Which condition involves the stomach muscles slowing down, affecting normal digestion?

Gastroparesis is the condition where the stomach muscles slow down or do not contract as they should, which directly affects the normal process of digestion. This delayed gastric emptying means that food remains in the stomach longer than it should, leading to various symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, bloating, and abdominal pain. The condition can be caused by various factors, including diabetes, neurological disorders, or idiopathic causes.

In contrast, peptic ulcers are sores on the lining of the stomach or the first part of the small intestine but do not primarily involve the motility of the stomach muscles. Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease that specifically affects the colon and does not relate to stomach muscle function. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) involves the backflow of stomach contents into the esophagus, which is more about the function of the esophageal sphincter rather than the motility of the stomach itself.