What is a frequent cause of gastroparesis?

Gastroparesis is a condition characterized by delayed gastric emptying in the absence of mechanical obstruction, often leading to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and early satiety. One of the most common causes of gastroparesis is diabetic autonomic neuropathy.

In patients with diabetes, long-term hyperglycemia can lead to nerve damage, particularly affecting the autonomic nervous system, which regulates involuntary functions including gastric motility. Diabetic autonomic neuropathy can disrupt the normal functioning of the stomach muscles and slow gastric emptying. Consequently, management of blood sugar levels is critical to mitigate the risk of developing gastroparesis in diabetic patients.

While other factors such as post-surgical complications can also lead to gastroparesis, they are less frequent compared to the widespread incidence of diabetic autonomic neuropathy in the diabetic population. Hyperthyroidism and chronic pancreatitis generally do not play a significant role in the pathophysiology of gastroparesis like diabetic autonomic neuropathy does.