It's also known as delayed gastric emptying and is where the stomach is partially or fully paralysed. This means that food moves slowly through the stomach or completely stops moving.

​

These are the signs and symptoms of gastroparesis:

• Vomiting

• Nausea

• Abdominal bloating

• Abdominal pain and discomfort

• Feeling full very quickly when eating

• Vomiting undigested food eaten a few hours earlier

• Acid reflux / Heartburn

• Changes in blood sugar levels

• Lack of appetite

• Weight loss and malnutrition

There is no cure but management strategies exist, and everyone will have different experiences.

​

Diagnosis is often through the following hospital tests: This is how it’s often diagnosed

• Gastric emptying study (scintigraphy)

• Wireless capsule test

• Barium x-ray

• Breath tests

• Upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy

• Ultrasound

It can fluctuate from mild to severe.

People with milder gastroparesis, may experience waves or flareups of symptoms that can usually be managed with dietary intervention and/or medications. You can find more info below on this. 

For people with more severe gastroparesis, more invasive methods can be used:

• Surgery (gastroenterostomy/gastrojejunostomy)

• Botox injections

• Electrical stimulation

If getting adequate nutrition becomes an issue, tube feeding can be trialled

• Enteral nutrition - through your stomach or intestine

• Parenteral nutrition - directly into the bloodstream