Delayed Gastric Emptying
(Gastroparesis)

Delayed gastric emptying, also known as gastroparesis, is a motility disorder in which the stomach loses its ability to empty properly as a result of poor muscle function.  The muscle contractions that normally move food along the digestive tract do not work properly and the stomach empties too slowly.

Causes and Development

Possible causes of gastroparesis include diabetes, stomach surgery, viral infections, scleroderma and neurological disorders, including Parkinson's disease and spinal-cord disorders.  However, in many cases no obvious cause for the gastroparesis is found and hypochlorhydria may be causing the delayed stomach emptying.

Signs and Symptoms

The typical symptoms associated with gastroparesis include nausea, vomiting, bloating, weight loss and feeling of fullness after only a small amount of food is eaten.

Delayed gastric emptying is also associated with a variety of symptoms or diseases such as heartburn, irritable bowel syndrome, functional dyspepsia and GERD.

Diagnosis and Tests

Before a diagnosis can be made, doctors first rule out an obstruction of the stomach by performing an endoscopic examination or an X-ray study of the upper digestive tract.  If no obstruction is found, doctors conduct another test in which the patient eats food that contains radioactive markers.  X-ray pictures are taken of the stomach over the next few hours to see how quickly the food moves through it.  Newer, less invasive tests, are available.

Treatment and Prevention

Therapy for gastroparesis includes dietary and medical components.  A liquid diet is often prescribed because the stomach can often process liquids better than solids.  Doctors may also advise the patient to eat smaller, more frequent meals.