Gastroparesis, or paralysis of the stomach, is commonly caused by diabetes. Diabetes damages the vagus nerve, which controls the contraction of the stomach during digestion. Contractions force emptying of stomach contents into the small intestine. According to an article "Digestion," an international journal of gastroenterology, 25 to 55 percent of Type 1 diabetics suffer gastroparesis, and 30 percent of Type 2 diabetics experience it. Symptomatic gastroparesis requires dietary changes.
Gastroparesis
This chronic disorder of delayed gastric emptying causes patients to experiences nausea, vomiting, bloating and feelings of fullness. Many of the symptoms of gastroparesis are nonspecific problems, which makes diagnosis difficult. Gastroparesis symptoms are graded on a scale of 1 to 3. Grade 1 gastroparesis is considered mild, with easily controlled symptoms. Grade 2 gastroparesis consists of moderate symptoms with partial control. Nutrition is maintained using medications and dietary changes Grade 3 gastroparesis with gastric failure occurs when symptoms are resistant to treatment and nutrition is compromised.
Dietary Changes
Milder forms of the disease may respond well to eating changes. Instead of two or three large meals a day, multiple small meals throughout the day may help. Plenty of fluids before, during and after meals can help move gastric contents into the small intestine, as liquids move quicker than solids. Low dietary fat also helps, because fat inhibits gastric emptying. Gastroparesis patients should avoid high-fiber diets to prevent the development of bezoars, a tightly packed collection of undigested material that can cause obstruction in the stomach. Solid food should be chewed well before it is swallowed.
Foods
Getting adequate nutrition is important to maintaining health and controlling blood sugars. The University of Virginia Health System recommends fat-free protein sources such as egg substitutes, nonfat cheese, nonfat milk, milk powder, high-protein broth, nonfat yogurt and nonfat cottage cheese. Since liquids are easier to digest, nutritionists recommend high-protein shakes, strained baby foods, smoothies, vegetable or tomato juice and liquid nutritional supplements.
Solid foods can be processed in a blender. Foods such as meat, fish, poultry or ham can be blended with sauces, broths, water, and gravy. Vegetables can be blended with water or tomato juice. Starches such as potatoes and pasta blended with soups, broth or water can provide carbohydrate nutrition. Mixed dishes such as lasagna, macaroni and cheese, spaghetti and chili are best consumed after mixing with some form of liquid and blended.
