Gastroparesis: a turning point in understanding and treatment

What is it about?

Gastroparesis is a condition that causes symptoms of nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fullness and early satiety. It can result from diabetes, intestinal infections or often from unknown causes. Patients often need an upper endoscopy to exclude obstruction of the stomach outlet and a specialized test to assess the rate at which stomach empties which is slowed down in gastroparesis. A number of mechanical or sensory problems can result in this delay of stomach emptying and symptoms of gastroparesis. Gastric pacemaker cells and in some cases, nerves are lost or damaged in patients with gastroparesis. Our immune system may play a role in causing this damage. Newer medical treatments which can improve the emptying of stomach and symptoms are emerging. Additionally, newer endoscopic treatments may benefit a subgroup of patients with gastroparesis.

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