User:Mr. Ibrahem/Gastroparesis

Gastroparesis, also called delayed gastric emptying, is a disorder that results in slow movement of food from the stomach to small intestines. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, heartburn, bloating, and feeling full. Complications may include dehydration, malnutrition, weight loss, poor blood sugar control, and bezoars.

The cause may be unknown or include diabetes, certain medications, injury to the vagus nerve, low thyroid, scleroderma, gastroenteritis, or radiation therapy. Medications that may be involved include opioids, anticholinergics, and some antidepressants. The underlying mechanism involves poor contraction of the stomach muscles. Diagnosis may be supported by upper GI endoscopy, gastric emptying scan, gastric emptying breath test, or wireless motility capsule.

Treatment includes dietary changes, medications to stimulate stomach emptying, medications to reduce vomiting, a feeding tube, or surgery. Dietary changes may include small frequent low fat meals. Medications to stimulate stomach emptying may include metoclopramide or domperidone. Surgery may involve a venting gastrostomy or gastric electrical stimulation.

Gastroparesis is diagnosed in about 1 in 10,000 males and 4 in 10,000 females. However, nearly 2% of people have symptoms and it is believed many go undiagnosed. The ability to measure flow through the stomach was developed during the 1900s. The term "gastroparesis" came into use in 1958. It is from Ancient Greek γαστήρ - gaster, meaning "stomach"; and -paresis, πάρεσις - meaning "partial paralysis".