​Gastroparesis

Gastroparesis (gas-tro-puh-Ree-sus), also known as delayed gastric emptying, occurs when your stomach doesn’t work properly. Normally, after you swallow food, your stomach muscles begin squeezing and tightening, crushing the food and moving it into the small intestine. If you have gastroparesis, your stomach muscles don’t contract property, which delays the process of digestion.

Symptoms of gastroparesis may include:

  • Heartburn or stomach pain
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting, especially vomiting pieces of undigested food
  • Feeling full after only a few bites of food
  • Bloating
  • Lack of appetite
  • Unintended weight loss 

People with diabetes are most at risk for gastroparesis. Some other contributing factors are medications (such as pain medicines and antidepressants), GERD, eating disorders and surgery on the esophagus.

 

SaveSave