Want to get rid of Gastroparesis? Try these best diet and herbal remedies

Abstract

Since, Gastroparesis is a stomach related problem, dietary care becomes important. Therefore, a person with gastroparesis needs treatment that is not only appropriate for disease management but also takes care of diet and lifestyle. Ayurveda is the ancient system of medicine that defines the development of disease due to our sedentary lifestyle, poor diet and imbalance in body’sTridosha. Thus, it also provides treatment with herbs, herbal formulations, and lifestyle and dietary management. When it comes to the best herbal formulation, Planet Ayurveda earned a name due to its determination to provide the best quality and pure products.

Introduction to Gastroparesis

Gastroparesis, also known as delayed gastric emptying, is a medical disease involving weak abdominal muscle contractions (peristalsis), resulting in prolonged food and fluid remaining in the stomach.

Causes of Gastroparesis

The cause of gastroparesis is not clear. But in many cases, gastroparesis is thought to cause damage to a vagus nerve that controls the abdominal muscles. The vagus nerve control complex processes in the digestive system, including signaling the muscles in the abdomen and pushing food into the small intestine. But due to damaged vagus veins, this process goes awry and delays emptying of the stomach. Vagus nerve damage can be caused by diseases such as diabetes, or any surgery of the stomach or small intestine. That’s why Diabetes is known to be the common risk factor of gastroparesis. According to some studies, delayed gastric emptying was reported in 30 to 50% of patients with type 1 diabetes and 15 to 30% of patients with type 2 diabetes(1).

Other Risk Factors of Gastroparesis

• Infection, especially viral infection
• Scleroderma
• Hypothyroidism
• Nervous system diseases
• Medications that slow down the rate of emptying of the stomach, such as narcotic pain medications

Symptoms of Gastroparesis

• Nausea and Vomiting
• Acid reflux and Heartburn
• Abdominal pain and bloating
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Feeling of fullness after just eating something
• Changes in blood sugar levels

Complications Associated with Gastroparesis

• Dehydration
• Malnutrition
• Unexpected rise in blood sugar
• Bacterial growth due to food which stays in the stomach for a long time

Diagnosis of Gastroparesis

The diagnosis of Gastroparesis is done by physical examination, symptoms and medical history. Several tests also help to diagnose gastroparesis such as

• Radioisotope gastric-emptying scan (gastric scintigraphy)
• Gastric emptying breath tests (13C-GEBTs)
• Gastric manometry
• Electrogastrography
• Ultrasound
• Upper endoscopy
• Blood tests
• Barium X-ray

Ayurvedic Perspective for Gastroparesis

According to classical Ayurvedic texts, a ‘slow digestion’ ailment like Gastroparesis is due to vitiation of one or more of the Tridosha of the body i.e. Vata, Pitta, and Kapha dosha. Therefore, Ayurvedic experts recommend gastroparesis patients to avoid incompatible food intake, which increases the associated dosha.

Ayurvedic Treatment for Gastroparesis

Ayurveda believes in the management of the disease from the roots, so it provides proper management of the condition through herbal medicines along with proper lifestyle and dietary guidelines. Following are the herbs which provide relief from the Gastroparesis and also herbal formulations, diet and lifestyle instruction from Planet Ayurveda.

Herbs for Gastroparesis

1. Pippali
2. Amalaki
3. Bibhitaki
4. Haritaki
5. Giloy
6. Bahera

Herbal Products by Planet Ayurveda

Planet Ayurveda offers the best herbal remedies for Gastroparesis. It includes Total Mahashankh Vati, Digestion Support, Heartburn capsules, Vara churna. These products are 100% pure, natural and do not contain chemicals, additives, and preservatives. These products are effective and safe for Gastroparesis without any side effects.

Product Description

1. Mahashankh Vati

Mahashankh Vati is an effective herbal formulation prepared from a combination of powerful herbs.

Ingredients: These herbs including Chitrak (Plumbagozeylanica),  Danti (Baliospermum montanum), Pippali (Piper longum), Yavkshar (Potassium Carbonate), Sarjakshar (Sodium Carbonate),  ShudhParad (Purified Mercury),  and Shudh Tankan (Purified Sodium Biborate).

Benefits: These herbs are known for their digestive, appetizer, antipyretic, and analgesic actions. Mahashankh Vati due to the presence of these herbs is effective in Gastroparesis. These tablets help to relieve gastritis and abdominal pains, support a good appetite, treat digestion-related disorders, promote the health of the abdominal organs and promote the body metabolism. Mahashankh Vati also helps to balance the Vata, Pitta, and Kapha doshas.

