How Diabetes Affects The Digestive System
While we may hesitate to associate our mouths with certain other parts of the gastrointestinal tract, make no mistake: Your mouth is where food processing begins. As the jaws move up and down, teeth chop and mince your meals into smaller pieces, while your tongue shapes bits of food into little balls that will fit down your windpipe. Digestion actually begins the instant you chomp on a hot dog or bagel, as enzymes in saliva are already at work, turning big, bulky molecules into smaller ones. In particular, the enzyme amylase starts to break down starchy carbohydrates. As little chunks of food move to the back of the mouth, they enter a chamber called the pharynx, continuing south into the esophagus. Once they enter this narrow tube, food and drink move through the digestive tract thanks to the contractions of tiny smooth muscles, the process known as peristalsis. After a quick trip through the esophagus, your most recent meal drops into the stomach. Digestion continues in this big pouch, which -- when you're really pigging out -- can hold up to three pints of food and drink. The stomach produces acids that start breaking down proteins. What's more, muscles in the stomach contract and relax, churning food and converting it into a semi-liquidlike substance. (Extra credit: This goo is known as chyme, which is pronounced "kime" and rhymes with "slime.") After about four hours, your lunch empties from the stomach into the intestines. Now the serious digestion begins. In the uppermost section of the small intestine, known as the duodenum, fat is dissolved by bile, which is made by the liver. Meanwhile, digestive juices (produced in the lining of the intestines and by our old friend the pancreas) break down carbohydrates, fats, and protein. After these nutrients are converted Continue reading >>
Relief For Diabetes Stomach Pain
Managing diabetes often brings changes in what we eat and the medications we take. You may also notice some changes in how your gut, or gastrointestinal (GI) tract, feels, sounds, and responds. Changes in eating You are likely making changes in eating habits, including more foods rich in fiber, such as fruits, vegetables, and beans. Fiber can be filling without adding unwanted calories, and it can help improve abnormal cholesterol levels. But there may be a few uh-ohs if you rapidly increase the amount you eat. "Gas and bloating are a side effect of fiber," says Judith Wylie-Rosett, Ed.D., R.D., professor of health promotion and nutrition research at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, New York. "Increasing your intake gradually may help." She suggests adding legumes, such as beans and lentils, to increase dietary fiber. "Throwing out the water you soak them in and giving them an extra rinse before cooking may also help decrease the gas and bloating," she says. Glucose-lowering meds Several prescription medications used to lower blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetes can stir up your gut. Experts tend to suggest that you start with a low dose and slowly increase it based on your provider's instructions. Metformin Metformin, the typical starting medication in type 2 diabetes to bring blood glucose levels in range, can lead to heartburn, nausea, or diarrhea. Ralph DeFronzo, M.D., professor of medicine and chief of the diabetes division at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, says, "I try to use metformin in all of my patients who have type 2 diabetes. When there is a problem, it is diarrhea and abdominal discomfort. There are 5-10 percent of people who just can't tolerate it." Typically, metformin is started at a low dose and increased Continue reading >>
How Does Diabetes Affect The Gastrointestinal Tract
GI disorders i.e. gastrointestinal disorders are common with all individuals and this includes those with diabetes. The chances are extremely high that an individual will develop a problem with GI tract. Problems like food poisoning, peptic ulcer disease, irritable bowel syndrome or gallstones. Around 75 percent of diabetes patients report GI symptoms. Diabetes may affect the entire GI tract such as the esophagus, oral cavity, anorectal region and large bowel. Common symptoms and complaints are diarrhea, dysphagia, vomiting, early satiety, nausea, constipation and abdominal pain. Like other diabetes complications, there may be more serious GI problems. Usually because of poor glycemic control and the duration of the disorder itself. Most GI complications of diabetes link to the neurons and their dysfunction to supply the enteric nervous system. What can lead to enteric neuropathy is the involvement of the intestinal nerves. This type of neuropathy can cause abnormalities in the absorption, intestinal motility, secretion, and sensation. The Esophagus and Stomach in Diabetes Gastroparesis This is a condition where there is a delay in emptying food from the stomach which causes retention of the contents of the stomach. This can lead to vomiting, bloating, nausea, early satiety, abdominal pain, and distention. Very fibrous foods and fatty foods usually exit the stomach very slow, and that can be a poor toleration. The gastroparesis is based only on the symptoms. The best test for confirmation is the medicine gastric emptying test. There are several treatments to manage diabetic gastroparesis. In order to relieve your symptoms, you may consume small meals more frequently. Avoid foods that are high in fat and fiber. And you need to drink plenty of water. To improve gastric em Continue reading >>
