Stomach paralysis, medically termed gastroparesis, is a condition where the stomach muscles are paralyzed due to issues with either the muscles themselves or the nerves that control them. As a result, the stomach cannot empty food and secretions properly, leading to symptoms like nausea and vomiting. Gastroparesis can sometimes be related to problems in other digestive system areas, such as the intestines. The most frequent cause of gastroparesis is diabetes, to the extent that there's a specific term, gastroparesis diabeticorum, used for it. Diagnosis typically involves a nuclear medicine test to evaluate how the stomach empties. Treatment options include medications to enhance stomach muscle contractions, surgical interventions, and experimental methods like electrical pacing. The term "gastroparesis" combines "gastro" (relating to the stomach) and "paresis" (meaning loss of strength), indicating a weakening of the stomach's muscular function.
