Gastroparesis and Anorexia Nervosa

Not eating enough, as is the case with anorexia nervosa, can damage your body's ability to digest food. Over time, this may lead to a condition called gastroparesis, better known as delayed gastric emptying. Left untreated, gastroparesis can obstruct the flow of food into the small intestine, which can be life-threatening.

Gastroparesis with Anorexia: Why Does it Occur?

According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC), anorexics develop gastroparesis when the vagus nerve, which controls the movement of food through the stomach and digestive tract, is damaged. This also causes the muscles in the stomach and digestive tract to work improperly, slowing food digestion. Over time, the food ferments inside the stomach, causing dangerous bacteria buildup. It can also create bezoars, solid food masses that can obstruct the stomach and small intestine.

Symptoms of Gastroparesis in Anorexics

For anorexics, the symptoms of gastroparesis are harder to detect because they are similar to anorexia nervosa. The key here is to remember gastroparesis sufferers usually experience several of these symptoms together. Symptoms of gastroparesis include:

- Upper abdominal pain

- Nausea or vomiting

- Weight loss

- Bloating

- Poor appetite (anorexia)

- Heartburn

- Stomach spasms

- Feeling full after a few bites of food

Treatments for Gastroparesis and Anorexia

Unfortunately for anorexics, gastroparesis is usually chronic. Certain drugs can speed up food digestion by stimulating the muscles in the stomach and intestines. Some drugs, such as domperidone, can also speed up digestion and reduce gastroparesis-related nausea. Avoiding foods that are harder to digest, usually those rich in fiber or fat, can also reduce its severity.

Anorexics also highly benefit from eating disorder recovery, which can reduce further damage to the digestive system.

Source:

"Gastroparesis" (digestive.niddk.nih.gov). Accessed August 13, 2010.