Gastroparesis Awareness Month

Gastroparesis Awareness Month: Raising Visibility for Digestive Health

August is Gastroparesis Awareness Month, dedicated to educating the public about this chronic digestive condition where the stomach cannot empty itself normally. People living with gastroparesis experience symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and severe bloating. This month promotes understanding, research, and better treatment options for gastroparesis.

Three Facts:

1. Gastroparesis affects an estimated 5 million people in the U.S., with many remaining undiagnosed due to overlapping symptoms with other digestive disorders.
2. The condition is often linked to underlying causes like diabetes, surgeries, or nerve damage that impact stomach muscles.
3. Treatments focus on symptom management and include dietary adjustments, medications, and in severe cases, gastric pacemakers or feeding tubes.

How to Get Involved in August:

1. Share educational materials on social media with #GastroparesisAwarenessMonth to help spread knowledge.
2. Advocate for more research funding by supporting organizations that focus on digestive health.
3. Encourage individuals experiencing chronic digestive symptoms to seek medical advice for early diagnosis.

Three Resources:

1. International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) – Resources for managing gastroparesis symptoms and advocacy opportunities.
2. American Neurogastroenterology and Motility Society – Current research and information on motility disorders.
3. G-PACT (Gastroparesis Patient Association for Cures and Treatments) – Dedicated to supporting gastroparesis patients through awareness and education