Delayed emptying of stomach into small intestine, usually due to vagus nerve damage.Encyclopedia Entry for Gastroparesis :Gastroparesis. The exact cause of gastroparesis is unknown. It may be caused by a disruption of nerve signals to the stomach. The condition is a common complication of diabetes. It can also follow some surgeries. Risk factors for gastroparesis include: Diabetes Gastrectomy (surgery to remove part of the stomach) Systemic sclerosis Use of medicine that blocks certain nerve signals (anticholinergic medicine).Symptoms may include: Abdominal distention Hypoglycemia (in people with diabetes) Nausea Premature abdominal fullness after meals Weight loss without trying Vomiting Abdominal pain.Tests you may need include: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) Gastric emptying study (using isotope labeling) Upper GI series.People with diabetes should always control their blood sugar levels. Better control of blood sugar level may improve symptoms of gastroparesis. Eating small and more frequent meals and soft foods may also help relieve some symptoms. Medicines that may help include: Cholinergic drugs, which act on acetylcholine nerve receptors Erythromycin Metoclopramide, a medicine that helps empty the stomach Serotonin antagonist drugs, which act on serotonin receptors Other treatments may include: Botulinum toxin (Botox) injected into the outlet of the stomach (pylorus) Surgical procedure that creates an opening between the stomach and small intestine to allow food to move through the digestive tract more easily (gastroenterostomy).Many treatments seem to provide only temporary benefit.Ongoing nausea and vomiting may cause: Dehydration Electrolyte imbalances Malnutrition People with diabetes may have serious complications from poor blood sugar control.Changes in your diet may help control symptoms. Call your health care provider if symptoms continue or if you have new symptoms.Gastroparesis diabeticorum; Delayed gastric emptying; Diabetes - gastroparesis; Diabetic neuropathy - gastroparesis.Digestive system Digestive system Stomach Stomach.Camilleri M, Parkman HP, Shafi MA, Abell TL, Gerson L; American College of Gastroenterology. Clinical guideline: management of gastroparesis. Am J Gastroenterol. 2013;108(1):18-37. PMID: 23147521 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23147521. Koch KL. Gastric neuromuscular function and neuromuscular disorders.