Gastroparesis, or delayed gastric emptying, is a chronic condition where the stomach takes too long to empty its contents without any mechanical blockage. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, a feeling of fullness after eating small amounts, bloating, and upper abdominal pain. It is most commonly caused by nerve damage from diabetes or occurs after surgery or viral infections. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Common Causes
- Diabetes: High blood sugar can damage the vagus nerve, which regulates stomach muscle contractions.
- Idiopathic: In many cases, the exact cause is unknown.
- Post-surgical: Damage to the vagus nerve can occur during surgeries involving the stomach or esophagus.
- Medications: Opioids, certain antidepressants, and allergy medicines can slow stomach emptying. [1, 2, 3]
Diagnosis
The standard diagnostic test is a gastric emptying study. This non-invasive test involves eating a meal containing a small amount of radioactive tracer and taking images over several hours to measure how quickly food leaves your stomach. An upper endoscopy may also be performed to rule out mechanical obstructions in the digestive tract. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Treatment and Dietary Adjustments
While there is no definitive cure, management focuses on nutritional stability, identifying the underlying cause, and alleviating symptoms: [1]
- Dietary Changes: Eating smaller, more frequent meals, reducing fat and high-fiber foods, and prioritizing soft or liquid foods can ease digestion. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
- Medications: Doctors may prescribe prokinetic drugs (e.g., metoclopramide, erythromycin) to stimulate stomach contractions and antiemetics to reduce nausea. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
- Severe Cases: In extreme cases, a feeding tube might be necessary to ensure adequate nutrition or a gastric electrical stimulator can be implanted. [1, 2, 3]
To learn more about tracking your symptoms or finding specialized care, consult trusted health portals like the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases or the American College of Gastroenterology.