What are gastric emptying tests?

Gastric emptying tests are tests that measure the time it takes for food to empty out of your stomach. After a meal, it normally takes 1 1/2 to two hours for food to move out of the stomach and into the small intestine. When your stomach takes longer than normal to empty, it’s called gastroparesis.

If food stays in your stomach for too long, it can harden into a solid mass called a bezoar. A bezoar may lead to a dangerous blockage that prevents food from passing into your small intestine.

Gastroparesis may also cause malnutrition (not getting enough nutrients from your food).

Gastric emptying tests may help you get treatment for gastroparesis before it causes serious complications.

Other names: gastric emptying study, gastric emptying scan, gastric emptying scintigraphy, smart pill, wireless motility study, gastric emptying breath test, upper GI series, barium swallow