There are variations in symptoms and levels of severity of gastroparesis, and individuals respond differently to the available treatment approaches. In general, patients struggle to maintain nutrition levels and are at risk of malnutrition and/or dehydration due to their inability to ingest and absorb nutrients. There is no scientifically proven cure for gastroparesis, so treatments tend to focus on symptom control and may progress to more intensive interventions, depending on how well or poorly one responds to each step in the treatment plan. The basic #Gastroparesis diet calls for small, frequent, low-fat, low-fiber foods and liquids (at tolerable levels) which are easier to digest. Many diet plans call for a 3-step process, beginning with a liquid-only diet and then progressing to soft foods (low-residue, low-fat), and eventually, a maintenance diet (which adds just a bit more fat as well as some well-cooked, easy-to-chew foods).In reality, many find the basic diet plan difficult to follow, as tolerances vary, and it must be tailored to fit individual needs. In short, what works for one might not work for another, so it is largely a process of trial and error. To complicate this further, many of us find that our food tolerances can change from day-to-day and over time. So, what works for us one day might not work the next.Some find they get “stuck” on one “step” in the diet or that they move up and down the steps rather than steadily progressing. Others find that, though they follow the plan precisely, they have little to no tolerance of the recommended foods and liquids and cannot maintain adequate hydration and nutrition levels.When this is the case, medications such as prokinetics and antiemetics may be helpful. But some must also resort to methods which provide supplemental nutrition, such as feeding tubes and TPN (intravenous feeding).We recommend keeping a food journal which notes your daily intake and any reactions, intolerances, or worsening symptoms you experience. This might assist you in finding patterns over time. Further, we suggest “testing the waters” by slowly and gradually adding one or two liquids/foods, in small amounts. Be mindful of the guidelines and note what works for others, but do not be surprised if your tolerances differ from those of others, and be willing to tailor the diet plan to suit your individual needs. You must do what works best for you!If you find you are not maintaining adequate hydration and nutrition levels, consider asking your doctor for a referral to a dietitian or speak with your provider about the possibility of other methods of supplementation.Today, we salute the dietitians who do their best to help patients develop a diet plan that suits their needs, the researchers who struggle to find adequate treatments – but keep trying anyway, and the pharmaceutical companies who take an interest in bringing innovative new treatments and treatment delivery options to a GP community in desperate need. You are all #GPChangemakers. #CureGP
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Gastroparesis: Fighting for Change

08/04/26

Note: This is not an exhaustive list. There are many other possible causes of #Gastroparesis. Diabetes is the most common known cause of GP (most estimates around 30%; a recent study at more than 50% of cases – links below); however, many cases are labeled “idiopathic,” meaning there is no known or easily identifiable cause (most estimates at more than 50%). We celebrate the #GPChangemakers who seek the underlying causes of our illness, rather than simply treating the symptoms, and who understand that a diagnosis without a clear cause is difficult to accept.pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11988396/www.ccjm.org/content/91/6/373#CureGP
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Gastroparesis: Fighting for Change
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08/03/26

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Gastroparesis: Fighting for Change
updated their status.

08/03/26

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Gastroparesis: Fighting for Change

08/03/26

Though the Gastric Emptying Study is still considered the “gold standard” of diagnosis, there are issues and limitations associated with this test, as it is simply a snapshot of a moment in time. Test results can vary widely over time, and so, it is not uncommon, for example, for one test to show severe delay and another follow-up study to show mild delay or even normal emptying rates. Consuming the recommended standardized meal, tracking emptying rates for 4 hours (rather than the 90-minute or 2-hour tests offered by some facilities), testing for both a delay in solids and in liquids, and stopping all medications which could interfere with the results (as directed by your physician) can help to produce the most accurate emptying measures. Diagnosis can be difficult even under the best of circumstances. Some patients find they experience “flares,” or periods of severe symptoms, followed by relatively symptom-free days, and, so, the timing of doctor visits and testing might be a factor in obtaining an accurate diagnosis. And to complicate the situation further, symptom severity does not necessarily correlate with the rate of emptying, resulting in some patients with severely delayed emptying having only mild symptoms and others with minor delays in emptying experiencing quite severe symptoms. In addition, symptoms often overlap with or mimic other conditions (such as functional dyspepsia or IBS). Diagnosis should, then, be based on several considerations, including test results, patient symptoms and history, and the elimination of other possible symptom causes.We salute the #GPChangemakers who understand the guidelines, adhere to standard procedures, acknowledge that diagnosis is complex, and address patient concerns with sensitivity and compassion.#CureGP #Gastroparesis
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Gastroparesis: Fighting for Change

08/02/26

There are variations in the symptoms and levels of severity of gastroparesis. Some experience only mild or limited symptoms, while others experience quite severe symptoms and resulting complications. In any case, a list of symptoms and complications cannot paint the full picture of the life-altering, often debilitating, and sometimes life-threatening nature of GP. We rely on our GP storytellers to share their struggles and more accurately portray the genuine patient experience.Many thanks to the #gpchangemakers who open up their lives and share the most intimate details of their hardships so that others may more fully understand the impact of #gastroparesis.#CureGP
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Gastroparesis: Fighting for Change
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08/01/26

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