August 22-29 is Digestive Tract Paralysis (DTP) Awareness Week.
Because I suffer from DTP, I thought I’d share a little about DTP, my story, and the stories of some friends.
I have what’s called “gastroparesis.” That’s gastro– (meaning stomach) and –paresis (meaning partial paralysis). I also have intestinal dysmotility which has resulted in many episodes of intestinal psuedo-obstruction. And that’s intestinal (meaning relating to the small intestines and colon), pseudo- (meaning false), and obstruction (a blockage). Both issues are common with many types of mito.
As a friend with Crohn’s disease has said about GI-tract disorders:
“What are those?” you ask. Butt diseases. Nobody talks about them because butts are embarrassing.
But these are real and serious conditions because the GI (gastrointestinal) system processes your food (which contributes to how well your entire body functions), GI disorders are very serious. They are something that people should talk about because without vital nutrition, your body deteriorates rapidly. There are, however, some medical “solutions” to poor nutrition. Although doctors initially try treatment with medication and diet, they may eventually resort to using TPN (total parenteral nutrition), which is essentially IV nutrition, and/or a GJ (Gastrojejunal) tube, a tube that directly feeds into the small bowel, bypassing the stomach.
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