Gastroparesis

Gastroparesis

Muscle contractions in the stomach help the digestive tract to function properly. Gastroparesis is the condition when these contractions are not strong enough to help in the digestion of food. This may cause indigestion, nausea, nutrition deficiency, and vomiting. There is no treatment for gastroparesis. However, a change in food choice may lessen its effects. Symptoms may include vomiting, nausea, abdominal bloating, gastroesophageal reflux, weight loss, and lack of appetite. One of the common causes of gastroparesis is diabetes. The high sugar level in the blood is linked to the damage of the vagus nerve, which controls the contractions in the stomach.

Efficacy of Alternative and Other Treatments According to GRADE* Ranking:

Acupuncture [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]:

Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It is proposed only as a weak supportive symptomatic support, and even then, has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present. 

Recommendation: Weakly in favor (Studies show that acupuncture may be able to help treat those with gastroparesis. More studies are needed)

Grade of Evidence: Low quality of evidence

* www.gradeworkinggroup.org

Summary Reference

Treatments:

1. Waseem S, Moshiree B, Draganov PV. Gastroparesis: current diagnostic challenges and management considerations. World J Gastroenterol. 2009 Jan 7;15(1):25-37.

2. Patrick A, Epstein O. Review article: gastroparesis. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2008 May;27(9):724-40.  

3. Parkman HP, Hasler WL, Fisher RS, American Gastroenterological Association. American Gastroenterological Association technical review on the diagnosis and treatment of gastroparesis. Gastroenterology. 2004 Nov;127(5):1592-622.

4. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01643577

5. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25689986

6. http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6882/13/311

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