Stroke patients experience impaired gastric activity and dysfunction

Patients who have suffered an ischemic stroke often face gastrointestinal issues. These complications occur because the brain's ability to regulate stomach activity is affected. Researchers aimed to study how well the stomach functions and how the autonomic nervous system operates in these patients. In their study, scientists recorded stomach activity and heart rate in 14 stroke patients and 11 healthy individuals. They used special tools to measure gastric activity and analyze heart rate patterns. Recordings were made both when patients were fasting and after they ate. The findings showed that stroke patients, particularly those with more severe disability, had significant issues with stomach activity. They had fewer normal gastric waves, which are important for digestion, and experienced more irregular gastric rhythms. Additionally, their stomachs produced slower activity overall. Heart rate analysis indicated that these patients had increased activity from the sympathetic nervous system, which prepares the body for stress, while the parasympathetic system, which manages relaxation, was less active. Overall, the study concluded that severe ischemic stroke leads to problems with stomach activity, largely due to changes in the autonomic nervous system's function.