Can Diabetes Make Your Stomach Hurt

Serious Side Effects Of Metformin

This is a dangerous condition caused by the buildup of lactic acid, a chemical that your muscles and red blood cells make naturally. When it happens while taking metformin, itâs called metformin-associated lactic acidosis .

The problem is very rare, happening in a tiny fraction of people who take the drug.

Itâs more likely to happen if you:

• Are sick with fever, diarrhea, or throwing up
• Are dehydrated

Many of the warning signs are similar to some metformin side effects, like stomach pain, dizziness, and weakness. Others are numbness or a cold feeling in your limbs, or changes in your heart rate. Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these problems.

Vitamin B12 deficiency

A lack of this B vitamin can happen to anyone, but the risk is higher on metformin, especially over time. When you donât get enough, it can cause peripheral neuropathy, the numbness or tingling in your feet and legs thatâs already a risk with diabetes. It can also cause anemia, low levels of red blood cells.

Ask your doctor to check your B12 level regularly. Donât wait until you have symptoms. Itâs also a good idea to add foods naturally high in B12 to your diet. Beef liver and clams have the most. Chicken, beef, eggs, dairy products, and fortified cereals are good sources. Supplements can also bring your levels back to normal, especially if youâre a vegetarian. Just talk to your doctor before you start taking one.

Hypoglycemia

When Should I Call My Doctor

If you havent been diagnosed with diabetes, you should see your healthcare provider if you have any symptoms of diabetes. If you already have been diagnosed with diabetes, you should contact your provider if your blood glucose levels are outside of your target range, if current symptoms worsen or if you develop any new symptoms.

Bloating Constipation And Diabetes: How I Fixed My Stomach Problems

Do you ever feel like the food you eat is working against you?

Ive been suffering from severe bloating and constipation for years. It got so bad it was significantly impacting my health and happiness.

Ive seen an amazing amount of doctors and gastroenterologists. Ive been put through a lot of tests and prescribed all sorts of medication without any of it truly helping. It wasnt until recently I finally found the root cause of my problems and my symptoms disappeared.

I tell you: its a brand new, happier, and more comfortable world for me!

After all the specialists I have seen, it ended up being my hubby who found the right diagnosis though Google searching my symptoms. Usually, I REALLY dont recommend this approach, but the medical system had quite frankly failed me this time.

It turns out I have a FODMAP intolerance. By doing a 6-week elimination of specific foods and a 4-week reintroduction, Ive been able to identify the foods my body disagrees with and eliminate or reduce them in my diet.

Now almost all of my digestive issues have been resolved .

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Yellowish Scaly Patches On And Around Your Eyelids

These develop when you have high fat levels in your blood. It can also be a sign that your diabetes is poorly controlled.The medical name for this condition is xanthelasma.

Take action

• Tell your doctor about the yellowish scaly patches around your eyes.
• Talk with your doctor about how to better control your diabetes. Controlling diabetes can clear the scaly patches.

How Is Diabetes Diagnosed

Diabetes is diagnosed and managed by checking your glucose level in a blood test. There are three tests that can measure your blood glucose level: fasting glucose test, random glucose test and A1c test.

• Fasting plasma glucose test: This test is best done in the morning after an eight hour fast .
• Random plasma glucose test: This test can be done any time without the need to fast.
• A1c test: This test, also called HbA1C or glycated hemoglobin test, provides your average blood glucose level over the past two to three months. This test measures the amount of glucose attached to hemoglobin, the protein in your red blood cells that carries oxygen. You dont need to fast before this test.
• Oral glucose tolerance test: In this test, blood glucose level is first measured after an overnight fast. Then you drink a sugary drink. Your blood glucose level is then checked at hours one, two and three.

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Planning For Sick Days

Your diabetes management plan will help you know what to do when you’re sick. The plan might tell you:

• how to check your blood glucose levels and ketones when you’re sick
• which medicines are OK to take
• what changes you might make to your food and drink and diabetes medicines
• when to call your doctor

Also, people with diabetes should get the pneumococcal vaccine, which protects against some serious infections. You also should get a flu vaccine every year. These vaccines may help cut down the number of sick days you have and keep your diabetes under better control.

Extremely Dry Itchy Skin

Dry, itchy skin

If you have diabetes, youre more likely to have dry skin. High blood sugar can cause this. If you have a skin infection or poor circulation, these could also contribute to dry, itchy skin.

Take action

• Tell your doctor about your extremely dry skin. Gaining better control of diabetes can reduce dryness.
• If you continue to have dry skin after you gain better control of your diabetes, a dermatologist can help.

