Diabetic Belly – In Those Living with Diabetes
Healthful Vitality | 10/07/2021 | By NP Contributor | Diabetic Belly
Diabetic belly may be used to describe two conditions commonly found in those living with diabetes. Firstly, it may be used just to describe an abdominal accumulation of fats. Secondly, it may be used to describe a more severe illness caused by diabetes, diabetes gastroparesis.
It is not a diagnosis but a layman’s term to describe various abdominal problems related to the belly in those living with diabetes.
Diabetic belly: Diabetes and abdominal or visceral fat
There is a strong relationship between diabetes and fat accumulation in the belly, also called visceral fat. It causes a more significant accumulation of fat in the liver. Belly fat is also more likely to cause inflammation and thus worsening of diabetes. It is a severe problem in certain ethnic groups like South Asians. Besides, it is also a condition more commonly associated with type 2 diabetes.
It is even frequently present in people with more or less average body weight or only moderately overweight. Therefore, those living with diabetes must pay particular attention to their waist to chest ratio. Reducing belly size through dietary changes, choice of healthy oils, exercise may help reduce diabetes severity in such individuals. In addition, increasing omega-3 intake may also help in such cases.
Diabetic belly: Gastroparesis
The term diabetic belly is more commonly used to describe this severe condition. In humans, the autonomic nervous system controls the movements of the gut. In many, nerve damage (neuropathy) occurs in the early stages of diabetes, causing severe gastric trouble. It may happen in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, with poorly controlled blood glucose levels.
In gastroparesis, nerves innervating the stomach are damaged. Thus, the stomach is relatively slow to empty. More specifically, in these individuals, one of the most vital nerves, the vagal nerve, is damaged. Thus, it stops sending impulses. This hampers not only gastric motility but also changes digestive processes, causing indigestion.
Generally, people with poorly controlled diabetes are at a greater risk of gastroparesis.
Symptoms of diabetic belly or gastroparesis
Some of the symptoms of diabetic belly or gastroparesis are:
- Gastroesophageal reflux or heartburn
- Frequent nausea due to poor movement of food and indigestion
- Vomiting
- Feeling full even after a small meal
- Severe loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Bloating
- Abdominal pain and spasms
- Difficult to control blood sugar level
Gastroparesis is a chronic condition causing significant distress to those living with diabetes. In addition, since food movement is irregular and digestion less predictable, blood sugar is difficult to control.
In some, unprocessed food items may cause severe abdominal pain and even intestinal obstruction.
Further, gastroparesis also has a severe effect on mood and may lead to depression.
Treatment of gastroparesis
Regretfully it is a chronic condition and quite challenging to manage. Controlling blood sugar is essential to prevent its progression, but that may not be easy. As a result, doctors may sometimes prescribe medications that improve gastric motility. Those living with gastroparesis should eat food in small portions, as eating in large quantities may cause severe nausea.
Related Article: Is Fasting Bad for Diabetics?