Gastroparesis Treatment in Aurora, CO
We Are the Rocky Mountain Region’s Gastroparesis Experts
An unsettling feeling in your stomach may be more than nervous energy or a bad reaction to something you ate. It could be the result of gastroparesis. If so, you should visit one of Rocky Mountain Gastroenterology Associates’ 15 convenient locations in Colorado. We have state-of-the-art facilities in Denver, Aurora, Brighton, and Centennial, CO, as well as various other areas. Our physician-owned practice is committed to your well-being. We use the best available equipment and remain abreast of the latest medical techniques for treating gastrointestinal issues. Call us today to learn more about gastroparesis, its symptoms, and treatment options.
What Is Gastroparesis?
Gastroparesis is a disorder that affects the stomach muscles’ normal spontaneous movement. In healthy individuals, muscular contractions propel food and liquid through the digestive tract. But gastroparesis slows or prevents the stomach’s motility. As a result, your stomach cannot empty properly. This interferes with digestion, leads to vomiting, causes nausea and pain, and results in various other nutritional complications.
Recognizing Symptoms of Gastroparesis
Gastroparesis has a litany of symptoms of which you should be aware. Rocky Mountain Gastroenterology Associates can inform you about what to expect from the condition and when to call us. Let our team know if you experience:
- Abdominal pain
- Acid reflux
- Bloating
- Changes in blood sugar levels
- Dehydration
- Excessive belching
- Feeling full soon after starting a meal or long after finishing a meal
- Lack of appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Common Gastroparesis Causes
The cause of gastroparesis is not always clear. However, it often involves damage to the vagus nerve. This nerve controls the stomach muscles and helps manage the digestive tract’s complex processes. If the nerve sustains damage, it cannot transmit signals to the stomach muscles, which means food remains in the stomach rather than moving to the small intestine for digestion. Risk factors for vagus nerve damage include diabetes, abdominal or esophageal surgery, scleroderma, nervous system diseases, hypothyroidism, infections, and certain medications.
Our Team Can Accurately Diagnose Gastroparesis
If you suspect you may have a gastrointestinal disorder, we suggest scheduling a consultation at the Rocky Mountain Gastroenterology Associates location nearest you. Our physicians will begin your consultation by reviewing your medical history and conducting a thorough physical examination. We may be able to identify the reason for your issues during this process. But if not, various tests can help us accurately diagnose gastroparesis. They include:
- Lab Tests – We can perform a blood or urine tests to look for infections, signs of dehydration or malnourishment, or other factors that may contribute to gastroparesis.
- Imaging Tests – Our facilities are equipped with CT scanners, MRI equipment, and ultrasound and x-ray machines that can reveal intestinal obstructions.
- Tests to Measure Stomach Emptying – To determine if your stomach is emptying its contents, we may perform a gastric emptying scintigraphy, gastric emptying breath test, or a test that uses a wireless capsule to evaluate motility.
- Upper GI Endoscopy – An upper GI endoscopy allows us to visually examine your gastrointestinal tract to identify gastroparesis or other similar conditions.
We Will Customize A Gastroparesis Treatment Plan for You
Treating gastroparesis is essential to your health, comfort, and well-being. We will develop a plan that addresses the cause of your condition and relieves any symptoms you may experience. In some cases, you may be able to minimize its effects with diet and lifestyle changes. We can recommend a nutritional plan that will work best for you. Our team may also prescribe medications to stimulate your stomach muscles and control nausea. For severe cases, surgery may be necessary. We can place a feeding tube in your small intestine to help you tolerate food and liquids or implant a gastric venting tube that will relieve pressure from gastric contents.
What You Can Eat with Gastroparesis
Though there is no official gastroparesis diet, our team can help you eat healthily and stay symptom-free. You should eat small meals four to six times per day and begin each meal with healthy food. It is important to chew your food well and drink plenty of water. We recommend eating foods low in fiber and fat, but you can drink liquids that are high in fat. Foods that may be best for you include white pasta, white bread, white rice, chicken, fish, tofu, applesauce, bananas, carrots, peppers, skim milk, and high-calorie drinks like fruit juices and milkshakes.
Contact Rocky Mountain Gastroenterology Associates Today
Gastroparesis may cause abdominal pain and issues with digestion that cause heartburn, fatigue, and ultimately malnutrition. But Rocky Mountain Gastroenterology Associates can help. Our physicians are adept at diagnosing and treating gastroparesis in patients from Denver, CO and throughout the surrounding area. We have 15 convenient offices in the region to serve you. Contact us today to request an appointment.