Diabetes Complications: Gastroparesis

Written by NDIC

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Gastroparesis is a digestive problem, a diabetes complication. Causes, symptoms, treatment of diabetes-related gastroparesis.

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What is gastroparesis?

Gastroparesis, also called delayed gastric emptying, is a disorder in which the stomach takes too long to empty its contents. Normally, the stomach contracts to move food down into the small intestine for digestion. The vagus nerve controls the movement of food from the stomach through the digestive tract. Gastroparesis occurs when the vagus nerve is damaged and the muscles of the stomach and intestines do not work normally. Food then moves slowly or stops moving through the digestive tract.

Illustration of the digestive system
The digestive system

What causes gastroparesis?

The most common cause of gastroparesis is diabetes. People with diabetes have high blood glucose, also called blood sugar, which in turn causes chemical changes in nerves and damages the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients to the nerves. Over time, high blood glucose can damage the vagus nerve.

Some other causes of gastroparesis are

surgery on the stomach or vagus nerve
viral infections
anorexia nervosa or bulimia
medications—anticholinergics and narcotics—that slow contractions in the intestine
gastroesophageal reflux disease
smooth muscle disorders, such as amyloidosis and scleroderma
nervous system diseases, including abdominal migraine and Parkinson's disease
metabolic disorders, including hypothyroidism

Many people have what is called idiopathic gastroparesis, meaning the cause is unknown and cannot be found even after medical tests.