Gastroparesis, a complication of diabetes, can worsen diabetes by making it more difficult to maintain normal blood sugar levels.
The condition occurs when the stomach’s contents remain in the stomach too long, and fail to move quickly through the digestive tract. The vagus nerve controls the digestive tract and the movement of food through it; damage to the vagus nerve related to diabetes or other injury, including some surgeries, can lead to the development of gastroparesis, according to the American Diabetes Association.
Gastroparesis can make diabetes worse by making it more difficult to manage blood glucose. When food that has been delayed in the stomach finally enters the small intestine and is absorbed, blood glucose levels rise, according to the ADA.
Symptoms of the condition include:
- Heartburn
- Nausea
- Vomiting undigested food
- Early feeling of fullness when eating
- Unexplained weight loss
- Bloating in the abdomen
- Erratic blood sugar levels
- Loss of appetite
- Acid reflux
- Spasms of the abdominal wall
In addition to complicating blood glucose management, gastroparesis can also lead to bacterial overgrowth in the gut and the formation of hardened masses of undigested food that can cause blockages in the digestive tract.
Treating the condition involves medication to control blood sugar levels and eating smaller, more frequent meals. Diabetics with gastroparesis may need to use more insulin and check their blood sugar levels more frequently.
