Gastroparesis

Key facts

• Gastroparesis means the stomach muscles move too slowly, so food sits and ferments instead of emptying steadily into the small intestine.
• It commonly follows a viral illness or develops alongside diabetes, where nerve damage disrupts the signals that drive stomach contractions.
• Prokinetic medicines such as metoclopramide are the mainstay of drug treatment, alongside smaller, more frequent, lower-fat meals.
• Persistent vomiting, major weight loss, or trouble keeping fluids down needs prompt medical review.

What causes it

The stomach wall relies on coordinated nerve signals to push food forward. When those signals are disrupted, most often by diabetes-related nerve damage, a post-viral injury to the vagus nerve, or certain medications, the muscle contractions weaken or become erratic. Food then lingers in the stomach far longer than it should instead of passing through on a normal schedule.

Symptoms

Feeling full after only a few bites, upper abdominal discomfort, nausea, acid reflux, and vomiting of undigested food hours after eating are typical. Severity varies widely between individuals and can change over time. In people with diabetes, blood glucose can swing unpredictably because the timing of nutrient absorption no longer matches insulin action, which complicates day-to-day management.

How gastroparesis is treated

Treatment focuses on improving stomach motility and controlling symptoms. Metoclopramide is among the most widely used prokinetic medicines, stimulating stomach contractions to help food move through faster. Dietary changes work alongside medicine: smaller, more frequent meals, soft or liquid foods, and limiting fat and fibre all reduce the load on a stomach that's already struggling to empty.

When to see a doctor

Persistent vomiting, significant unintended weight loss, or difficulty keeping fluids down warrants prompt medical review, since dehydration can escalate quickly. A digestive health specialist can guide longer-term management when initial measures don't control symptoms well enough.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.