IFFGD will raise awareness for Gastroparesis during August to shed light on those impacted and how to advocate as a community
MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C., July 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — This August, during Gastroparesis Awareness Month, patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and advocates across the country are coming together under the theme “Advocating for Gastroparesis” to raise awareness, support one another, and drive meaningful change for those affected by this life-altering digestive disorder. An estimated 5 million Americans suffer from gastroparesis, yet many go years without an accurate diagnosis due to overlapping symptoms with other gastrointestinal disorders. The causes range from diabetes and viral infections to post-surgical complications and idiopathic cases, where no clear cause is found.
“Gastroparesis is a life-altering condition that severely impacts patients’ daily lives,” said Ceciel T. Rooker, President and Executive Director at IFFGD. “Raising awareness is crucial—not just among the public, but also within the medical community—to improve diagnosis, support, and access to treatment.”
Gastroparesis, also called delayed gastric emptying, is a chronic digestive condition characterized by symptoms which can vary from life-limiting to life-threatening and often persist or reoccur over time. Some refer to it as having a paralyzed stomach (Gastro = Stomach and Paresis = paralysis). Symptoms usually occur during or after a meal and can appear suddenly or gradually.
- Symptoms typically include:
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Stomach pain and discomfort
- Dry heaves
- Stomach fullness after a normal-sized meal
- Early fullness and the inability to finish a meal
Additional symptoms, such as bloating, stomach discomfort or pain, loss of appetite, and heartburn, among others, may occur. If left unmanaged, gastroparesis can lead to additional complications, including severe dehydration, obstruction, poor insulin control in individuals with underlying diabetes, malnutrition due to poor absorption of nutrients, and emotional challenges, further exacerbating the impact on individuals’ lives.
There is currently no cure for gastroparesis, and treatment options are limited to dietary changes, medications to stimulate stomach muscles or manage symptoms, and in severe cases, surgical interventions. Advocacy groups like IFFGD are calling for increased funding for research into new treatments and a better understanding of the condition.
In recognition of Gastroparesis Awareness Month, IFFGD will launch a campaign to acknowledge the individuals who live with gastroparesis and how to best advocate for yourself and others affected by this condition — using the hashtag #GPAdvocacy and #GastrparesisAwarenessMonth25. During Gastroparesis Awareness Month, IFFGD invites you to share your gastroparesis story and make your voice heard by adding #GPAdvocacy to all social media posts.
Downloadable toolkits, social media graphics, and action guides are available from leading advocacy organizations like the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) using this link.
About IFFGD
The International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) is a nonprofit education and research organization dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by a chronic gastrointestinal disorder. www.iffgd.org.
Contact:
- Hayley McCorkle
