What is gastroparesis?

Were you aware that up to five million people in the United States have gastroparesis, yet many remain undiagnosed?

For some, it’s too embarrassing to talk about with a doctor. For others, they simply can’t get a helpful diagnosis from their healthcare provider. Neither should be the case, as this condition can worsen over time and result in preventable surgery.

Gastroparesis is a disorder in which the stomach takes too long to empty its contents. Normally, the stomach has regular contractions to move food down into the small intestine for digestion. Gastroparesis results from poor regulation from the vagus nerve that controls this movement. When the nervous system is compromised, the muscles of the stomach and intestines don’t work normally and food moves slowly or stops moving through the digestive tract. Symptoms include: heartburn, pain in the upper abdomen, nausea, vomiting of undigested food (sometimes several hours after a meal), feeling full after only a few bites of food, weight loss due to poor absorption of nutrients or low caloric intake, abdominal bloating, unstable blood glucose levels, lack of appetite, gastroesophageal reflux, and abdominal spasms.

Our office has experience supporting people who are struggling with this condition so please consult with us so that we can devise a plan for you or a loved one.