WEEK 3: ETIOLOGY AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

Hey guys! Welcome back to week 3 and our journey with gastroparesis! This week we are going to talk more about what gastroparesis is and how in the world you can get this diagnosis. I hope our general overview of what the disease is has been helpful and after this week it should make even more sense. It is the beginning of tying all the pieces together. I am also going to begin my story and share some of my experiences moving through this disease. But first etiology...

Although multiple conditions have been associated with gastroparesis, the majority of cases are idiopathic, diabetic, or post surgical. What in the world does that mean?! Idiopathic means with a spontaneous or unknown origin and we already talked about the link between diabetes and gastroparesis last week. After a surgical procedure our gastrointestinal system is slow to get back up to speed and gastroparesis can be a consequence of this slow moving organ. Most cases of gastroparesis are idiopathic or occur spontaneously. 

For me, the onset of gastroparesis was sudden and unexpected. I would say with an idiopathic etiology. It started one day out at dinner when I feel nauseous all of a sudden. Food poisoning I thought? But then it happened the next day with lunch. Nauseous again? I wasn't hungry for dinner that night either. I tried eating breakfast on day 3...nausea. Something was weird here. I definitely wasn't pregnant, maybe a virus? But then my symptoms began to become more regular. Every time I tried to eat I was nauseous and I was really never hungry. Time for me to head to the doctor! 

My story represents the typical beginning of gastroparesis for many. The onset was sudden and I had no idea what was going on. Fortunately, the disease does not progress more than this. Gastroparesis literally means paralysis of the stomach. Now the nausea and unexplained fullness make sense! Starting to put things together now. 

Okay guys that is it for this week. I hope gastroparesis is starting to make more sense as we put all the pieces of the puzzle together. Next week we are going to talk about how gastroparesis is diagnosed so stay tuned for some interesting stuff!! 

References 

Lewis, Dirksen, Heitkemper, and Bucher. Medical-Surgical Nursing: Assessment and management of Clinical Problems. 9th edition. St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier; 2014.

Hasler, W. L. (2011). Gastroparesis: pathogenesis, diagnosis and management. Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 8(8), 438-454. doi:10.1038/nrgastro.2011.116