Diabetes And Bladder And Bowel Control
This fact sheet has been developed to assist people looking for more information about diabetes and bladder and control People with diabetes commonly experience problems with controlling their bladder and bowel. The incontinence refers to bladder and bowel control problems. This can involve accidental leakage, incomplete emptying, passing urine frequently (frequency) or feeling the need to rush to the toilet (urgency). Poor control of the bladder and bowel is an important health problem. It can interfere with work, social activities or sexual and personal relationships. It is important that you seek help because these problems can be cured, treated or better managed. Talk to your doctor or call the Continence Helpline 0800 650 659. Normal bladder and bowel control Knowing how the bladder and bowel normally work will help you understand the problems you may be experiencing. The bladder and bowel store and expel body waste. The bladder stores and passes urine (wee) regularly throughout the day. On average we should pass urine 4-6 times during the day and once over night. This will vary depending upon how much you drink, what you drink and how much you exercise and perspire. Your bladder should easily hold 350 – 500 mls. When it is around about half full you will start to become aware of your bladder filling. You should not go to the toilet at this point but put it off until the urge is stronger but not yet urgent. The lower bowel stores and expels faeces (poo). The normal range for bowel movements is anywhere from 3 times per day to 3 times per week. The faeces you pass should be soft formed and easily passed with no straining. The pelvic floor muscles play an essential role in giving us control over the bladder and bowel. When we hold on to go to the toilet we are rely Continue reading >>
Diabetes And Your Digestion
Diabetes can cause problems associated with digestion in your stomach as the result of a condition called gastroparesis. Literally, gastroparesis means "paralysis of the stomach," but it is much more than that. First, let's understand how the stomach works. In the stomach, the stimulation of the vagus nerve causes contractions that help to crush food into small particles and mix it up with the acids and enzymes that break down food. The contractions of the stomach then propel the food out of the stomach a little at a time through a valve (pyloric sphincter) that opens into the small intestine. It may take up to 4 hours to empty food from the stomach into the intestine. A meal containing a high amount of fat slows down the process. In people with diabetes, gastroparesis may be caused by damage of the vagus nerve when blood sugar has been high for a period of years. As a result of the damage, the food that enters the stomach is not pulverized and sits in the stomach for a longer period of time. Gastroparesis symptoms can include bloating, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, a feeling of fullness soon after starting a meal, weight loss, and heartburn. Secretions of enzymes and acids from the stomach lining still occur, but they contribute to nausea and vomiting when the food hasn't been crushed into small particles. If vomiting does occur, the food may come up in much the same condition as it went down. Gastroparesis can create a vicious cycle in the control of blood sugar. Food that is not digested properly can make blood sugar difficult to control. In return, poor blood sugar control worsens gastroparesis by promoting slow stomach emptying. Therefore, blood sugar control plays an important role in preventing and managing gastroparesis. The symptoms of gastroparesis can be Continue reading >>
Gastrointestinal Complications Of Diabetes
Gastrointestinal complications of diabetes include gastroparesis, intestinal enteropathy (which can cause diarrhea, constipation, and fecal incontinence), and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Patients with gastroparesis may present with early satiety, nausea, vomiting, bloating, postprandial fullness, or upper abdominal pain. The diagnosis of diabetic gastroparesis is made when other causes are excluded and postprandial gastric stasis is confirmed by gastric emptying scintigraphy. Whenever possible, patients should discontinue medications that exacerbate gastric dysmotility; control blood glucose levels; increase the liquid content of their diet; eat smaller meals more often; discontinue the use of tobacco products; and reduce the intake of insoluble dietary fiber, foods high in fat, and alcohol. Prokinetic agents (e.g., metoclopramide, erythromycin) may be helpful in controlling symptoms of gastroparesis. Treatment of diabetes-related constipation and diarrhea is aimed at supportive measures and symptom control. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is common in persons who are obese and who have diabetes. In persons with diabetes who have elevated hepatic transaminase levels, it is important to search for other causes of liver disease, including hepatitis and hemochromatosis. Gradual weight loss, control of blood glucose levels, and use of medications (e.g., pioglitazone, metformin) may normalize hepatic transaminase levels, but the clinical benefit of aggressively treating nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is unknown. Controlling blood glucose levels is important for managing most gastrointestinal complications. Clinical recommendation Evidence rating References Initial work-up for gastroparesis should include a complete history and physical examination, along with pertin Continue reading >>
