The term gastroparesis refers to a particular pathological condition, characterized by a partial paralysis of the stomach musculature .
Due to this partial paralysis, the ingested food remains at a gastric level for a long time and the digestion process is very slow.
Moreover, doctors call gastroparesis also with the name of delayed gastric emptying .
Currently there is a specific cure that resolves gastroparesis. In fact, the only treatments available to patients consist of symptomatic therapeutic remedies, ie aimed at reducing symptoms and improving quality of life.
One of these symptomatic remedies, especially in the case of severe gastroparesis, is artificial nutrition .
ARTIFICIAL FEEDING METHODS
There are at least three methods of artificial nutrition, available for those suffering from severe gastrostomy:
- Insertion of a nose-jejunal tube . A tube is a tube through which the nutrients needed by the body to live can flow. For a nose-jejunal tube, it is meant a feeding tube which is inserted into the nose and is led up to the jejunum, that is the central part of the small intestine (or small intestine ).
- Fastunostomy . It is the surgical procedure with which an opening is created between the abdomen and fasting, in order to insert a tube for the artificial administration of nutrients. In fact, this tube is made to be connected to a bag containing food.
- Parenteral nutrition . It is the administration of nutrients directly through the vein.
