Gastroparesis is a condition in which the stomach takes too long to empty food, also known as delayed gastric emptying. Usually, the food you consume passes into your gastric tract with the help of stomach muscles contractions, which are pretty strong. However, when you have gastroparesis, these muscles don’t work well or don’t work at all, which prevents the stomach from emptying its contents fully and/or effectively. When your stomach contents aren’t emptied, it might lead to an overgrowth of bacteria and even formation of bezoars. Bezoars are clumps of indigestible fibers that resemble a ball of fibers. Gastroparesis causes serious issues with digestion, while also leading to symptoms like nausea, malnutrition, vomiting, and fluctuations in blood sugar levels.
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Damage to the vagus nerve is known to cause gastroparesis since it controls the stomach muscles. Some of the other causes of gastroparesis include:
- Hypothyroidism
- Radiation therapy
- Abdominal surgery
- Uncontrolled diabetes
- Certain nervous system diseases like multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease
- Anorexia nervosa or bulimia
- Viral infections
- Systemic sclerosis
- Amyloidosis and scleroderma
- Problems with adrenal glands
- Certain medications like some narcotics and anti-cholinergics
- Drugs like calcium blockers and anti-depressants
- Stomach ulcers and tumors
Symptoms of gastroparesis
Although there are no known cure for it, the symptoms of gastroparesis can be controlled and reduced to a certain extent by making significant changes in your diet, and also through medication. The symptoms of gastroparesis include:
- Distended abdomen
- Pain in the upper abdomen
- Nausea
- Unexplained weight loss
- Spasms in the stomach
- Heartburn
- Hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia
- Vomiting of undigested food
- Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD)
- Loss of appetite
- Bloating and gas
- Malnutrition
- Feeling full prematurely
Home remedies for gastroparesis
If gastroparesis isn’t treated, it could cause severe dehydration, fluctuations in blood sugar levels, and seriously affect your quality of life. However, with home remedies for gastroparesis, you can control and reduce the severity of the symptoms of this condition effectively. Take a look:
1. Aloe vera
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Aloe vera is an effective remedy to help with gastroparesis. It aids in digestion and regulates bowel movements, thanks to its laxative properties. Additionally, it also helps relieve stomach pain and bloating.
Remedy
- Add 2 tablespoons of fresh aloe vera gel and 1 cup of water to a blender to make aloe vera juice. Drink this every morning after waking up, to help with proper bowel movement.
Tip: Do not consume more than 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel in a day.
2. Apple cider vinegar
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Apple cider vinegar has an alkalizing effect on your body, which in turn helps in relieving abdominal pain, bloating, and heartburn. Additionally, it helps improve digestion, thus helping reduce gastroparesis symptoms.
Remedy
- Add 1 teaspoon of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar to 1 glass of warm water and stir well. Drink this concoction 20 minutes before each meal to help with gastroparesis.
3. Coconut oil
Coconut oil possesses medium-chain fatty acids, which are extremely good for the digestive system. They don’t need pancreatic enzyme and bile salts to get digested. Additionally, coconut oil is known to help combat inflammation and build the immune system, which is vital for overall health.
Remedies
- To 1 cup of hot tea, add 1 teaspoon of extra-virgin coconut oil and stir well. Drink this twice a day for relief from gastroparesis symptoms.
- To a quarter cup of water, add 1 teaspoon of extra-virgin coconut oil and stir well. Warm this in the microwave to help melt the oil thoroughly. Drink this concoction before every meal.
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4. Deep breathing
Deep breathing is known to be quite effective in treating a weak digestive system. It is known to help stimulate your vagus nerve, while also improving blood flow to the digestive tract, which in turn aids in proper digestion and regular bowel movements. Additionally, deep breathing helps in combating gastroparesis symptoms like nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and bloating.
Remedy
- Sit somewhere you’re comfortable, place your hands on your abdomen, and take a deep breath in through the nose. Let your stomach and abdomen expand with this inhalation. Hold your breath for 5 seconds, before breathing out through your mouth. Make sure that your exhalation is longer than your inhalation. Repeat this breathing exercise for about 10 minutes. Repeat this deep breathing session a few times every day to help with gastroparesis.
