When Diabetes Leads To A Lazy Stomach: The Goods On Gastroparesis
Gastroparesis doesn’t sound good, and it isn’t. Literally “stomach paralysis,” it is a form of diabetic neuropathy, or nerve damage, that is a common complication of diabetes. The damaged nerve in question is the vagus nerve, named for its vagabond-like wandering nature. The vagus nerve meanders all the way from the brainstem to the colon, controlling heart rate, sweating, gastrointestinal contractions, and various other involuntary, automatic functions on its way. In the case of gastroparesis, it’s the vagus nerve’s control of stomach contractions that’s damaged. The stomach is basically a hollow ball made of muscle that serves as a storage container and mixing bowl for food. It’s about the size of a small melon, but it can stretch to hold nearly a gallon if you really press the issue. In healthy people, wave-like contractions of the stomach, prompted by the vagus nerve, crush and churn your food into small particles and mix it up with enzymes and acids produced by the stomach’s inner lining. Then the stomach contractions, coming along in waves at about three per minute, slowly and evenly propel the pulverized food out through the pyloric valve, which opens just enough to release an eighth of an ounce of food at a time. From there it’s down the small intestine, where the real nutrient absorption occurs. It can take four hours to empty your stomach into your small intestine, especially if you’ve eaten fat, which slows the process down. If the vagus nerve has been damaged by years of high blood sugars, the process hits a snag. The walls of the stomach, paralyzed by the lack of vagus nerve stimulation, don’t make their muscular wave-like contractions. As a result, food just sticks around in the stomach, unpulverized and going nowhere. It may sit an Continue reading >>
Why Am I So Bloated?
Although this question is not only related to people who have diabetes, I found it interesting. It is often asked and is well worth exploring. Feel free to write to us if you have a question or concern. We are looking forward to giving you an accurate answer. Why am I so bloated? Can it be related to my diabetes? Over 10 million people in the U.S. complain about bloating and stomach issues, which may be corrected by a few simple changes. Bloating is “air in the intestines”, which has several causes – including over-indulging in fatty and salty foods. Let’s explore some other possible reasons. One of the most common oral medications prescribed for diabetes type 2 is Metformin, which targets the liver to produce less glucose. Metformin is cheap (free in Publix supermarkets which are located in Florida and the south), but can have the common side effects of bloating, stomach gas pains and diarrhea. Most physicians are fully aware of these problems and try to start on a low dose of medication which is gradually increased. This allows the body to acclimate without GI symptoms. If Metformin causes severe stomach issues, talk to your physician about Glumetza. Glumetza is a slow release variation given only once a day. Although it is more expensive, it may have fewer side effects. If you take Metformin, do not take it on an empty stomach. Either take a few bites of your meal prior to taking the pill or take it directly after eating your entire breakfast or dinner. The timing of the medication will reduce GI side effects. Research states that “berberine may have similar properties of Metformin without the GI side effects.” A small study published by the N.I.H. showed it did have a positive effect on lowering blood sugars and lipid levels. Berberine is a Chinese herb Continue reading >>
6 Emergency Complications Of Type 2 Diabetes
People with type 2 diabetes are at increased risk of many serious health problems, including heart attack, stroke, vision loss, and amputation. But by keeping your diabetes in check — that means maintaining good blood sugar control — and knowing how to recognize a problem and what to do about it should one occur, you can prevent many of these serious complications of diabetes. Heart Attack Heart disease and stroke are the top causes of death and disability in people with diabetes. Heart attack symptoms may appear suddenly or be subtle, with only mild pain and discomfort. If you experience any of the following heart attack warning signs, call 911 immediately: Chest discomfort that feels like pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the center of your chest, lasting for a short time or going away and returning Pain elsewhere, including the back, jaw, stomach, or neck; or pain in one or both arms Shortness of breath Nausea or lightheadedness Stroke If you suddenly experience any of the following stroke symptoms, call 911 immediately. As with a heart attack, immediate treatment can be the difference between life and death. Stroke warning signs may include: Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially if it occurs on one side of the body Feeling confused Difficulty walking and talking and lacking coordination Developing a severe headache for no apparent reason Nerve Damage People with diabetes are at increased risk of nerve damage, or diabetic neuropathy, due to uncontrolled high blood sugar. Nerve damage associated with type 2 diabetes can cause a loss of feeling in your feet, which makes you more vulnerable to injury and infection. You may get a blister or cut on your foot that you don't feel and, unless you check your feet regularly, an infection Continue reading >>
