Treatments

Gastroparesis Treatments

There is no cure for gastroparesis, but treatment can help you manage your symptoms. The specific treatment depends on the underlying cause of the condition and the severity of the symptoms. Treatment may include:

• Lifestyle changes:
  • Eating five or six small meals a day
  • Eating slowly
  • Remaining upright after eating
  • Taking a walk after eating
  • Avoiding food that’s high in fat and fiber
  • Eating pureed food
  • Controlling stress and anxiety with behavior modification and other relaxation techniques
  • Stopping smoking
• Medication: Your physician may change your medications that impact your symptoms or prescribe medication to manage nausea or speed up your digestive motility.
• Botox injection: Botox, a commercial name for botulinum toxin, can be injected into the stomach muscle to control spasms.
• Surgery: There are a number of surgical techniques for severe gastroparesis, including:
  • Gastric outlet myotomy: The muscles controlling the connection between the stomach and the duodenum are cut.
  • Jejunostomy: A feeding tube is inserted directly into your small intestine.
  • Gastric neurotransmitter (electric stimulation): A device is inserted in your stomach to stimulate digestion and emptying.
  • Gastric pacing: Electrodes implanted in your stomach stimulate muscle contractions
  • IV nutrition: Nutrients go into your bloodstream through a tube or port.