Is Nausea A Symptom Of Diabetes

When Should I Contact My Doctor

Your doctor should be contacted any time there is a change in the level of fatigue that you are experiencing. When you meet with your doctor, you should be honest about the blood sugar levels that you have been experiencing, as well as any other problems that you are having. Also, if you become very depressed or think about killing yourself, you should seek help from your doctor right away.

If you have experienced fatigue with diabetes, please share your story below. Others can benefit from hearing how you were able to reclaim your life.

References

Early Signs Of Diabetes

Both types of diabetes have some of the same telltale warning signs.

• Hunger and fatigue. Your body converts the food you eat into glucose that your cells use for energy. But your cells need insulin to take in glucose. If your body doesn’t make enough or any insulin, or if your cells resist the insulin your body makes, the glucose can’t get into them and you have no energy. This can make you hungrier and more tired than usual.
• Peeing more often and being thirstier. The average person usually has to pee between four and seven times in 24 hours, but people with diabetes may go a lot more. Why? Normally, your body reabsorbs glucose as it passes through your kidneys. But when diabetes pushes your blood sugar up, your kidneys may not be able to bring it all back in. This causes the body to make more urine, and that takes fluids. The result: You’ll have to go more often. You might pee out more, too. Because you’re peeing so much, you can get very thirsty. When you drink more, you’ll also pee more.
• Dry mouth and itchy skin. Because your body is using fluids to make pee, there’s less moisture for other things. You could get dehydrated, and your mouth may feel dry. Dry skin can make you itchy.
• Blurred vision. Changing fluid levels in your body could make the lenses in your eyes swell up. They change shape and canââ¬â¢t focus.

Symptoms Of Type 1 Diabetes Onset In Adults

When an adult is diagnosed with diabetes, they are often mistakenly told that they have type 2 diabetes. This is because there may be a lack of understanding by some doctors that type 1 diabetes can start at any age, and in people of every race, shape and size. People with type 1 diabetes who have elevated blood glucose and classic risk factors for type 2 diabetes, such as being overweight or physically inactive, are often misdiagnosed. It can also be tricky because some adults with new-onset type 1 diabetes are not sick at first. Their doctor finds an elevated blood sugar level at a routine visit and starts them on diet, exercise and an oral medication.

You May Like: High Blood Sugars Symptoms

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.

Is Diabetes The Reason Of A Large Stomach

Belly obesity in diabetics is a major condition that may potentially be an indicator of heart failure. Many individuals are unaware that the little amount of stubborn fat around the waist that is difficult to lose is caused by an insulin issue. If you have high blood sugar, there is a considerable probability that you will have difficulty losing belly fat.

You May Like: What Medications Should Not Be Taken With Metformin

Medicines For Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a progressive condition and usually gets worse over time. Making lifestyle changes, such as adjusting your diet and taking more exercise, may help you control your blood glucose levels at first, but may not be enough in the long term.

You may eventually need to take medication to help control your blood glucose levels.

Initially, this will usually be in the form of tablets and can sometimes be a combination of more than one type of tablet. It may also include insulin or another medication that you inject.

High Levels Of Blood Glucose Or Hyperglycemia:

When you have regular bouts of high blood glucose owing to the very nature of diabetes, you tend to have a feeling of nausea. It is for this reason that it is said you should keep on checking your blood glucose levels regularly when you are someone who happens to suffer from a disease like diabetes.

Also Check: Hypertriglyceridemia Low Carbohydrate Diet

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.

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.

Don’t Miss: Metformin Gluconeogenesis

Why Does Diabetes Cause Nausea And Vomiting

Nausea and vomiting in people with diabetes may be related to the effects of blood sugar, diabetes treatment, or diabetes-related complications. While these symptoms are common and manageable once their cause is identified, sometimes they indicate a serious condition related to your diabetes.

Nausea and vomiting can be caused by the different effects diabetes has on your body. Experiencing both low and high blood sugar, diabetic ketoacidosis, pancreatitis, gastroparesis, low blood pressure, and bezoar can all make you feel sick or vomit. Even some diabetes medications can have the same effect.

