Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Looking for the symptoms of gastroparesis
• Part 2 of 3: Talk to your doctor
• Part 3 of 3: Getting examined
• Tips

The vagus nerve, also called the tenth cranial nerve, vagrant nerve, or stray nerve, is the most complex of all cranial nerves. This nerve tells your stomach muscles to contract when you eat so that your body can digest the food. If the vagus nerve isn't working, you can get a condition called gastroparesis. That means your stomach empties more slowly than it should. To find out if your vagus nerve is damaged, look for the symptoms of gastroparesis. Then see your doctor, who can perform tests to confirm the diagnosis.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Looking for the symptoms of gastroparesis

1. Notice if your body takes longer to digest food. When you have gastroparesis, the food you eat will not pass through your body at an even pace. If you find yourself needing to go to the bathroom less often, this could be a sign of gastroparesis.
2. Watch for nausea and vomiting. Nausea and vomiting are common symptoms of gastroparesis. Because your body empties less quickly than normal, the food just stays in it, making you nauseous. When you throw up, you may notice that the food has not been digested at all.
   • This symptom is likely to occur on a daily basis.
3. Notice if you have heartburn. Heartburn is also a common symptom of this condition. With heartburn, you experience a burning sensation in the chest and throat caused by stomach acid coming back up. You will likely suffer from this on a regular basis.
4. Note if you have little appetite. This condition can make you feel less hungry because the food you eat is not digested properly. That means that the new food has nowhere to go and you are less hungry. You may even not feel hungry after a few bites if you do eat something.
5. See if you are losing weight. Because you have less appetite for food, you can lose weight. Your stomach doesn't digest the food you do eat properly either, so you don't get the nutrients your body needs to get energy and maintain your weight.
6. Watch for pain and bloating in your stomach. Because the food stays in your stomach longer than usual, you can feel bloated. This condition can also cause abdominal pain.
7. Watch for changes in your blood sugar if you have diabetes. This condition is common in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. If you notice that your blood sugar levels fluctuate, it may indicate gastroparesis.

Part 2 of 3: Talk to your doctor

1. If you notice a combination of symptoms, see your doctor. Make an appointment with your doctor if you have multiple symptoms for more than a week, as this condition can have serious complications. You can become dehydrated and malnourished because your body does not get enough nutrients from digesting food.
2. List your symptoms. When you see a doctor, it is a good idea to make a list of your symptoms. Write down what symptoms you are experiencing and when so that your doctor can get a good idea of ​​what is wrong with you. It also helps you not to forget anything when you go to your doctor's appointment.
3. Expect a physical exam and tests to confirm the diagnosis. Your doctor will ask you questions about your health history and examine you physically. He or she will likely feel your stomach and use a stethoscope to listen to the area. Your doctor may also order scans to determine the cause of your symptoms.
   • Tell about your risk factors, if any. These include diabetes, abdominal surgery, hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid gland), infections, nervous disorders and scleroderma.

Part 3 of 3: Getting examined

1. Be prepared for an endoscopy and X-rays. Your doctor will likely run these tests first to make sure you don't have a stomach block. A stomach blockage causes symptoms similar to gastroparesis.
   • In an endoscopy, the doctor will use a flexible tube with a tiny camera attached. You will first be given a sedative and your throat will be numbed. The tube will enter your esophagus and the upper part of your digestive tract through the back part of your throat. The camera gives your doctor a better view of what's going on than with an X-ray.
   • The doctor may also perform a similar test called esophageal manometry to measure stomach contraction. In this case, a tube will be inserted into your nose. The tube will remain in your body for 15 minutes.
2. Expect a gastric emptying exam. If the doctor does not find a stomach block in other tests, he or she will likely order this test. This research is a lot more interesting. You will eat something like an egg or a sandwich that contains a low dose of radiation. The doctor will then take images to see how long it will take for the food to be digested.
   • Gastroparesis is usually diagnosed when half of the food is still in the stomach after an hour and a half.
3. Ask for an ultrasound. With an ultrasound, your doctor can find out if your symptoms are caused by something else. Your doctor will mainly look at how well your kidneys and gallbladder are functioning during this test.
4. Be prepared for an electro gas program. If your doctor is unable to find the cause of your symptoms, he or she will likely order this test. This is basically a way to listen to your stomach for an hour. Electrodes will be stuck to the outside of your abdomen. Your stomach must be empty for this examination.

Tips

• This condition is usually treated with medication and lifestyle changes. Your doctor will likely prescribe medications to stimulate the muscles in your stomach, as well as medications to suppress nausea and vomiting.
• In a serious case you may need a probe. This will not be permanent and you will only need the probe when your condition is most bothering you. You will often have periods when the symptoms are much less severe. You will not need the probe then.
• There may be ways to stimulate the vagus nerve through things you can do at home.