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Gastroparesis (gastro- from Ancient Greek γαστήρ – gaster, "stomach"; and -paresis, πάρεσις – "partial paralysis") is a medical disorder of ineffective neuromuscular contractions (peristalsis) of the stomach, resulting in food and liquid remaining in the stomach for a prolonged period of time.
A gastric emptying study is a nuclear medicine study which provides an assessment of the stomach's ability to empty. It may be used if there are complications after gastric surgery, for gastric reflux , or suspected gastroparesis amongst other indications. [ 1 ]
The gastroileal reflex is stimulated by the presence of food in the stomach and gastric peristalsis. Initiation of the reflex causes peristalsis in the ileum and the opening of the ileocecal valve (which allows the emptying of the ileal contents into the large intestine, or colon). [ 1 ]
A gastric emptying scintigraphy test involves eating a bland meal that contains a small amount of radioactive material. An external camera scans the abdomen to locate the radioactive material. The radiologist measures the rate of gastric emptying at 1, 2, 3, and 4 hours after the meal. The test can help confirm a diagnosis of dumping syndrome.
A gastric emptying study is considered the gold standard to assess the gastric emptying rate. [47] A large number of studies have indicated that most cases of peptic ulcers, and gastritis, in humans are caused by Helicobacter pylori infection, and an association has been seen with the development of stomach cancer. [48]
The stomach's contents are inhibited from emptying into the small intestine by: duodenal distension [3] [2] duodenal acidic pH [4] duodenal hypertonicity [5] [6] increased osmolarity of gastric chyme [5] [6] sympathetic stimulation [citation needed] intense pain [citation needed] Cholecystokinin, Secretin, Vasoactive intestinal peptide
The condition frequently causes digestive symptoms, epigastric pain, constipation, decreased appetite, and sometimes even gastric emptying disorders. [2] It is much more prominent in women than men, and is diagnosed with x-ray using barium contrast.
Barium X-ray examinations are useful tools for the study of appearance and function of the parts of the gastrointestinal tract. They are used to diagnose and monitor esophageal reflux, dysphagia, hiatus hernia, strictures, diverticula, pyloric stenosis, gastritis, enteritis, volvulus, varices, ulcers, tumors, and gastrointestinal dysmotility, as well as to detect foreign bodies.