7 REASONS WHY PEOPLE WITH DIABETES ARE PRONE TO DIGESTIVE DISORDERS

Did you know digestive problems are more common in people with diabetes? Many people with diabetes face some kind of digestive problem or other in their lives. From feeling bloated after eating to experiencing serious conditions like gastroparesis, these digestive issues are mostly unnoticed or undiagnosed. So, why is this the case?

Here are seven key reasons why people with diabetes are more prone to digestive disorders

  1. Neuropathy Slows Down Your Gut

When hyperglycemia (high blood sugar level) remains uncontrolled for a long time, it can damage the nerves in the body. This is more common in the autonomic nerves, which control functions like digestion. This nerve damage, known as autonomic neuropathy, can lead to slower digestion, causing bloating, constipation, nausea, and feeling heavy after eating even small meals. This can make it harder for the digestive tract to do its job, causing discomfort and digestive distress. The severity of the nerve damage can vary, with some people experiencing mild symptoms and others facing more significant disruptions to their digestive processes.

  1. Gastroparesis

It is one of the most common but least noticed digestive issues in people with diabetes. Gastroparesis is delayed stomach emptying. This happens when the vagus nerve, which controls stomach contractions, is damaged by high blood sugar. So, food stays in the stomach for too long, causing nausea, vomiting, bloating, and difficult-to-control blood sugar levels. As long as the food stays in the stomach, it causes discomfort and digestive issues and, in some cases, requires medical treatment to manage the symptoms. Gastroparesis is more commonly associated with Type 1 diabetes, but it can also affect those with Type 2, particularly those who have had diabetes for many years.

  1. SIBO: The Gut Bacteria Problem No One Talks About

In addition to neuropathy, Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) can develop in people with diabetes. Under normal circumstances, the small intestine has only a small amount of bacteria, but when motility slows down (as in diabetes), bacteria can proliferate. This leads to overgrowth, which can cause symptoms like chronic bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and malabsorption—a condition in which the body cannot properly absorb nutrients from food. SIBO is often a hidden issue, making it difficult to diagnose without specialised testing.

  1. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Diabetes can also affect the gastroesophageal sphincter, the muscle that prevents stomach acid from flowing back into the oesophagus. When blood sugar is poorly controlled, the autonomic neuropathy that affects the digestive system can weaken this muscle, leading to GERD. This is a condition in which stomach acid frequently leaks into the oesophagus, causing symptoms like heartburn, chest pain, and regurgitation of food. In some cases, this can even cause damage to the oesophageal lining, leading to more serious complications over time. People with diabetes are more likely to experience GERD, especially if they also suffer from other digestive issues like gastroparesis or delayed stomach emptying.

  1. Microvascular damage

Chronic hyperglycemia in diabetes can lead to microvascular disease, which refers to damage to the small blood vessels that supply blood to the organs, including the digestive system. When blood flow to the gut is reduced, it can impair nutrient absorption, delay digestion, and even lead to digestive discomfort, such as chronic diarrhoea or constipation. This microvascular damage can also affect the tissues of the digestive tract, making them more prone to irritation and further complications. Additionally, restricted blood flow may impair the ability of the gut to heal from any injuries or infections, exacerbating digestive issues.

  1. Distrurbed pancreatic secretion

            In diabetes, the pancreas doesn’t work properly. It fails to produce insulin effectively and may also struggle to secrete the digestive enzymes that help break down food in the intestines. This impairment can lead to malabsorption, where the body is unable to absorb essential nutrients, leading to unexplained weight loss, diarrhoea, and other signs of nutritional deficiencies. In severe cases, this can affect a person’s ability to maintain a healthy weight or prevent complications associated with poor nutrition. As diabetes progresses, damage to the pancreas can worsen, making these digestive issues harder to manage.

  1. Diabetic Diarrhoea and Constipation

            Enteric neuropathy, or damage to the nerves of the intestines, can cause both diarrhoea and constipation in people with diabetes. This condition disrupts the normal motility of the gastrointestinal tract, causing the muscles of the intestines to either contract too slowly or too quickly. When the peristalsis movement is too slow, it can lead to constipation; when it moves too quickly, it can cause diarrhoea. Many people with diabetes experience alternating periods of both, making it difficult to manage and predict.

How to Protect Your Gut Health

If you have diabetes, the key to managing digestive issues is early intervention. Here are a few things you can do to protect your digestive system:

  • Glycemic control is the most important step.
  • Eat small, frequent meals and avoid heavy meals late at night.
  • Stay active: Exercise can help keep your gut moving and your blood sugar under control.
  • If you are experiencing consistent digestive discomfort, talk to your doctor. Early detection and treatment can make a huge difference in improving the quality of life.