Celiac Disease And Type 1 Diabetes
While it is unclear exactly what the relationship is, some research has found that those with celiac disease are more likely than the general population to develop type 1 diabetes. One 2015 study found that type 1 diabetes affected only 0.4% of the control subjects, but 3.2% of those with celiac disease.7
Living With Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Keeping the balance between blood sugar and insulin is the key to controlling diabetic ketoacidosis. In most cases, this means sticking to your insulin schedule. But you may need to adjust the amount of insulin youre taking.
You should also try to recognize when you feel stressed or sick. Small adjustments to your eating or drinking can make a big difference.
Whats The Difference Between Signs Vs Symptoms Of Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes symptoms are experienced by a person with diabetes, but signs of type 1 diabetes can also be noted by friends and family even if the person who is having the symptoms may not notice them or may be unable to communicate because they are in the throes of diabetic ketoacidosis. Common signs of T1D to watch out for include:
- Weight loss, despite eating more
- Changes to menstruation
- Rapid heart rate
- Reduced blood pressure
- Low body temperature
- Acting or seeming drunk while sober, which is a sign of diabetic ketoacidosis
- Breath that is fruity or smells like nail polish remover which is another sign of ketosis
- Chronic skin infections
You May Like: What Can You Take For Diarrhea While Pregnant
Outbreak Of Small Reddish
When these bumps appear, they often look like pimples. Unlike pimples, they soon develop a yellowish color. Youll usually find these bumps on the buttocks, thighs, crooks of the elbows, or backs of the knees. They can form anywhere though.
Eruptive-xanthomatosis
These bumps appear suddenly and clear promptly when diabetes is well-controlled.
When these bumps appear, they often look like pimples. Unlike pimples, they soon develop a yellowish color. Youll usually find these bumps on the buttocks, thighs, crooks of the elbows, or backs of the knees. They can form anywhere though. No matter where they form, they are usually tender and itchy. The medical name for this skin condition is eruptive xanthomatosis.
Take action
- Tell your doctor about the bumps because this skin condition appears when you have uncontrolled diabetes.
- Talk with your doctor about how to better control your diabetes.
How Is Diarrhea Treated
Treatment can vary. Your doctor may first prescribe Lomotil or Imodium to reduce or prevent future bouts of diarrhea. They may also advise you to change your eating habits. Including high-fiber foods in your diet may help limit your symptoms.
Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics if your test results suggest an overgrowth of bacteria in your gastrointestinal system. You may also need antispasmodic medicines to reduce your number of bowel movements.
Depending on their assessment, your doctor may refer you to a gastroenterologist for further investigation.
You May Like: Diarrhea From Lettuce
What Are The Possible Complications Of Type 1 Diabetes In A Child
Type 1 diabetes can cause:
- Ketoacidosis. This is when blood sugar levels are very high and the body starts making ketones. This is a very serious condition that needs to be treated right away in the hospital, sometimes in the intensive care unit. If your child is not treated right away, they are at risk for diabetic coma. A child with a diabetic coma loses consciousness because of brain swelling. The brain swells because of the very high blood sugar levels.
- Low blood sugar . This is also sometimes called an insulin reaction. This occurs when blood glucose drops too low.
Your childs healthcare provider will tell you how to avoid these problems.
Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels. Balancing insulin, diet, and activity can help keep blood sugar levels in the target range and help prevent complications such as:
- Eye problems
- Heart and blood vessel disease
Food Choices And Gut Health
Many individuals with diabetes choose to consume artificially sweetened treats in lieu of those containing sugar. However, it is important to note that a certain type of artificial sweetener, known as sugar alcohols, can cause diarrhea. These include erythritol, sorbitol, maltitol, and xylitol in general, look for products that contain ingredients that end in âitolâ. Avoid large quantities of these products to reduce diarrhea.
In addition, some individuals with diabetes might limit overall carbohydrate intake, which can make it difficult to consume enough fibre. Dietary fibre is vital to a well-functioning gut, and not getting enough can lead to constipation or diarrhea. Beyond maintaining healthy bowel function, some research shows that fibre might help to regulate blood sugar levels by slowing digestion and by modifying gut bacteria.12
Recommended Reading: What Does It Mean When You Keep Having Heartburn
Yellow Reddish Or Brown Patches On Your Skin
Necrobiosis Lipoidica
This skin condition often begins as small raised solid bumps that look like pimples. As it progresses, these bumps turn into patches of swollen and hard skin. The patches can be yellow, reddish, or brown.
You may also notice:
- The surrounding skin has a shiny porcelain-like appearance
- You can see blood vessels
- The skin is itchy and painful
- The skin disease goes through cycles where it is active, inactive, and then active again
necrobiosis lipodica.
Take action
- Get tested for diabetes, if you have not been diagnosed.
- Work with your doctor to better control your diabetes.
