This can lead to stomach problems and pain.
This ineffective use of insulin causes high blood sugar, which is the main marker of diabetes.
The most common effect of diabetes on the digestive system is gastroparesis.
Illustration by Laura Porter for Verywell Health
What Is Gastroparesis?
Gastroparesis, also called delayed gastric emptying, is a disorder that affects digestion.
Other cells in the stomach can also be damaged and cause the stomach to stop emptying its contents.
Risk Factors and Prevalence
Gastroparesis is a common complication of diabetes.
Being female, smoking, and having obesity can also raise the risk for gastroparesis.
Several different types of medical tests can be used to confirm a diagnosis of gastroparesis.
They can also show signs of dehydration, malnutrition, infection, and inflammation.
Urine tests can show signs of dehydration as well.
Stomach emptying tests: These tests can be used to determine how fast your stomach empties its contents.
Medication
Medications used to control blood sugar are important to the management of gastroparesis.
Since diabetic gastroparesis has a huge effect on food digestion, glucose levels may fluctuate unpredictably.
To help with symptoms of gastroparesis, your healthcare provider might also use a combination of other medications.
These medications include:
Diet and Nutrition
Diabetic gastroparesis often causes nutrition deficiencies.
Treatment for the disorder includes controlling blood sugar, medications, nutritional modifications, and lifestyle changes.
Feeling overwhelmed and exhausted is normal, but continuing to manage your diabetes is imperative during this time.
Seeking the help of various healthcare providers can help you adjust to life with the disorder.
A registered dietitian can help you make changes to the way you eat.
A mental health professional can help process emotions.
A certified diabetes educator can help you maintain optimal health.
Diabetes can cause fecal urgency, the need to rush to the bathroom more frequently.
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