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Diagnosing Digestive Distress: Tests for Nausea and Vomiting
Published: Dec 14, 2023
When nausea and vomiting persist, doctors have several tools to uncover the cause. Let's explore the tests that can help diagnose what's behind your upset stomach.
The First Step: A Thorough Check-Up
Before any fancy tests, your doctor will start with a detailed history and physical exam. They'll ask about your symptoms, when they started, and what makes them better or worse. This alone can often point to the cause, especially for common issues like stomach bugs or food poisoning. Your doctor will also check for signs of dehydration or other complications.
Looking Inside: Endoscopy
If your symptoms are chronic or unexplained, your doctor might recommend an endoscopy. This test uses a thin, flexible tube with a camera to look inside your esophagus, stomach, and upper small intestine. It can spot issues like ulcers, inflammation, or blockages that might be causing your symptoms. While it sounds scary, most people find it's not as bad as they feared, and it provides valuable information.
Tracking Your Tummy: Gastric Emptying Studies
Sometimes, nausea and vomiting are caused by slow stomach emptying, a condition called gastroparesis. To check for this, doctors use a test called a gastric emptying study. You'll eat a meal containing a small amount of radioactive material, then lie under a special camera that tracks how quickly food moves through your stomach. It's painless and can provide important clues about your digestive function.
New Frontiers: Electrical Mapping
An exciting new test called gastric alimetry uses sensors placed on your abdomen to map your stomach's electrical activity. This can reveal abnormal patterns linked to nausea and other symptoms. While still being studied, it shows promise in helping doctors understand and treat digestive issues more effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, you're sedated and shouldn't feel pain during an endoscopy.
It usually takes about 4 hours to complete.
Yes, these tests are generally very safe when performed by trained professionals.
Yes, you'll usually need to fast before endoscopy or gastric emptying studies.
Most insurance plans cover these tests when medically necessary.
Knowledge is Power
While these tests might seem daunting, they're powerful tools to help you understand and address your digestive issues.
References
- Lacy BE, Parkman HP, Camilleri M. Chronic nausea and vomiting: evaluation and treatment. Am J Gastroenterol 2018; 113:647.
- Grover M, Farrugia G, Stanghellini V. Gastroparesis: a turning point in understanding and treatment. Gut 2019; 68:2238.
- Wang WJ, Foong D, Calder S, et al. Gastric Alimetry Expands Patient Phenotyping in Gastroduodenal Disorders Compared with Gastric Emptying Scintigraphy. Am J Gastroenterol 2024; 119:331.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic. Always discuss health information with your healthcare provider.
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