Gastroparesis is a chronic motility disorder affecting the stomach muscles, causing a slowdown or complete stop of food movement into the small intestine. This condition, which translates to “stomach paralysis,” requires focused education. The annual awareness effort provides a period to educate the public about this often-misunderstood illness.
Identifying the Awareness Month
Gastroparesis Awareness Month is recognized annually throughout August. This dedicated period serves as a concentrated effort to bring public attention to the challenges of living with the disorder. The primary goal is to educate the public, healthcare providers, and policymakers about the condition’s impact and patient needs. Organizations utilize August to distribute educational materials, support resources, and highlight the latest research developments.
This initiative provides a platform for patients to share experiences and advocate for better diagnostic and treatment options. The campaign also encourages medical professionals to use standardized diagnostic protocols, such as the four-hour gastric emptying scintigraphy.
Understanding Gastroparesis
Gastroparesis is defined by delayed gastric emptying without any physical blockage in the stomach or small intestine. The involuntary muscles of the stomach wall fail to contract efficiently, often due to damage to the vagus nerve that controls them. This delayed movement of food causes uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous symptoms.
Patients experience chronic nausea, vomiting, and early satiety, which is feeling full after eating only a small amount of food. Other common symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, and unintended weight loss. In some cases, undigested food can harden into a bezoar, potentially leading to a life-threatening obstruction.
The causes of gastroparesis are categorized based on their origin. The majority of cases (50% to 60%) are idiopathic, meaning the cause is unknown. Diabetic gastroparesis is the second most common form (29% to 33% of patients), linked to high blood glucose levels damaging the vagus nerve over time. A smaller percentage, around 13%, is classified as post-surgical, occurring after an operation that inadvertently damaged the nerve.
The Need for Increased Awareness
An awareness month is necessary because patients frequently face significant delays in receiving an accurate diagnosis. Gastroparesis symptoms often overlap with other gastrointestinal disorders, leading to misdiagnosis as conditions like Functional Dyspepsia (FD) or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Studies show that nearly 80% of patients referred with a presumed gastroparesis diagnosis were ultimately found to have a different condition, most commonly FD.
This high rate of misdiagnosis contributes to a prolonged diagnostic journey, which can take several years, especially for those with Type 1 diabetes. During this time, patients suffer from poor quality of life, struggling with malnutrition, dehydration, and frequent hospital visits. Furthermore, gastroparesis receives less research funding compared to other major gastrointestinal diseases, slowing the development of effective treatment options. Increased awareness can help standardize diagnostic approaches and draw attention to the need for research into the disorder’s underlying mechanisms.
Ways to Participate and Advocate
The month of August provides numerous avenues for the public to engage with the gastroparesis community and support awareness efforts.
- Sharing educational resources and personal stories across social media platforms. Advocacy groups often promote specific hashtags like #GPImpact and #GPAdvocacy to unify the conversation.
- Incorporating the recognized awareness color, green, into clothing or profile pictures as a visual sign of support.
- Fundraising for research organizations, such as those affiliated with the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) or the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD).
- Supporting local or virtual patient support groups to ensure those living with the condition have access to community and essential resources.