Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia, or GAVE, is a rare illness characterized by red streaks in the stomach wall. These streaks give the condition its nickname "watermelon stomach," because they resemble the striped rind of a watermelon. Eating a diet that is easy on the stomach may help reduce the symptoms of gastric antral vascular ectasia. Consult your physician before you begin any special diet for your condition.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
The most common symptom of gastric antral vascular ectasia is bleeding in the stomach. Patients often notice this bleeding as dark, digested blood in their stools. In addition, patients may exhibit symptoms of anemia such as fatigue, weakness or shortness of breath. Because 30 percent of GAVE patients have cirrhosis and many suffer from auto-immune disorders such as scleroderma, physicians sometimes find the cirrhosis or scleroderma first and then discover the stomach condition after the fact. GAVE is diagnosed with endoscopy. Physicians look for the bright red streaks with the scope.
Diet
Patients with GAVE should eat a healthy diet that will not irritate the stomach lining. People suffering from GAVE should not drink alcohol, especially if they have cirrhosis of the liver. Patients should avoid spicy or greasy foods that may irritate the stomach lining, and focus on whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and other high-fiber foods. In addition, eating smaller, more frequent meals can help patients digest their meals more easily. A physician or nutritionist can help you create a comprehensive meal plan for your condition.
Other Treatments
In addition to diet, physicians may recommend drinking water frequently to prevent fluid loss and an iron supplement to combat the anemia associated with GAVE. For more serious bleeding, the physician may remove the lesions using endoscopic ablation, which is using a scope to find and remove the lesions and abnormal tissue. In other cases, the physician may perform an antrectomy, a surgical removal of the lower portion of the stomach. However, this surgery can be risky, especially for patients with cirrhosis of the liver.
When to Consult a Physician
If you notice dark, dried blood in your stool or if you are exhibiting signs of anemia, consult your physician, particularly if you already suffer from cirrhosis or an auto-immune disorder. You may have GAVE and you may need medical attention to stop the blood loss from your stomach. Some patients lose so much blood that they require immediate transfusions. This condition may be very serious or even fatal if it is left untreated, especially if you also have cirrhosis or another underlying condition.
References
- Blackwell's Primary Care Essentials; David W. Hay
- Can J Gastroenterol; Argon Photocoagulation in the Treatment of Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia and Radiation Proctitis; Greg Rosenfeld, MD and Robert Enns, MD FRCPC
- Biopsy Interpretation of the Gastrointestinal Tract Mucosa; Elizabeth A. Montgomery
- Gastrointestinal Bleeding; Aurora D. Pryor, et al.
