Common Causes of Gastroparesis
Gastroparesis is a health issue that affects how food is moved between your stomach and your small intestine. The condition occurs when the stomach cannot contract as usual, which is also known as stomach paralysis. This affects digestion and the absorption of nutrients in the body. More specifically, the condition interferes with the emptying of the stomach. Gastroparesis may result in vomiting, nutritional abnormalities, high or low blood sugar, as well as nausea. [1]
Currently, the exact trigger of gastroparesis is still unclear. Many scientists believe that the condition is related to disrupted nerve signals in your stomach. This leads to a slower movement of food. Other risk factors include the stomach not reacting to a meal and the stomach being too sensitive to the nervous system’s signals. Most cases can fit into one of the three types
– Idiopathic: More than 35 percent of the reported cases are not associated with an identifiable cause, which is also known as idiopathic.
– Diabetes-related: High blood sugar in diabetic patients might cause damage to the nervous system over time.
– Postsurgical: A surgical procedure in the stomach or digestive organs could affect signals in this organ. [2]