Overview
Idiopathic gastroparesis is a condition where the stomach takes much longer than normal to empty its contents into the small intestine, even though there is no physical blockage. The word 'idiopathic' means that doctors cannot find a clear underlying cause for why this is happening. It is sometimes called 'stomach paralysis' or 'delayed gastric emptying of unknown cause.' The stomach muscles and the nerves that control them do not work properly, which slows down the movement of food through the digestive system. The most common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, feeling full very quickly after eating only a small amount, bloating, and stomach pain. Because food stays in the stomach too long, it can cause blood sugar problems, poor nutrition, and significant weight loss. The condition can range from mild and manageable to severe and disabling. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms rather than curing the disease. Dietary changes — such as eating smaller, more frequent meals and avoiding high-fat or high-fiber foods — are usually the first step. Medications to help the stomach move food faster, control nausea, and manage pain are also used. In more severe cases, feeding tubes or other procedures may be needed. While there is no cure, many people are able to find a combination of strategies that improves their quality of life.
Key symptoms:
Nausea that is often persistent or comes in wavesVomiting, sometimes of undigested food eaten hours earlierFeeling full very quickly after starting a meal (early satiety)Bloating or a feeling of fullness in the upper abdomenStomach pain or discomfort, especially after eatingLoss of appetiteUnintended weight lossHeartburn or acid refluxFluctuating blood sugar levels, especially in people with diabetesMalnutrition or vitamin and mineral deficienciesFatigue and low energy due to poor nutritionRegurgitation of food or liquid
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Variable
Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood
FDA & Trial Timeline
10 eventsJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
CinDome Pharma, Inc. — PHASE2
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati
Greg O'Grady
Vanda Pharmaceuticals — PHASE3
Dr. Falk Pharma GmbH — PHASE2
University of Calgary
University of California, Los Angeles — NA
University of Colorado, Denver
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Idiopathic gastroparesis.
10 clinical trialsare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Idiopathic gastroparesis.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Idiopathic gastroparesis.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Idiopathic gastroparesis
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Open Label Safety Study of Tradipitant in Idiopathic and Diabetic Gastroparesis
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Idiopathic gastroparesis
New recruiting trial: Different Doses of Naronapride Vs. Placebo in Gastroparesis
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Idiopathic gastroparesis
New recruiting trial: Pyloric Sphincter Abnormalities in Patients With Gastroparesis Symptoms
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Idiopathic gastroparesis
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What tests do I need to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other causes?,What dietary changes should I make first, and should I work with a dietitian?,Which medications do you recommend for me, and what are the risks of long-term use?,At what point would you consider a feeding tube or other procedures?,How will we know if my treatment is working, and how often should I be monitored?,Are there any clinical trials or newer treatments I might be eligible for?,What should I do if my symptoms suddenly get much worse?
Common questions about Idiopathic gastroparesis
What is Idiopathic gastroparesis?
Idiopathic gastroparesis is a condition where the stomach takes much longer than normal to empty its contents into the small intestine, even though there is no physical blockage. The word 'idiopathic' means that doctors cannot find a clear underlying cause for why this is happening. It is sometimes called 'stomach paralysis' or 'delayed gastric emptying of unknown cause.' The stomach muscles and the nerves that control them do not work properly, which slows down the movement of food through the digestive system. The most common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, feeling full very quickly afte
How is Idiopathic gastroparesis inherited?
Idiopathic gastroparesis follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
Are there clinical trials for Idiopathic gastroparesis?
Yes — 10 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Idiopathic gastroparesis on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Idiopathic gastroparesis?
25 specialists and care centers treating Idiopathic gastroparesis are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.