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Diabetes
People with diabetes commonly experience problems with controlling their bladder and bowel. This can involve accidental leakage, incomplete emptying, passing urine frequently (frequency) or feeling the need to rush to the toilet (urgency). Common causes of incontinence There are four main ways that diabetes may cause problems with bladder and bowel control: Obesity: This is a key factor in people developing Type 2 (non-insulin dependant) diabetes and it is also a major risk factor for developing incontinence. The pelvic floor muscles support most of your body weight. Any excess weight further strains these muscles, weakening them. Weak pelvic floor muscles do not support the bladder and bowel as it should. If this happens you may notice leakage when coughing and sneezing (also known as stress incontinence) or the need to frequently or urgently visit the toilet. Nerve damage: Poorly controlled or long-term diabetes may cause damage to the nerves, (neuropathy) and commonly occurs in the feet. Similarly, it may affect the bladder and bowel. Nerve damage to the bladder and bowel causes loss of sensation so there may be little warning of needing to go to the toilet or lack of awareness of the bladder filling. The bladder and bowel may not empty well, increasing the risk of developing urinary tract infections, kidney damage or constipation. Reduced immunity - Diabetes interferes with the immune system increasing the risk to infections. A common infection experienced by people with diabetes is urinary tract infection (UTI). It is the combination of the immune system changes and the poor bladder emptying that causes these infections and often they keep reoccurring. Treatment includes antibiotics and strategies to promote bladder emptying. In addition personal hygiene is particu Continue reading >>
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Gastroparesis: A Complication Of Diabetes
"Gastro" means stomach and "paresis" means impairment or paralysis. Diabetic gastropathy is a term for the spectrum of neuromuscular abnormalities of the stomach caused by diabetes. The abnormalities include gastric-dysrhythmias, antral hypomotility, incoordination of antroduodenal contractions and gastroparesis. Quick Stomach Anatomy Lesson The stomach is a neuromusclar organ that receives the food we ingest, mixes the food with acid and pepsin, and empties the nutriment suspension into the small intestine for absorption. The proximal stomach or fundus relaxes in order to receive the swallowed food (that's called receptive relaxation). The body and antrum mix and empty the food via recurrent gastric peristalic waves. The peristaltic contractions are paced by neoelectrical events called pacesetter potentials or slow waves. When gastric motility is normal, the postprandial (after eating) period is associated with pleasant epigastric sensations. Gastric motility disorders or gastroparesis presents with unpleasant, but non-specific postprandial symptoms: upper abdominal bloating, distention, discomfort, early satiety, nausea, and vomiting. If the vomitus contains undigested food, then gastroparesis is very likely to be present. Fluctuating, difficult-to-predict glucose levels may also reflect the presence of gastroparesis. Diabetes and the GI Tract The motility of your GI tract, which we were just speaking of, is controlled by an outer sleeve of muscles that surrounds your GI tract. They are controlled by a complex nervous system. Diabetes can damage these nerves, and it is this neurological long-term complication of diabetes that can lead to gastrointestinal disorders. How do we know this is the case? First, many of the people with gastroparesis have long-standing diabete Continue reading >>
Diarrhea In Diabetes, Introduction And More:
Information on: Diabetic Gastroparesis and more Read more about diabetic: esophagus / stomach / bowels The Diabetic Bowels: Issues and Challenges, Constipation/Diarrhea. Diarrhea: Introduction, Small bowel Bacterial Overgrowth / Treatments for diarrhea / General Bowel Tips Diarrhea in diabetes, Introduction and more: The passage of loose and frequent stools with a sense of urgency is not uncommon with diabetics. Little research has been done in this area. Chronic diarrhea does occur in the general population and needs investigation when it interferes with daily routines. Investigations into causes of diarrhea are similar to those covered above under constipation. Causes of diarrhea in diabetics are thought to be related to: Celiac disease (wheat or gluten intolerance) Small bowel bacterial overgrowth Ano-rectal disorders Inadequate breakdown of sugars (fructose, lactose and sorbitol) in the small intestine Constipation can be a cause of diarrhea: more liquid stool may escape around a hard stool impaction. Pancreatic insufficiency Problems of altered motility related to a malfunctioning gut nervous system as well as to excessive gut secretions brought on by diabetes are also thought to play a role in diabetic diarrhea. Celiac disease is a genetic inability to digest specific proteins found in grains. Poor digestion of the protein, or gluten, often causes problems of chronic diarrhea, weight loss and fatigue. Celiac disease is found in association with Type 1 diabetes. A simple blood test screens for celiac disease in Type 1 diabetics who have a history of diarrhea. A small bowel tissue biopsy taken during an endoscopic procedure of the upper gut is often used to confirm the diagnosis of celiac disease. A word about sorbitol and naturally occurring sugars Many people may Continue reading >>
