Gastroparesis in older adults

Richard W. McCallum, Ashish Malhotra

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

The true prevalence of gastroparesis in the general population is not clear. Vague symptoms of nausea and abdominal distension correlate poorly with gastric emptying. The proximal part of the stomach (body and fundus) is mainly concerned with storage function, while the antrum functions as a grinder. The interstitial cells of Cajal, the pacemaker cells coordinate the fed pattern that leads to gastric emptying. The functions are well preserved in healthy aging. Etiological factors for delayed gastric emptying include effects of diseases and drugs; common causes include diabetes mellitus, Parkinson's disease, hypothyroidism, chronic renal failure, and gastric cancer. Clinical presentation is nonspecific, with nausea, vomiting, and bloating. Diagnosis involves history, examination, endoscopy, and scintigraphy. Management is unsatisfactory, but includes lifestyle modification, pharmacotherapy, and gastric electrical stimulation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationGeriatric Gastroenterology
PublisherSpringer New York
Pages301-309
Number of pages9
ISBN (Electronic)9781441916235
ISBN (Print)9781441916228
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2012
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2012.

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