BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuGastroparesisGastroparesis diabeticorum; Delayed gastric emptying; Diabetes - gastroparesis; Diabetic neuropathy - gastroparesisGastroparesis is a condition that reduces the ability of the stomach to empty its contents. It does not involve a blockage (obstruction). Causes The exact cause of gastroparesis is unknown. It may be caused by a disruption of nerve signals to the stomach. The condition is a common complication of diabetes. It can also follow some surgeries.DiabetesDiabetes is a long-term (chronic) disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Risk factors for gastroparesis include:Diabetes Gastrectomy (surgery to remove part of the stomach) GastrectomyGastrectomy is surgery to remove part or all of the stomach. If only part of the stomach is removed, it is called partial gastrectomyIf the whole sto...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Systemic sclerosis Systemic sclerosisScleroderma is a disease that involves the buildup of fibrous tissue in the skin and elsewhere in the body. It also damages the cells that line the ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Use of medicine that blocks certain nerve signals (anticholinergic medicine) Symptoms Symptoms may include:Abdominal distention Abdominal distentionA swollen abdomen is when your belly area is bigger than usual.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Abdominal pain Hypoglycemia (in people with diabetes) HypoglycemiaLow blood sugar is a condition that occurs when the body's blood sugar (glucose) decreases and is too low. Blood sugar below 70 mg/dL (3. 9 mmol/L) i...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Nausea NauseaNausea is feeling an urge to vomit. It is often called "being sick to your stomach. "Vomiting or throwing-up forces the contents of the stomach up t...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Premature abdominal fullness after meals Premature abdominal fullness after mealSatiety is the satisfied feeling of being full after eating. Early satiety is feeling full sooner than normal or after eating less than usual....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Weight loss without trying Weight lossUnexplained weight loss is a decrease in body weight, when you did not try to lose the weight on your own. Many people gain and lose weight. Uninten...Read Article Now Book Mark Article VomitingVomitingNausea is feeling an urge to vomit. It is often called "being sick to your stomach. "Vomiting or throwing-up forces the contents of the stomach up t...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Exams and Tests Tests you may need include:Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) EsophagogastroduodenoscopyEsophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is a test to examine the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and first part of the small intestine (the duodenum)....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Gastric emptying study (using isotope labeled food) Upper GI seriesUpper GI seriesAn upper GI and small bowel series is a set of x-rays taken to examine the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. Barium enema is a related test th...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment People with diabetes should always control their blood sugar level. Better control of blood sugar level may improve symptoms of gastroparesis. Eating small and more frequent meals and soft foods may also help relieve some symptoms.Medicines that may help include:Cholinergic drugs, which act on acetylcholine nerve receptors Erythromycin Metoclopramide, a medicine that helps empty the stomach Serotonin antagonist drugs, which act on serotonin receptorsOther treatments may include:Botulinum toxin (Botox) injected into the outlet of the stomach (pylorus) Electrical stimulation of the stomach Surgical procedure that creates an opening between the stomach and small intestine to allow food to move through the digestive tract more easily (gastroenterostomy) Outlook (Prognosis) Many treatments seem to provide only temporary benefit. Possible Complications Ongoing nausea and vomiting may cause:Dehydration DehydrationDehydration occurs when your body does not have as much water and fluids as it needs. Dehydration can be mild, moderate, or severe, based on how much...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Electrolyte imbalances ElectrolyteElectrolytes are minerals in your blood and other body fluids that carry an electric charge. Electrolytes affect how your body functions in many ways...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Malnutrition People with diabetes may have serious complications from poor blood sugar control. When to Contact a Medical Professional Changes in your diet may help control symptoms. Contact your health care provider if symptoms continue or if you have new symptoms.Open ReferencesReferencesBircher G, Woodrow G. Gastroenterology and nutrition in chronic kidney disease. In: Feehally J, Floege J, Tonelli M, Johnson RJ, eds. Comprehensive Clinical Nephrology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 86.Camilleri M. Disorders of gastrointestinal motility. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 127.Koch KL. Gastric neuromuscular function and neuromuscular disorders. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 50.AllVideoImagesTogDigestive system - illustration The esophagus, stomach, large and small intestine, aided by the liver, gallbladder and pancreas convert the nutritive components of food into energy and break down the non-nutritive components into waste to be excreted.Digestive systemillustrationStomach - illustration The stomach is the portion of the digestive system most responsible for breaking down food. The lower esophageal sphincter at the top of the stomach regulates food passing from the esophagus into the stomach, and prevents the contents of the stomach from reentering the esophagus. The pyloric sphincter at the bottom of the stomach governs the passage of food out of the stomach into the small intestine.StomachillustrationDigestive system - illustration The esophagus, stomach, large and small intestine, aided by the liver, gallbladder and pancreas convert the nutritive components of food into energy and break down the non-nutritive components into waste to be excreted.Digestive systemillustrationStomach - illustration The stomach is the portion of the digestive system most responsible for breaking down food. The lower esophageal sphincter at the top of the stomach regulates food passing from the esophagus into the stomach, and prevents the contents of the stomach from reentering the esophagus. The pyloric sphincter at the bottom of the stomach governs the passage of food out of the stomach into the small intestine.StomachillustrationRelated Information Diabetes(Condition)Scleroderma(Condition)Gastrectomy(Surgery)Comprehensive metabolic panel(Medical Test)Dehydration(Condition)Diabetes - type 1 - InDepth(In-Depth)Scleroderma - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 11/3/2022 Reviewed By: Michael M. Phillips, MD, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. 