Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles, P.C.

Gastroparesis, also known as delayed gastric emptying, is a disorder that affects people with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes in which the stomach takes too long to empty its contents. It is caused when the vagus nerve to the stomach becomes damaged or stops working. When not working properly, this nerve is unable to send a message to the muscles that move food through the digestive tract, and food is either slowed or stopped in the process.

Diabetes can cause damage the vagus nerve when blood glucose levels remain high over a long period of time by damaging the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients to the nerves. According to the American Diabetes Association, symptoms of gastroparesis include heartburn, nausea, vomiting of undigested food, an early feeling of fullness when eating, weight loss, abnormal bloating, erratic blood glucose levels, lack of appetite, gastroesophageal reflux or spasms of the stomach wall.

Gastroparesis is often treated by managing blood glucose levels as best as possible through insulin, oral medications or a change in diet. Medications also can be prescribed to help encourage digestion, such as metoclopramide, known by the brand name Reglan.

As with any medication, patients should be aware of any adverse reactions they experience while taking medication, and this is especially true with Reglan (metoclopramide). Earlier this year the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a black box warning, the stiffest warning the FDA can require, after studies have shown that people taking metoclopramide can develop a serious condition known as Tardive Dyskinesia, in which a person develops involuntary movements of their muscles, particularly of the face and fingers.

Patients taking Reglan (metoclopramide) should consult their health care provider if they experience any adverse reactions to the medication. If you have been injured by Reglan (metoclopramide) side effects, you may have a claim against the manufacturer.

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This entry was posted on Friday, June 19th, 2009 at 10:47 am and is filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.