Can Diabetes Cause Gas And Bloating

How Is Bloating Diagnosed

Your doctor can generally diagnose the cause of your bloating through a physical exam in the office. They will ask you questions about your symptoms. They will want to know if your bloating is occasional or if it occurs all the time.

Temporary bloating is usually not serious. If it happens all the time, your doctor may order other tests. These could include an imaging test to look inside your abdomen. This could be an X-ray or CT scan.

Questions To Ask Your Doctor

• Do I need a test to diagnose lactose intolerance?
• Why do certain foods cause my bloating when they never used to?
• What can I do if I have diabetesand my medicine or artificial sweeteners cause bloating?
• Could my bloating be a sign of something more serious?
• What kind of tests will I need?
• What kind of over-the-counter medicine can I try?

Can Bloating Be Prevented Or Avoided

There are many ways to prevent and avoid bloating:

• Avoid the foods that are known to cause gas. These include cabbage, Brussels sprouts, turnips, beans, and lentils.
• Avoid chewing gum.
• Avoid using straws for drinking.
• Reduce or avoid drinking carbonated drinks .
• Reduce or avoid eating and drinking foods that include fructose or sorbitol. These artificial sweeteners are often found in sugar-free foods.
• Eat slowly.
• Eat more foods high in fiber to prevent constipation. If foods alone dont help, consider taking a fiber supplement.
• Avoid dairy products if you notice they cause gas and bloating.
• Quit smoking.

Don’t Miss: What Sugar Level Is Too High

Apricots Peaches Plums And Nectarines

Despite their great taste and otherwise healthy nutritional profile, plums, peaches, apricots and other stone fruits are another potential culprit when it comes to excessive flatulence.

Nectarines were also shown in this laboratory analysis to have the most fructooligosaccharides of any fruit measured. These complex sugars can aid digestive health but in large doses will easily make you fart too much.

While stone fruit like nectarines, peaches and apricots can make you gassy, their mild laxative effect and high fiber means they are often recommended to help you poop. Some medical resources even encourage doctors to encourage patients to use fresh plums and apricots for constipation.

Managing Diabetes Lessen The Risk Of Diabetic Gastroparesis

Many endocrinologists focus patient education to improve diabetic gastroparesis on managing blood sugar levels, says Dr. Camilleri. While there is some evidence that those whose poor glucose management and high hemoglobin A1c levels are more likely to end up in the hospital with gastroparesis, achieving good blood glucose is not a miracle cure he says.

Dr. Grover adds that better management of blood glucose may help some patients feel better. You may want to talk to your endocrinologist about using an insulin pump, which will continuously monitor your blood sugar and deliver insulin as needed. By allowing your blood sugar to be automated, you may find that you feel better in many ways, including improvements in the symptoms related to the diabetic gastroparesis.

There are some treatments for diabetes itself that can cause the stomach to empty more slowly, Dr. Camilleri says. These drugs end in -tide, like exenatide a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist .

There are other good diabetes medications, such as the dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors, or gliptins, but they dont have as favorable an impact on gastric symptoms. When working with his diabetic patients who have gastroparesis, he makes a specific effort to be sure any medications given for blood sugar management wont cause or worsen stomach problems.

Recommended Reading: Metformin And Type 1 Diabetes

Who Might Get Intestinal Gas

Excess gas can make your stomach feel swollen or bloated. You may pass flatulence . Though uncomfortable, excess gas is rarely a concern. Things that make you produce too much gas include:

• Behavioral factors, such as swallowing air while chewing, drinking and talking.
• Dietary choices, such as consuming too many gas-producing foods .
• Digestive problems, such as irritable bowel syndrome , lactose intolerance and celiac disease.
• Intestinal infections, such as giardiasis, that cause an overgrowth of intestinal bacteria.
• Medications or motility disorders that slow the bowels, such as IBS, diabetes and scleroderma.

How To Diagnose A Fodmap Intolerance

The best way to diagnose a FODMAP intolerance is to simply cut all high-FODMAP foods out of your diet for a while and see what happens to your digestion.

If you see a significant improvement, there is a good chance you are intolerant to at least some FODMAP foods.

After about 6 weeks of elimination, you can start adding potential problem foods back into your diet one by one. Add a single food for 3-4 days and see how your digestion reacts. If everything is still ok, then you can probably tolerate onions.

Just be aware that FODMAP foods are accumulative. Its possible you can be ok with small amounts of some FODMAP foods but have problems if you eat several of them together or in larger amounts.

It definitely takes a while to figure out what you can and cannot tolerate, but its so worth it!

If you arent sure how to do an elimination diet, it is generally recommended that you do it in collaboration with a dietitian to ensure that you get all the nutrition you need.

