Gastroparesis Awareness

Articles

Aug 1

It is vital that our digestive system function properly. However, there are many conditions which affect the digestive system and can cause problems. Our stomach muscles move and process the food we eat. When this movement doesn’t function appropriately, it prevents your stomach from removing the contents of it and emptying, which is a condition called gastroparesis. It is often thought of as a paralysis of stomach muscles, but in fact, is related to both muscular and neuromuscular problems. Gastroparesis can occur in children, and it is important to spread knowledge about what it is, how to recognize it, and how to manage it.

What is Gastroparesis?

Obstruction in our digestive system can happen for many different reasons. Kids can experience issues with gastric emptying due to hypothyroidism or diabetes, infection, medication side-effects, or inflammation. Although these things can result in the same symptoms as gastroparesis, it is important to know the difference. When none of these factors exist, gastroparesis is the likely diagnosis. In children, gastroparesis often occurs alongside another condition such as irritable bowel syndrome, functional dyspepsia, cyclical vomiting, or gastroesophageal reflex disease.

It is unknown what causes gastroparesis. Because it is considered to be both a muscular and neuromuscular disorder, things such as antral hypomobility or psychological disturbance may contribute to the disorder. Most often, gastroparesis occurs alongside diabetes.

Symptoms of Gastroparesis

Although it can be difficult to characterize, there are some symptoms of gastroparesis that can be recognized. If you notice your child is unable to finish most of their meals or express that they feel full after only eating a small amount of food, it may be an alert of the presence of gastroparesis. Another indication is when infants or children exhibit difficulty feeding. Abdominal bloating and swelling shortly after eating is another symptom. Feelings of nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, weight loss, and indigestions are all potentially symptoms of this disorder. Children may feel nauseous following a meal and vomit hours later, which is an indication of gastroparesis. Any of these symptoms can also lead children to develop a fear of eating due to the discomfort related to it.

Any of these symptoms could be an indication of something entirely unrelated to gastroparesis and occur quite commonly. Identifying gastroparesis can sometimes be challenging.

Managing Gastroparesis

Once your child is diagnosed with gastroparesis, you will have a better understanding of the severity of the condition, which will help you better understand how to manage it. Generally, specialists will perform a test to measure the rate of gastric emptying to determine a course of treatment. Every case is different, therefore every treatment plan is different.

Usually treatment will involve a combination of medication, managing diet, and other forms of therapy such as occupational therapy.

Medication

A variety of medications may be used and can often provide some a minimal amount of relief to a moderate amount. Usually a treatment plan will include a combination of medications depending on the individual.

Managing Diet

Paying attention to your child’s nutrition is an important element of managing gastroparesis. Children should eat smaller meals throughout the day, and stay sitting upright after eating. Avoiding foods which are high in fat or high in fiber can help prevent the stomach from emptying slowly. Adopting what is referred to as the low-FODMAP diet can help alleviate symptoms. It stands for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols. Most of us are unfamiliar with these groups of carbohydrates, but they are often the culprit of gastrointestinal pain and symptoms such as gas or bloating. These carbohydrates are common, found in foods with lactose (dairy) and fructose (fruit), as well as legumes, garlic, onion, honey, wheat, rye, and a variety of vegetables. All of these types of food are fermentable. Avoiding them can have a positive impact on digestive health.

Other Therapeutic Treatments

In many cases, children with gastroparesis will receive cognitive behavioral therapy, learn relaxation techniques, or engage in stress management with an occupational therapist. Because the disorder involves neuromuscular issues, these therapies can be a critical component of treatment.

A combination of these methods can alleviate symptoms and help children to lead a life with the highest level of independence and good health possible. It is common for symptoms of gastroparesis to persist into adulthood, as the condition does not currently have a designated cure. With effective management, however, children can lead fulfilling, typical lives without major interference.

If your child has been diagnosed with gastroparesis, work with the team at Tilton’s Therapy. Our occupational therapists can provide treatment options and work with children to develop their ability to manage stress and promote relaxation. In addition to behavioral therapy, speech therapists can assist children in developing heathy eating habits and young children or infants with feeding therapy. Our therapists serve areas in Northern and Southern Nevada, Oregon, and Hawaii currently and are accepting new patients.

Looking for additional resources to help your family stay healthy and happy? Read about each month’s awareness efforts to help promote understanding in your community or get free activities you can do at home with your children.