Gastric mapping is a diagnostic procedure that evaluates the electrical activity and movement within the stomach. This method helps healthcare providers understand digestive problems by providing insights into how stomach muscles work, especially when symptoms suggest a motility disorder.
Understanding Gastric Mapping
Gastric mapping measures the electrical signals that govern stomach muscle contractions. These signals are similar to the electrical impulses measured during an electrocardiogram (EKG) for heart activity. The stomach’s movements, known as motility, depend on these bioelectrical patterns.
Disruptions in these electrical signals can lead to various digestive symptoms. When the electrical activity is abnormal, the stomach may not contract efficiently, affecting the movement of food through the digestive tract. Body Surface Gastric Mapping (BSGM) is a non-invasive method that uses sensors placed on the skin to detect these electrical waves from the stomach.
Reasons for Gastric Mapping
Physicians recommend gastric mapping for individuals experiencing persistent and unexplained digestive symptoms. These symptoms commonly include chronic nausea, frequent vomiting, early satiety (feeling full after eating only a small amount), bloating, and abdominal pain. The test is helpful when other diagnostic procedures have not provided clear answers.
Gastric mapping assists in diagnosing conditions such as gastroparesis, characterized by delayed stomach emptying without a physical blockage. It can also help identify functional dyspepsia, a disorder causing indigestion symptoms without an apparent cause. By assessing the stomach’s electrical activity, mapping can differentiate between various motility disorders and guide treatment strategies.
The Gastric Mapping Procedure
Preparing for gastric mapping involves instructions to ensure accurate results. Patients must fast for 6 to 8 hours before the test to ensure the stomach is empty. Adjustments to medications may also be necessary, with physicians advising on which drugs to temporarily stop, such as antacids or certain pain relievers.
During the procedure, electrodes are placed on the skin of the abdomen over the stomach area. These electrodes record the electrical signals produced by the stomach muscles. After initial recording in a fasting state, the patient consumes a standardized meal, and recording continues to observe the stomach’s response to food. The entire process is non-invasive, provides real-time data on the stomach’s electrical rhythms, and lasts for several hours.
What Gastric Mapping Results Reveal
The data collected during gastric mapping is analyzed to provide insights into the stomach’s electrical and mechanical function. Abnormal results can indicate several issues, such as slow electrical waves, uncoordinated contractions, or a general lack of electrical activity. These findings help healthcare providers understand the specific nature of a patient’s motility disorder.
For instance, a pattern of slow or absent electrical waves indicates gastroparesis, where stomach muscles contract too weakly or infrequently to empty food properly. Conversely, uncoordinated contractions indicate other types of motility disturbances. By understanding these underlying causes of symptoms, gastric mapping results guide doctors in developing targeted treatment plans, which may include dietary changes, medication adjustments, or other interventions.