What is gastroparesis?

Gastroparesis is a chronic disorder where the stomach takes too long to empty its contents. It can affect people with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

Gastroparesis can occur when the nerves to the stomach are damaged or stop working. The vagus nerve controls the movement of food through the digestive tract. If the vagus nerve is damaged, the muscles of the stomach and intestines do not work normally, and the movement of food is slowed or stopped.

Reviewed: April 2011
Next review: October 2012