Most of these conditions can be managed with self-monitoring or guidance from a healthcare provider. However, some conditions such as untreated diabetic ketoacidosis or very low blood sugar can lead to hospitalization.

Understanding how these syndromes occur with diabetes can help you better manage your symptoms and help you treat and manage nausea and vomiting.

Reduce The Amount Of Carbohydrates Consumed

Someone with Type 2 diabetes should watch their carbohydrate count because carbs have the most pronounced effect on the blood sugar.

This is because carbohydrates are broken down into sugar, or glucose, and absorbed into the bloodstream.

White bread, rice and pasta are some of the worst offenders for managing blood sugar levels.

Instead, you should opt for low-carb items such as fish and leafy greens to control blood sugar levels, according to health experts.

Read More

Read Also: What Happens In Type 1 Diabetes

What Is Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes, sometimes known as juvenile diabetes, is a chronic autoimmune condition in which your pancreas loses the ability to produce insulin. It can be triggered by a virus, such as the common cold or flu, and there is evidence that it has a genetic component as well.

Following a viral infection, your body can sometimes malfunction and respond by attacking its own cells. This process is known as an autoimmune response. In type 1 diabetes, your bodys immune system specifically attacks cells in your pancreas called beta cells, which produce the hormone insulin. In that case, damaged beta cells mean your body either stops producing enough insulin, or it cant produce insulin at all.

Other Signs Of Diabetes

Pay attention if you find yourself feeling drowsy or lethargic pain or numbness in your extremities vision changes fruity or sweet-smelling breath which is one of the symptoms of high ketones and experiencing nausea or vomitingas these are additional signs that something is not right. If theres any question, see your doctor immediately to ensure that your blood sugar levels are safe and rule out diabetes.

Read Also: Moderate Weight Loss Can Reduce Or Eliminate Symptoms Of Type 2 Diabetes.

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

How Can I Treat And Manage Hyperglycemia

People with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can manage hyperglycemia by eating healthy, being active, and managing stress. In addition, insulin is a critical part of managing hyperglycemia for people with type 1 diabetes, while people with type 2 diabetes may need oral medications and eventually insulin to help them manage hyperglycemia.

If you dont have diabetes and have any of the signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia, call your healthcare provider. Together you can work to manage your hyperglycemia.

Read Also: Presence Of Blood Sugar

Open Sores And Wounds

Having high blood sugar for a long time can lead to poor circulation and nerve damage. You may have developed these if youve had uncontrolled diabetes for a long time.

Poor circulation and nerve damage can make it hard for your body to heal wounds. This is especially true on the feet. These open wounds are called diabetic ulcers.

Diabetes and feet

• Get immediate medical care for an open sore or wound.
• Work with your doctor to better control your diabetes.

What Medications And Other Treatments Can Help Gastroparesis

Your doctor may recommend medication to improve gastric emptying or reduce nausea, such as the following:

• Metoclopramide. This is a commonly used gastroparesis drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration . It stimulates movement in your stomach and gut while relieving symptoms like nausea and vomiting. It belongs to a category of drugs called prokinetics, several of which have been used to successfully manage gastroparesis.
• Antiemetics. This type of medication may also help reduce nausea and vomiting.

Your doctor may also review any medications that youre taking that could be contributing to the problem. For example, can slow down the process, including:

• opioid painkillers

gastric neuromodulation , which stimulate your GI system and improve symptoms.

In severe cases, some people may need to turn to enteral nutrition. This essentially means liquid nutrition but it can also mean feeding through a tube thats inserted in your stomach or small intestine. A surgeon can perform a gastrostomy, which is a procedure that creates an opening for the placement of a feeding tube.

Also Check: Does Metformin Lower Blood Pressure

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

Darker Skin On The Neck

One possible warning sign of diabetes is the development of dark patches on your skin, particularly around your neck.

