![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.flushinghospital.org\/newsletter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/GettyImages-852688676.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nGastroparesis, also known as\ndelayed gastric emptying, is a known complication of both the type 1 and type 2\nforms of diabetes. It occurs because high\nblood glucose levels associated with diabetes often leads to nerve damage\nthroughout the body. One such nerve is\nthe vagus nerve. It controls the movement of food from the stomach into the\nsmall intestine. When it is damaged, food cannot move as quickly through the digestive\nsystem because the stomach muscles aren\u2019t working well or stop working\ncompletely. When undigested food remains\nin the stomach for too long it can lead to a variety of problems such as bacterial\novergrowth and the build-up of hardened, solid masses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is estimated at as many\nas 50% of all people living with diabetes develop some level of gastroparesis\nduring their lifetime, but symptoms can vary greatly from person to person. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The most common symptoms\nassociated with diabetic gastroparesis include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Nausea\nafter eating<\/li>
- Vomiting\nafter eating<\/li>
- Fullness\nafter eating small amount of food<\/li>
- Bloating<\/li>
- Pain\nin the upper section of your stomach<\/li>
- Lack\nof appetite<\/li>
- Heartburn<\/li>
- Unexplained\nweight loss<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Diabetic gastroparesis can\naffect lead to many complications including dehydration and malnutrition. It\ncan also make it hard for someone with diabetes to manage their blood sugar\nlevels as well as maintain a healthy weight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unfortunately, there is no\ncure for gastroparesis, but there are some medications that have shown\ntemporary relief. There are also some alternative food delivery methods\navailable, such as feeding tubes and IV nutritional therapy for those with\nsevere symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The best way to reduce the\nsymptoms of diabetic gastroparesis involves adjusting your lifestyle through: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Maintaining\na low fat \/ low fiber diet<\/li>
- Drinking\nplenty of water<\/li>
- Reducing\nstress levels<\/li>
- Quitting\nsmoking<\/li>
- Avoiding\nalcohol and carbonated beverages<\/li>
- Eating\nsmall meals and chewing your food slowly<\/li>
- Taking\nwalks after meals<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
It is also recommended that you talk to your doctor about any medications you are taking as they can also worsen gastroparesis symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you would like to make an appointment with a diabetes specialist at Flushing Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center,<\/a> please call 718-670-5486. <\/p>\n
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.<\/strong> <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Nausea and vomiting are two unpleasant feelings that most everyone has encountered at some point in their life, but for many diabetics, these are symptoms that they live with every day as a result of a condition known as diabetic … Continue reading