Gastroparesis is a particular pathological condition, so those affected suffer from partial paralysis of the stomach and suffer slow digestion .
Characterized by nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, weight loss and other disorders, gastroparesis occurs very often due to deterioration of the vagus nerve .
The latter, in fact, controls the gastric contraction that allows the advancement of food (bolus) from the stomach to the intestine.
Failure to treat gastroparesis can lead to the appearance of various complications, some of which are also very dangerous.
First of all, there is the danger of severe dehydration, due to continuous episodes of vomiting.
Thus, it is possible for the patient to develop a more or less serious form of:
- Malnutrition . This is mainly due to the poor appetite, (still) to vomiting, to feel full even after small meals and to the frequent heartburn.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease . It is when the acidic contents of the stomach rise chronically into the esophagus and damages it progressively.
- Abnormal fluctuations in blood glucose levels . They are due to the slowing down of digestion. They represent a significant danger to people with diabetes.
- Fatigue and weight loss
- Intestinal obstruction . Given its danger, it requires immediate medical intervention.
- Infections of bacterial type, due to prolonged stagnation, at the gastric level, of undigested food.
