What Causes Vagus Nerve Disruption?
The exact cause of the nerve stimulation disruption is unknown, but there are some strong links to why this delayed gastric emptying occurs. The medical term for one type of this condition is Gastroparesis diabeticorum since the most commonly cited cause of gastroparesis is diabetes. At least 20% of people with type 1 diabetes develop gastroparesis.(4) It’s possible, but much less common, in people with type 2 diabetes. The rationale behind the diabetes link is that prolonged high blood sugars can damage the vagus nerve, which controls the motor function in the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract. High blood glucose causes chemical changes in nerves and damages the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients to the nerves.(3) Up to 30% of individuals with gastroparesis are idiopathic, meaning there is no identifiable cause. Some of these cases may be due to an acute viral infection.(5) Besides diabetes, medical literature points to other known risk factors such as systemic sclerosis, p
