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Diagnosing Gastroparesis

UI Health uses several advanced tests to confirm gastroparesis and rule out other digestive conditions. These may include:

Gastric Emptying Tests

  • Scintigraphy: The most common test for diagnosing gastroparesis. You eat a small meal containing a safe, trace amount of radioactive material. A scanner tracks how quickly food leaves the stomach over a period of a few hours.
  • Breath Tests: You consume a special meal or drink, and your breath is analyzed over many hours to measure how fast your stomach empties.

Upper Gastrointestinal (GI) Endoscopy

This test utilizes a thin, flexible tube equipped with a camera to visualize your esophagus, stomach, and upper small intestine. It helps rule out conditions like ulcers or blockages that may cause similar symptoms.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound imaging helps determine if gallbladder or kidney issues are contributing to your symptoms.

Causes and Risk Factors

Gastroparesis is often associated with damage to the vagus nerve, which controls the contraction of the stomach muscles. When this nerve doesn’t function properly, food can remain in the stomach too long.

You may be more likely to develop gastroparesis if you have:

  • Diabetes
  • Abdominal or esophageal surgery
  • Autoimmune or connective tissue diseases, such as scleroderma
  • Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs)
  • Neurological conditions, including Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis
  • Some Cancer treatments, such as abdominal radiation therapy
  • Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)

Gastroparesis occurs more frequently in women than in men.

Treatment at UI Health

There is no cure for gastroparesis; however, treatment focuses on managing symptoms, improving digestion, and maintaining adequate nutrition. At UI Health, your care team will work with you to create a personalized plan that may include dietary adjustments, medication management, or advanced procedures.

Dietary Changes

A registered dietitian at UI Health can help you make modifications that support digestion and nutrition. Common recommendations include:

  • Eat smaller meals more often
  • Chew food thoroughly and choose soft or puréed foods
  • Eat cooked vegetables instead of raw ones
  • Avoid high-fiber foods like broccoli, oranges, and beans that can form blockages
  • Limit high-fat foods if they worsen symptoms
  • Drink plenty of water and avoid carbonated beverages and alcohol
  • Take gentle walks after eating
  • Avoid lying down for two hours after meals
  • Take a daily multivitamin if recommended

Medications

Your care team may prescribe medicines to help improve stomach function and reduce nausea:

Prokinetic medications to stimulate stomach muscles:

  • Metoclopramide (Reglan®) – the only FDA-approved medication for gastroparesis (available as a pill or nasal spray)
  • Erythromycin – may help short-term, though effects can lessen over time
  • Domperidone – available only through FDA authorization when other treatments fail

Antiemetics to control nausea and vomiting:

  • Ondansetron (Zofran®)
  • Diphenhydramine (Benadryl®)
  • Prochlorperazine (Compro®)

Surgical and Advanced Treatments

For severe cases where oral intake is not possible, your provider may discuss advanced treatment options such as:

  • Feeding tubes are placed directly into the small intestine for nutritional support
  • Gastric venting tubes to relieve pressure from food retained in the stomach
  • IV feeding for patients unable to tolerate any food by mouth

Gastric Electrical Stimulation

A surgically implanted device delivers mild electrical pulses to the stomach muscles to improve motility. This treatment may help patients with diabetic gastroparesis who haven’t responded to diet or medication changes.

Endoscopic Pyloromyotomy (G-POEM)

A minimally invasive procedure that opens the muscle between the stomach and small intestine to improve emptying. This treatment is still being studied but shows promising results.

Managing Gastroparesis and Living Well

Managing gastroparesis often involves ongoing care and collaboration between specialists. At UI Health, our Gastroenterology and Nutrition teams collaborate to help patients alleviate symptoms, stabilize blood sugar levels, and maintain a healthy diet.

If diabetes or another underlying condition contributes to gastroparesis, our specialists can coordinate care across multiple specialties to ensure a comprehensive approach for each patient’s unique needs.

When to See a Doctor?

If you experience persistent nausea, vomiting, or early fullness after meals, or if you’re losing weight without trying, schedule an appointment with a UI Health gastroenterologist. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent complications and improve your quality of life.

Request an Appointment

Request an appointment with a UI Health gastroenterologist if you have concerns about gastroparesis. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent complications and improve your quality of life.

Call 866.600.2273 to request an appointment today.

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