About Gastric Emptying Study
Key Highlights
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Non-invasive and generally painless diagnostic procedure.Considered the gold standard for accurately measuring gastric emptying rate.Provides objective, quantitative data to diagnose gastroparesis and other motility disorders.Helps differentiate between different causes of upper gastrointestinal symptoms.Guides effective treatment plans, including dietary changes and medication.Involves minimal radiation exposure, comparable to standard X-rays./ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Evaluation of suspected gastroparesis (delayed gastric emptying).
- Unexplained nausea, vomiting, abdominal bloating, or early fullness after meals.
- Poor blood sugar control in diabetic patients, which can be linked to gastroparesis.
- Assessment of gastrointestinal symptoms after certain surgeries (e.g., fundoplication, gastric bypass).
- Monitoring the effectiveness of treatments for gastric motility disorders.
- Investigation of chronic functional dyspepsia or other upper GI disorders.
How to prepare
- Fasting is required, typically for 4-6 hours before the test (clear liquids may be allowed).
- Inform your doctor about all medications; you may need to stop certain drugs (like narcotics, anticholinergics, or prokinetics) for 48-72 hours prior.
- Diabetic patients will receive specific instructions regarding insulin and food intake.
- Avoid smoking and chewing gum on the day of the test, as these can affect stomach activity.
- Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing without metal zippers or belts near the abdomen.
- Inform the technologist if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have any allergies.
Risks & possible complications
- Exposure to a very low level of ionizing radiation from the radiotracer.
- Minor risk of an allergic reaction to the radiotracer, though this is extremely rare.
- Discomfort or nausea from consuming the test meal, especially if gastroparesis is present.
- The test results may be affected if preparation instructions (like fasting or medication holds) are not followed precisely.
- There is no risk from the gamma camera itself, as it only detects radiation.
Recovery & hospital stay
- There is typically no recovery period; you can resume normal activities and diet immediately after the test.
- Drink plenty of water to help flush the small amount of radioactive tracer from your body.
- The radiotracer loses its radioactivity naturally and is eliminated within a day or two.
- Results are analyzed by a nuclear medicine physician and your referring doctor, who will discuss them with you at a follow-up appointment.
- No special precautions are usually needed at home, but you may be advised to avoid close contact with pregnant women or young children for a few hours as a general precaution.
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Typical hospital stay: 0 days (Outpatient procedure)
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Expected recovery time: 0 days (Immediate)
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering gastric emptying study in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in India with nuclear medicine departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform gastric emptying study. MediFyr helps you compare nuclear medicines and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for gastric emptying study compare across other countries where we have data.
Vihaan Joshi, a 58-year-old software engineer,...
Vihaan Joshi, a 58-year-old software engineer, had always been active and health-conscious. For the past year, he'd been plagued by a persistent, uncomfortable feeling of fullness after eating just a few bites, accompanied by unpredictable nausea and occasional vomiting. His primary care physician suspected gastroparesis, a condition where the stomach empties too slowly, and referred him to a gastroenterologist. The specialist recommended a Gastric Emptying Study to confirm the diagnosis and assess the severity. On the day of the procedure, Vihaan was nervous but found the nuclear medicine technologist reassuring. He ate a small meal of eggs and toast containing a safe, trace amount of radioactive material, then lay still under a gamma camera that took images over four hours. The process was long but painless. The results confirmed moderate gastroparesis. While initially disheartened by the chronic diagnosis, Vihaan felt a wave of relief to finally have an answer. With a new treatment plan including dietary changes and medication, his symptoms have become more manageable. His emotional journey shifted from frustration and fear of the unknown to a sense of control and empowerment, allowing him to focus on managing his condition rather than just enduring it.
Nuclear Medicines for Gastric Emptying Study
Explore experienced nuclear medicines who regularly perform gastric emptying study and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 11 Years Experience
- Nuclear Medicine
- 40 Years Experience
- Nuclear Medicine
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 27 Years Experience
- Nuclear Medicine
- 26 Years Experience
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Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 25 Years Experience
- Nuclear Medicine
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 9 Years Experience
- Nuclear Medicine
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 28 Years Experience
- Nuclear Medicine
Artemis Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon
- 13 Years Experience
- Nuclear Medicine
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 14 Years Experience
- Nuclear Medicine
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 16 Years Experience
- Nuclear Medicine
- 13 Years Experience
- Nuclear Medicine
Manipal Hospital EM Bypass, Kolkata
- 6 Years Experience
- Nuclear Medicine
Artemis Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon