Here is what you should know:

Diabetes can profoundly impact digestive health, leading to symptoms such as nausea, heartburn, bloating, and pain after eating. These symptoms are often manifestations of a condition known as gastroparesis, where the normal emptying of the stomach is delayed. In individuals with diabetes, this is frequently due to damage to the vagus nerve, which controls stomach muscles, as a result of prolonged high blood sugar levels.

The experience of nausea or heartburn after eating, bloating or discomfort after even small meals, and pain post-eating highlights the disruption in the normal digestive process. Gastroparesis complicates dietary management and insulin dosing due to unpredictable food absorption rates. This not only affects physical well-being but also poses challenges in achieving optimal glycemic control. Managing these symptoms often involves a combination of dietary adjustments—such as smaller, more frequent meals, and medical interventions aimed at enhancing gastric motility and reducing discomfort.