Gastroparesis Symptoms: What You Need to Know About Delayed Stomach Emptying

When your stomach doesn’t empty properly, it’s not just feeling full after a small meal—it’s gastroparesis, a condition where the stomach muscles don’t work right, slowing or stopping food movement into the small intestine. Also known as delayed gastric emptying, this isn’t a one-time upset stomach. It’s a chronic issue that can make eating feel like a battle, and it often gets missed because the symptoms look like common digestive problems. If you’ve been told you have "functional dyspepsia" but nothing helps, it might be time to ask about gastroparesis.

Most people with gastroparesis report nausea that won’t go away, even if they haven’t eaten anything bad. They feel full after just a few bites, and that fullness sticks around for hours. Bloating is common too—not just gas, but a tight, swollen feeling that makes clothes feel tight. Some people vomit undigested food hours after eating, or notice their symptoms get worse after fatty or fibrous meals. These aren’t random quirks. They’re signs your stomach’s natural rhythm is broken. The condition often links to diabetes, a leading cause where high blood sugar damages the vagus nerve that controls stomach movement. But it’s not just diabetics. Surgery, certain medications like opioids and some antidepressants, and even viral infections can trigger it too.

What makes gastroparesis tricky is that it doesn’t show up on regular tests like an endoscopy. You might have a normal scope and still be struggling. That’s why doctors often rely on symptom patterns and a gastric emptying scan to confirm it. If you’ve been told your stomach is "normal" but you’re still in pain, bloated, or losing weight, don’t give up. This condition is real, and managing it starts with recognizing the signs. Below, you’ll find real-world insights from people who’ve lived with this—what helped, what didn’t, and how medications, diet, and even timing of meals can make a difference. You’re not alone, and there’s more to know than what your first doctor told you.