Type 1 Diabetes Gastrointestinal Symptoms Cause Identified, Treatment Possible
The cause of chronic gastrointestinal symptoms in type 1 diabetes has been uncovered, so researchers are hopeful that treatment is now possible. Gastrointestinal symptoms are common in type 1 diabetes; some of them include delayed emptying of the stomach, irritable bowel syndrome, abdominal distention and fecal incontinence – all of which can impact a person’s quality of life. Up until now the cause of these gastrointestinal symptoms in type 1 diabetes has been unknown, but researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio have now revealed it. Details about the study The findings, published in the journal Cell Stem Cell, uncovered the cause of gastrointestinal symptoms in type 1 diabetes. Professor at the University, Franco Folli, Ph.D., M.D., said, “Intestinal tissues from diabetic patients and healthy individuals were compared. In patients with Type 1 diabetes, the cell lining of the intestine was damaged. The stem cells that maintain this lining, called colonic stem cells, were altered. The culprit is found in a protein called insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP3), which is produced in the liver and in higher amounts in type 1 diabetes. IGFBP3 binds to a receptor protein on colonic stem cells causing their death and, in turn, damaging the intestinal lining.” The team conducted further research with biopharmaceuticals which blocked circulating levels of the protein. They found that the drug can reverse damage to the colon. Dr. Folli concluded, “This is a very exciting finding, obtained by studying patients’ cells, that has the potential to result in a new treatment for this chronic complication of longstanding Type 1 diabetes.” Effect of diabetes on the gastrointestinal tract A reported 75 percent of diabetes pa Continue reading >>
Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms - Disruption In Your Bowel Could Be Causing Condition
Scientists have been looking into how people develop abnormal blood glucose levels, one of the causes of type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin or the insulin produced does not work properly and can be linked to lifestyle factors such as being overweight. Metabolic syndrome - an umbrella term for diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure - has been dubbed the ‘new silent killer’ by medics. The condition, a cluster of three or more risk factors which include abdominal obesity - fat around the middle, high blood pressure, and diabetes, affect one in four adults in the UK. Now experts believe that developing the condition and type 2 diabetes in particular could be caused by bacteria penetrating the lining of the colon. They are also looking at ways to prevent it occurring. Crohn’s and colitis, two types of inflammatory bowel disease are through to occur when bacteria in the gut - called gut microbiotica - is disturbed. Gut microbiotica live on the outer regions of the mucus in the intestinal tract. Fri, August 19, 2016 Diabetes is a common life-long health condition. There are 3.5 million people diagnosed with diabetes in the UK and an estimated 500,000 who are living undiagnosed with the condition. bacteria that are able to encroach upon the epithelium might be able to promote inflammation that drives metabolic diseases However, if the macrobiotic penetrate the cells in the the gut, it could contribute to metabolic syndrome. The researchers also said people with inflammatory bowel disease often have gut bacteria in contact with the epithelium - cells in the gut. However, now experts believe type 2 diabetes could be closely linked to the same thing. Experts from Georgia in the US used samples of cells from participants i Continue reading >>
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Constipation And High Blood Sugar
Most people experience constipation at some point in their life. They make a note to eat more fiber and expect everything to go back to normal in a day or two. Luckily, for the better percentage of those inflicted, this method works. Not so lucky are the ones who are battling something much more serious than the occasional bout of constipation. Constipation is a condition that can be very difficult to find the originating cause. There are so many different causes, from medicines to lifestyle changes, that pin-pointing the true cause of the constipation can be like finding a needle in a haystack. google_ad_layout="in-article";google_ad_format="482x121";google_ad_client="ca-pub-0933858739464409";google_ad_slot="4476998658";google_adsbygoogle_status="done";google_ad_width=482;google_ad_height=121;google_ad_resizable=true;google_override_format=1;google_responsive_auto_format=11;google_loader_features_used=128;google_ad_modifications={"plle":true,"eids":["21061122","191880502"],"loeids":[]};google_loader_used="aa";google_reactive_tag_first=false;google_ad_unit_key="462139141";google_ad_dom_fingerprint="194122047";google_sailm=false;google_unique_id=2;google_async_iframe_id="aswift_1";google_start_time=1514564383425;google_pub_vars="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 Continue reading >>
Nerve Damage (diabetic Neuropathies)
