Hi,
Changes in dietary habits are the mainstay.
Eat smaller meals more frequently
Chew food thoroughly
Eat well-cooked fruits and vegetables rather than raw fruits and vegetables
Avoid fibrous fruits and vegetables, such as oranges and broccoli, which may cause bezoars
Choose mostly low-fat foods, but if you can tolerate them, add small servings of fatty foods to your diet
Try soups and pureed foods if liquids are easier for you to swallow
Drink about 34 to 51 ounces (1 to 1.5 liters) of water a day
Exercise gently after you eat, such as going for a walk
Avoid carbonated drinks, alcohol and smoking
Try to avoid lying down for 2 hours after a meal
Take a
multivitamin daily
Medications to treat
gastroparesis may include:
Medications to stimulate the stomach muscles. These medications include
metoclopramide (Reglan) and
erythromycin (Eryc, E.E.S.). Metoclopramide has a risk of serious side effects. Erythromycin may lose its effectiveness over time, and can cause side effects, such as diarrhea.
Domperidone has fewer side effects
Medications to control nausea and vomiting. Drugs that help ease nausea and vomiting include
prochlorperazine (Compro) and
diphenhydramine (Benadryl, Unisom). A class of medications that includes ondansetron (Zofran) is sometimes used to help nausea and vomiting.
Some people with gastroparesis may be unable to tolerate any food or liquids. In these situations, doctors may recommend a feeding tube (jejunostomy tube) be placed in the
small intestine. Or doctors may recommend a gastric venting tube to help relieve pressure from gastric contents.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. AJEET SINGH, General & Family Physician