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GastroparesisGastroparesis diabeticorum; Delayed gastric emptying; Diabetes - gastroparesis; Diabetic neuropathy - gastroparesisGastroparesis is a condition that reduces the ability of the stomach to empty its contents. It does not involve a blockage (obstruction). Causes The exact cause of gastroparesis is unknown. It may be caused by a disruption of nerve signals to the stomach. The condition is a common complication of diabetes. It can also follow some surgeries.DiabetesDiabetes is a long-term (chronic) disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Risk factors for gastroparesis include:Diabetes Gastrectomy (surgery to remove part of the stomach) GastrectomyGastrectomy is surgery to remove part or all of the stomach. If only part of the stomach is removed, it is called partial gastrectomyIf the whole sto...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Systemic sclerosis Systemic sclerosisScleroderma is a disease that involves the buildup of fibrous tissue in the skin and elsewhere in the body. It also damages the cells that line the ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Use of medicine that blocks certain nerve signals (anticholinergic medicine) Symptoms Symptoms may include:Abdominal distention Abdominal distentionA swollen abdomen is when your belly area is bigger than usual.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Abdominal pain Hypoglycemia (in people with diabetes) HypoglycemiaLow blood sugar is a condition that occurs when the body's blood sugar (glucose) decreases and is too low. Blood sugar below 70 mg/dL (3. 9 mmol/L) i...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Nausea NauseaNausea is feeling an urge to vomit. It is often called "being sick to your stomach. "Vomiting or throwing-up forces the contents of the stomach up t...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Premature abdominal fullness after meals Premature abdominal fullness after mealSatiety is the satisfied feeling of being full after eating. Early satiety is feeling full sooner than normal or after eating less than usual....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Weight loss without trying Weight lossUnexplained weight loss is a decrease in body weight, when you did not try to lose the weight on your own. Many people gain and lose weight. Uninten...Read Article Now Book Mark Article VomitingVomitingNausea is feeling an urge to vomit. It is often called "being sick to your stomach. "Vomiting or throwing-up forces the contents of the stomach up t...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Exams and Tests Tests you may need include:Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) EsophagogastroduodenoscopyEsophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is a test to examine the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and first part of the small intestine (the duodenum)....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Gastric emptying study (using isotope labeled food) Upper GI seriesUpper GI seriesAn upper GI and small bowel series is a set of x-rays taken to examine the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. Barium enema is a related test th...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment People with diabetes should always control their blood sugar level. Better control of blood sugar level may improve symptoms of gastroparesis. Eating small and more frequent meals and soft foods may also help relieve some symptoms.Medicines that may help include:Cholinergic drugs, which act on acetylcholine nerve receptors Erythromycin Metoclopramide, a medicine that helps empty the stomach Serotonin antagonist drugs, which act on serotonin receptorsOther treatments may include:Botulinum toxin (Botox) injected into the outlet of the stomach (pylorus) Electrical stimulation of the stomach Surgical procedure that creates an opening between the stomach and small intestine to allow food to move through the digestive tract more easily (gastroenterostomy) Outlook (Prognosis) Many treatments seem to provide only temporary benefit. Possible Complications Ongoing nausea and vomiting may cause:Dehydration DehydrationDehydration occurs when your body does not have as much water and fluids as it needs. Dehydration can be mild, moderate, or severe, based on how much...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Electrolyte imbalances ElectrolyteElectrolytes are minerals in your blood and other body fluids that carry an electric charge. Electrolytes affect how your body functions in many ways...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Malnutrition People with diabetes may have serious complications from poor blood sugar control. When to Contact a Medical Professional Changes in your diet may help control symptoms. Contact your health care provider if symptoms continue or if you have new symptoms.Open ReferencesReferencesBircher G, Woodrow G. Gastroenterology and nutrition in chronic kidney disease. In: Feehally J, Floege J, Tonelli M, Johnson RJ, eds. Comprehensive Clinical Nephrology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 86.Camilleri M. Disorders of gastrointestinal motility. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 127.Koch KL. Gastric neuromuscular function and neuromuscular disorders. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 50.