What are diabetic neuropathies? Diabetic neuropathies are a family of nerve disorders caused by diabetes. People with diabetes can, over time, develop nerve damage throughout the body. Some people with nerve damage have no symptoms. Others may have symptoms such as pain, tingling, or numbness—loss of feeling—in the hands, arms, feet, and legs. Nerve problems can occur in every organ system, including the digestive tract, heart, and sex organs. About 60 to 70 percent of people with diabetes have some form of neuropathy. People with diabetes can develop nerve problems at any time, but risk rises with age and longer duration of diabetes. The highest rates of neuropathy are among people who have had diabetes for at least 25 years. Diabetic neuropathies also appear to be more common in people who have problems controlling their blood glucose, also called blood sugar, as well as those with high levels of blood fat and blood pressure and those who are overweight. What causes diabetic neuropathies? The causes are probably different for different types of diabetic neuropathy. Researchers are studying how prolonged exposure to high blood glucose causes nerve damage. Nerve damage is likely due to a combination of factors: metabolic factors, such as high blood glucose, long duration of diabetes, abnormal blood fat levels, and possibly low levels of insulin neurovascular factors, leading to damage to the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients to nerves autoimmune factors that cause inflammation in nerves mechanical injury to nerves, such as carpal tunnel syndrome inherited traits that increase susceptibility to nerve disease lifestyle factors, such as smoking or alcohol use What are the symptoms of diabetic neuropathies? Symptoms depend on the type of neuropathy and which Continue reading >>
Diabetes And Ibs
Many people who are diabetic also experience gastrointestinal symptoms similar to IBS, so it’s not surprising that they are connected! I’m so happy to have today’s guest dietitian write about a topic that I know some of you may be struggling with – managing co-existing conditions on top of your IBS. Today we are lucky to have April Saunders, RD share her expertise on managing diabetes alongside your IBS. Take it away, April! If you have “gut issues”, meaning diarrhea, constipation, cramping, abdominal pain or nausea, and you have diabetes, you are not alone. In fact, this relationship is more common than you – or your doctor – may realize. Incredibly, 10-20% of adults worldwide suffer from functional gastrointestinal (GI) problems. For people with diabetes, this problem is even more common, and a large proportion of people with diabetes (type 1 or 2) suffer from a poorly functioning gut. Up to 75% of people with diabetes have at least one gastrointestinal symptom. A connection between people with IBS and higher rates of prediabetes has been found too, suggesting that this relationship starts early on in the pathway to type 2 diabetes. IBS and Glycemic Control IBS and other gut disorders are closely linked to diabetes. In fact, even the severity of symptoms is closely linked to the glycemic control of the individual, meaning the worse the glycemic control, the worse the GI symptoms. These GI problems can include diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, and vomiting. The most common GI problem that can be responsible for causing diarrhea is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), and many complex links have been identified between gut problems and blood sugars. Why do diabetes and IBS often co-exist? High blood sugars make it hard for the stomach and small intestin Continue reading >>
How Does Diabetes Affect The Digestive System?
If you’ve recently been diagnosed with diabetes or have been living with the disease for a while, you’re more than likely familiar with possible complications, like kidney disease, vision loss, and even amputations. But it’s important to note that poorly controlled type 2 diabetes can also affect other parts of your body, including your digestive system, and that the longer you’ve lived with diabetes, the more likely it may be that you could experience these types of problems. In fact, some research suggests 75 percent of people visiting diabetes clinics report having significant gastrointestinal symptoms. How Diabetic Neuropathy Can Lead to Heartburn and Other Issues So how might diabetes affect the digestive system? “Advanced diabetes, whether it’s from type 1 or type 2 diabetes, can affect any organ in the body — including those organs in the digestive tract,” says James C. Reynolds, MD, a gastroenterology specialist and clinical medicine professor at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Dr. Reynolds notes digestive problems may be caused by the very factors that led to diabetes in the first place, such as obesity, but it’s also possible that digestive problems are the result of diabetes-related complications, such as hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar. One of the most serious diabetes complications that can result from consistent high blood sugar is diabetic neuropathy, or nerve damage. Neuropathy may lead to weakness, pain, and numbness, affecting feeling in your feet, legs, and hands, but the condition can also affect digestive functions like swallowing and constipation, Reynolds explains. If you have diabetes, this potential complication is just another reason it’s crucial to pay attention to your A1C, the average level of glucose o Continue reading >>