5. Fluids
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Fluids, especially water, are helpful in controlling gastroparesis symptoms by preventing the pyloric valve from opening. This in turn helps bring down the severity of the symptoms of gastroparesis.
Remedies
- Keep yourself hydrated by drinking water at regular intervals through the day. Drink water during your meal too.
- Clear soups and broths are recommended as well.
- Drink lots of fresh fruit juices and vegetable juices too.
6. Ginger
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Ginger is an amazing ingredient which is known to stimulate digestive juices the flow of enzymes in the body to help in digesting the food properly. This in turn helps accelerate emptying the stomach naturally. Ginger also helps in getting rid of the nausea associated with gastroparesis.
Remedies
- In a saucepan, boil one and a half cups of water. To this, add 5 slices of fresh ginger and let it simmer for 5 minutes. Take it off the heat and add a bit of lemon juice and honey to improve its taste. Drink this tea a few times a day to help with gastroparesis symptoms.
- To 1 cup of warm water, add 2 teaspoons of ginger juice. Stir well and drink it at least half an hour before a meal.
- Ingesting ginger supplements is another option that you can choose, but only after consulting your doctor for the dosage and frequency information.
7. Peppermint
Peppermint is an excellent remedy to help relieve nausea and vomiting, both of which are characteristic of gastroparesis. Additionally, it helps in digestion, while also helping treat intestinal cramps and bloating.
Remedies
- Place a few drops of peppermint oil on a handkerchief and sniff it from time to time to help with the nausea.
- Add 1 teaspoon of dried peppermint leaves to 1 cup of hot water and cover it with a lid. Let it steep for 10 minutes, before straining it. Drink this tea twice a day for relief from symptoms of gastroparesis.
- Ingesting enteric-coated peppermint oil capsules is known to be helpful in relieving gastroparesis symptoms. But try this remedy only after consulting your doctor.
8. Probiotic foods
Probiotics are live cultures that are extremely soothing for your gut. These micro-organisms help your body to break down the food and absorb its nutrients.
Remedies
- Consume probiotic foods like Greek yogurt, buttermilk, sour pickles, kimchi, tempeh, and kefir.
- Ingesting probiotic supplements is another option you can try, but only after consulting a doctor.
9. Vitamin D
Optimum levels of vitamin D in your body is a must for those who suffer from gastroparesis. It is essential to keep the enteric nervous system healthy. If your body doesn’t get adequate amounts of vitamin D, your digestive, immune, and neurological health suffers.
Remedies
- Take vitamin D supplements every day, after consulting your doctor for the dosage and frequency.
- Consume foods rich in vitamin D, like fortified cereals, soy products, and fortified milk.
- Stand outside in the early morning sunlight for 10 minutes every day, without sunscreen to get your daily dose of vitamin D.
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Additional tips
- Consume 6 small meals instead of 3 traditional meals a day. Try and space these smaller meals at least a couple of hours apart.
- Go for a low-carbohydrate diet with very little or no fat. Cut out foods like salami, whole grains, cabbage, corn, beans, bacon, and cheese from your diet.
- Consume foods that are more fluid than solid, and that are low-residue ones, without any fiber.
- Cut out foods that are hard to digest like hot and spicy foods, oily foods, dairy products, and raw fruits and vegetables.
- Chew your food properly, before swallowing, which helps in proper digestion.
- Consume ground and/or puréed meat.
- Fatty foods are known to trigger the release of hormones that slow down the emptying of the stomach contents. So avoid them.
- Consume well-cooked vegetables and fruits as much as possible.
- Avoid lying down immediately after a meal. Go for a stroll or indulge in some light exercise following a meal.
- Avoid caffeine and raw mint as they tend to aggravate the symptoms.
- Quit smoking and drinking since they can exacerbate GERD and heartburn.
- Increase your protein intake by consuming skinless turkey and/or chicken, along with tuna, shrimp, scallops, egg whites, and low-fat yogurt and cheese, as these are easy to digest.
These are all the highly effective home remedies for gastroparesis that work. For more updates on health tips and fitness secrets, subscribe to our newsletter today.
Featured image source: Google, copyright-free image under Creative Commons License
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