Gastroparesis is a motility disorder where the stomach does not empty food as quickly as it should. Motility describes the movement of food and fluids through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. GP has a significant impact on GI tract motility and is a debilitating condition. The resulting symptoms with GP can vary from mild to severe and in some patients can be life-threatening due to secondary conditions such as malnutrition.
The signs and symptoms of gastroparesis may also differ among persons with the condition. Symptoms usually occur during and after eating a meal.
Gastroparesis Symptoms:
• Abdominal pain – dull to sharp pain in the upper stomach area that occurs inside the belly, often in the stomach or intestines.
• Nausea – a feeling of sickness felt in the abdomen, stomach, chest, or head with feeling the need to vomit.
• Vomiting – bringing food back up from the stomach into the mouth.
• Early satiety – feeling full after only a small amount of food.
• Reflux – a burning feeling in the esophagus. The esophagus is the tube that connects the mouth and stomach.
• Regurgitation – bringing contents up through the esophagus from the stomach.
• Losing weight without intentionally trying to.
