GASTROPARESIS
What is Gastroparesis?
The term gastroparesis means paralysis of the stomach and it means that the stomach cannot empty itself of food in the normal way. The condition is linked to type 2 diabetes in the majority of cases.
People living with this condition have damaged nerves which means the digestive system is slower than it should be. When functioning normally, the vagus nerve tightens the stomach’s muscles helping food to move along the digestive tract. Gastroparesis occurs when this nerve is damaged (by diabetes or occasionally in other circumstances) and this prevents muscles in the intestines and stomach from functioning (which stops food from moving easily from the stomach to the intestines).
Patients typically present with reflux-like symptoms (heartburn/reflux/vomiting) but may also experience bloating, abdominal pain and persistent nausea. Loss of appetite and weight loss can also happen. For patients with diabetes, uncontrolled blood sugar is also common.
Diagnosing Gastroparesis
Gastroparesis commonly occurs alongside diabetes. A gastroenterologist will go through symptoms and medical history, as well as blood sugar level testing. If gastroparesis is suspected the specific test to diagnose the condition is a solid gastric emptying study.
The solid gastric emptying study determines how a meal passes through the body and the time it takes. The test involves eating a meal tagged with radioactive isotope. Images are taken of the stomach within two to four hours to analyse the progress of the meal.
Treating Gastroparesis
There are drugs which can help food pass through the digestive system more easily and others which help the muscles contract normally.
A newer alternative to medication is an endoscopic procedure Gastric Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy (G-POEM) which relaxes the pylorus (the opening from the stomach into the duodenum) and restores normal digestive function.
Why G-POEM?
Dr Haidry is one of a small number of specialists performing the pioneering G-POEM endoscopic procedure worldwide.
Dr Haidry is seeing great success in patients with gastroparesis who have seen complete symptom resolution as a result of G-POEM. To speak with Dr Haidry about if G-POEM is a suitable treatment option book an appointment.
Learn more about G-POEM here.
Get In Touch
For any enquiries about conditions, tests or treatments, please feel free to call Dr Rehan Haidry’s medical secretary Debra Hyams on:
Tel: 0203 423 7609 | Email: rhaidrymedsec@ccf.org