Gastroparesis

Causes

Gastroparesis is most often caused by diabetes (referred to as diabetic gastroparesis).

The physician will likely look first at other conditions which mimic the symptoms of gastroparesis:

• An obstruction (ulcer)
• Rumination syndrome
• Eating disorder (anorexia)

The chart below helps distinguish symtoms of gastroparesis from rumination syndrome:

Other Factors

Other factors which can cause this condition include:

• Upper gastrointestinal tract surgery
• Certain medications such as: narcotic pain medications, tricyclic antidepressants, calcium channel blockers, antacids containing aluminum hydroxide, some high blood pressure medications, and lithium
• Certain chemotherapy and radiation cancer treatments
• Other disorders such as: scleroderma (a connective tissue disorder), Parkinson's or other neurological disorders, hypothyroidism or other metabolic disorders, and flu or other viral illnesses

When a underlying cause is not found, the disorder is called idiopathic gastroparesis.