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A complete guide to the symptoms of gastroparesis and getting diagnosed
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The vagus nerve, also called the 10th cranial nerve and the X cranial, is the most complex of the cranial nerves. The vagus nerve is responsible for telling your stomach muscles to contract when you eat so you can digest your food. When it's not working, it can lead to a condition called gastroparesis, which is when your stomach empties more slowly than it should. [1] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source To tell if your vagus nerve is damaged, watch for symptoms of gastroparesis, and then talk to your doctor, who may order diagnostic tests for you.
Things You Should Know
- Nausea, vomiting, slow digestion, heartburn, low appetite, weight loss, and bloating are all symptoms of gastroparesis.
- Go to the doctor if you experience more than one symptom at once for more than a week. Gastroparesis can cause serious dehydration.
- Get an official diagnosis if necessary. Typically, this will involve an X-ray test or a gastric emptying study.
Steps
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Notice if it’s taking longer for food to go through your system. Gastroparesis prevents food from moving through your body at a regular pace. If you notice you’re not going to the bathroom as frequently, it could be a sign that you have gastroparesis. [2] X Trustworthy Source Johns Hopkins Medicine Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital Go to source
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Pay attention to nausea and vomiting. Nausea and vomiting are common symptoms of gastroparesis. Because your stomach is not emptying as it should, the food is just sitting there, which makes you nauseous. In fact, when you vomit, you may notice the food hasn't been digested at all. [3] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- This symptom will likely be a daily occurrence.
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Notice heartburn. Heartburn is also a common symptom of this disease. Heartburn is a burning sensation in the chest and throat, caused by acid coming back up from your stomach. You'll likely have this symptom regularly. [4] X Trustworthy Source Johns Hopkins Medicine Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital Go to source
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Check if your appetite is low. This disease can decrease your appetite, as the food you eat isn't being digested properly. That means that new food has nowhere to go, so you won't feel as hungry. In fact, you may feel full after a few bites when you do eat. [5] X Trustworthy Source National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Health information from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, a division of the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
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Watch for weight loss. Because you won't want to eat as much, you may lose weight. Plus, your stomach isn't digesting the food as it should, so you're not getting the nutrients you need to fuel your body and help you keep weight on. [6] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source
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Look for pain and bloating in your stomach. Because food sits in your stomach longer than it should, you may experience the feeling of being bloated. Similarly, this condition can also give you a stomachache. [7] X Trustworthy Source National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Health information from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, a division of the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
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Be aware in blood sugar changes if you're a diabetic. This disease is common in type 1 and type 2 diabetics. If you notice your blood sugar readings are more erratic than normal, that could also be a symptom of this issue. [8] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
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Visit the doctor if you notice a combination of symptoms. Make an appointment to see your doctor if you notice these symptoms together for more than a week, as this disease can have serious complications. It can lead to you becoming dehydrated or malnourished, as your body isn't getting what it needs through digestion. [9] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source
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Make a list of your symptoms. Whenever you go to the doctor, it's a good idea to make a list of your symptoms. Write down the symptoms you've been having and when, so your doctor can get a good idea of what's going on with you. Plus, it will help you remember everything you need to when you get to the doctor's office. [10] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source
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Expect a physical examination and diagnostic tests. The doctor will ask you questions about your medical history, as well as give you a physical exam. They will likely feel your stomach and use a stethoscope to listen to the area. They may also do imaging studies to help figure out what’s causing your symptoms. [11] X Trustworthy Source National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Health information from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, a division of the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
- Bring up any risk factors, which include diabetes and abdominal surgery. Other risk factors include hypothyroidism, infections, nerve disorders, and scleroderma.
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Be ready for an endoscopy or X-rays. The doctor will likely order these tests first to make sure you don't have a stomach blockage. A stomach blockage can cause symptoms that are similar to gastroparesis. [12] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- For an endoscopy, your doctor will use a tiny camera on a flexible tube. You'll first be given a sedative and likely a throat-numbing spray. The tube will be threaded down the back of your throat and into your esophagus and upper digestive tract. The camera will help your doctor see what's going on more directly than they can with an X-ray. [13] X Trustworthy Source University of California San Francisco Health Center Research hospital associated with UCSF, a leading medical university, providing innovative patient care and public health resources Go to source
- You may also receive a similar test called an esophageal manometry test to measure stomach contractions. In this case, the tube will be inserted through your nose and left in for 15 minutes. [14] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
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Expect a gastric emptying study. If the doctor doesn't see a blockage in the other tests, they'll likely order this study. This test is a bit more interesting. You'll eat something (such as a an egg sandwich) that has a low dose of radiation. Then the doctor will look at how long it takes you to digest it by using an imaging machine. [15] X Trustworthy Source University of California San Francisco Health Center Research hospital associated with UCSF, a leading medical university, providing innovative patient care and public health resources Go to source
- Typically, you'll get a diagnosis of gastroparesis if half the food is still in your stomach after an hour to an hour and a half.
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Ask about an ultrasound. An ultrasound will help the doctor detect if some other issue is causing your symptoms. Particularly, they will look at how well your kidneys and gallbladder are functioning with this test. [16] X Trustworthy Source National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Health information from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, a division of the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
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Be ready for an electrogastrogram. If the doctor is having a hard time explaining your symptoms, you'll likely have this test done. Basically, it's a way of listening to your stomach for an hour. They'll put electrodes on the outside of your belly. You must have an empty stomach for this test. [17] X Trustworthy Source University of California San Francisco Health Center Research hospital associated with UCSF, a leading medical university, providing innovative patient care and public health resources Go to source
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Tips
- The most common treatments for this condition are medications and lifestyle changes. Your doctor will likely put you on medications to stimulate your stomach muscles, as well as a medications to help you with the nausea and vomiting.Thanks
- In severe cases, you may need a feeding tube. The feeding tube will not be permanent; rather, you'll only need it when the condition is at its worst. Often, you'll have periods where things get better for a while, and then you won't need it.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/gastroparesis/
- ↑ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/gastroparesis
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15522-gastroparesis
- ↑ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/gastroparesis
- ↑ https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/gastroparesis/symptoms-causes
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000297.htm
- ↑ https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/gastroparesis/symptoms-causes
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/gastroparesis-overview
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/gastroparesis/
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/gastroparesis/
- ↑ https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/gastroparesis/diagnosis
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/gastroparesis-overview
- ↑ https://www.ucsfhealth.org/conditions/gastroparesis/diagnosis.html
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/esophageal-manometry-test
- ↑ https://www.ucsfhealth.org/conditions/gastroparesis/diagnosis.html
- ↑ https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/gastroparesis/diagnosis
- ↑ https://www.ucsfhealth.org/conditions/gastroparesis/diagnosis.html
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