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Diabetes Symptoms And Diagnosis

The most common symptoms of any type of diabetes are extreme thirst and frequent urination, increased appetite, fatigue or exhaustion, dry skin, and vision changes . In more severe cases, symptoms can include unexplained weight loss or gain, slow-healing injuries, frequent illness or infections , and pain or numbness in the hands or feet. Long-term complications of diabetes can include kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, vision loss, and lower limb amputation.4 Those with type 2 diabetes might not experience any symptoms at first, or just one symptom, such as feeling slightly thirstier than previously. Type 1 diabetes tends to be more severe, especially in young children, who can experience weight loss and failure to thrive.

Your physician will order blood tests to assess fasting glucose as well as your average glucose levels over the last two to three months and, depending on your results, will determine whether you have normal levels, prediabetes, or some form of diabetes.

Should I Keep Taking Insulin When Im Sick

You should keep taking your insulin, even if you are too sick to eat. Your body needs insulin even if youre not eating. Ask your doctor whether its necessary to adjust your dose or take extra insulin.

If you use an insulin pump, keep a variety of supplies on hand. Make sure that you have short-acting insulin, long-acting insulin, and needles in case your pump is not working right. You also should have an emergency phone number to call for help with your pump.

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What Are The Complications Of Diabetes

If your blood glucose level remains high over a long period of time, your bodys tissues and organs can be seriously damaged. Some complications can be life-threatening over time.

Complications include:

• Dental problems.

Complications of gestational diabetes:

In the mother:Preeclampsia , risk of gestational diabetes during future pregnancies and risk of diabetes later in life.

In the newborn: Higher-than-normal birth weight, low blood sugar , higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes over time and death shortly after birth.

Injectables And Blood Sugar Levels

A newer class of injectable medications, GLP-1 agonists Byetta and Victoza, can cause nausea and vomiting. Prescribers agree that this, too, is often dose-related.

“Start low and go slow,” DeFronzo says. “Byetta should be taken 30-45 minutes before a meal. Taking it right before or with the meal helps some. Then I’ll slowly move it back to 30-45 minutes before eating to get the best response.” Aronne has found that some people tolerate one injectable medication better than another, so he will have his patients try different brands.

Because GLP-1 agonists slow down stomach emptying, they can cause a feeling of fullness. ” may think something is wrong, but they’re just full and not used to that feeling,” DeFronzo says. The sensation can prevent overeating if one responds and stops eating.

“I can’t eat large amounts of food anymore,” says Martin Blank, PWD type 2, of Brooklyn Heights, New York. “It used to be I could never get filled up. Now I get this full feeling. Once that hits, I pick up my food to eat more and I can’t.”

“Some people like that feeling some don’t,” Aronne says. “It’s all about what someone can tolerate. You can’t always go by the book you go by the person.”

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Low Or High Blood Sugar

Low blood sugar occurs when your blood glucose drops below your target range. This usually happens at less than 70 mg/dl, but everyones range is different. It is best to talk to your healthcare provider about what is healthy for you. Often, when you experience low blood sugar, you will need to take action to fix it quickly.

Digestive Ailments Are Common In Those With Diabetes

In a study published in 2018, researchers asked 706 individuals with type 1 diabetes, and 604 individuals without diabetes, a series of questions about their gastrointestinal symptoms and quality of life.13 They found that lower gastrointestinal symptoms â including constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, intestinal gas, and floating stools â were much more common in the individuals with diabetes, especially diarrhea and constipation, which were twice as likely in those with diabetes. These symptoms were associated with lower quality of life and poor glycemic control. However, the researchers were able to identify, and treat accordingly, the cause of diarrhea in 72% of cases, leading to a better outcome for the patients. If you have diabetes and experience digestive symptoms, make sure to let your health care team know so that you can work together to manage these symptoms.

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Does Eating Sugary Foods Cause Diabetes

Sugar itself doesn’t directly cause diabetes. Eating foods high in sugar content can lead to weight gain, which is a risk factor for developing diabetes. Eating more sugar than recommended American Heart Association recommends no more than six teaspoons a day for women and nine teaspoons for men leads to all kinds of health harms in addition to weight gain.

These health harms are all risk factors for the development of diabetes or can worsen complications. Weight gain can:

• Raise blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
• Increase your risk of cardiovascular disease.
• Cause fat buildup in your liver.
• Cause tooth decay.

Complications Of Diabetic Gastroparesis

When your body isnt able to properly digest food, a variety of complications can developeven before youve been properly diagnosed with gastroparesis.

• Dehydration due to frequent vomiting
• Malnutrition due to poor absorption of nutrients in the food you eat
• Difficulty managing your blood sugar levels after eating
• Low-calorie intake or difficulty getting enough calories
• Bezoars
• Difficulty maintaining a healthy weight due to inability to eat enough
• Overall lower quality of life due to malnutrition and pain

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Diabetes: 12 Warning Signs That Appear On Your Skin

Diabetes can affect many parts of your body, including your skin. When diabetes affects the skin, its often a sign that your blood sugar levels are too high. This could mean that:

• You have undiagnosed diabetes, or pre-diabetes

• Your treatment for diabetes needs to be adjusted

If you notice any of the following warning signs on your skin, its time to talk with your doctor.

