Gastroparesis (2203)
Key points below
What is gastroparesis?
Gastroparesis is when the stomach is slow to empty. When it hasn’t gotten enough food, it slows down. This causes food to stay in the stomach longer. This can make you feel full quickly and for a long time.What are the symptoms?
- Feeling full after only eating a little bit
- Feeling bloated, stomach pain
- Feeling sick to your stomach or nausea
- Heartburn (acid reflux)
- Throwing up
How is it treated?
- Nutrition
Eating tips for the first couple of weeks
Challenge your disordered eating thoughts. What you choose to eat can help your belly heal.
- Follow your meal plan given by the Registered Dietitian.
Drink enough liquids.
- Juice, milk, or flavored milk with meals and snacks
- Water between meals and snacks
Eat semi-soft foods.
- Yogurt, ice cream, nut butters
Choose low fiber foods.
- Refined (white) bread, cereal, rice, pasta
- Cooked and canned fruits and vegetables
Make sure to eat some fat each day.
- Add more peanut butter to a sandwich
- Add fats like cream cheese or butter to a bagel
- Focus on 2% or whole fat dairy foods
Drink nutrition drinks like Boost PLUS®, Ensure PLUS®, or “Mixed Milks and Blended Drinks”.
Why does my stomach hurt?
The stomach is a muscle. When it gets more food again, the muscles have to work harder. This can be painful and take time.What else can help?
- Heating pad
- Stretching exercises
- Breathing exercises
- Medicine
- Doing things to take your mind off the discomfort