Dark patches might be widespread, or only noticeable in the creases of skin. The skin around your neck might also feel velvety or thicker.

This condition is known as acanthosis nigricans . Its sometimes present on the groin and armpits, too.

This condition is common with type 2 diabetes and in those with darker complexions. It occurs when high levels of insulin in the bloodstream cause skin cells to reproduce faster than normal.

Having diabetes can also weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to illnesses. As a result, you may have recurrent infections.

These can include:

Also Check: Metformin Blurry Vision

How Can You Tell If You Have Diabetes

The early signs of diabetes depend on if one has type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes usually occurs in children, whereas type 2 diabetes is prevalent in adults. Usually, in type 2 diabetes, the signs may be unnoticeable unless some complications occur. With type 1 diabetes, the symptoms are severe and appear quickly. Routine blood sugar level check-up is an ideal way to detect diabetes at an early stage.

Why Is Diabetes Fatigue So Common

Fatigue can be caused by something physical, emotional distress, or because of lifestyle choices. Previously in this article, a number of things related to diabetes that cause fatigue was listed. If you read over that list, you can find physical, emotional, and lifestyle choices in there. This means that individuals with diabetes are at a risk from developing fatigue because of many different reasons.

An example is someone with diabetes that eats a very healthy diet and exercises daily. If they are too stressed because of the struggle to control their blood sugar, they could develop fatigue. Another example is someone that is very calm and follows their insulin and diet plan perfectly, but they have restless leg syndrome because of the nerve damage caused by diabetes.

Having physical, emotional, and lifestyle risk factors makes it very difficult for people with diabetes to avoid fatigue. Many people experience multiple problems that cause fatigue, such as sleep apnea and anxiety. Dealing with both of these makes it even harder to overcome the fatigue. This is why it is the most common symptom of diabetes.

The image below shows how all three variables play into fatigue. It also shows that not only do they cause fatigue, but fatigue causes them as well.

Read Also: What Is The Highest Dose Of Metformin

High Or Low Blood Sugar Levels

Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes involve problems with insulin and the levels of glucose in the blood, which can lead to two events:

• hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar levels
• hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar levels

Hyperglycemia occurs when the body has too little insulin, for example, when a person eats more or exercises less than they had planned. It can also happen in the morning, which is known as the dawn phenomenon. Learn more about high blood sugar in the morning.

Hypoglycemia can occur when a person takes too much insulin or does not eat enough food. It can lead to serious complications, including insulin shock.

Both hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia can make a person feel nauseated.

Other symptoms to look out for include:

• disorientation
• fainting
• seizures

Without treatment, people with diabetes will go through repeat events of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. Over time, this can result in health complications, such as insulin shock, diabetic ketoacidosis, and diabetic neuropathy.

People can usually prevent these complications by managing their diabetes.

A person can avoid hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia by:

• eating regular meals and snacks
• taking medications according to the prescription
• adjusting food and medication intake when increasing activity levels

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.

Recommended Reading: Is Quaker Oats Good For Diabetics

What Is Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease that disrupts the way the body uses sugar and is hallmarked by an excess of blood sugar. For someone without diabetes, when blood sugar levels get too high, insulin is released that tells the body to absorb the sugar and use it as energy or store it as fat.

In people with diabetes, this process is interrupted. There are two types of diabetes:

• Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin to process the sugar.

• Type 2 diabetes usually develops later in life and is caused when the body becomes resistant to the effects of insulin. Although your body produces enough insulin, if you have type 2 diabetes, that insulin isn’t working effectively enough in the body to process the sugar in your blood.

What Is Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Diabetic ketoacidosis happens when your blood sugar is high and your insulin level is low. This imbalance in the body causes a build-up of ketones. Ketones are toxic. If DKA isnt treated, it can lead to diabetic coma and even death.

DKA mainly affects people who have type 1 diabetes. But it can also happen with other types of diabetes, including type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes .

You May Like: What Kind Of Pasta Can A Diabetic Eat