Diabetes Symptoms You Can’t Afford To Ignore & What You Can Do About Them
In the U.S., diabetes — or diabetes mellitus (DM) — is full-blown epidemic, and that’s not hyperbole. An estimated 29 million Americans have some form of diabetes, nearly 10 percent of the population, and even more alarming, the average American has a one in three chance of developing diabetes symptoms at some point in his or her lifetime. (1) The statistics are alarming, and they get even worse. Another 86 million people have prediabetes, with up to 30 percent of them developing type 2 diabetes within five years. And perhaps the most concerning, about a third of people who have diabetes — approximately 8 million adults — are believed to be undiagnosed and unaware. That’s why it’s so vital to understand and recognize diabetes symptoms. And there’s actually good news. While there’s technically no known “cure” for diabetes — whether it’s type 1, type 2 or gestational diabetes — there’s plenty that can be done to help reverse diabetes naturally, control diabetes symptoms and prevent diabetes complications. The Most Common Diabetes Symptoms Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder that results from problems controlling the hormone insulin. Diabetes symptoms are a result of higher-than-normal levels of glucose (sugar) in your blood. With type 1 diabetes, symptoms usually develop sooner and at a younger age than with type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes also normally causes more severe symptoms. In fact, because type 2 diabetes signs and symptoms can be minimal in some cases, it sometimes can go diagnosed for a long period of time, causing the problem to worsen and long-term damage to develop. While it’s still not entirely known how this happens, prolonged exposure to high blood sugar can damage nerve fibers that affect the blood vessels, heart, e 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 >>
Diabetes Can Affect Your Stomach
Diabetes can affect the way your gastrointestinal (GI) tract works. Your GI tract is the group of organs responsible for the ingestion, digestion, and absorption of food as well as the elimination of unwanted waste products. Your GI tract includes your mouth and throat, stomach, and intestines (the long tube connecting the stomach with the rectum). Your liver and pancreas are also considered part of your GI tract and can be affected by diabetes. Because diabetes can affect many parts of your GI tract in many different ways, symptoms may vary greatly, which often leads to difficulty in diagnosing and treating the specific problem(s). The symptoms that you may experience when diabetes affects your GI tract include pain on swallowing, soar throat, heartburn, fullness, bloating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. In addition to these symptoms, GI problems can definitely cause your blood glucose levels to fluctuate even when your diet, exercise, and therapeutic regimens are followed consistently. Although there are many different types of therapies for treating GI-related problems, it is extremely important to get your blood glucose under good control. Poor blood glucose control can worsen all of the problems associated with diabetes and make your GI symptoms worse. If you answer "yes" to any of the following questions, you should discuss possible GI problems with your health care provider. 1. Do you have persistent problems with constipation or diarrhea? 2. Have you lost weight unexpectedly? 3. Do you feel full when you have not eaten very much or soon after you start eating a meal? 4. Do you frequently feel bloated after eating? 5. Do you frequently have heartburn pains? 6. Is it painful to swallow food at any time? 7. Do you have unusual pain in your throat and Continue reading >>
Stomach Dysfunction In Diabetes Mellitus: Emerging Technology And Pharmacology
Go to: Introduction to Diabetic Gastroparesis Gastroparesis is defined as delayed gastric emptying in the absence of mechanical outlet obstruction from the stomach; the typical symptoms are early satiety, upper abdominal bloating, nausea and vomiting,1 and abdominal pain.2 In diabetes patients, abdominal fullness and bloating are associated with delayed emptying,3 but in general, abnormal gastric emptying is weakly associated with symptoms. Two other pathophysiological mechanisms may result in postprandial symptoms: accelerated emptying in the first hour and reduced fasting and postprandial gastric volumes (or accommodation).4,5 All three factors (delayed emptying at 4 h, accelerated emptying at 1 h, and impaired gastric accommodation) have each been reported in one-third to one-half of patients with diabetic gastropathy and postprandial symptoms.6 The pathophysiology includes reduced fundic tone, suppression of antral contractions, impaired coordination of antroduodenal