Gastric Stasis (Gastroparesis) Overview

Gastric stasis, also known as gastroparesis, is a condition that slows or stops the flow of food from the stomach to the small intestine. This delayed gastric emptying occurs without any apparent mechanical obstruction. Instead, the stomach muscles or the nerves that control them may not be functioning properly, leading to a slowdown in the movement of food during digestion.

Gastroparesis is relatively uncommon, affecting approximately 10 men and 40 women per 100,000 people in the United States.

Gastric Stasis Causes and Risk Factors

Gastroparesis usually results from nerve damage or dysfunction. A common cause is poorly managed diabetes. Prolonged high blood sugar levels can damage the vagus nerve, which controls the stomach muscles.

In addition to diabetes, other risk factors for gastric stasis include:

  • Gastrointestinal surgery – Vagus nerve damage is a possible complication of surgery involving the stomach or another part of the digestive system.
  • Certain medications – Some narcotic pain relievers and antidepressants can affect stomach motility and delay gastric emptying.
  • Viral infections – Certain viruses can cause inflammation that damages the vagus nerve.

Less commonly, gastroparesis is associated with Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and other neurological disorders that affect nerve function. In some cases, the cause is unknown.

Gastric Stasis Signs and Symptoms

The first noticeable sign of gastroparesis may be a prolonged feeling of fullness after eating a meal, even if only a small amount of food was consumed.

What Does Gastric Stasis Feel Like?

In addition to early satiety, gastroparesis can cause:

  • Abdominal bloating
  • Pain in the upper right abdomen
  • A need to take frequent breaks from eating due to discomfort
  • Indigestion
  • Nausea or vomiting, especially after meals
  • Loss of appetite

As the condition progresses, these symptoms may become more pronounced.

What Does Gastric Stasis Look Like?

Initially, gastroparesis may not have any outwardly visible symptoms. Over time, significant weight loss may be observed due to a reduced ability to eat and maintain adequate nutrition.

Gastric Stasis Diagnosis

If gastroparesis is suspected, a healthcare provider will typically take a detailed medical history and perform a physical examination to assess the symptoms and rule out other potential causes of gastric discomfort. To confirm a diagnosis of gastroparesis, the physician may order diagnostic testing, such as:

  • Gastric emptying study – The most definitive test for diagnosing gastric stasis, a gastric emptying study involves eating food that contains a small, safe amount of radioactive material. Using a special scanner, a physician can then track the movement of food from the stomach to the small intestine.
  • Upper endoscopy – A physician will guide a thin, flexible tube with a tiny camera attached to the end (endoscope) through the mouth and into the digestive tract. Using the endoscope, the physician will then examine the interior of the stomach and check for blockages and other abnormalities.
  • SmartPill wireless motility capsule technology – The patient will swallow a capsule containing a small, ingestible electronic device, which will wirelessly transmit data to an external recorder. The data will include measurements of acidity (pH), temperature and pressure within the digestive tract, providing information about gastric emptying and motility.
  • Ultrasound imaging – An abdominal ultrasound study can help a physician rule out other gastrointestinal conditions, such as gallbladder disease and pancreatitis, which could cause similar symptoms.
  • Electrogastrography (EGG) – EGG is a noninvasive technique that uses cutaneous electrodes placed on the abdominal skin over the stomach to record the electrical activity of the gastrointestinal tract. This information can help a physician identify abnormalities in gastric motility.

Gastric Stasis Treatment

Gastroparesis is usually treated with a combination of dietary modifications, medications and, in some cases, surgery. The goals of treatment are to manage the symptoms, promote gastric emptying and improve nutritional intake. Common options include:

  • Lifestyle modifications – In general, drinking plenty of water is crucial, especially if gastroparesis causes frequent vomiting. For diabetics, managing blood sugar levels can reduce the symptoms and help prevent further nerve damage.
  • Dietary modifications – Consuming a low-fat, low-fiber diet can improve gastric emptying, and eating smaller, more frequent meals of easy-to-digest foods can reduce the workload on the stomach muscles.
  • Medications – Prokinetics can stimulate stomach muscle contractions to aid in gastric emptying, while antiemetics can help control nausea and vomiting.
  • Surgery – A surgeon may perform a pyloroplasty to improve gastric emptying by widening the opening between the stomach and small intestine.
  • Gastric electrical stimulation – A small device may be surgically implanted in the right side of the abdomen to help control nausea and vomiting by sending mild electrical signals to the stomach muscles.
  • Feeding tube – If oral intake is insufficient, a feeding tube may be considered to help ensure adequate nutrition.

Benefit From World-Class Care at TGH

Tampa General Hospital’s Digestive Diseases Institute offers comprehensive gastroenterology services, ensuring the highest level of care for patients with gastric stasis and other digestive issues. If you would like a referral to a physician in our GERD and Esophageal Surgery Center, please call 1-800-822-3627 or use our online Physician Finder.