A patient with gastroparesis is at risk for malnutrition. The patient should be referred to a nutritionist if the gastroparesis is prolonged.
Problems contributing to malnutrition:
(1) recurrent nausea and vomiting
(2) altered/restricted diet
(3) reduced nutritional intake
(4) other comorbid conditions
(5) constipation
(6) high-fiber diet
(7) adverse drug effects
(8) small bowel overgrowth
The patient may experience:
(1) unintentional weight loss
(2) difficult glycemic controls if diabetic
(3) gastric distention
(4) frequent hospitalizations
(5) bezoars
Deficiencies may include:
(1) vitamins: vitamin D, vitamin B12, folate, vitamin E, thiamine, others
(2) iron deficiency
(3) protein
(4) other micronutrients
Nutritional delivery may include:
(1) small, frequent oral meals
(2) enteral nutrition through a jejunostomy tube
(3) parenteral nutrition, which may need to be used short term if there are problems
