Gastroparesis

    Gastroparesis is a condition in which your stomach cannot empty itself of food in a normal
    fashion. It is caused by damage to the vagus nerve, which regulates the digestive system. A
    damaged vagus nerve prevents the muscles in the stomach and intestine from functioning,
    preventing food from moving through the digestive system properly.

    What are the causes of Gastroparesis?

    The causes of Gastroparesis include:
             •   Uncontrolled diabetes/hypertension
             •   Viral infections
             •   Gastric surgery with injury to the vagus nerve
             •   Medications such as narcotics and some antidepressants
             •   Amyloidosis (deposits of protein fibers in tissues and organs) and scleroderma (a
                 connective tissue disorder that affects the skin, blood vessels, skeletal muscles,
                 and internal organs)

    What Are the Symptoms of Gastroparesis?

    There are many symptoms of gastroparesis, including:
            •   Heartburn or GERD
            •   Nausea
            •   Vomiting undigested food
            •   Feeling full quickly when eating (early satiety)
            •   Abdominal bloating (enlargement)
            •   Poor appetite and weight loss
            •   Poor blood sugar control

    What Are the Complications of Gastroparesis?

    Some of the complications of gastroparesis include:
             •   Food that stays in the stomach too long can ferment, which can lead to the growth of
                 bacteria.
             •   Food in the stomach can harden into a solid collection, called a bezoar.  Bezoars can
                 cause obstructions in the stomach that keep food from passing into the small
                 intestine.
             •   People who have both diabetes and gastroparesis may have more difficulty because
                 blood sugar levels rise when food finally leaves the stomach and enters the small
                 intestine, making blood sugar control more of a challenge.


    References
    http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/digestive-disorders-gastroparesis?page=2
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