How to Treat Gastroparesis Naturally?

Gastroparesis: Overview

Gastroparesis is a disorder characterized by 'slow, heavy digestion.' The condition affects the muscles of the stomach, and hampers the stomach's ability to digest food. In this condition, the stomach cannot empty itself of the food in a normal manner.

The occurrence of Gastroparesis is linked to damage to the 'vagus' nerve. This nerve controls the muscles of the stomach and regulates the digestive system by propelling food through the digestive tract, by muscular contractions. The vagus nerve performs a crucial role in managing the complex digestive process. It signals the muscles in the stomach to contract, so that the food is pushed into the small intestine.

Due to the damaged vagus nerve in patients suffering from Gastroparesis, the stomach's muscles cannot function properly, and the spontaneous movement (motility) of the muscles is affected. As such, the stomach is not able to empty itself properly, and the food remains in the stomach a bit longer, instead of getting digested after its normal movement into the small intestine, thus creating wastage.

The vagus nerve damage, which leads to Gastroparesis can be caused by certain diseases, like Diabetes, or because of a surgical procedure involving the stomach or small intestine.

Gastroparesis can trigger a number of health complications including severe dehydration, hardening of undigested food that remains in the stomach, and frequent changes in blood sugar levels. The disease can, therefore, have an adverse impact on a patient's quality of life.

Gastroparesis can affect both men and women, though it is more likely to develop in women as compared to men.

Gastroparesis: Causes

The main cause behind the occurrence of Gastroparesis is the damaged vagus nerve. In addition to this cause, the condition can develop due to some other reasons as well. These reasons may include:

• Uncontrolled Diabetes
• Viral infections
• Gastric (abdominal) surgery that injures the vagus nerve
• Certain medications, like narcotics and some antidepressants
• Multiple sclerosis
• Parkinson's disease
• Rare disorders, such as Amyloidosis and Scleroderma.

Gastroparesis: Symptoms

The most common signs and symptoms of Gastroparesis are:

• Heartburn
• Acid reflux
• Abdominal pain
• Bloating
• Vomiting undigested food
• Nausea
• Feeling of fullness after eating a few bites
• Poor appetite
• Weight loss and malnutrition

Gastroparesis and Ayurveda

As per classical Ayurvedic texts, a 'slow digestion' condition like Gastroparesis is a result of the aggravation of one or more of the three doshas of the body --- Vata dosha, Pitta dosha, and Kapha dosha.

Therefore, Ayurvedic experts advise Gastroparesis patients to avoid the intake of foods, which aggravate the related dosha.

In general, Gastroparesis patients should avoid oily, heavy, toxic, sweet, and cold foods. They are advised to eat foods which have clear, pungent and bitter qualities (guna). Moreover, Gastroparesis patients should eat pureed and well-cooked food, chew the food properly, and drink plenty of water.

Gastroparesis: Treatment

According to Ayurveda, Gastroparesis can be managed in a natural and effective manner, with the help of dietary and lifestyle changes, as well as the use of special herbs or herbal products.

Renowned herbal manufacturing company Planet Ayurveda offers some extremely beneficial herbal products (Sanjivani Vati, Mahashankh Vati, Digestion Support and Pitta Balance) for Gastroparesis treatment. The products are prepared under the guidance of expert Ayurveda practitioners who have vast knowledge of Ayurveda and several years of experience in Ayurvedic medications.

1. Sanjivani Vati

These tablets are excellent herbal formulation prepared from several potent herbs, including Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Vibhitaki (Terminalia bellerica), Shunthi (Zingiber officinale), Pippali (Piper longum), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Shudha bhallataka (Semecarpus anacardium), Shudha vatsnabh (Aconitum ferox), Vidanga (Embelia ribes), and Vacha (Acorus calamus).

The use of Sanjivani Vati can enhance the liver function by enabling the liver to burn the accumulated endotoxins/metabolites and other waste materials. The tablets also facilitate the elimination of all the mid-way metabolites from the system, thereby preventing blockages in the intestinal channels. These tablets are recommended by Ayurveda experts for the management of Gastroparesis and several other health conditions like indigestion, high cholesterol, irritable bowel syndrome, auto-immune disorders, piles, and blocked coronary arteries.

2. Mahashankh Vati

Mahashankh Vati is a herbal formulation prepared from a combination of powerful and well-known herbs, known for their digestive, antipyretic, appetizer, and analgesic actions. These components of these tablets include Chitraka (Plumbago zeylanica), Pippali (Piper longum), Danti (Baliospermum montanum), Sarjakshar (Sodium Carbonate), Yavkshar (Potassium Carbonate,) Shudh Parad (Purified Mercury), and Shudh Tankan (Purified Sodium Biborate).

Mahashankh Vati tablets can manage Gastroparesis because of the ability of the tablets to relieve gastritis, treat digestion-related disorders, maintain a good appetite, ensure the health of the abdominal organs, reduce intestinal pains, boost the body metabolism, and balance the Vata, Pitta and Kapha doshas.

3. Digestion Support

The preparation of these capsules involves the use of some extremely beneficial herbs that can keep the digestive system healthy. These herbs include Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Pippali (Piper longum), Jeerak (Cymium cumium), Sounf (Foeniculum vulgare), Dhania (Coriander sativum), and Bahera (Terminalia bellerica).

Digestion Support capsules can help in the proper digestion of the food and manage disorders like Gastroparesis. In addition, the capsules can also maintain the natural PH of the stomach, improve appetite, maintain the proper metabolism of the body, strengthen the immune system, balance the three doshas, and rejuvenate the whole body.

4. Pitta Balance

A combination of several beneficial ingredients is used for preparing these capsules. The key ingredients include Praval Pishti (Coral Calcium), Akik Pishti (Agate Calcium), Mukta Pishti (Pearl Calcium), Jawar Mohra Pishti (an Ayurvedic Calcium compound), Kamdhudha Ras (an Ayurvedic Calcium compound), and Giloy satva (extract of Tinospora cordifolia).

The use of Pitta Balance capsules is beneficial for Gastroparesis patients because the ingredients of the capsules are capable of balancing the Pitta dosha, supporting the digestive system, purifying the blood, treating acidity, promoting the function of the immune system, and controlling blood pressure.

Conclusion

The herbal products available from Planet Ayurveda for the effective management of Gastroparesis are 100% natural products, which are completely safe to use, because they carry no side effects. The preparation of these products does not involve the use of any artificial colours, preservatives, chemicals, starch, yeast, additives, binders or fillers. However, it is advised that Gastroparesis patients should use these herbal products in consultation with an Ayurveda expert.