The erratic intestinal spasms associated with irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, may delay the emptying of food from your stomach, a condition called gastroparesis. In gastroparesis, food sits undigested in the stomach for extended periods of time rather than passing directly into the small intestine. If your health care provider determines that IBS is causing your stomach to empty too slowly or too quickly, he may recommend dietary changes or prescribe medications to help your body process foods and liquids normally.
Digestive Patterns
Irregular, spasmodic activity in the muscles of your digestive tract characterize IBS, a functional gastrointestinal disorder. Although the exact cause of IBS is unknown, the disorder may be linked to heightened sensitivity in the intestinal nerves that control digestion. Increased, random movement in the small intestine after eating may cause the stomach to empty too slowly. This interruption in the normal passage of food and fluids from your stomach may result in upper abdominal pain, heartburn, nausea, vomiting or an abnormal sense of fullness after having eaten only a small amount.
Health Risks
Prolonged delays in digestion may cause your blood sugar to rise dramatically when the food you've consumed finally enters your digestive tract. This complication is especially dangerous to diabetics, who may have difficulty regulating their blood sugar levels. When food sits undigested for long periods of time, bacteria may grow in the stomach as the food ferments. Plant fiber from the foods you eat may form clumps called bezoars, which can block the opening from your stomach into your small intestine. The intestinal spasms that contribute to gastroparesis may also cause diarrhea, nausea, abdominal cramps and bloating in some people who suffer from IBS.
Dietary Modifications
Changes in your diet may help you manage gastroparesis and control the altered digestion and bowel patterns associated with IBS. Eating six small meals each day rather than three large meals may help food pass more easily through your stomach. By avoiding fatty foods, which slow digestion, and high-fiber foods, which are more difficult for the stomach to process, you may digest foods more efficiently. Your health care provider may prescribe medications to relieve nausea and vomiting and promote the muscular contractions that allow the stomach to empty. In severe cases of gastroparesis, your provider may order a liquid or pureed diet to allow nutrients to pass through your stomach until muscle function returns.
Alternative Causes
According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, vagus nerve damage caused by diabetes is the most common cause of gastroparesis. The vagus nerve controls the contractions of your stomach and intestinal muscles, enabling food and liquid to pass through your digestive system. Damage to the vagus nerve during stomach or nerve surgery may also cause gastroparesis. Eating disorders, diseases of the nervous system or medications that interfere with nerve activity may result in delayed stomach emptying. Before making changes to your diet or eating patterns, consult your health care provider for a complete medical evaluation to rule out diabetes or other possible causes of gastroparesis.
References
- "American Family Physician"; Diagnosing the Patient with Abdominal Pain and Altered Bowel Habits: Is It Irritable Bowel Syndrome?; K.B. Holton, et al.; May 2003
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse; Gastroparesis; July 2007
- Merck Manuals Online Medical Library; Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Digestive Disorders; A. Bharucha, M.D.; May 2007
