Diabetic gastroparesis is a complication of having uncontrolled or poorly controlled type 1 or type 2 diabetes. It happens when high blood sugar levels start affecting your stomach muscles and cells, causing problems with how food leaves your stomach.
When you have it, you’ll most likely have nausea. See a doctor if you have these symptoms and others like unexplained weight loss or weight gain, vomiting, and loss of appetite. Although there is no cure, treating high blood sugar levels, diligently taking other medicines your doctor recommends, and changing your diet and eating habits can help.
Controlling your blood sugar helps. Ask your doctor if you should change when and how often you use insulin, and check your sugar levels more often. There are many treatment options for diabetic gastroparesis.
Medications For some people with gastroparesis, medications can help. Metoclopramide (Reglan) is the only FDA-approved medication for gastroparesis. It makes your stomach muscles move, which helps food leave your stomach. It may also prevent nausea and vomiting.
Other medications that can ease gastroparesis symptoms include:
* Talk with your doctor about whether you should stop or change medications that might worsen gastroparesis.
* These include antidepressants, high blood pressure drugs, and certain diabetes treatments.
Procedures With a procedure called gastric electrical stimulation, a surgically implanted device sends brief, low-energy impulses to your stomach to help with nausea and vomiting. In extreme cases, you may need a feeding tube (also called a jejunostomy tube).
A surgeon will put a special tube through your abdominal wall directly into your small intestine. You “eat” specially made liquid meals through the tube instead of food going through your stomach.
When you have diabetes, one of the best ways to help control the symptoms of gastroparesis is to vary when and how you eat. Instead of three times a day, you can have six small meals. You’ll have less food in your stomach, so you won’t feel as full. It’ll be easier for the food to leave your stomach, too.
Also, pay attention to the texture of food. Liquids and things that are easy to digest are a good idea. For example, choose applesauce instead of whole apples. You can also try soups or pureeing your food.
Avoid foods that are high in fat, which can slow down digestion. Watch out for fiber, which takes longer for your body to process. Working with a dietitian to manage your diet can also help. They may recommend a plan that involves reducing how much fat you take to 25% to 30% of total calories and reducing your fiber intake to 15 grams for every 1,000 calories you have.
Some other tips include:
* Reducing your intake of fatty and high-fiber foods
* Eating easy-to-digest foods
* Having smaller meals more often
For more information on managing diabetic gastroparesis, schedule an appointment with Dr. Jane Smith at Michoes Medical Centre. Call us now at 555-1234 to learn more about how we can help.
Targeted CTA: Contact Michoes Medical Centre today to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards managing your diabetic gastroparesis.
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