Your doctor may also advise the use of specific medications that have proven useful for the long-term treatment of this type of digestive problem. Other common complaints of gastrointestinal neuropathy include constipation and diabetic diarrhea. Diabetic diarrhea is recognized by episodes of multiple loose stools, which often occur at night. People with this problem should follow a meal plan designed to meet their assessed energy and nutrient needs, have adequate fluid intake, and supplement their diet with a multivitamin or mineral tablet. For some people, antidiarrhea medications maybe suggested.
Constipation is the most common digestive problem.
Constipation appears to be more common in inactive people and is not, contrary to popular belief, a normal part of aging. If constipation persists, talk to your diabetes educator or physician. Treatment should include an assessment and discontinuation of unnecessary medications, a diet high in fibre, adequate liquids, normalization of blood glucose and regular activity. When a high-fibre diet is not well tolerated due to other symptoms of gastroparesis, or when constipation is persistent, laxatives maybe prescribed. What and when you eat is extremely important when you have diabetes, and when your digestive system is disrupted, control becomes very difficult.