Gastroparesis solutions: what helps now

Living with slow stomach emptying is frustrating. Meals sit heavy, nausea shows up, and weight can drop. The good news: small changes add up. This page gives clear, practical steps—diet tweaks, medicines your doctor may consider, and device options for tougher cases.

Quick diet and lifestyle fixes

Start with food: choose small, frequent meals (4–6 a day) instead of three big ones. Smaller portions reduce fullness and nausea. Favor low-fat, low-fiber foods—fat and fiber slow emptying. Think smooth soups, mashed potatoes, eggs, canned fruit, and well-cooked vegetables. If whole foods bother you, try smoothies or meal-replacement drinks to get calories and nutrients without heavy chewing.

Chew well and eat slowly. Stay upright for 30–60 minutes after eating and take a short walk—light activity helps move digestion along. Avoid lying down right after meals and skip alcohol and large amounts of caffeine, which can make symptoms worse. If blood sugar swings are part of your life (diabetes), tighter glucose control often improves gastric symptoms—work with your care team on that.

Medical and device options

When lifestyle changes aren’t enough, doctors may suggest medicines. Prokinetic drugs help the stomach move food faster. Common ones include metoclopramide (can help but may cause movement side effects with long use), erythromycin (can work short-term), and domperidone (availability varies by country). For nausea, antiemetics like ondansetron or promethazine can ease symptoms while other treatments work.

If medications fail or side effects are a problem, procedures exist. Botulinum toxin injections into the stomach’s pylorus help some people for months. Gastric electrical stimulation (a pacemaker for the stomach) can reduce severe nausea and vomiting for selected patients. In cases of malnutrition or persistent vomiting, feeding directly into the small intestine (jejunal feeding tube) may be needed until eating improves.

Some people find complementary aids helpful: ginger for mild nausea, nutrition supplements to avoid deficiencies, and working with a dietitian experienced in gastroparesis to tailor meals. Always tell your clinician about any supplements—some interact with medicines.

When to see a specialist? If you’re losing weight, can’t keep food down, or symptoms suddenly worsen, contact your gastroenterologist. Tests like a gastric emptying scan confirm diagnosis and guide treatment choices. You don’t have to try every option alone—get a care plan that fits your life.

Small steps—smaller meals, a few med adjustments, and targeted procedures—often change quality of life more than you expect. Talk with your doctor about which combination of diet, drugs, and devices fits your situation.