Diabetes is the most common cause of gastroparesis. More specifically, diabetes causes high blood sugar, which can lead to many dangerous problems, including nerve damage. In the case of diabetes-related gastroparesis, the vagus nerve -- which controls the stomach -- becomes damaged.
Other conditions that may cause gastroparesis include:
- Viral infections
- Atrophic gastritis
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease
- Cancer
- Endocrine and metabolic disorders, such as hypothyroidism, gallbladder disorders, patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension
- Neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's and multiple sclerosis
- Anorexia nervosa
- Bulimia
- Surgery on the stomach or vagus nerve
- Scleroderma
- Some medications, particularly anticholinergics and narcotics, that slow contractions in the stomach and intestines
Sources:
"Gastroparesis: Causes." Johns Hopkins Medicine - Gastroenterology & Hepatology, n.d. <http://www.hopkins-gi.org/GDL_Disease.aspx?CurrentUDV=31&GDL_Cat_ID=83F0F583-EF5A-4A24-A2AF-0392A3900F1D&GDL_Disease_ID=DBFA1F93-0401-48C3-A6E0-8A0BEDD710AD>.
"Gastroparesis." National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC), NIH Publication No. 07–4348 July 2007. <http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/gastroparesis/>.
Jean Fox, M.D. and Amy Foxx-Orenstein, D.O., FACG, . "Gastroparesis." American College of Gastroenterology, n.d. <http://www.acg.gi.org/patients/gihealth/gastroparesis.asp>.
Steven R. Peikin, M.D., First. Gastrointestinal Health. Harper Perennial (Harper Collins Publishers), 1999.
