Hi everyone!
So August is Gastroparesis Month. You’re probably asking, “What is gastroparesis?” I didn’t know what it was until about a month ago.
Gastroparesis is delayed gastric emptying. The gastric muscles contract poorly or not at all due to the vagus nerve in the stomach working improperly. This can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, weight loss, feeling full soon after you started eating, and bloating.
photo from: http://diaryofagastroparesiswarrior.blogspot.com/2015/07/gastroparesis-awareness-month-paint.html
About a month ago I was diagnosed with gastric retention or delayed gastric emptying. I noticed severe bloating while I was still in my freshman year of college but just assumed I was getting cross contamination from gluten or the food was too greasy. I didn’t think much about it until I was home for the summer and it was still there. After spending most of my summer at doctors appointments, I finally got a diagnosis.
The doctor thinks it will be temporary, could last 6 months- 1 year. We just have to stop it before it gets worse- before it leads into gastroparesis.
Everyone diagnosed with delayed gastric emptying and gastroparesis are different. They all have different symptoms and severity. I’m thankful mine is mild.
I wanted to get the word out about gastroparesis because not very many people know about it. Only 4% of the population has it or symptoms like it. I’m just experiencing a mild case of their symptoms.
I pray that there will be more research done about gastroparesis. And I pray for everyone who has it, that they’ll have strength to get through each day and be able to enjoy food again.
If you’d like to learn more about gastroparesis you can go to: http://www.aboutgastroparesis.org/living-with-gastroparesis/gastroparesis-awareness-month.html
If you have any questions or stories feel free to comment or contact me.
Ciara
SincerelyC 