- See a dermatologist about your skin. Necorbiosis lipodica is harmless, but it can lead to complications.
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 doctor about what is healthy for you. Often, when you experience low blood sugar, you will need to take action to fix it quickly.
Also Check: Can Eating Too Much Salad Cause Diarrhea
Celiacdisease Or Gluten Intolerance
While not as common as other conditions that often accompany diabetes, Celiac disease or an intolerance to gluten are frequent enough in the diabetes population that anyone with diabetes should consider it a possibility.
Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition, which means your immune system starts attacking your own body when gluten is present. This can be tested for with a simple blood test but make sure you do not start eating a gluten-free diet until after youve had the test done, otherwise your results may not show signs of Celiac disease.
An intolerance to gluten is more like an allergy. When you eat gluten, you feel awful in any variety of ways. The only way to test for this is to completely remove gluten from your diet for at least 3 weeks, assess if your symptoms went away, then reintroduce it and assess if your symptoms return.
Symptoms of either condition can include: headaches, bloat, gas, tiredness, diarrhea, depression, brain fog, skin issues , weight-loss, constipation, or foul-smelling stools.
Small Bowel Bacterial Overgrowth
Apart from the classic diabetic diarrhea there are other things which commonly cause diarrhea in those with diabetes. Small bowel bacterial overgrowth or SIBO is a recognized complication which studies have shown is more common when high levels of insulin are required.
Unlike the large bowel the small bowel does not normally contain large numbers of bacteria, however sometimes an overgrowth of bacteria can occur if feces move too slowly through the small bowel and stagnate. These large numbers of bacteria can use up nutrients leading to malnourishment. The symptoms to look out for are:
- A feeling of abdominal fullness
- Diarrhea which is often watery
- Abdominal cramp like pain
- Fatty stools which float
- Weight loss in severe cases
The treatment is with antibiotics to reduce the numbers of bacteria and sometimes medications to speed up the transit time through the small bowel.
In severe cases hospital admission may be needed to replace fluids and improve nutrition.
Recommended Reading: Can Turmeric Give You Diarrhea
How Can I Best Balance My Type 1 Diabetes Symptoms And Daily Life
Fortunately, there are medications that can help keep T1D at bay and reduce the risk of long-term complications. Type 1 diabetics who cannot make their own insulin will need a way to deliver it to their bodies, either through a pump or through injections underneath the skin with syringes or pens.
When T1D is properly controlled, a person with the condition will show no signs or symptoms, because they are playing an active role in keeping their blood sugar levels steady.
Signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes can come on quickly, and they arent always obvious. Many times, theyre mistaken for other conditions. Making yourself aware of the signs and symptoms of T1D is a great way to be proactive about your health and the health of your family members. If you notice any of these signs or symptoms in yourself or a loved one, get in touch with your doctor ASAP. They can make a diagnosis by checking blood glucose levels and A1C to start treatment before there are any complications.
Symptoms Of Type 1 Diabetes
You might notice:
- Unplanned weight loss. If your body can’t get energy from your food, it will start burning muscle and fat for energy instead. You may lose weight even though you haven’t changed how you eat.
- Nausea and vomiting. When your body resorts to burning fat, it makes ketones. These can build up in your blood to dangerous levels, a possibly life-threatening condition called diabetic ketoacidosis. Ketones can make you feel sick to your stomach.
Also Check: Tramadol Cause Constipation
What Causes Diabetic Ketoacidosis
The main cause of DKA is not enough insulin. A lack of insulin means sugar cant get into your cells. Your cells need sugar for energy. This lack of insulin causes your bodys glucose levels to rise. To get energy, your body starts to burn fat. This process causes ketones to build up. Ketones can poison the body.
High blood glucose levels can also cause you to urinate often. This leads to a lack of fluids in the body .
DKA can be caused by missing an insulin dose, eating poorly, or feeling stressed. An infection or other illness can also lead to DKA. If you have signs of infection , contact your doctor. You will want to make sure you are getting the right treatment. For some people, DKA may be the first sign they have diabetes.
Who Shouldnt Take Metformin
Just as with any medication, metformin is not always right for every person. Due to their greater vulnerability to metformin side effects, the following people are usually not given metformin:
- Those with stage 4 or 5 kidney disease
- People with Type 1 diabetes
- People currently experiencing diabetic ketoacidosis
- People with certain liver problems
Your healthcare provider will be the one to ultimately decide if metformin is right for you. Make sure to bring up any concerns you have about taking this medication with your provider.
You May Like: How Do You Stop Heartburn
How To Diagnose Diabetic Diarrhea
A complete history of any previous medical condition will be documented, and diabetes will be a significant contributor to the overall diagnosis of cases of diabetic diarrhea. Next, the amount, frequency, and duration of diarrheal symptoms will be documented, allowing for recognition of a gastrointestinal disorder. Historic criteria of note to physicians will be the frequency of watery bowel movements that occur primarily at night. A list of currently used medication will also be noted and their side effects reviewed.
