Diabetic stomach pain: What is it, why it happens and ways to treat it
Diabetic stomach pain: All you need to know
Managing
diabetes is not easy. You have to change your lifestyle to manage the
condition along with taking the prescribed medications.
Diabetics may also notice some change in their gut or how their gastrointestinal tract feels, sounds and responds. In some cases, it can also cause stomach ache. Here is why diabetes can lead to stomach aches and how to treat it.
Diabetes stomach ache
Changing
dietary habits is the first change one makes when they are diagnosed
with diabetes. It is often advised to have more food rich in fibre, such
as fruits, beans and vegetables. The fibre from these foods fills you
without adding the unwanted calories and helps improve abnormal
cholesterol levels too.
But a lot of fibre can cause gas and bloating, which can also cause stomach ache. Thus, it's not advised to increase your fibre intake suddenly. Increasing your intake gradually is the best way to avoid stomach aches, gas and bloating.
If you are soaking legumes and lentils, throw away the water they are soaked in. This might also help reduce the gas and bloating.
Here are other reasons for diabetic stomach ache:
Glucose lowering medicines
Several
prescribed medicines used to lower blood glucose levels in type 2
diabetes can also stir up your gut. Experts advise starting with a low
dose and slowly increase it based on the doctor's prescription.
Metformin
Metformin
is the typical starting medication for type 2 diabetes. It can lead to
heartburn, nausea or diarrhoea in some cases. There are 5 to 10 per cent
of people who cannot tolerate the medicine and get diarrhoea and
abdominal discomfort.
Typically, the medicine is started at a low dose and increases over several weeks as required.
Injectables
A
newer class of injectable medications, GLP-1 agonists Byetta and
Victoza can also cause nausea and vomiting. Prescribers agree that it is
dose-related. Thus, it's suggested to start low and go slow.
GLP-1 agonists slow down stomach emptying, which can cause a feeling of fullness. People are not used to the feeling and thus might not feel comfortable.
High blood sugar and low blood sugar
Too high or low sugar in some cases can also lead to stomach discomfort. If you get diarrhoea, which doesn't stop and you have blood sugar problems, you must immediately consult your doctor.