pressures, and stimulation of pyloric contractions.7 The basis for these abnormal functions is impaired glycemic control, extrinsic (e.g., vagal) neuropathy, intrinsic neuropathy, disorders of the pacemaker cells called interstitial cells of Cajal, and, possibly, myopathy. Whereas, in a community-based study, there was no difference between rates of nausea, vomiting, and dyspepsia in either type 1 or type 2 diabetes patients and controls,8,9 studies from tertiary medical centers report that delayed gastric emptying is present in 25%–55% of the patients with diabetes.10,11 Nevertheless, the association of impaired emptying and symptoms such as nausea, fullness, and bloating is generally modest. This reflects selection bias, as gastroparesis generally develops in patients who have had diabetes for at di Continue reading >>
Type 1 Diabetes Guide
Over time, diabetes can affect many parts of your body. One of those is the vagus nerve, which controls how quickly your stomach empties. When it's damaged, your digestion slows down and food stays in your body longer than it should. This is a condition called gastroparesis. It can make you feel queasy and vomit. It's also bad for your blood sugar levels. Although it's more common in people with type 1 diabetes, people with type 2 can also get it. Most people with gastroparesis have had diabetes for at least 10 years and also have other complications related to the disease. You may have: Heartburn or reflux (backup of stomach contents into the esophagus) Vomiting (in severe cases, this may happen daily) Feeling full quickly when eating Food that stays in your stomach too long can spoil and lead to the growth of bacteria. Undigested food can harden and form a lump called a bezoar. It can block your stomach and keep what you eat from moving into the small intestine. Gastroparesis can make it hard to control diabetes. When food finally does leave your stomach and enters the small intestine, your blood sugar goes up, too. Throwing up can also leave you dehydrated. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms. He’ll also do a physical exam, and he may check your blood sugar. He might also suggest other tests. Barium X-ray: You drink a liquid (barium), which coats your esophagus, stomach, and small intestine and shows up on X-rays. This test is also known as an upper GI (gastrointestinal) series or a barium swallow. Barium beefsteak meal: You eat a meal with barium in it, and the doctor uses an X-ray to watch how long it takes you to digest the food. That tells your doctor how quickly your stomach empties. Radioisotope gastric-emptying scan: You eat food that has a radioactive Continue reading >>
Diabetes And The Gastrointestinal Tract
Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders are common among all people, including those affected by diabetes. At some point in any patient's life, the chances that he or she will develop a GI tract problem, be it peptic ulcer disease, gallstones, irritable bowel syndrome, food poisoning, or some other malady, are extremely high. As many as 75% of patients visiting diabetes clinics will report significant GI symptoms. The entire GI tract can be affected by diabetes from the oral cavity and esophagus to the large bowel and anorectal region. Thus, the symptom complex that may be experienced can vary widely. Common complaints may include dysphagia, early satiety, reflux, constipation, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Many patients go undiagnosed and under-treated because the GI tract has not been traditionally associated with diabetes and its complications. Both acute and chronic hyperglycemia can lead to specific GI complications. Diabetes is a systemic disease that may affect many organ systems, and the GI tract is no exception. As with other complications of diabetes, the duration of the disorder and poor glycemic control seem to be associated with more severe GI problems. Patients with a history of retinopathy, nephropathy, or neuropathy should be presumed to have GI abnormalities until proven otherwise, and this is best determined by asking a few simple questions. (See "Patient Information".) Many GI complications of diabetes seem to be related to dysfunction of the neurons supplying the enteric nervous system. Just as the nerves in the feet may be affected in peripheral neuropathy, involvement of the intestinal nerves may lead to enteric neuropathy. This is a type of autonomic or "involuntary" neuropathy and may lead to abnormalities in intestinal motility, sensat Continue reading >>
4 Easy Ways To Reduce Gas And Bloating
