How Does Diabetes Affect the Digestive System?
Diabetes is an illness that occurs inside the body when either there is a lack of insulin or when the body does not respond to the insulin that the pancreas produces. Needless to say, a lack of insulin caused by diabetes has a negative effect on digestion. After all, the digestive system is complex enough without diabetes being involved. Usually, when people and medical professionals talk about diabetes, they concentrate on the effects that it has on other parts of the body like the eyes or the feet. They usually ignore the digestive system. Therefore, as a result, some people may find themselves asking, “How does diabetes affect the digestive system?” Diabetes can affect the digestive system in several ways.
One very important function that diabetes affects is digestion. Every living being needs to be able to properly digest food in order to nourish the body, create energy and repair the body. Diabetes damages the nerves in the body by constantly elevating the blood sugar. Digestion is a process that is automatically controlled by the nervous system. As a result, ailments such as diarrhea, heartburn and constipation can disrupt the digestion process. Because of this, the body cannot properly absorb the nutrients from the food. Ultimately, this can cause the energy levels in the body to be extremely low. This often leads to inactivity, which can lead to obesity and being overweight. Oddly enough, many diabetics are obese or overweight because of they have an excessive amount of blood sugar. However, the cells in their bodies are extremely malnourished. Diabetes can also affect the immune system and cause it to respond much slower to pathogens. As a result, the body becomes more vulnerable to infections and illnesses. Needless to say, this leads to more ailments and even other diseases.
Digestion is a critically bodily function to say the least; substandard digestion can create more health problems and eventually lower your quality of life. Although it is best to consult with a medical specialist before pursing any treatment option, there is a way to improve the digestive system. Probiotics can help diabetics manage their digestion problems and improve the effectiveness of their digestive system. Probiotics are essentially digestive enzymes that help the body digest food and break down nutrients. This can help feed and repair malnourished cells in the body, as well as increase the body’s energy levels. In turn, this can lead to better health and a better quality of life.
All things considered, the question, “How does diabetes affect the digestive system?” has many complicated answers. Prolonged problems in the digestive system caused by diabetes can lead to several health problems. Diabetes is more than enough of a health problem to deal without adding other health issues to it. All diabetics need to consult with their primary care provider to make sure that their digestive system is in good health. They can advise individuals on the best treatment options to pursue. Diabetes can be a difficult disease to manage but you do not have to let it rule your life.