“My mother in law gets nauseous every time she merely finishes a meal. What could be the reason?”

Based on the fact that she is diabetic, has rising creatinine, and is of age can explain it. She needs to be assessed by a kidney specialist, check medications, other blood tests and check if the stomach is functioning properly. This question requires a direct doctor's visit.

Your mom may have gastroparesis secondary to her diabetes. I would suggest that she look into promotillity agents such as domperidone or metclopamide. These are usually taken 20 min before meals.

Sincerely,

Lewis Mufson, MD

#1 reason for this might be delayed gastric emptying - a consequence of diabetes, especially if it is not well controlled. Sometimes, doctors will call this gastroparesis, but beware of this label because the test for this (gastric emptying scan) is unreliable and inconsistent in people with diabetes. Treatment for delayed gastric emptying includes tight diabetes control, smaller meals, lower calorie foods and more liquid foods.

Nausea is a rather vague symptom. Other causes are possible of course - ulcer, pyloric stricture, H pylori, etc. - so a work up is probably warranted, not knowing her other history and past procedures done. Best to see a GI doctor.

Hope this helps.

There are a number of different reasons that could be causing the symptoms. The differential diagnosis includes gallbladder disease, gastritis or ulcer disease, and especially gastroparesis or other gastric motility disturbance related to the diabetes.

Mark Noar

Diabetes can have serious complications and your mother in law’s symptoms are most likely related to complications of diabetes. Her doctor will be able to determine what exactly is causing this.