The term gastroparesis indicates a particular pathological condition, characterized by a partial paralysis of the stomach musculature .
Due to this partial paralysis, the ingested food remains inside the stomach for a long time and the digestion process is considerably slowed down.
Not surprisingly, gastroparesis is also called delayed gastric emptying .
From the therapeutic point of view, there are no (yet) specific treatments, but only symptomatic treatments, that is aimed at reducing symptoms and improving the quality of life for patients.
One of these symptomatic treatments is the adoption of a particular dietary style, which includes:
- So many small meals a day, so that the stomach has a less demanding "job".
- Soft or liquid foods, as they are easier to digest. In this regard, a much practiced solution is to blend or grind solid foods.
- An accurate chewing of every solid food taken. This allows for easier digestion of the bolus that reaches the stomach.
- The waiver of carbonated drinks, especially during meals.
- The renunciation of hardly digestible foods, such as apples with peel, foods high in fiber (broccoli, oranges, etc.) and those containing large amounts of fat.