Dosage: 1-2 tablets twice or thrice a day with lukewarm water.

2. Digestion Support

These capsules consist of a combination of beneficial herbs that promotes the healthy digestive system.

Ingredients: These herbs are Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Bahera (Terminalia bellerica), Pippali (Piper longum), Dhania (Coriander sativum), Jeerak (Cymium cumium)and Sounf (Foeniculum vulgare).

Benefits: These capsules maintain the pH of the stomach and metabolism of the body and promote appetite. Digestion Support capsules are beneficial in proper digestion of the food and helps in the treatment of Gastroparesis.  These also help in rejuvenating the whole body and strengthening the immune system.

Dosage: 1-2 Capsules twice daily with plain water after meals.

3. Heartburn Capsules

As the name indicate it is used to relieve the heartburn, which is a symptom of Gastroparesis and also provides the healthy digestion of the food.

Ingredients: These herbal capsules contains Agate calcium (AkikPishti), coral calcium (Praval Pishti), Pearl calcium (Muktapishti), Ayurvedic calcium compound (Jahar mohra pishti),(Kamkdudharas), and Giloy(Tinospora cordifolia).

Benefits: These capsules balance the vitiated pitta in the body and helps to neutralize the excess of acid and provide a cooling effect. Heartburn capsules have anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic properties and act as a blood purifier.

Dosage: 1 capsule, twice daily with plain water after meals.

4. Vara Churna

Ingredient: This powder of Planet Ayurveda contains Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellerica), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), and Amalaki (Emblica officinalis).

Benefits: Vara churna helps in maintaining healthy intestines and supports the overall health of the body. It is also useful in acidity, vision problems, high cholesterol, general weakness, and obesity.

Dosage: 2 to 3 grams of Vara churna should be mixed with warm water and take it in the evening time.

Lifestyle and Dietary Guidelines for People with Gastroparesis

Dietary and lifestyle goals for the gastrointestinal tract are to lessen the symptoms.

1. Stay Hydrated

Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration because it can increase symptoms of nausea.

2. Avoid High-Fiber and add Low-Fiber Diet

Fiber delays stomach emptying. High-fiber foods may reside in your stomach or cause the formation of bezoar (a solid mass of indigestible food and blocks the digestive tract). So, it should be avoided in gastroparesis and add low-fiber food in your diet.

3. Avoid High-Fat Diet

Fat can slow down the stomach emptying. So avoid high-fat food and eat low-fat food, this will reduce the mealtime to stay in the stomach.

4. Avoid Foods that are not Easily Chewed

These types of foods can increase the symptoms of gastroparesis. Some of the foods which are hard to chew are broccoli, corn, popcorn, nuts, seeds, etc.

5. Chew Well Before Swallowing Food

Solid food in the stomach is not cleaned well. This causes the problem in the breakdown of food into small particles in the stomach to pass into the small intestine for absorption which leads to the symptoms of gastroparesis. So, chew food well before swallowing.

6. Position After Eating 

Let sit upward position or walk at least 1 hour after finishing the meal, do not lay down directly. This can help in emptying food from the stomach.

7. Avoid Intake of Alcohol

Alcohol should be avoided as it can also reduce gastric emptying.

8. Exercise

Exercise can help in emptying the stomach and can also improve symptoms. That is why it is recommended to take a walk after a meal.

9. Control Blood Sugar Level

A diabetic patient or a healthy person should manage their blood sugar under control, this can reduce the problem of gastroparesis. High blood sugar directly conflicts with regular stomach emptying.

Conclusion

The whole information concluded that the herbs, herbal remedies and proper diet is beneficial in the treatment of Gastroparesis. The Planet Ayurveda provides the superior quality of herbal remedies and also guide for a proper diet and lifestyle.

Reference

https://www.news-medical.net/health/Gastroparesis-Epidemiology.aspx

FAQs

Question: Is gastroparesis can be life-threatening?

Answer: No, but complications occurring in some cases of gastroparesis can be life-threatening.

Question: Does drinking water help in gastroparesis?

Answer: Yes. It helps to improve digestion and heartburn/acid reflux.

Question: Can the patient exercise with gastroparesis?

Answer: Yes. It is best to start with low-impact exercises such as walking and gradually with vigorous exercises.