In the 'Symptoms - Gastro-Intestinal - General' section of our in-depth questionnaire we ask the following question about delayed gastric emptying:
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Do you feel as though food remains in your stomach too long? The stomach usually retains food for 3-4 hours before releasing it to the small intestine.
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Your answer |
...indicates |
...and suggests |
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"Don't know" |
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| 2. |
"No" |
Absence of delayed gastric emptying |
A symptom |
| 3. |
"Possibly / occasionally" |
Possible delayed gastric emptying |
A symptom |
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"Frequently" |
Delayed gastric emptying |
A symptom |
| 5. |
"Frequently, confirmed by testing" |
Confirmed delayed gastric emptying |
A symptom |
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Your answer will affect the likelihoods of the conditions below.
Any answers in green reduce the likelihood of the condition.
GLOSSARY
Small Intestine (Small Bowel)
The small intestine lies between the stomach and the large intestine. It is about 6 meters (20 feet) long and its primary function is to digest (break down) food and absorb nutrients (vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, and fats). The small intestine makes up more than 70% of the length and 90% of the surface area of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
Stomach
A hollow, muscular, J-shaped pouch located in the upper part of the abdomen to the left of the midline. The upper end (fundus) is large and dome-shaped; the area just below the fundus is called the body of the stomach. The fundus and the body are often referred to as the cardiac portion of the stomach. The lower (pyloric) portion curves downward and to the right and includes the antrum and the pylorus. The function of the stomach is to begin digestion by physically breaking down food received from the esophagus. The tissues of the stomach wall are composed of three types of muscle fibers: circular, longitudinal and oblique. These fibers create structural elasticity and contractibility, both of which are needed for digestion. The stomach mucosa contains cells which secrete hydrochloric acid and this in turn activates the other gastric enzymes pepsin and rennin. To protect itself from being destroyed by its own enzymes, the stomach’s mucous lining must constantly regenerate itself.
Last updated: May 10, 2007
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