Read Also: Is Greek Yogurt Okay For Diabetics

Infusion Site Handles Aka Diabetes Belly Love

Did you know that you get little rolls of “insulin fat” on your frequent insulin injection/infusion site spots? Yuck! Maybe I’m just naive, but I thought those little bulges developing on my otherwise-gratifyingly-flat stomach were just advancing age. Or too much cheese. But my endo took one look at my tummy a few weeks ago, and said, “Those sites are overused! Can’t you see the damage? It’s plain as day.” She took out a ballpoint pen and actually drew circles just like these: Furthermore, when I had some catch-up OmniPod training with the Insulet rep a few days later, she just shook her head. “Clear to see, but it’s not that bad. I’ve seen some patients who have little baseballs of fat in the spots they keep using.” Ooh, too much information. She says my spots are still “fresh” enough that I might be able to reduce the puffiness by applying warm compresses regularly in the evenings. If I ever got around to sitting down quietly for more than a few minutes at a time, that is. Usually by the time all the kids are quiet upstairs, I flop on the couch for a very short TV respite before going to bed, and there ain’t no way I’m getting back up to prepare a special “warm compress” for my belly. Not unless it’s life-threatening, that is.Continue reading > >

• I Have Diabetes and I Still Love My Fat Body

What Questions Should I Ask My Doctor

You may want to ask your healthcare provider:

• Could a medical condition be making me gassy?
• What tests can determine the cause of intestinal gas?
• What steps can I take to cut down on intestinal gas?
• What foods or drinks should I avoid?
• Whats the best treatment for my gas symptom?
• How can I tell the difference between gas and something more serious?
• Should I look out for signs of complications?

A note from Cleveland Clinic

While intestinal gas is common, the symptoms belching, flatulence, bloating and stomach discomfort can be embarrassing and even painful. Gas is sometimes a symptom of a more serious health problem. Talk to your healthcare provider about your concerns. The right treatment can ease gas symptoms so you can go about your day in confidence.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 09/11/2020.

References

Read Also: Insulin Medical Definition

Optimal Treatment Requires A Multidisciplinary Approach To Alleviate Gastrointestinal Symptoms And Improve Nutritional Status And Glycaemic Control

Managing gastroparesis

In people with diabetes, optimal treatment requires a multidisciplinary approach and should initially aim to alleviate gastrointestinal symptoms and improve nutritional status and glycaemic control. This can improve gastric motor function. The effects of vomiting and nausea, which can lead to weight loss, dehydration, and electrolyte dysregulation, should not be ignored in people with diabetes. Treatment is more complicated when pain is a symptom, since many painkillers, the first line of treatment, worsen gastric motor function. From a nutritional point of view, there is no clear guide on how to act, although frequent and light meals, reduced consumption of fats and fibre and adjusting the intake of carbohydrates, can alleviate the symptoms and improve glycaemic control.

In general, targeting nutrition, liquid intake, relief of symptoms and glycaemic control are the cornerstones of treatment for gastroparesis. In some cases, medications that facilitate stomach emptying may be helpful. Good glycaemic management often involves customising insulin delivery using basal-bolus insulin and technology, including sensor-augmented pumps and continuous glucose monitoring systems . For example, the timing of mealtime insulin may need to be adjusted to account for delays in stomach emptying.

Gastroparesis may require surgical treatment in some people.

Dont Stop Eating Fruits

My advice would be to not stop eating healthy fruits like apples, grapes, cherries and bananas, even though they may cause you some gas on occasions.

Usually, its only when eaten in excess that fruits cause gastrointestinal issues like stomach ache, belly bloat and diarrhea.

Rather, try a week off from all of the gassy fruits listed here, like pineapple, pears, mangoes, bananas, strawberries, and especially problematic canned fruit and dried fruits like apricots.

Then, once youve taken this break, slowly reintroduce them one at a time and see how they affect you.

Eat only that particular fruit on its own at first, in a decent amount and away from other foods, and you should be able to identify which fruits give you an upset stomach and cause the worst bloating and flatulence for you personally.

Once youve identified a particular fruit that causes you gas you can still choose to eat it by taking a comprehensive digestive enzyme, like this potent and fast acting one I use.

These supplements break down sugar alcohols like sorbitol, indigestible fiber, flatulence causing fructose, and other problematic substances in fruits, well before they can cause intestinal problems later on.

I hope this list of both gas causing fruit and non gassy alternative fruits has been helpful and would appreciate if you could share it to help others out there.

You May Like: Increasing Metformin Dosage

General Approaches And Dietary Modifications

General approaches to management of gastroparesis include ensuring good hydration, correcting electrolyte imbalances, management of glycemic control and symptom reduction with pharmacotherapeutic agents. Any medications that can delay gastric emptying should be discontinued if possible. Dietary modifications include increasing liquid-based meals , reducing fat and non-digestible fibre intake, avoiding large meals with high calorie contents and ensuring small frequent meals spread throughout the day.

Maintaining euglycemia has been one of the main principles of managing diabetic gastroparesis. Prolonged postprandial hyperglycemia has been observed in patients with diabetic gastroparesis compared to those with normal gastric emptying. Another study observed a reduction of 1.8% in hemoglobin A1C after initiating insulin pump therapy. This eventually reduced the number and length of hospitalizations for diabetic gastroparetics.

When To Seek Medical Advice

See a GP if you’re experiencing symptoms of gastroparesis, as it can lead to some potentially serious complications.

