To understand gastroparesis, you need to have a general understanding of how the digestive system works...
The digestive tract is like a plumbing system. Each part of the digestive tract has its own specific function in digestion. When everything works properly, food travels down the esophagus and into the stomach where it is broken down into small food particles suitable for the small intestine. Once in the small intestine, the muscles work to push the food through all 22 feet and into the large intestine (colon). The process continues until the nutrients have been absorbed and waste has been expelled from the body.
Gastroparesis (GP)- delayed stomach emptying
Literally translated, gastroparesis means "stomach paralysis"
Relating this to a plumbing system...if there is a blockage somewhere in the system and waste is not moving out fast enough, there will undeniably be a backup of waste material. Because it has to go somewhere, it generally comes back up the way it came.
The same concept applies to gastroparesis. If the stomach doesn't empty food in a timely manner (delayed stomach emptying), stomach contents will backup in the digestive tract leading to nausea, vomiting, bloating, feeling of fullness after just a few bites, abdominal pain, belching, lack of appetite, weight loss and malnutrition.
I was diagnosed with GP in 2018 after years of struggling to tolerate food. [To read more about my journey to a diagnosis-- click here]. It is not clear what leads to gastroparesis, though a lot of patients with EDS and/or POTS have delayed motility. I tried diet changes, lifestyle modifications, and every available medication with no success.
Ultimately, due to significant weight loss and malnutrition, it was determined that I needed a feeding tube. Though I was not happy with the decision, it was necessary, and ultimately has given me a piece of my life back. It provided steady nutrition, something my body was missing for 2 years, and has actually allowed me to tolerate more food orally.
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| Black and Gold is a way of life... |
[If you want to learn more about feeding tubes, I wrote about them here.]
As part of Gastroparesis Awareness Month, I took part in the Gastroparesis Pie Face Challenge
[Twitter and Instagram: @gppieface]
Help us raise awareness for gastroparesis by taking part in the GP Pie Face Challenge and upload your video to social media (tagging the accounts above and using #SmashGP)
I nominated three people to complete this challenge:
1. Brad Marchand of the Boston Bruins and my favorite hockey player...#TeamBrad
*As some of you may recall, I met Brad in the hospital in December 2018- to read that story -- click here
2. Dale Arnold, Host of Boston Bruins games on NESN - video of challenge
*Dale is also an author- If These Walls Could Talk: Boston Bruins, Stories from the Boston Bruins Ice, Locker Room, and Press Box
3. Todd Angilly, anthem singer for the Boston Bruins - video of challenge
*Best anthem singer in the NHL - learn more about Todd
Together we can Smash GP
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