Gastroparesis is a disease in which your stomach does not empty properly. This can lead to symptoms of heartburn, nausea, vomiting, and feeling full sooner when eating.
Changing your diet is one of the most effective ways of managing gastroparesis. The goal is to eat foods that are easy to digest while still providing sufficient calories and nutrients.
Helpful tips for managing gastroparesis:
· Choose low-fat foods
· Drink 4 to 6 cups of water per day
· Eat smaller meals, and eat them more frequently
· Cook your fruits and vegetables, when possible, instead of eating them raw
· Avoid foods with indigestible food fibers, such as celery, pumpkin, prunes, raisins, leeks, beets, broccoli, oranges, and sunflower-seed shells.
· These foods can clump together and be difficult to digestConsider trying soups and pureed foods
· Avoid alcohol, smoking and carbonated drinks
· Try a light exercise after you eat. Something as simple as going for a walk can help
· Avoid lying down for up to 2 hours after you eat
Make an appointment with a dietician. They can help you find the right type of foods to help you manage your gastroparesis.
Medications that increase stomach motility can also be used to help control gastroparesis. These medications stimulate the stomach muscles to contract, which helps move food out of your stomach. Book a consultation with one of Pillway’s clinical pharmacists.
If nausea and/or vomiting are the most prominent symptoms, anti nauseates can be prescribed to help ease these symptoms. Speak with your doctor to determine which treatment option is right for you.
By Kurt Kramer, Pharmacy Manager, Pillway West
