About 1 in 4 people have symptoms of gastroparesis, a condition that causes the stomach to empty slowly, according to the National Institutes of Health. Symptoms include feeling full quickly, nausea or vomiting, and belly pain or discomfort. While these symptoms may be caused by ulcers, inflammation, or a blockage, doctors must rule those conditions out first before diagnosing gastroparesis.
Causes and Nerve Damage
Most commonly, gastroparesis happens without an apparent reason, but sometimes it stems from conditions that damage nerves helping move food, liquids, and waste through the digestive tract. The most common cause is uncontrolled diabetes, which can damage nerves including the vagus nerve that signals stomach muscles to contract or relax. Certain autoimmune diseases and nerve damage from viruses can also cause digestion to stall. According to Dr. Braden Kuo, chief of gastroenterology at Columbia University and New York Presbyterian, some people never fully recover from gastrointestinal upset after a viral illness, with the virus changing nerve endings in their gut and how they sense things.
Symptom Severity and Research
One NIH-funded consortium study found that abdominal pain is a standard feature of gastroparesis, with 90% of people with the condition experiencing it, and about a third having pain that is severe to very severe. Researchers are investigating cognitive behavioral therapy as a potential treatment, teaching patients about their condition and techniques to relax the vagus nerve. Patients also learn to overcome fears of eating that often accompany gastroparesis.
Management Recommendations
Experts urge people who may have gastroparesis to eat smaller meals with less fat and fiber, cook and chew food thoroughly, drink lots of water or other liquids, take a walk after meals, and avoid alcohol, fizzy drinks, and lying down after eating.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.upi.com/Health_News/2025/12/31/gastroparesis-gut-health-disorder/6051767195102/