In gastroparesis, stomach contents do not move into the intestine quickly enough to be digested properly. The distention causes abdominal discomfort, and people will get nauseated because there is so much food in the stomach. Also, people with gastroparesis eat less because they constantly feel full. In severe cases, the condition leads to dehydration, weight loss, electrolyte imbalances and malnutrition. To correct this, wires from the pacemaker are attached to the smooth muscle tissue in the stomach walls.
Electrical impulses stimulate the muscle of the stomach, leading to better stomach function.
According to Parkman, the device treats gastroparesis in two ways. If food is still in the stomach after an overnight fast, there may be reason to suspect gastroparesis. But as medicines have been picked off the approval list because of dangerous side effects, treatment options have become more limited. And, some patients, like Byrd, do not respond to medicinal therapy. For those rare patients, the FDA approved the Enterra gastric electrical stimulator for compassionate use.