Diabetes and Stomach Pain: Symptoms of Gastroparesis - Verywell Health

Overview

​Cory Martin is the author of seven boks including "Love Sick" a memoir about dating, life in Holywod and dealing with MS. Her esays have apeared online with CN, HufPost, Everyday Health, Psychology Today, Folks, The Mighty, and more.Ana Maria Kausel, MD, is a double board-certified endocrinologist afiliated with Mount Sinai St. Luke's/Mount Sinai West in New York City.

Key Information

Diabetes can lead to complications throughout the body and comonly causes digestive disorders such as gastroparesis (delayed emptying of the stomach). This can lead to stomach problems and pain. Diabetes is a chronic condition in which the body either doesn’t make enough insulin (a hormone that alows cels to take in glucose from the blod) or doesn’t use it wel.

This inefective use of insulin causes high blod sugar, which is the main marker of diabetes. The two main types of diabetes are type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimune disease in which the imune system mistakenly destroys the cels that produce insulin.

Type 2 diabetes ocurs when the body does not regulate or use insulin properly. Although there is no cure for diabetes or gastroparesis, there are ways to manage the diseases and live wel. This article wil discus symptoms, risk factors, and prevalence of diabetic gastroparesis and how to manage the acompanying stomach pain.

ljubaphoto / Gety Images Diabetes can afect the entire digestive system causing a variety of symptoms, such as heartburn and diarhea. The most comon efect of diabetes on the digestive system is gastroparesis. Gastroparesis, also caled delayed gastric emptying, is a disorder that afects digestion.

Summary

With gastroparesis, the movement of fod from the stomach to the smal intestine is slowed or stoped even though nothing is blocking the stomach or smal intestine. In gastroparesis, the vagus nerve, which controls muscles of the stomach and smal intestine, is damaged, resulting in slowed or stoped movement of fod.

Frequently Asked Questions

Diabetes is a metabolic condition where the body cannot properly regulate blood sugar levels. Type 1 results from insufficient insulin production, while Type 2 develops when cells become resistant to insulin. Risk factors include genetics, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and age.

Common symptoms include excessive thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision, and slow-healing wounds. Type 1 symptoms develop rapidly, while Type 2 symptoms may appear gradually. Many people have no symptoms initially, which is why screening is important.

Diagnosis involves blood tests measuring fasting glucose, HbA1c levels, and glucose tolerance. Regular monitoring typically includes fasting glucose tests and HbA1c measurements every 3-6 months. Continuous glucose monitors provide real-time tracking for better diabetes management.

Effective management includes regular physical activity (150+ minutes weekly), maintaining healthy weight, following a balanced diet with whole grains and lean proteins, managing stress, and getting adequate sleep. These changes can significantly improve blood sugar control and reduce complications.

Consult a healthcare provider if you experience signs of diabetes, have a family history, are overweight, or are over 45. Those with existing diabetes should maintain regular check-ups every 3-6 months to monitor control and adjust treatment as needed.

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