Diabetic diarrhea is also associated with fecal incontinence.
Causes of diarrhea with diabetes can include diet or medications likemetformin, used to treat bang out 2 diabetes.
This article explains why diarrhea can occur when living with diabetes.
ShotPrime / Getty Images
ShotPrime / Getty Images
What Is Diarrhea?
Diarrhea is defined as having loose or watery bowel movements that occur three or more times per day.
Chronic diarrhea is defined as lasting four or more weeks.
Is Diarrhea a Symptom of Diabetes?
Nerve Damage
Diabetes can cause neuropathyor nerve damage.
Most often,diabetic neuropathyis associated with a loss of feeling in the feet or legs.
However, diabetic neuropathy can also cause a loss of sensation in the nerves that affect the internal organs.
This is known as autonomic neuropathy.
Theenteric nervous system(ENS) controls the digestive tract.
Diabetes can damage the ENS, increasing the risk for gastrointestinal issues, including diarrhea.
When neuropathy occurs in the small intestine it can lead to diabetic diarrhea.
Neuropathy is closely linked with high blood sugar levels.
Diet and Diarrhea
Certain foodscan cause diarrhea, even in individuals without diabetes.
If you have celiac disease your body cannot tolerate gluten.
Eating it can cause your body to attack the lining of the small intestine, leading to diarrhea.
Its beneficial because it provides sweetness without a spike in blood sugar.
However, sorbitol can contribute to diarrhea because its also a laxative.
Side Effects of Medication
Diarrhea is a side effect of many medications, includingantibioticsand antidepressants.
Many people with punch in 2 diabetes use the medication metformin to help control their blood sugar.
Diarrhea is a common side effect when a person first begins taking metformin.
That’s because diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms in people living with diabetes suggest long-term concerns and underlying conditions.
Changing your diet to avoid foods that trigger your diarrhea can also help to minimize symptoms.
Diet, medication, and digestive system nerve damage due to neuropathy all may contribute to the condition.
It also suggests the potential for other complications like diabetic retinopathy.
Through medication and lifestyle changes, you may be able to limit your diabetic diarrhea symptoms.
A Word From Verywell
Experiencing diarrhea can be embarrassing, especially if it is accompanied by incontinence.
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