Could Nerve Damage Be Affecting Your Digestion?

A potential complication of diabetes is nerve damage, which can affect several areas of your body, including your digestive system. When this happens, a condition known as gastroparesis can set in, making blood sugar levels even more difficult to control.
Stomach Issues
Gastroparesis, also called delayed gastric emptying, is a disorder in which the stomach takes too long to empty its contents. Normally, the stomach contracts to move food down into the small intestine for digestion. Nerves control the movement of food from the stomach through the digestive tract. Gastroparesis occurs when the nerves in the stomach are damaged and the muscles of the stomach and intestines do not work normally. Food then moves slowly or stops moving through the digestive tract. In addition to the discomfort, it can also cause bacterial overgrowth from the fermentation of food. Also, the food can harden into solid masses called bezoars that may cause nausea, vomiting, and obstruction in the stomach. Bezoars can be dangerous if they block the passage of food into the small intestine.

Diabetes is a cause of gastroperisis, but gastroparesis also makes diabetes worse by making blood glucose control more difficult. When food that has been delayed in the stomach finally enters the small intestine and is absorbed, blood glucose levels rise. Since gastroparesis makes stomach emptying unpredictable, a person’s blood glucose levels can be erratic and difficult to control.

Signs and Symptoms of Gastroparesis
Heartburn
Pain in the upper abdomen
Nausea
Vomiting of undigested food—sometimes several hours after a meal
Early feeling of fullness after only a few bites of food
Weight loss due to poor absorption of nutrients or low calorie intake
Abdominal bloating
High and low blood glucose levels
Lack of appetite
Spasms in the stomach area
Dietary Changes
There are a variety of ways to test for gastroparesis (such as ultrasound, upper endoscopy, and a breath test), but your doctor may first suggest dietary changes such as six smaller meals to help restore your blood glucose to more normal levels. In some cases, your doctor or dietitian may suggest you try eating several liquid or puréed meals a day until your blood glucose levels are stable and the symptoms improve. Liquid meals provide all the nutrients found in solid foods, but can pass through the stomach more easily and quickly. These changes will help combat the digestive problems as a result of diabetes and also help your blood sugar and diabetes.

Insulin, Blood Glucose Control and Monitoring
If you have gastroparesis, food is being absorbed more slowly and at unpredictable times. To control blood glucose, you may need to:
Take insulin more often or change the type of insulin you take
Take your insulin after you eat instead of before
Check your blood glucose levels frequently after you eat and administer insulin whenever necessary
Treatment of Gastroparesis
The primary treatment goals for gastroparesis related to diabetes are to improve stomach emptying and regain control of blood glucose levels. Treatment includes dietary changes, insulin, oral medications, and, in severe cases, a feeding tube and parenteral nutrition.
Preventing Nerve Damage and Digestive Issues
Talk to your doctor about the changes that will help your diabetes and digestion. Follow his or her specific instructions with regard to medications and insulin in order to best manage your diabetes. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, keeping control of blood sugar is important as years of elevated blood sugar causes nerve damage. Here is what you can do to prevent nerve damage:
Keep your blood glucose as close to normal as you can.
Limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
Don’t smoke.
Take care of your feet
Tell your doctor about any problems you have with your hands, arms, feet, legs, stomach, bowel, or bladder