These complications include:

• dehydration from repeated vomiting
• gastro-oesophageal reflux disease where stomach acid leaks out of your stomach and into your food pipe
• malnutrition when your body is not getting enough nutrients
• unpredictable blood sugar levels this is a particular risk in people with diabetes

Read Also: Which Glucose Transporter Is Insulin Dependent

A New Approach To Managing Gastroparesis

Manouchehr Saljoughian, PharmD, PhDAlta Bates Summit Medical CenterBerkeley, California

US Pharm. 2019 44:32-34.

Gastroparesis is a chronic disorder that affects a significant subset of the population. Ordinarily, strong muscular contractions move food through the digestive tract. In gastroparesis, this mechanism is disrupted, and undigested food stays in the abdomen for a long time and makes a person feel nauseous with the urge to vomit. Gastroparesis can also cause a lack of appetite, which may lead to malnutrition, and patients who are not eating can expect discomfort, bloating, and heartburn.1

The pathophysiology behind gastroparesis is varied and depends on disease etiology. Vagal and/or autonomic neuropathy play an important role in the development of diabetic gastroparesis, and it is estimated to occur in up to 20% to 40% of patients with diabetes. Gastroparesis can cause problems with blood sugar levels and nutrition. Sometimes, it is a complication of diabetes, and some people may develop gastroparesis after surgery. Although there is no cure for gastroparesis, changes to the diet, along with medication, can offer some relief.1,2

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 .

You May Like: Too Much Metformin

Swallowing Too Much Air

This is called aerophagia. You may not be aware of it but you may be swallowing air frequently or in large amounts. This often happens in people who are under stress. It can be aggravated by chewing gum and smoking. Usually, air swallowed in this way passes into the gullet and down into the stomach.

However, sometimes air is sucked into the back of the throat and is burped out before it reaches the oesophagus. This is known as supragastric belching.

Some people swallow air deliberately to cause belching, as they find this helps to relieve symptoms of indigestion.

Diseases Causing Increased Gas

Most people with gas-related symptoms have increased sensitivity to gas or have one of the causes of increased gas production mentioned above. However, occasionally these symptoms can be caused by diseases of the bowel. Sometimes, the illness can be short-lived. For example, acute gastroenteritis , often caused by infection with a virus, can result in a short-term condition associated with increased gas.

Occasionally, gas-related symptoms can be features of long-term diseases. All of them can cause at least one gas-related symptom .

Examples include:

Coeliac diseaseCoeliac disease is caused by intolerance to a protein called gluten which is found in certain foods containing wheat, barley and rye. It principally affects the part of the gut called the small intestine. It can occur at any age. Symptoms are relieved by avoiding gluten-containing foods. See the separate leaflet called Coeliac Disease.

DiverticulitisDiverticulitis occurs when small pouches in the wall of the large bowel become infected. See the separate leaflet called Diverticula .

Short bowel syndromeShort bowel syndrome can be a complication of bowel surgery. If more than half the small bowel is removed during surgery this can cause difficulties in food absorption.

GiardiasisThis is caused by infection with a germ called giardia. One of the symptoms is belching up foul-smelling gas.

Read Also: Which Pancreatic Cells Release Insulin And Glucagon

How Is Intestinal Gas Managed Or Treated

• Alpha-galactosidase , an enzyme to break down hard-to-digest foods.
• Bismuth subsalicylate for adults with upset stomach and diarrhea.
• Lactase enzymes for lactose intolerance .
• Probiotics to get rid of bad gut bacteria.
• Simethicone to reduce intestinal gas buildup that causes bloating.

Prescription medications may help if you have a motility problem like IBS. Antibiotics can treat bacterial overgrowth in the intestines that cause excess gas and bloating.

Dietary Management Is Key To Improving Gi Symptoms

For some individuals the easiest method for feeling bettera semi-liquid dietcan be hard to implement, says Dr. Grover. The way to reduce most of the unpleasant symptoms is to blend up solid food into a soft paste, which solves the problem of poor gastric emptying, but this is often unappealing and so not readily embraced.

Dr. Camilleri agrees liquids and blended solid foods are often much better tolerated but his patients find it distasteful. So hell often say, Consider this: blending up a peanut butter sandwich is a better option than tube feeding, which may happen if the symptoms get bad and last long enough. Often, individuals who are very rigorous with their diet are able to avoid the need for medications altogether,6 the doctors point out.

Many patientsabout 80%can avoid tube feeding by adjusting your diet to facilitate speedy gastric emptying.6 Dr. Camilleri says: Gastroparesis is a chronic condition that will probably not go away but also isn’t likely to get worse.

Be aware of the potential for nutrient deficiencies of some minerals, like copper and zinc,6 says Dr. Grover. This is more likely to occur when the condition has been present a long time. He also warns against any suggestion that you are a candidate for gastric bypass surgery or removing the stomach as a way to manage the symptoms. This often replaces one problem with another, he says.

Neither doctor has any financial conflicts regarding this discussion.

You May Like: Side Affects Of Metformin