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients to the nerves. If the vagus nerve stops triggering stomach contractions, the food you eat does not get broken down and sits in the stomach with no where to go.
If food is not digested, bacteria can grow and cause infection, or the food can harden into solid masses called bezoars that may result in nausea and vomiting a few hours after you’ve finished eating.
Symptoms of gastroparesis can include:
- Heartburn
- Nausea
- Bloating
- Lack of appetite
- Weight loss
- Abdominal pain
Treating Gastroparesis
While fiber is typically good for your digestive health, that’s not always the case if you have gastorparesis. It takes a long time for fiber to break down in the stomach, so it’s best to avoid food high in fiber, such as whole grains and uncooked vegetables and fruit, until you recover. Instead, be sure to cook fruits and vegetables so they are soft and easily digestible. In addition, you should avoid fats, as they also take a long time to break down, and drink a lot of water.
Changing your diet and the frequency of meals can help alleviate Diabetes-related gastroparesis and prevent future occurrences. Eating five small meals a day, instead of three bigger ones, helps you feel fuller throughout the day, and smaller meals are easier to digest.
However, the single most important thing you can do to treat and prevent gastroparesis is to manage your blood sugar levels as well as possible. This can be especially challenging when you have gastroparesis because incomplete digestion and emptying of the stomach can result in fluctuating blood glucose levels that are hard to control.
If you suspect you have gastroparesis, tell your doctor immediately. Not only can the condition make your Diabetes harder to manage, but it can also make you pretty miserable. Your doctor will advise you how to treat your current episode and prevent future occurrences.
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