• Gastroparesis may occur in people with type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes.
   
• Gastroparesis is the result of damage to the vagus nerve, which controls the movement of food through the digestive system. Instead of the food moving through the digestive tract normally, it is retained in the stomach.
   
• The vagus nerve becomes damaged after years of poor blood glucose control, resulting in gastroparesis. In turn, gastroparesis contributes to poor blood glucose control.
   
• Symptoms of gastroparesis include early fullness, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss.
   
• Gastroparesis is diagnosed through tests such as x rays, manometry, and scanning.
   
• Treatments include changes in when and what you eat, changes in insulin type and timing of injectons, oral medications, a jejunostomy, parenteral nutrition, gastric neurostimulators, or botulinum toxin.

Good Care Makes a Difference in Diabetes

If you have dibetes:

• Have your doctor measure your A1C level at least twice a year. The test provides a weighted average of your blood glucose level for the previous 3 months. Aim to keep it at less than 7 percent.
   
• Work with your doctor regarding insulin injections, medicines, meal planning, physical activity, and blood glucose monitoring.
   
• Have your blood pressure checked several times a year. If blood pressure is high, follow your doctor's plan for keeping it near normal levels. Aim to keep it at less than 130/80.
   
• Ask your doctor whether you might benefit from taking an ACE inhibitor or ARB.
   
• Have your urine checked yearly for microalbumin and protein. If there is protein in your urine, have your blood checked for elevated amounts of waste products such as creatinine. The doctor should provide you with an estimate of your kidney's filtration based on the blood creatinine level.
   
• Ask your doctor whether you should reduce the amount of protein in your diet. Ask for a referral to see a registered dietitian to help you with meal planning.

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