Overview

What Is Gastroparesis?

Gastroparesis—also known as gastric stasis or delayed gastric emptying—is a condition in which your stomach takes too long to empty itself of food. This buildup of undigested food can cause nausea, vomiting, heartburn and, left untreated, buildup of bacteria and hardened lumps of food. 

Gastroparesis can have a number of causes, but it is most commonly associated with diabetes, particularly type 1 diabetes. Diabetics with gastroparesis can have a hard time managing their blood sugar, as there is a prolonged delay before sugars from food enter the bloodstream.