You may feel uncomfortably full after eating only a small amount of food.
This can feel confusing and make eating for recovery even harder.
You may be tempted to give in to their pleas not to require them to eat.
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You may even fear continuing to feed them when it seems to cause so much physical distress.
Gastroparesis is a condition in which the process of emptying the stomach slows down.
It is, in fact, one of the most commonphysical symptoms of an eating disorder.
They may conduct unneeded tests, search for more exotic causes, or recommend ineffective solutions.
As they do this they lose time to reverse the harm brought on by the disorder.
Food typically spends about two hours in the stomach before contractions move it into the small intestine.
You eat another meal!
Understanding this problem is a crucial step for knowing how to manage it.
These include disorder of gut-brain interactionwhich is recurrent indigestion with no apparent causeand diabetes.
Gastroparesis can also be a side effect of certain medications including opiates and someantidepressants.
How Is Gastroparesis Diagnosed?
Gastroparesis is formally diagnosed through a gastric emptying study conducted at a radiology center.
Gastroparesis is diagnosed when far more food remains in the stomach by the end of this time frame.
It may also be very distressing.
The primary treatment for gastroparesis in the case of an eating disorder isnot surprisinglymore food.
The increased intake will help awaken the GI tract but this will take time and consistent nutrition.
While eating must continue, there are strategies that can reduce discomfort.
It also helps to eat smaller and more frequent meals.
Certain medications can help treat gastroparesis by allowing faster emptying of the stomach.
These medicationsprimarily metoclopramide (Reglan), erythromycin, and azithromycinare intended primarily for short-term use.
Laxatives are not recommended treatment for gastroparesis.
The goal of medications is to allow for increased nutritional intake, which is still the primary treatment.
Keep in mind that these symptoms will get better with better nutrition and weight gain.
Resist the temptation to reduce intake.
How Long Does It Take to Improve from Symptoms of Gastroparesis?
It can recur if weight is lost again.
A Word From Verywell
Its not just in your head; the fullness is real!
Gastroparesis often complicates recovery from eating disorders following decreased intake and weight loss.
Nutritional rehabilitation and weight restoration are necessary to resolve gastroparesis that occurs in the context of an eating disorder.
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