Gastroparesis: guidelines for effective management

This article presents a narrative literature review on gastroparesis, exposing epidemiological data, risk factors, pathophysiology, clinical signs, symptoms, diagnosis, prognosis, as well as providing guidelines for the effective management of this disorder. It was seen that the diagnosis of gastroparesis depends on the recognition of late gastric emptying in the absence of mechanical obstruction and that the current treatment options for gastroparesis are limited and consist of a combination of lifestyle, dietary supplements, medications, alternative and complementary therapy, endoscopic therapy and surgical therapy. Despite the limitations involved in the treatment of gastroparesis, it is believed that these difficulties should be addressed as the understanding of the pathophysiology of this disorder expands. In addition, a combination of approaches (ie, basic research, clinical investigation and controlled clinical trials) is necessary to provide patient care in these conditions.