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Gastroparesis literally means stomach paralysis. It occurs when the nerves in the stomach become damaged. It is frequently seen in diabetics who have had difficulty controlling their insulin levels. In some cases it appears after abdominal surgery. Most other cases are idiopathic, which means there is no known cause. Idiopathic gastroparesis is often blamed on viruses, but many times doctors have no explanation. Recent research has been looking for a link between estrogen and idiopathic gastroparesis, since a large majority of people with idiopathic gastroparesis are female. Symptoms of gastroparesis include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, weight loss, malnutrition, dehydration, bloating, early satiety, reflux, and anorexia. Patients with gastroparesis often choose not to eat since it will only make them sick. Gastroparesis is diagnosed through a gastric emptying test. This test involves eating a meal with a trace of radioactive material in it. The patient then lies under a camera for 90-120 minutes as it measures the rate at which the food empties. If there is a large amount of food left in the stomach at the end of the test, it is possible that the patient has gastroparesis. The doctor will make this diagnosis after all other possibilities for delayed emptying have been ruled out. These would include obstructions, tumors, and blockages. Gastroparesis is one of the most difficult gastrointestinal disorders to treat. There are a few medications available, including propulsid (recently removed from the market), erythromycin, and reglan. They provide some benefit to those who take them, but many patients can't tolerate them. Another drug that has not been approved in the U.S. yet is domperidone. It has few side effects. Many people with gastroparesis have to rely on nutritional support to keep them alive. Although it can lengthen the patient's life, it is not an ideal solution in the long run. There is no cure for gastroparesis. In the worst scenario, patients will opt to have their stomachs removed. The intestine is then attached to the esophagus and eventually develops a pouch which imitates the stomach. Currently research studies are being conducted on a stomach pacer. So far the results have been successful in some instances, but it is only available in small studies. Join my gastroparesis eGroup and meet many others with this disease. Please go to www.egroups.com/group/gastroparesis to sign up! Please click here to read my disclaimer.
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