Diabetic Gastroparesis

Introduction: Diabetic Gastroparesis

Gastroparesis is a diabetic complication that occurs from neuropathy of the stomach nerve (called the "vagus nerve"). This causes digestive difficulties as the food starts to move too slowly through the stomach.

Symptoms of Diabetic Gastroparesis

• Mild early symptoms
• Nausea - especially if for prolonged periods (i.e. days)
• Vomiting
• Belching
• Feeling of fullness

See full list of 11 symptoms of Diabetic Gastroparesis

Home Diagnostic Testing

Home medical testing related to Diabetic Gastroparesis:

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• Home Kidney Tests
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Medical Textbooks Online about Diabetic Gastroparesis

Book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

Diagnostic Tests for Diabetic Gastroparesis

• Stomach emptying test - a radioactive meal that is tracked through your digestive tract.
• Barium x-ray
• Barium beefsteak meal
• Radioisotope gastric-emptying scan
• Gastric manometry

See full list of 10 diagnostic tests for Diabetic Gastroparesis

Wrongly Diagnosed with Diabetic Gastroparesis?

• Misdiagnosis of Diabetic Gastroparesis
• Underlying causes of Diabetic Gastroparesis (possibly wrongly diagnosed)

In-Depth Reports: Diagnosis and Misdiagnosis

Diabetes diagnosis and misdiagnosis (In-Depth Report): Although diabetes diagnosis is well-known to physicians, and a diabetes diagnosis is unlikely to be wholly incorrect, there are still some rare subtypes and less common diagnostic issues to consider. See also misdiagnosis of diabetes and Diabetes Diagnosis Report....read full report »

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Misdiagnosis and Diabetic Gastroparesis

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Read more about Misdiagnosis and Diabetic Gastroparesis

Causes of Diabetic Gastroparesis

• Type 1 diabetes
• Type 2 diabetes - though gastroparesis is less common than for Type 1 diabetes

Read more about causes of Diabetic Gastroparesis

More information about causes of Diabetic Gastroparesis:

• Medications, drugs, or substances causing Diabetic Gastroparesis (2 listings)
• Underlying causes of Diabetic Gastroparesis
• Diabetic Gastroparesis as a complication caused by other conditions
• Diabetic Gastroparesis as a symptom

Treatments for Diabetic Gastroparesis

• Diabetic blood sugar control
• Medications
  • Stomach contraction medications
  • Metoclopramide (Reglan)
  • Erythromycin - although an antibiotic, it also helps digestion

See full list of 15 treatments for Diabetic Gastroparesis

Videos for Diabetic Gastroparesis

Patient Surveys for Diabetic Gastroparesis

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Medical Guidebooks and Ebooks for Diabetic Gastroparesis

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Article Excerpts about Diabetic Gastroparesis

Gastroparesis is a disorder in which the stomach takes too long to empty its contents. Gastroparesis is most often a complication of type 1 diabetes. At least 20 percent of people with type 1 diabetes develop gastroparesis. It also occurs in people with type 2 diabetes, although less often.

Gastroparesis happens when nerves to the stomach are damaged or stop working. The vagus nerve controls the movement of food through the digestive tract. If the vagus nerve is damaged, the muscles of the stomach and intestines do not work normally, and the movement of food is slowed or stopped.

Diabetes can damage the vagus nerve if blood glucose (sugar) levels remain high over a long period of time. High blood glucose causes chemical changes in nerves and damages the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients to the nerves. (Source: excerpt from Gastroparesis and Diabetes: NIDDK)