Autonomic Neuropathy and the Digestive System

Autonomic neuropathy can cause just about any gastrointestinal disorder you can think of (as well as several others you would probably rather not think about at all). The longer you have had diabetes and the more trouble you have maintaining tight glucose control, the more likely you are to have digestive problems. Most GI woes are mild and treatable, but some can become serious.

Constipation is the most common complication caused by glucose-induced nerve damage; about 60 percent of diabetes patients have occasional or frequent bouts with this digestive discomfort.

About one in four diabetes patients develop gastroparesis, another problem related to damaged digestive nerves. This condition causes food to empty out of the stomach slowly. Gastroparesis doesn't always cause symptoms, but in serious cases it can result in episodes of lost appetite, bloating, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain that can go on for months. Equally concerning, serious dips in blood sugar can occur if you inject insulin to blunt a post-meal surge of glucose, because gastroparesis delays food from reaching your intestines and being absorbed into the blood. There is no extra sugar to process, and the insulin lowers glucose too much, leading to hypoglycemia.

Diarrhea is another digestive woe that plagues about one in five diabetes patients, and it seems to be more common in those with autonomic neuropathy. Normally, the autonomic nervous system ensures that the food you eat has a smooth and gradual trip through the stomach and intestines. But damaged nerves can disrupt the process, leading to loose bowels and the dreaded fecal incontinence (loss of bowel control).

Finally, damage to nerves in the esophagus can cause difficulty swallowing in some patients.

Of course, lots of other things can cause gastrointestinal problems, so if you develop any of these symptoms, your doctor will want to rule out other potential causes. Constipation, for instance, can be caused by diseases such as hypothyroidism or colon cancer, and it can be a side effect of certain medications, such as calcium channel blockers used to treat hypertension.

Find out how autonomic neuropathy can cause under-active or overactive sweat glands on the next page.

For more information on diabetes and its related conditions, try the following links:

• Diabetic Neuropathy is a complex injury that should not be left undiagnosed. Learn more about it in this informative article.
• To learn more about how diabetic neuropathy can disupt the digestive system, visit Diabetes and Digestive Problems.
  
• Damage to the eyes is a common complication associated with diabetes. Find out more on our Diabetes and Eye Problems page.

   

• Diabetes Symptoms covers the diverse signs of the disease, from increased thirst and hunger to sudden weight loss.

   

• To learn more about diabetes in general, including diagnosis, causes, symptoms, and treatment, visit our main Diabetes page.