The undigested food material enters the colon, where most of the water is reabsorbed. Recall that the colon is also home to the microflora called “intestinal flora” that aid in the digestion process. The semi-solid waste is moved through the colon by peristaltic movements of the muscle and is stored in the rectum.

By the time food reaches the large intestine, the work of absorbing nutrients is nearly finished. The large intestine’s main job is to remove water from the undigested matter and form solid waste (poop) to be excreted.

Waste products from the digestive process include undigested parts of food, fluid, and older cells from the lining of your GI tract. The large intestine absorbs water and changes the waste from liquid into stool.

Egestion – the removal of undigested food materials Millions of tiny finger-like structures called villi project inwards from the lining of the small intestine. The large surface area they present allows for rapid absorption of digestion products.

After you eat, it takes about six to eight hours for food to pass through your stomach and small intestine. Food then enters your large intestine (colon) for further digestion, absorption of water and, finally, elimination of undigested food. It takes about 36 hours for food to move through the entire colon.

Symptoms of gastroparesis may include:

• feeling full very quickly when eating.
• feeling sick (nausea) and vomiting.
• loss of appetite.
• weight loss.
• bloating.
• tummy (abdominal) pain or discomfort.
• heartburn.