How Is Gastroparesis Treated?

We’ve already discussed many things about gastroparesis. Still, we’d like to go into more detail about a few questions our patients ask us at the Tampa Bay Reflux Center: is gastroparesis curable, what is the first-line treatment for gastroparesis, and how do you get rid of gastroparesis fast? To recap, gastroparesis is a condition in which the stomach does not empty fast enough and/or not enough stomach acid is produced to properly digest food.

Is Gastroparesis Curable?

While we may understand most of what causes gastroparesis, no set treatment plan works for everyone. Furthermore, a treatment regimen - one that may work for someone for a while - may not stay effective in the long run. Your doctor will work with you to find a single or combination of treatments that help to reduce your symptoms as much as possible.

How Do You Get Rid of Gastroparesis Fast?

One of the simplest, quickest ways to combat gastroparesis is to change your eating habits. Patients with gastroparesis may find that eating smaller meals more often significantly reduces or eliminates their gastro symptoms. Some other tips (such as eating more low-fiber, low-fat foods, cooking food thoroughly so that it is soft, and drinking plenty of water with a meal) help as well. Here are a few more tips to help you stay healthy with gastroparesis:

• Chew food thoroughly

• Have more soups and purees

• Avoid carbonated drinks

• Avoid alcoholic beverages

• Stay upright for at least two hours before bedtime

• Take a multivitamin to help combat the nutrition you are missing

What Is the First-Line Treatment for Gastroparesis?

Aside from lifestyle changes, your other options are medication and surgery. The G-POEM Procedure (endoscopic) and surgical pyloroplasty (nonendoscopic) are two of your surgical options, while medication may include:

• Pain medication

• Some antidepressants (they reduce nausea)

• Domperidone

• Metoclopramide

• Antiemetics

• Erythromycin

Other treatments for gastroparesis include getting nutrients into the body that bypass the stomach – the source of all the problems. Feeding tubes can be fed directly into the jejunum (the first part of the small intestine), and patients can even be given nutrients through IV if absolutely necessary. Some patients may also find that a “vent” in their stomach effectively relieves pressure if food stays in the stomach too long. Talk to your doctor about which treatment method is right for you.

Gastroparesis Treatment in Tampa Bay

If you think you might be struggling with gastroparesis, first get in touch with your primary care provider. They can help you determine the difference between GERD, achalasia, and other conditions that might look and feel like gastroparesis. If your doctor suspects gastroparesis, they will order a gastric emptying study. If you are diagnosed with this condition, you will be referred to a reflux or gastric specialist. If you would like to see someone right in Tampa Bay, get in touch with our office about directing your referral to us.