Overview
In diabetes patients, the stomach problems and gastroparesis problems
are reduced with dietary changes. A gastroparesis is a progressive disorder
which causes the food to remain in the stomach for prolonged periods of time
and this condition is known as delayed gastric emptying. This disorder stems
from the damage to the nerves that run through the digestive tract thereby
these muscles do not work as they would normally due to which the food remains
in the stomach undigested.
Gastroparesis is a common disorder in patients with type 2 diabetes and
those who have been diagnosed with high uncontrolled glucose levels for a long
time which will lead to nerve damage resulting in this disorder. Since this is
progressive, you may not even realize you have the condition as many of the
early symptoms resemble other conditions.
The symptoms include nausea, heartburn, early fullness after eating a
small meal, vomiting of undigested food, loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach
spasms, bloating, glucose levels which are hard to stabilize and acid reflux.
Study: Stomach problems in
diabetes patients reduced with dietary changes
The stomach problems due to diabetes can be reduced with dietary
changes. About 35% of diabetes patients suffer from gastroparesis and the
researchers at the University of Gothenburg have found that the dietary changes
are able to reduce the symptoms due to this disorder.
In this study, 56 diabetics with gastroparesis participated and they
were piut on a small particle diet that falls apart such as a boiled potato
when mashed with a fork and other examples such as thin soups, fish gratin,
meat loaf, etc. They experienced significant relief from the symptoms of
gastroparesis as compared to those who stuck with a traditional diabetes diet
that focused on large food particles.
Eating and the resulting symptoms can be very anxiety producing for the
gastroparesis patients. The participants who were put on a small particle diet
experienced reduced anxiety levels. The small particle food is directly related
to the stomach emptying. The researchers found that the patients on a small
particle food has rates of stomach emptying similar to those of the healthy
individuals since it leads to fewer hypoglycemic events which are easier to
manage and tremendous value to the patients.
A large particle food could be used for diagnosing gastroparesis with
the patients swalloing a special marker which can be followed through the
digestive tract. These two are easily accessible and help to reduce the number
of unknown gastroparesis cases which will help to reduce costs to the patients
and society in the form of medical treatments.
Diet for diabetes-related
gastroparesis
Here are some tips to keep in mind while adjusting the diet for diabetes
related gastroparesis:
- Eat the
vegetables cooked as opposed to raw
- Choose low-fat
foods such as low-fat yogurt, cottage cheese, egg whites, fruits, lean
meats and vegetables
- Consume plenty
of liquids
- Eat pureed foods
or soups to speed up digestion
- Follow a low
fiber diet and avoid the fibrous foods such as oranges or broccoli
- Drink homemade
ginger tea
- Avoid carbonated
beverages and alcohol
- Eat small
frequent meals throughout the day
- Ensure you chew
your food properly
- Choose foods
which are soft and easy to digest
- Eat probiotic
foods such as kefir or greek yogurt
- Avoid lying down
immediately after eating
- Avoid drinking
water during meals as it dilutes the stomach acids making the digestion
less effective
- Exercise gently
after each meal
- Apple cider
vinegar helps to relieve heartburn, bloating, abdominal pain and improve
digestion
- Consume aloe
vera to improve digestion and bowel regularity
- Coconut oil
contain the essential fatty chains which will help in digestion
Treatment options for diabetes-related
gastroparesis
The treatment options for the diabetes related gastroparesis are
medications which stimulate the stomach muscles and controls the nausea and
vomiting. In certain cases, surgery is required for treating the gastroparesis
if the patient is not able to tolerate food and liquids. Doctors will recommend
a feeding tube to be placed temporarily in the small intestine or a gastric
venting tube for relieving the pressure from gastric contents. Your doctor will
determine the best treatment depending on the severity of your condition.
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