Stomach and Intestines

Autonomic nerve damage can affect the gastrointestinal (GI) system. The GI tract carries food and liquid from the mouth to the stomach and through your intestines. It mixes, digests and absorbs food. At the end of the GI tract, waste is removed. Nerves control all of these functions. High blood sugars can damage these nerves.

Problems:

• When the nerves to the esophagus (tube from mouth to the stomach) suffer damage, it may be hard to swallow.
• Also, heartburn may be a problem.
• When this nerve damage affects the intestines, waste may pass through too slowly (constipation) or too quickly (diarrhea). This diarrhea often comes at night and with little warning. Sometimes stool leaks without sensing the need to have a bowel movement.
• This nerve disease also affects the stomach (gastroparesis). This causes liquids and foods to stay in the stomach longer than normal. As a result, the following symptoms are common:
1. Nausea in the morning and after meals
2. Throwing up food that hasn't been digested
3. Feeling full after eating just a small amount of food
4. Stomach pain and cramping
5. Wide blood sugar swings
6. Low blood sugars after meals

Prevention of nerve damage.
The good news: you can prevent nerve damage with good blood sugar control. To reduce the risk of nerve damage, strive to:

• Keep your hemoglobin A1c at 7% or less (a 3 month average blood sugar test)
• Control blood pressure
• Don't smoke
• Eat a healthy diet
• Exercise most days
• Avoid or limit alcohol

Questions?
If you have further questions about treatment for nerve disease of the stomach and intestines, contact your diabetes healthcare team.

 Continue