Tip of the Week: More about gastroparesis
September 22, 2017
Last week’s tip on gastroparesis touched upon a particularly important topic for the PWS community. Gastroparesis causes your stomach to empty much more slowly than it should. Once diagnosed, it is important to stay vigilant so that it does not reoccur. Some ways to help your child’s GI system stay on track include:
1. Eat several small meals per day instead of three large meals.
2. Eat at least three hours before you lie down.
3. Eat slowly. If this is a challenge for your child, try using chopsticks. This has worked well for us in many cases.
4. Eat a low-fiber diet.
5. Avoid foods that are known to cause excess gas like beans and broccoli.
6. Ask your doctor about medications that your child is taking to be sure that none can cause the stomach to empty slowly.
Changing your child’s diet can aid the stomach to empty faster and avoid further episodes of gastroparesis.
Patrice Carroll is Latham Centers’ world-renowned Prader-Willi Syndrome specialist. She works with Latham Centers’ residents with PWS, their families, and consultants, continuously learning and teaching about PWS best practices.