During the physical examination portion, a neurological test may be done to show any potential signs of autonomic neuropathy. Additionally, signs of malnutrition, anemia, edema, and abdominal masses will also be assessed.
Laboratory testing will allow for the analysis of blood glucose levels, A1c, the presence of blood in stool, and other various causes for inflammatory bowel disease or infections causing diarrhea.
Be Aware Of Low Blood Sugar
While the risk of severe hypoglycemia is low, it is possible, especially if you take multiple diabetes medications. Its always a good idea to have glucose tablets or gel with you just in case. These can help raise your blood sugar levels. Everyone experiences hypoglycemia in different ways, but common symptoms include:
- Shakiness
- Headache
Recommended Reading: Bananas Gas Bloating
Diabetic Diarrhea Caused By Nerve Damage
Autonomic neuropathy is the medical term for damage to the nerves that carry information from your brain to your glands and organs.
These nerves normally work to control organs like your bowel, bladder, heart and sexual organs without you being aware of it.
When diabetic diarrhea strikes it is because the nerves controlling your bowel have been damaged.
During the night our nervous system normally ensures that our bowels are quiet so that we can sleep but if the nerves are damaged then this does not happen and night time diarrhea can be the result. Nerves which control the sphincters allowing the passage of feces can also be damaged leading to incontinence.
This type of nerve damage is usually associated with type 1 diabetes and is more common if the diabetes is long standing and has been poorly controlled.
It is very rare in type 2 diabetes but it can happen especially if the person is an insulin dependent diabetic.
The incidence of this type of diarrhea is difficult to estimate as it is often confused with other types of diarrhea. Figures of 4-22% for people with type 1 diabetes but only 0.4% for type 2 have been given.
Lactic Acidosis: A Rare But Serious Side Effect Of Metformin
Lactic acidosis is a very rare complication that can happen when taking metformin. Lactic acid is a substance our bodies use to create glucose . Metformin, in part, helps prevent the creation of glucose, so this can lead to a buildup of lactic acid in the blood.
Lactic acidosis is when lactic acid levels get too high and it can be fatal if left untreated. This is a medical emergency that needs immediate hospital care. Signs of lactic acidosis include:
- Trouble breathing
- Muscle aches
- Stomach pain
Lactic acidosis rarely happensunless a person has taken too much of metformin. Other conditions or situations that put you at risk of experiencing lactic acidosis with metformin are:
Your risk is also higher if you are very unwell and in the hospital with:
- Pneumonia
- Another serious infection
Its important to keep up to date with all bloodwork that your healthcare provider orders. This will help them monitor things like kidney and liver health, keeping your risk of lactic acidosis as low as possible.
You May Like: Salad Gives Me Gas
Chronic Diarrhea For A Month : 7 Causes Gastroenterologist Explains
Our content is not intended nor recommended as a substitute for medical advice by your doctor. Use for informational purposes only.
Chronic diarrhea for a month can be due to infectious or non-infectious causes. The most common causes are food intolerances, irritable bowel syndrome, medications, and chronic infections.
Causes include:
- Medications such as metformin, antibiotics, and laxative abuse.
- Chronic infections such as clostridium difficile, chronic giardiasis, and others.
- Inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis.
- Other causes such as endocrinal diseases, intestinal malignancy, radiotherapy, etc.
How Can You Care For Diabetic Ketoacidosis At Home
Home care is generally directed toward preventing diabetic ketoacidosis and treating moderately to elevated to high levels of blood sugar. If you have type 1 diabetes, you should monitor your blood sugars as instructed by your healthcare proffesional. Check these levels more often if you feel ill, if you are fighting an infection, or if you have had a recent illness or injury.
Your health care professinal may recommend treating moderate elevations in blood sugar with additional injections of a short-acting form of insulin. Working with their health care practitioner, people with diabetes should have previously arranged a regimen of extra insulin injections and more frequent blood glucose and urinary ketone monitoring for home treatment as blood sugar levels begin to rise. Be alert for signs of infection and keep yourself well hydrated by drinking sugar free fluids throughout the day.
Read Also: What Can You Take For Diarrhea While Pregnant
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.”
Metformin Side Effects In People Assigned Male At Birth
Common metformin side effects arent known to affect people differently based on sex or gender. However, there may be a concern of whether metformin could be linked to sexual side effects, such as erectile dysfunction . A small study showed the people assigned male at birth taking metformin had lower levels of testosterone a hormone linked to male sexual health.
However, this study should be considered alongside other risk factors for ED. Type 2 diabetes is known to cause ED, especially if your blood sugar isnt under control. If you have obesity or overweight, you are also at a higher risk of developing ED. If your ED symptoms began after starting metformin, its best to discuss it with your healthcare provider.
Don’t Miss: Does Peanut Butter Give You Heartburn