Mother Of Two Hasn't Eaten Any Food For Seven Years Due To Stomach Condition Gastroparesis

Why This Woman Hasn't Eaten Any Food For Seven Years
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Most of us get grumpy if we miss a meal, but Nicola Nichols hasn't been able to eat any food for seven years.

In 2008, the 25-year-old thought she was experiencing a bad cold. But then she began to vomit up to 50 times every day.

Nichols, from Bolton, was diagnosed with gastroparesis - a condition that leaves the muscles in the stomach paralysed.

As a result, the mum-of-two can't keep down any food and drink.

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Nichols now receives nutrition directly into her blood stream via a glucose bag in order to stay alive.

"I still cook the kid's teas and it smells and looks great but if I even had a bite then I'd be in crippling pain," she said, according to the MailOnline.

The NHS say gastroparesis is "thought to be the result of a problem with the nerves and muscles controlling the emptying of the stomach."

If the nerves are damaged, the muscles of the stomach fail to work properly.

The condition is surprisingly common, and has are a wide range of possible causes including poorly managed diabetes, complications with weight loss surgery, a bad reaction to antidepressants and Parkinson's disease.

Weight-loss is a common symptom of the condition.

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Nichols' weight went from nine stone to seven soon after she became ill.

She has said not being able to eat at her wedding day was particularly difficult.

"Imagine being sat at the top table at your wedding, watching everyone tuck in to the wedding cake that you made and you can't have any," she said.

"It was the same with the wedding breakfast and I just had to hold the glass of champagne for the toast, I couldn't even have a sip. Of course, it was a magical day but it was so difficult."

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Despite her illness, Nichols has managed to give birth to two healthy children - William, now 3, and 11-month-old Felicity.

"I call them my two miracle babies," she said. "We always say that someone else is always worse off. I'm lucky that I have two beautiful children despite my problem."