9. Neurological Disorders: When the Brain Fumbles the Signals
Gastroparesis isn’t just a stomach issue; it’s a communication issue. Messages have to travel from the brain to the stomach to trigger the muscle contractions necessary for digestion. In neurological disorders like Parkinson’s Disease or Multiple Sclerosis, these signals can get disrupted, leading to gastroparesis.
Parkinson’s Disease, for example, messes with the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary actions like digestion. When this system is compromised, the stomach’s regular rhythmic contractions can turn into a jumbled mess, not unlike static on a radio channel.
Multiple Sclerosis also plays a role but in a different manner. MS targets the protective sheath covering nerve fibers, causing communication problems within the central nervous system. When those issues extend to the digestive system, gastroparesis can become an unfortunate addition to an already long list of symptoms. (9)
