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DIAGNOSING GASTROPARESIS Part 7Articles - Dr. Bernstein Shares His Insights Richard K. Bernstein, M.D., F.A.C.E., F.A.C.N., FCCWS, has some simple exercises for improving gastroparesis. I have been using the first example with patients and it really works. Check it out for yourself.Diabetes Solution Revised and Updated 2007 Chapter 22 Part 7 Non-Medication APPROACHES TO CONTROL OF GASTROPARESIS Part 7
A patient of mine learned a trick from her yoga instructor that eliminated the erratic blood sugar swings caused by her moderate gastroparesis. The trick is to pull in your belly as far as you can, then push
it out all the way. Repeat this with a regular rhythm as many times as Another patient discovered an exercise that I call the “back flex.” Sit or stand while bending backward as far as you can. Then bend forward, about the same amount. Repeat this as many times as you can tolerate. Although these exercises may sound excessively simple, even silly, they have helped some people with gastroparesis. Mechanical Aids Hand-held massager. One product of possible value is a variable speed hand-held massager that can be placed over the stomach (left side of the abdomen just below your ribs). A 15–30 minute massage might speed stomach-emptying. This product is called Programmable Percussion Massager with Heat #HF755 and is available from Sharper Image Corp., (415) 445-6000 or online at www.sharperimage.com. Use the largest of the five sets of removable heads. Chewing Gum Can Make a Big Difference The act of chewing produces saliva, which not only contains digestive enzymes but also stimulates muscular activity in the stomach and tends to relax the pylorus. Orbit is a delicious “sugarless” gum with a long-lasting flavor. It contains only 1 gram of sugar per piece and so will have little effect upon your blood sugar.* Chewing gum for at least 1 hour after meals is a very effective treatment of gastroparesis outside of major dietary changes. Don’t chew one piece after another, because the grams of sugar can add up. * Another worthwhile chewing gum is XlearDent. Each piece contains .gram of
xylitol, which can kill the bacteria that cause tooth decay. To order it, phone Meal Plan Modifications, Utilizing Ordinary Foods 1. Drinking at least two 8-ounce glasses of sugar-free, caffeine-free
fluid while eating, and chewing slowly and thoroughly
In the paretic stomach, soluble fiber (gums) and insoluble fiber can
form a plug at the very narrow pyloric valve. This is no problem for the
normal stomach, where the pyloric valve is wide open. Many patients
with mild gastroparesis have reported better relief of fullness and improved
blood sugar profiles after modifying their diets to reduce fiber
content or to render the fiber more digestible. This means, for example,
that mashed well-cooked vegetables must be substituted for salads, and
high-fiber laxatives such as those containing psyllium (e.g., Metamucil)
should be avoided. Acceptable vegetables might include avocado,
summer squash, zucchini, or mashed pumpkin (sweetened, if you like,
with stevia and flavored with cinnamon). It also means that you would Most people in the United States like to eat their largest meal in the
evening. Furthermore, they usually consume their largest portion of
meat or other protein food at this time. These habits make control of
fasting blood sugars very difficult for people with gastroparesis. Apparently
animal protein, especially red meat, like fiber, tends to plug
up the pylorus if it’s in spasm. An easy solution is to move most of
your animal protein from supper to breakfast and lunch.Many of my Some people find that by moving protein to earlier meals, they increase the unpredictability of blood sugar after these meals. For such a situation, we suggest, for those who do not use insulin, four or more smaller meals each day, instead of three larger meals. We try to keep these meals spaced about 4 hours apart, so that digestion and doses of ISA for one meal are less likely to overlap those for the next meal. This can be impractical for those who take preprandial insulin. Remember, you must wait 5 hours after your last shot of preprandial insulin before correcting elevated blood sugars. Both alcohol and caffeine consumption can slow gastric emptying, as can mint and chocolate. These should therefore be avoided, especially at supper, if gastroparesis is moderate or severe. Gastroparesis – Part 1 Watch for the Next FREE LIVE WEBCAST: with Dr. Richard K. Bernstein, who will answer questions from medical professionals and patients and it is free. Just go to www.diabetes911.net and register and ask a question if you like! To listen to the last 14 webcasts go to http://www.thebernsteinconnection.com
Author’s Note For information on how you can purchase Diabetes Solution, go to www.Diabetes911.net Special for $18.45. Regular $29.95 A savings of 11+ dollars “The Secrets to Normal Blood Sugars” ORDER NOW!! www.diabetes911.net ALSO CHECK OUT Dr. Bernstein’s new site with all of his videos features and teleconference calls.
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Exercises That Facilitate Stomach-Emptying
We would like to thank the publisher Little Brown and Company and Dr. RichardK. Bernstein, for allowing us to provide excerpts from Diabetes Solution 2007 Edition
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