Gastroparesis is a particular pathological condition for which those affected suffer from partial paralysis of the stomach .
This partial paralysis of the stomach has as a serious consequence the prolonged permanence, at the gastric level, of the ingested food.
WHERE IS STOMACH?
As many will know, the stomach acts as a "container" for the food coming from the esophagus and determines the progression of the same food (called more correctly bolus ) towards the duodenum - which is the first part of the intestine .
Contractions induced by the vagus nerve determine the passage of the bolus from the stomach to the intestine.
ORIGIN OF THE TERM
The term gastroparesis derives from the union of two words, "gastro" and "paresi".
The word " gastro " refers to the stomach and is used as a prefix in many other circumstances, such as gastritis, to indicate inflammation of the stomach, gastroscopy, to indicate the diagnostic procedure for stomach analysis, etc.
The word " paresis ", on the other hand, means partial paralysis and refers to an incomplete loss of motility in a muscular district.
SYMPTOMS OF GASTROPARESI
Stagnation of food at the stomach level manifests itself in a variety of ways. Typical symptoms include:
- Sense of immediate satiety, even after small meals
- Nausea and vomit
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Sense of stomach swelling
- Abdominal pain and discomfort
- Stomach ache