Bloating can really put a sour note on your day. You don't feel good, your clothes don't fit right and the side effects can be a little embarrassing. However, there are some things you can do to ease the discomfort you feel while bloated. First, it's important to understand where bloating stems from so you can alter your habits accordingly. If bloating still occurs, there are some easy tips and tricks you can follow in order to reduce your symptoms. Read this article to find out more about why you might feel bloated and how to reduce your bloating quickly and effectively. COMMON CAUSES OF BLOATING Bloating can be caused by a wide variety of factors. In some cases, it's a medical condition or emotional state that you can't help. In other situations, it could be from the foods you're eating. Here's a list of the top causes of bloating to help you understand where this condition stems from: Chronic conditions: Celiac disease, lactose intolerance and irritable bowel syndrome are all chronic conditions with which bloating is a common side effect. With irritable bowel syndrome, the bloating may be a reaction to certain foods or changes in bowel function. Bloating with celiac disease and lactose intolerance is related to the inability to digest or absorb certain foods or ingredients. Acute conditions: Problems in the gastrointestinal area, like an infection or blockage, may also lead to bloating. Premenstrual syndrome: Many women experience bloating during PMS due to increased water retention. Smoking: The increased air intake that occurs while smoking cigarettes can lead to bloating. Stress: Hormonal changes due to stress may cause some bloating. Also, stress can sometimes lead to poor digestion which can also lead to bloating. Poor food choices: Some foods are more likely to Continue reading >>
Type 2 Diabetes And Gastroparesis
Gastroparesis, also called delayed gastric emptying, is a disorder of the digestive tract that causes food to remain in the stomach for a period of time that is longer than average. This occurs because the nerves that move food through the digestive tract are damaged, so muscles don’t work properly. As a result, food sits in the stomach undigested. The most common cause of gastroparesis is diabetes. It can develop and progress over time, especially in those with uncontrolled blood sugar levels. The following are symptoms of gastroparesis: heartburn nausea vomiting of undigested food early fullness after a small meal weight loss bloating loss of appetite blood glucose levels that are hard to stabilize stomach spasms acid reflux Gastroparesis symptoms may be minor or severe, depending on the damage to the vagus nerve, a long cranial nerve that extends from the brain stem to the abdominal organs, including those of the digestive tract. Symptoms can flare up any time, but are more common after the consumption of high-fiber or high-fat foods, all of which are slow to digest. Women with diabetes have a high risk for developing gastroparesis. Other conditions can compound your risk of developing the disorder, including previous abdominal surgeries or a history of eating disorders. Diseases and conditions other than diabetes can cause gastroparesis, such as: viral infections acid reflux disease smooth muscle disorders Other illnesses can cause gastroparesis symptoms, including: Parkinson’s disease chronic pancreatitis cystic fibrosis kidney disease Turner’s syndrome Sometimes no known cause can be found, even after extensive testing. People who have gastroparesis have damage to their vagus nerve. This impairs nerve function and digestion because the impulses needed to chu Continue reading >>
What Is "diabetic Stomach"?
My niece takes an oral medicine for diabetes. At least once a week, she throws up at night. The doctor calls it "diabetic stomach." I have never heard of this, and I have had diabetes for 36 years. What could be the cause of her stomach problems, and what foods may be causing flare-ups? Continue reading >>
Saying Bye-bye To Bloating
If you’re like many people, you’ve probably experienced the dreaded “belly bloat” at one time or another. Belly bloating is a result of excess air in your digestive tract. You know the feeling: Your stomach is puffed out and hard, your waistband is digging into you, and maybe you have those uncomfortable gas pains. You might also have symptoms of gas (flatulence), burping, or a rumbling stomach, as your body tries to get rid of excess air. Causes of belly bloating There are a lot of reasons for being bloated. Certain medical conditions may be the cause. These include: • Irritable bowel syndrome • Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis) • Gastroparesis • Heartburn • Fluid retention due to cancer, liver disease, or kidney failure • Celiac disease • Pancreatic insufficiency • Perforation of the digestive tract • Food intolerance • Parasite infection • Certain medications • Stress or anxiety Some of these causes are, of course, very serious and require medical attention. On the other hand, belly bloating (as bothersome as it is) may be due to overindulging (think second or third helpings of Thanksgiving dinner, for example). And, in many instances, belly bloating is caused by consuming certain foods and beverages. Let’s take a look at some of the common culprits. Sugar-free foods. Foods labeled as being “sugar-free” have a certain appeal to people who have diabetes, as well as to people who are cutting back on calories. Sugar-free foods, by definition, are foods or drinks that contain less than 0.5 grams of sugar per serving. Artificial sweeteners (such as aspartame, sucralose, and stevia) and/or sugar alcohols (such as sorbitol, xylitol, and mannitol) are usually added to replace sugar and provide sweetness. Continue reading >>
