What's Inside
Constipation is when a person undergoes bowel movements less frequently, less than three times a week or so. And it can also be painful as well as difficult for stool to pass while in bowel sessions.
How Is Constipation Related To Diabetes?
- Constipation is common among patients, eating low-fiber foods and staying dehydrated can also lead to constipation.
- But diabetes can bring certain complications. The doctors reveal that people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes are more likely to develop constipation.
- Diabetes patients tend to have a slower digestive process and the colon tends to absorb more water from waste, leaving the waste completely dry and making it difficult for bowel movements.
The Causes Of Constipation For Diabetic Patients
- A set of nerves called the autonomic nervous system controls certain processes of the human body such as breathing, urination, digestion, and many parts of the body. Diabetes tends to damage this nervous system.
- When nerves that control the digestive system are damaged, then rises difficulties in moving the food throughout the system and cannot process solid waste efficiently.
- This causes symptoms like vomiting bloating, diarrhea, and constipation.
- Damage to these nerves also causes a condition called gastroparesis, this condition slower the movement of muscles in the stomach or doesn’t work at all, preventing the solid wastes from emptying from the stomach completely.
- Diabetes patients are at high risk for developing other colonic disorders beyond chronic constipation, such as diarrhea, colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, and microscopic colitis.
- Not including fibrous meals in the diets and drinking less amount of water can lead to constipation
- Certain blood pressure, anxiety, and depression medications might be also reasons for developing constipation in diabetic patients
Treatment Of Constipation For Diabetic Patients
- Natural Methods
Natural methods are always best to start as well they are safer than any other treatments. Simple solutions such as consuming a large amount of fibrous food, drinking more quantity of water, and doing more regular physical activities can help the digestive system run smoothly.
- Laxatives
Laxatives contain chemical components that help to clean our digestive system by increasing the motility, bulk, and frequency of the stool, which results in relief from constipation. Laxatives come in pills, capsules, liquids, suppositories, and enemas. Each of these different types of laxatives has its own benefits and side effects.
Types Of Laxatives
- Bulk-forming laxatives: this form of laxatives is taken from oral along with water. Bulk-forming laxatives are not digested, instead, they absorb water from the intestine and swell to form a bulky stool. This laxative helps to retain the fluid
- Stool softener: this comes in a tablet or pill form, and helps to increase the amount of water absorbed by the stool for a smoother and easier ejection.
- Lubricant laxatives: lubricants are used to coat the surface of the stool and wall of the intestines, making it slippery to move out of the body.
- Osmotic laxatives: work by increasing the flow of water into the intestines, encouraging smooth bowel movements. Osmotic laxatives are available at the counter
- Saline laxatives: These laxatives are generally, salts in liquid, and draw water into the small intestine increasing the frequency of the bowel movements
- Stimulant laxatives: These are available as tablets, pills, powders, chewable, liquids, and suppositories under different brands. They speed up the digestive system for smooth bowel movements
Natural Laxatives
- Consuming natural laxatives such as chia seeds, berries, legumes, and leafy greens increases the frequency of bowel movements as well these natural laxatives draw water into the intestines for smooth bowel movements.
- Castor and oil and olive are considered effective natural laxatives, as castor oil release ricinoleic acid, it works by activating a specific receptor in the digestive tract, which triggers muscle movements for painless bowel movements
Some natural laxatives may have side effects depending on the condition of a person. But many laxatives help to improve bowel movements by increasing stool frequency and improving stool consistency.
