Living Well with Gastroparesis

Gastroparesis is a functional gastrointestinal disorder in which the stomach no longer empties food properly. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, pain, bloating, and reflux — often severe and constant. In many cases, the cause is unknown (this is referred to as idiopathic gastroparesis).

While the condition is poorly understood and not well known, it’s estimated that about 1.5 million Americans are affected to varying degrees. Current medical treatment for gastroparesis is lacking and often ineffective, however a comprehensive management plan that includes dietary modification, proper nutrition and supplementation, supportive lifestyle practices, stress management, complementary therapies, and coping skills can help to greatly alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life.

My journey toward health, healing, and living well began after I was diagnosed idiopathic gastroparesis (GP) in 2004 at age 23. After several years of struggling physically and emotionally, I went back to school to study Holistic Health & Nutrition with the goal of improving both my physical symptoms and my quality of life. While at IIN, I started to develop and reap the benefits of a comprehensive gastroparesis management plan.

In an effort to share what I learning, I started blogging about my experience and, after graduating as a Certified Health Counselor, I began coaching others with gastroparesis to create and implement their own comprehensive management plans. Over the last few years, I’ve worked with hundreds of people with gastroparesis all over the world. I’ve also published two books, Eating for Gastroparesis and Living (Well!) with Gastroparesis, as well as a variety of other resources for those with gastroparesis (available in the Resources section).

Thanks to my own comprehensive management plan, I’ve gone from “struggling with gastroparesis” to “living with gastroparesis” to “living (well!) with gastroparesis”…to truly living well (with gastroparesis).

If you or someone you know has gastroparesis, you’ll find a wealth of GP-specific information on my other website: www.LivingWellWithGastroparesis.com.