The Connection Between Diabetes and GI Issues
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Written By
Charlie Fletcher
Charlie Fletcher
Charlie Fletcher is a freelance writer passionate about workplace equity, and whose published works cover sociology, politics, business, education, health, and more.
Fact Checked By
Chris Stocker
Chris Stocker
Chris Stocker is a financial services professional and licensed insurance agent. He's also Owner and author of The Life of a Diabetic as well as Type 1 Detour. He's been writing about Diabetes related topics for over 10 years, and has been featured in HealthLine, Diatribe, Diabetes Advocates and JDRF.. He's been writing about Diabetes related topics for over 10 years, and has been featured in HealthLine, Diatribe, Diabetes Advocates and JDRF.
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Last Updated on October 26, 2024
As the rate of diabetes increases in the United States, so has gastrointestinal complications amongst these patients. Up to 75% of people with diabetes may experience GI symptoms such as discomfort after eating paired with diarrhea, nausea, constipation, bloating, and abdominal pain.
One of the most common gastrointestinal conditions is Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Those with GERD suffer from chronic acid reflux and tend to experience symptoms twice a week or more.
The following are typical and atypical GERD symptoms:
- Heartburn
- Chest pain
- Sore throat
- Asthma
- Chronic cough
- Hoarseness
- Chest paint
So, why do acid reflux and other gastrointestinal conditions affect people with diabetes?
Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage the vagus nerve, causing the stomach muscles to stop functioning correctly. This results in gastroparesis, a disorder that slows or stops food movement from your stomach to your small intestine. According to the article, A Practical Approach to Gastrointestinal Complications of Diabetes, up to 65% of patients with diabetes type 1 and 30% of patients with diabetes type 2 suffer from this condition.
Management
Whether you experience gastrointestinal symptoms or not, people with diabetes 1 and 2 must follow a strict regimen to stay as healthy as possible. Diet, exercise, mindfulness practices, and other tools play a significant role in optimizing daily life.
Here are some ways to improve your health while living with diabetes:
- Maintain a positive mindset: A diabetes diagnosis can be devastating, or it can be an opportunity to turn your life around. Take a deep breath and try to find the upside; get curious about this new way of life and how you can make it work best for you.
- Upgrade your diet: You could spend time dreaming about candy and potato chips, or you could be grateful you’ve been “forced” to cut unhealthy foods. Take time to research blood-sugar-friendly alternatives that curb your cravings. Nowadays, there are more options than ever!
- Get physical: If you don’t already exercise daily, now is the time. Even walking for 30 minutes can improve your overall physical and mental health. Get a gym membership for colder seasons so you can walk on the treadmill or use the elliptical. Take a dance class with a friend to make moving fun. Exercise doesn’t have to be two hours of lifting weights or a spin instructor screaming in a dimly lit room. Before you know it, you’ll be addicted to the endorphins released during physical activity.
- Sleep more: The average person requires seven to nine hours of sleep. Unfortunately, many of us prioritize Netflix binging and social media scrolling over ample recovery time. Restless sleep cycles disrupt pretty much every bodily function, from digestion to cognitive skills. Therefore, diabetes flair-ups become more prevalent. Get in the habit of falling asleep eight hours before you need to be up. Give yourself a fighting chance to have a healthy and productive day.
- Minimize stress: Stress can cause blood sugar spikes in diabetes patients. Implementing stress management tools like meditation, breathwork, nature strolls, journaling, affirmations, and yoga, can improve your overall quality of life. Try a few out and see what resonates with you.
Food as Medicine
Before overwhelming yourself with the latest health fads, consider a plant-based diet. If you’re okay with limiting or cutting out animal products, this lifestyle can be just what the doctor ordered.
A plant-based diet focuses on whole grains, legumes, fruit, and vegetables with little to no meat or dairy. Despite the notion that a plant-based diet incorporates too many carbohydrates to be diabetes-friendly, numerous studies have found the opposite.
The following explains why a plant-based diet can be beneficial for type 2 diabetes:
- Weight management: Because plant foods are high in fiber and volume, it’s easier to feel full on fewer calories. When you lose weight, insulin resistance decreases, allowing your body to use insulin more efficiently.
- Heart health: Plant-based diets focusing on whole foods can help lower cholesterol and blood pressure while reducing inflammation. Since people with diabetes have a significantly higher risk of heart disease, managing these factors is essential. In addition, plant-based unsaturated fats may also reduce insulin resistance.
- Protective nutrients: Magnesium-rich foods like whole grains, nuts, deep green veggies, and seeds lower the risk of diabetes. Packed with phytochemicals that have antioxidant effects, plant foods also help insulin sensitivity. As for managing the gastrointestinal side of diabetes, prebiotics like oats, asparagus, onions, and garlic, and other plant-based foods feed a healthy gut microbiome.
Many people wrongly assume that a plant-based diet is out of their budget. On the contrary, several fast-food chains across the country now offer vegan and vegetarian items. From Burger King’s Impossible Whopper to Del Taco’s Beyond Burrito, it’s easy to be healthy without breaking the bank.
Help When You Need It
For some, a diabetes diagnosis can feel like a death sentence. In a sense, it is. You do have to let your bad habits die so you can live a healthy and fulfilling life. But, of course, that’s easier said than done.
If you feel overwhelmed and the future looks grim, Diabetes365 recommends investing in a life coach. A good life coach gives you the necessary tools to break through mental blocks and develop a sense of discipline. Whether you struggle with eating sweets or getting off the couch, a life coach can help you see the bigger picture. By pushing through discomfort, you’ll reach levels of health you never thought possible.
A New Kind of House Call
As someone with diabetes, you may visit the doctor more than the average person. Whether you need to refill a prescription, inquire about a symptom, or discuss a lifestyle change, driving to and from the hospital can be draining.
Luckily, there’s an alternative: telehealth. Medical professionals use telehealth to treat, diagnose, and consult with patients via telecommunications technology and electronic information. So, instead of scheduling time for an in-person appointment, your doctor can tend to your needs during a phone call or on video chat from the comfort of your home. This method makes doctors more accessible to patients and vice versa. Of course, blood tests and X-Rays must be in-person, but your doctor can then share the results with you virtually.
Looking at the Bright Side
It’s possible to live a happy and healthy life with diabetes. By following the tips above, you can mitigate flare-ups for diabetes and its gastrointestinal side effects. Remember to keep an open mind and always stay on the lookout for foods, exercise routines, and mindfulness practices that resonate with you!
Charlie Fletcher
Charlie Fletcher is a freelance writer passionate about workplace equity, and whose published works cover sociology, politics, business, education, health, and more.
