Re: gastrointestinal inflammation/impaired motility

Posted By Mary on March 25, 1999 at 14:37:49:

In Reply to: Re: gastrointestinal inflammation/impaired motility posted by HFHSM.D.-rf on March 07, 1999 at 09:19:23:






: : What are gastrointestinal infalammation and impaired motility?  I posted a question about symptoms of nausea and dry heaves that were diagnosed by my gastroenterolgioist as gallbladder probelms but that have not abated since my gallbladder was removed.  The answer I got was that gastrointestinal inflammation or impaired motility could be the problem.  How are these conditions diagnosed?  Treated?  What are the symptoms?  Thanks.




Dear lara,
: Gastrointestinal inflammation refers to an increase of white cells in the wall of the gut.  The diagnosis of inflammation is made by the pathologist when tissue is examined under the microscope.  There are numerous causes for this inflammation.  The clinical presentation and prognosis are dependent on the area involved and the underlying cause for the inflammation.
Impaired motility refers to an alteration (usually slowing) of gastrointestinal motility, the rate at whiich contents of the gut are moved from mouth to anus.  Again there are many causes for this motility problem.  Some of the causes for inflammation can cause impaired motility but there are also causes for the motility problem that do not cause inflammation.
Your story is representative for many who have had their gallbladders removed.  It is worthwhile to re-emphasize that if the gall bladder is remove
d for atypical symptoms, there is a strong chance of recurrence symptoms af
r the surgery.  Or to state this another way: not all abdominal pains are
to gall bladder disease even when the gall bladder shows stones.  It is
important for the physician to take a detailed histor
Dear Doctor,
I am very interested in questions about stomach motility, as mgastroenterologist determined that I had slow gastric emptying by process of
elimination (no cancer, gerd, gall bladder problems, etc.). He prescribedPropulsid, which was helpful; but I had to stop taking because I t
en developed premature ventricular contractions.
My questions:
1.  If I had an unknown electrolyte imbalance to begin with, isn't it
possible that the Propulsid brought on the PVC's
2.  I have read that the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathet
ic nervous sytem determine the heart beat. Also, the parasympathetic nerves
travel in the vagus nerve, which is involved in gut motility and gastric acid
secretion. Isn't it possible, then, that both an irregular heartbeat and slo
w gastric emptying are interconnected through the vagus nerve?  And, the
symptoms might be alleviated by correcting any mineral imbalances
Mary
_____

Dear Mary
A physician should not diagnose gastroparesis by exclusion.  EXCEPT in rare
cases a gastric motility study is needed to confirm the diagnosi

PVCs can be brought on by many conditions of which taking Propulsid in the
face of electrolyte abnormalities is one cause.Whether your cardiac and
gastric problems are related is possible.
This information is presented for educational purposes.  Ask specific
questions to your personal physician.
HFHSM.D.-rf
8keywords: cardiac arrythmia, vagus nerve, gastroparesis
0.1

Dear Doctor,
Thank you for your reply.  I read in the heart forum that stomach acid can "irritate" the vagus nerve and might result in premature ventricular contractions.  Could you comment on this, please, and would taking an antacid, such as Rolaid or Tums help?
Thank you,
Mary
This information is presented for educational purposes.  ASk specific questions to your personal physician.
HFHSM.D.-rf
: *keywords: gall bladder
: 0.2