Gastroparesis

What is gastroparesis?

Gastroparesis is a stomach condition that occurs when the muscles lining your stomach work poorly or fail to function. These muscles normally contract to push food through your stomach, but if they don’t work correctly, food stays in your stomach or leaves at a slower pace.

People with diabetes have a high risk of developing gastroparesis. The condition can also occur if you take certain medications, including opioid pain relievers, antidepressants, or medicine for high blood pressure or allergies. In some cases, the underlying cause can’t be determined.

What symptoms occur due to gastroparesis?

The most common symptoms of gastroparesis are:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Heartburn
• Abdominal bloating
• Abdominal pain
• Feeling full after eating a small amount
• Loss of appetite
• Unexplained weight loss

Gastroparesis often causes severe nausea and vomiting that can’t be controlled with the usual medications. It can also lead to malnutrition and makes it hard to control blood sugar levels.

How is gastroparesis diagnosed?

After reviewing your medical history and completing a physical exam, your provider runs one or more diagnostic tests, like:

Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (EGD)

Your provider uses a slim, flexible endoscope to view the inside of your stomach.

Gastric emptying test (GET)

One GET tracks the movement of food through your stomach after you eat a light meal containing a small amount of radioactive material.

Gastroduodenal manometry

Gastroduodenal manometry shows muscle contractions by testing the pressure changes in your stomach and upper intestine as you digest food.

Electrogastrography (EGG)

Your provider places electrodes on your abdomen that pick up electrical activity in your stomach.

How is gastroparesis treated?

Treating gastroparesis begins with dietary intervention and medication to stimulate muscles or control nausea and vomiting. If your symptoms don’t improve, the next step is neurostimulation.

Dr. Schumacher specializes in advanced neurostimulation using a medical device called the Enterra™ Therapy system from Enterra Medical™ in Excelsior, Minnesota. Neurostimulation uses mild electrical pulses to stimulate the muscles in your lower stomach, forcing them to contract and push food out of your stomach.

Dr. Schumacher implants the Enterra Therapy neurostimulator under the skin in your lower abdomen. He also places lead wires in the stomach wall and connects them to the pulse generator. The neurostimulator sends pulses through the leads to the muscle.

Dr. Schumacher uses a hand-held programmer to adjust the device and customize your stimulation level. He can also turn off the stimulation if you experience side effects.

Don’t wait to get help for gastroparesis. Call Ohio Bariatrics and Laparoscopy or book a consultation online today.