For example, two uncontrolled cohort studies, including respectively 83 and 146 patients with GE test-proven gastroparesis, observed that 25% and 7% of patients died after 10 and 6 years of follow-up.
In general, gastroparesis isn't life-threatening. Some of the possible complications of gastroparesis can be life-threatening if they're very severe. These complications are related to malnutrition, dehydration, electrolyte imbalances and blood sugar fluctuations with diabetes.
The incidence of definite gastroparesis increased significantly with advancing age with a peak incidence of 10.5 per 100,000 in patients ≥60 years of age. The overall survival for gastroparesis patients is significantly reduced when compared to their age/gender-specific expected survival.
Certain medications, such as opioid pain relievers, some antidepressants, and high blood pressure and allergy medications, can lead to slow gastric emptying and cause similar symptoms. For people who already have gastroparesis, these medications may make their condition worse.
Diabetes is the most common known underlying cause of gastroparesis. Diabetes can damage nerves, such as the vagus nerve and nerves and special cells, called pacemaker cells, in the wall of the stomach. The vagus nerve controls the muscles of the stomach and small intestine.
Vomiting, which can result in the life-threatening conditions of dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, represents the most troubling of all the digestive symptoms related to gastroparesis. Repeated vomiting usually necessitates a visit to the emergency room.
Effects of Gastroparesis
Chronically delayed stomach emptying creates dramatic shifts in blood sugar levels and can cause dizziness, fatigue and nausea.
Can gastroparesis kill you? Gastroparesis is generally non-life-threatening, but the complications can be serious. They include malnutrition, dehydration, or a bezoar completely blocking the flow of food out of the stomach.
Gastroparesis was found to be associated with a decreased life expectancy compared to the general population, with an estimated mortality rate of 33% at 5 years.
Gastroparesis is a long-term condition that can impair quality of life and well-being. Living with gastroparesis affects not only those who suffer but also many others, especially family members and friends. It also touches on relationships in the classroom, in the workplace, or in social interactions.
Abstract. Gastroparesis (GP) is commonly seen in hospitalized patients. Refractory vomiting and related dehydration, electrolyte abnormalities, and malnutrition are indications for hospital admission.
Gastroparesis is a progressive disorder that has a long term course with no specific cure. However, several diet and medical treatments are available that can help control the symptoms and delay the progression of the condition to some extent while improving the quality of life of the patient.
Use hot cereals such as Cream of Wheat or rice, grits, instant quinoa or oat flakes. Add whole milk, cream, butter, coconut cream, rice milk, honey, molasses or premade protein shakes for extra calories.
People with gastroparesis are often able to digest these foods more easily than solid foods. Mash solid foods with a fork. This can make them easier to digest. Some foods that are easy to mash are peeled potatoes, ripe pears and peaches without skin, boiled eggs, and minced meats.
Gastroparesis can lead to weight loss and not getting enough nutrients (malnutrition). It's very important to follow your healthcare provider's diet instructions. In most cases you will be given a special diet.
The classic clinical picture of gastroparesis is a patient who is underweight and continues to lose weight due to their symptoms of early satiety, nausea and vomiting (2).
Eating a small piece of fresh ginger or drinking a cup of ginger tea may help relieve symptoms. Drinking peppermint or chamomile tea may also be beneficial. Placing a heating pad on the abdomen or taking a warm bath may also help reduce the pain associated with gastroparesis.
G-POEM is a less invasive alternative to pyloroplasty — a surgery to widen the pyloric sphincter. G-POEM works similar to the original POEM procedure performed on the valve between the esophagus and stomach to treat achalasia and related conditions.
Promising investigational pharmacologic therapies include relamorelin, prucalopride, and aprepitant. A novel endoscopic therapy is gastric peroral endoscopic pyloromyotomy, which is associated with improved gastric emptying.
Gastroparesis is often a debilitating disease associated with significant morbidity and mortality [36,37]. The most frequently reported symptoms are: early satiety, postprandial fullness, nausea-vomiting, bloating and upper abdominal pain [38].