Nausea, vomiting, bloating, bad heartburn, feeling full all the time – these are all signs of gastroparesis, or delayed stomach emptying. In gastroparesis, the things people eat and drink don’t move through their stomach as quickly as they should. This causes a sensation of fullness and nausea after eating.

The stomach and small intestine move in coordination to start the digestion process. Food is churned into the stomach and then moved into the small bowel for further digestion and breakdown by enzymes. In gastroparesis, the stomach cannot successfully move the food into the small bowel. This causes a feeling of being too full and can lead to vomiting.

Gastroparesis has many causes but is most often associated with diabetes mellitus. Uncontrolled blood sugars can cause damage to nerves, leading to the skin burning some people with diabetes experience. The same process can occur to the nerves that control the stomach, causing gastroparesis.

There is no cure for gastroparesis. Treatment consists of diet changes and keeping good control of blood sugars. There are some medications that can be used to help the stomach empty more quickly, but they are associated with problematic side effects.

Are any of the gastroparesis symptoms familiar? If so, let us know. 

Digestive Health Specialists, PA is here to help if you, or someone you know, would like more information, or if you are experiencing any digestive health symptoms and would like further evaluation. Feel free to give us a call at 336-768-6211 or fill the form below.