Risk Factors for Gastroparesis

Gastroparesis is a digestive tract disorder characterized by a delay in stomach emptying. In other words, the stomach no longer can empty food in the same time frame that it normally should. This results in symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, bloating, abdominal pain, and feeling full quickly after meals. These symptoms are not specific for gastroparesis, therefore specific testing needs to be conducted to rule out other gastrointestinal disorders and confirm the diagnosis of gastroparesis.

It is important to identify the cause of gastroparesis if possible. Patients with gastroparesis should be screened for the presence of the following conditions, interventions, or risk factors:

• Diabetes
• Thyroid Dysfunction
• Neurological Diseases
• Prior gastric or bariatric surgery
• Autoimmune disorders
• Prodrome suggesting Viral Illness
• Medications resulting in delayed gastric emptying

Because the symptoms of gastroparesis can overlap with other conditions—nausea, vomiting, bloating, abdominal pain—are often misdiagnosed as other gastrointestinal disorders such as an ulcer, heartburn, or acid reflux. For this reason, it’s important to consult with a physician as early as possible.

There are several medications and interventions available for gastroparesis management. For more information on gastroparesis, contact a gastroenterologist at Texas Digestive Disease Consultants today. https://www.tddctx.com/ 

Edited by: Nishita Kara, M.D.