| Medical experts are looking very closely at is the | | | | gets stuck in or near the stomach, and in constipation |
| relation of high blood sugar and constipation. Learn | | | | the waste builds up in the small intestine. How can |
| about the effect blood sugar has on the digestive | | | | one tell a difference? Here are some of the |
| system? Find out if diabetics are at higher risk for | | | | symptoms of Gastroparesis: |
| constipation? | | | | - Vomiting of undigested food |
| Most people experience constipation at some point in | | | | - Bloating and loss of appetite |
| their life. They make a note to eat more fiber and | | | | - Heartburn, acid reflux and nausea |
| expect everything to go back to normal in a day or | | | | - Dehydration |
| two. Luckily, for the better percentage of those | | | | - Weight loss and stomach spasms |
| inflicted, this method works. Not so lucky are the | | | | Gastroparesis can be a chronic condition and in |
| ones who are battling something much more serious | | | | severe cases require surgery to remedy. |
| than the occasional bout of constipation. | | | | Constipation can be diagnosed in a patient exhibiting |
| Constipation is a condition that can be very difficult | | | | the following signs: |
| to find the originating cause. There are so many | | | | 1. No bowel movements for 3 consecutive days |
| different causes, from medicines to lifestyle changes, | | | | 2. Hard stools 25% of the time during bowel |
| that pin-pointing the true cause of the constipation | | | | movements |
| can be like finding a needle in a haystack. | | | | 3. Straining at 25% of bowel movements |
| One potential cause that medical experts are looking | | | | 4. Have two or less bowel movements per week |
| very closely at is the relation of high blood sugar and | | | | Treat the Cause, not the Symptom |
| constipation. What effect does blood sugar have on | | | | It’s important to understand that constipation |
| the digestive system? Are diabetics at higher risk for | | | | is a symptom and not the disease. By that, I mean |
| constipation? | | | | there must be an underlying reason for the |
| As it turns out, diabetics are definitely more at risk | | | | constipation. In this case, it’s the high blood |
| of experiencing constipation. Nearly 60% of all | | | | sugar level that’s causing the constipation, not |
| diabetics also suffer from constipation. Abnormal | | | | the other way around. You need to treat the cause |
| blood sugar levels can negatively affect many of the | | | | to remedy the symptom. Treat the high blood sugar |
| body’s systems and functions. When blood | | | | and your chances of experiencing constipation will |
| sugar levels are elevated, the nerves in the intestines | | | | decrease. |
| that control the length of time waste stays in the | | | | Constipation, while very dangerous if left untreated, |
| body can be seriously damaged. The nerves | | | | is usually an easy condition to get rid of. Eating a |
| can’t do their job properly and food waste | | | | healthier diet, with more fiber and water can greatly |
| begins to build up in the intestines. This | | | | reduce the chances of constipation. Exercise can also |
| doesn’t happen over night, of course. This | | | | have a great impact on keeping a healthy digestive |
| condition affects type 1 diabetics who have been | | | | tract. With both conditions, the key is to control your |
| using insulin for a number of years. | | | | blood sugar levels. Healthy diets, exercise and water |
| Another disastrous effect high blood sugar has on | | | | can help keep blood sugar levels closer to a normal |
| the gastrointestinal system is Gastroparesis. | | | | level, but of course diabetics may still require |
| Gastroparesis is when nerves in the stomach are | | | | assistance in controlling their sugar levels. |
| damaged to the point that they can no longer work | | | | The New England Journal of Medicine did a study of |
| properly. The stomach doesn’t know when to | | | | class 2 diabetics and the effects that eating a high |
| send the food through the digestive tract. Up to | | | | fiber diet can have on blood sugar levels. There were |
| 75% of diabetics also have Gastroparesis. How Does | | | | 2 groups of participants. In the first group, they were |
| High Blood Sugar Damage the Nerves of the | | | | instructed to follow a diet that included 24 grams of |
| Intestine? | | | | fiber per day for six weeks. The second group did |
| High blood sugar damages the actual blood vessels | | | | the same thing, but had to have 50 grams of fiber |
| that carry oxygen and essential nutrients to the | | | | per day. After six weeks, the two groups switched |
| nerves of the stomach and intestine, or the vagus | | | | diet regimens and followed that diet for six more |
| nerves. With the necessary nutrients and oxygen | | | | weeks. It was found that when both groups were |
| severely reduced, or stopped from reaching the | | | | on the higher fiber diet, their blood sugar levels were |
| vagus nerves, the digestive system goes into a state | | | | lowered by 10%. |
| of shock. The food waste backs up and it can cause | | | | If you are diabetic and you are suffering from |
| terrible complications. | | | | severe constipation, it’s time to get your |
| The difference between Gastroparesis and | | | | blood sugar tested. The longer you wait, the more |
| constipation is that with Gastroparesis, food waste | | | | serious it can become. |