When Should I Call The Doctor

Your diabetes management plan will explain when you may need medical help and what to do. Here are some general reasons to :

• if you have no appetite or you can’t eat or drink
• if your blood sugar level is low because you haven’t been eating much but remember to take steps at home to bring your blood sugar back up
• if you keep vomiting or having diarrhea
• if your blood sugar levels are high for several checks or don’t decrease when you take extra insulin
• if you have moderate or large amounts of ketones in the urine
• if you think you might have ketoacidosis
• if you can’t eat or drink because you’re having a medical test like an X-ray, surgery, or a dental procedure

Any time you have questions or concerns, ask your doctor for advice.

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Questions To Ask Your Doctor

• Ive never been diagnosed with diabetes, but I have many of the symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis. Do I have diabetes?
• Im having a hard time controlling my blood sugar levels. Am I at risk of diabetic ketoacidosis?
• Will diet and exercise help me to avoid diabetic ketoacidosis?
• If I notice Im having symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis, what should I do first?
• Is it safe for me to exercise?
• How often should I check my blood sugar level if Im sick?
• What is the best way for me to check the ketone level in my body?
• I missed a dose of insulin. Should I start testing my blood sugar level and ketone level right away?

Whos At High Risk Of Serious Side Effects

Because of the risk of serious problems, your doctor will probably recommend a different medication if you:

• Have had an allergic reaction to metformin or other medicines
• Have diabetes that isnât under control
• Have liver or kidney problems
• Have a severe infection
• Recently had a heart attack or heart failure
• Have breathing or blood flow problems
• Drink a lot of alcohol

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What Is Diabetic Stomach

My niece takes an oral medicine for diabetes. At least once a week, she throws up at night. The doctor calls it “diabetic stomach.” I have never heard of this, and I have had diabetes for 36 years. What could be the cause of her stomach problems, and what foods may be causing flare-ups?Continue reading > >

• Stomach Aches and Diabetes: What Gives?

Can Diabetic Ketoacidosis Be Prevented Or Avoided

If you have diabetes, there are some things you can do to watch for diabetic ketoacidosis. When youre sick, watch your blood sugar level very closely so it doesnt get too high or too low. Ask your doctor what your critical blood sugar level is. Most patients should watch their glucose levels closely when they are more than 250 mg per dL.

When youre sick or stressed, you should check your blood sugar level more often than normal . If your blood sugar reaches a critical level, check it every 1 to 2 hours. Ask your doctor if you should test your blood sugar level during the night.

You should also test your urine for ketones every few hours if youre sick, stressed, or if your blood sugar level is more than 250 mg per dL.

You should talk to your doctor to develop a plan if your blood sugar level gets too high. Make sure that you know how to reach your doctor in an emergency.

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Lauras Story My First Symptoms

My first symptoms started six years prior to my diagnosis, Laura Marie told Diabetes Strong. Laura has lived with type 1 diabetes since 2002, when she was 16 years old. Her diabetic gastroparesis diagnosis was in 2014.

My symptoms of gastroparesis included nausea and vomiting, often feeling nauseous in the mornings and vomiting undigested food hours or ever even days after Id eaten it.

Laura says she had gradually become incredibly bloated. The bloating was severe enough that her clothing felt remarkably uncomfortable by the end of each day. And on top of bloating, she had started experiencing severe cramping and pain in her stomach.

My blood sugar levels also proved to be very erraticI would have a low blood sugar after eating, and a high blood sugar hours later, especially throughout the night.

By eventually wearing a Continuous Glucose Monitor , Laura says she could see the full evidence of her erratic overnight blood sugars.

The scariest part of her symptoms, though, was the increasingly frequent visits to the Emergency Room for DKA . Laura says she was usually admitted to the hospital about every 6 months because her unmanageable blood sugars would lead to DKA.

It was after being in DKA for what seemed like the hundredth time that I became so burnt-out, frustrated, and scared, that I told my healthcare professionals I was desperate for tests and a diagnosis.

What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Diabetic Gastroparesis

Your symptoms may be worse if you drink alcohol or smoke. You may have any of the following:

• Constipation that may be replaced, at times, by diarrhea
• High or low blood sugar levels that you cannot control
• Nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite
• Bloated or early full feeling while you eat
• Sudden cramps, swelling, or pain in your abdomen
• Weight loss without trying
• Heartburn

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How Do I Check My Blood Glucose Level Why Is This Important

Checking your blood glucose level is important because the results help guide decisions about what to eat, your physical activity and any needed medication and insulin adjustments or additions.

The most common way to check your blood glucose level is with a blood glucose meter. With this test, you prick the side of your finger, apply the drop of blood to a test strip, insert the strip into the meter and the meter will show your glucose level at that moment in time. Your healthcare provider will tell you how often youll need to check your glucose level.