Can Diabetes Cause Blood In Stool

Side Effects Of Medication

Diarrhea is a side effect of many medications, including antibiotics and antidepressants.

Many people with type 2 diabetes use the medication metformin to help control their blood sugar. Diarrhea is a common side effect when a person first begins taking metformin. Occasionally, people will experience chronic diarrhea after theyve been on the medication for a long time, even years.

If you are taking metformin to treat type 2 diabetes and experience chronic diarrhea, talk to your healthcare provider about whether there are other options available to help control your blood sugar.

Who Is At Risk Of Type 2 Diabetes

Some people have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes than others.

Here are some of the risk factors for type 2 diabetes:

• Thrush or itching in your genital area

• Cuts, wounds, or sores that are slow to heal or dont heal

Not everyone experiences symptoms of type 2 diabetes. The condition can develop very slowly over time. Some people are only diagnosed with type 2 diabetes when they develop complications.

What Occurs When A Diabetic Enters Ketoacidosis

DKA occurs when your body lacks the insulin necessary to transport blood sugar into your cells for use as energy. Rather than that, your liver converts fat to fuel, a process that generates acids called ketones. When an excessive amount of ketones is created at a rapid rate, they may accumulate to harmful amounts in the body.

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When Should You Seek Medical Care

If youve determined that red, maroon, or black, tarry stools arent due to eating too many of your favorite red foods, then its probably time to call a doctor.

You should seek medical attention as soon as you can with a new symptom such as blood in your stool where youve never received a diagnosis and do not know the cause, especially if it is accompanied with other symptoms, such as fever or vomiting, Filemon said.

Summary

Talk with a healthcare professional if you have bloody stool, especially if you dont have a diagnosis. A doctor can help with symptom management, prescribe any needed medications, and detect serious conditions like cancer.

Will You Have Blood In Stool With Metformin

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Digestive Ailments Are Common In Those With Diabetes

In a study published in 2018, researchers asked 706 individuals with type 1 diabetes, and 604 individuals without diabetes, a series of questions about their gastrointestinal symptoms and quality of life.13 They found that lower gastrointestinal symptoms â including constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, intestinal gas, and floating stools â were much more common in the individuals with diabetes, especially diarrhea and constipation, which were twice as likely in those with diabetes. These symptoms were associated with lower quality of life and poor glycemic control. However, the researchers were able to identify, and treat accordingly, the cause of diarrhea in 72% of cases, leading to a better outcome for the patients. If you have diabetes and experience digestive symptoms, make sure to let your health care team know so that you can work together to manage these symptoms.

Can Type 2 Diabetes Cause Diarrhea

Most people experience diarrhea at some point during their lives. You may have diarrhea if your stools are loose or watery more than three times in 24 hours. It can be very unpleasant but usually clears up after a day or two.

Diarrhea is considered chronic if it lasts four weeks or longer. In this case, your diarrhea may be a symptom of chronic disease.

But can type 2 diabetes cause diarrhea?

Yes, it can. Most people with type 2 diabetes experience gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea. This is known as diabetic diarrhea. Diabetic diarrhea could occur due to your medication for type 2 diabetes, the foods you eat, or complications.

Diabetes-related diarrhea may last several weeks to months, and you may also experience fecal incontinence.

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Artificial Sweeteners Sugar Alcohols

Sorbitol is a form of sweetener known as sugar alcohols. Sorbitol and other sugar alcohols are commonly found in foods labelled as diabetic foods as well as other sugar free products such as sugar free gum.

Sugar alcohols have a lower sugar content and affect blood glucose levels less than table sugar but they can have a laxative effect and thus may cause stomach cramps and diarrhoea.

If you experience these symptoms after having food with sugar alcohols, it is best to avoid these foods or only consume small amounts. Some people will be more sensitive than others to the effects of sorbitol and other sugar alcohols

How Is Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosed

If your doctor suspects type 2 diabetes, they will conduct a series of tests to determine how well your body regulates blood sugar.

These tests include:

• A1C test: This is a blood test that looks at your average blood sugar levels over the past three months.

• Fasting plasma glucose test: You will be asked to fast for eight hours before this test, meaning most tests are taken in the morning. This test determines your blood sugar levels at a single point in time. More than one reading is usually needed to confirm your results.

• Random plasma glucose test: This test, taken at any time, can help diagnose diabetes. It is not as effective as other tests at diagnosing diabetes in people whose blood sugar levels are only slightly elevated, but it can help people with very high blood sugar levels get urgent treatment.

• Oral glucose challenge test: You will be asked to fast for at least eight hours before this test. First, a blood sample will be taken to measure your blood sugar level after fasting. Then you will be asked to drink a high-sugar drink. You will have another blood sample taken two hours later to check your blood sugar level. A high reading may suggest you have diabetes.

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How Do Healthcare Providers Diagnose Diabetes

Its challenging to figure out if diarrhea you experience is due to diabetes or another condition. Your healthcare provider may ask you to keep a journal to keep track of your bowel movements, including frequency and severity.

You may need to work with a gastroenterologist, a specialist in the digestive system.

Side Effects Of Diabetes Medication

Various long-term treatments for diabetes might lead to severe and persistent diarrhea.

Metformin is a medication for treating type 2 diabetes. It is effective for treating diabetes, but up to 10 percent of people who use it experience side effects in the gastrointestinal system. One of these side effects is diarrhea.

The adverse effects of metformin may resolve in time. Some people, however, might need to stop taking the medication if the diarrhea does not go away.

Other diabetes medications that can have a similar effect include GLP-1 receptor agonists and DPP-4 inhibitors, as well as statins.

RECALL OF METFORMIN EXTENDED RELEASE

In May 2020, the

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Common Causes Of Pediatric Gi Bleeding

Based on the child’s symptoms, a physical exam, and additional information from the parent, we often can diagnose the underlying issue without much additional testing. For example, well ask about:

• Symptom frequency
• What makes them feel better

The information we gather typically points to one of seven common conditions that can cause GI bleeding in children.

What Is Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Diabetic ketoacidosis happens when your blood sugar is high and your insulin level is low. This imbalance in the body causes a build-up of ketones. Ketones are toxic. If DKA isnt treated, it can lead to diabetic coma and even death.

DKA mainly affects people who have type 1 diabetes. But it can also happen with other types of diabetes, including type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes .

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Prevention Of Rectal Bleeding

The best way to prevent rectal bleeding is to prevent its chief causes.

People at an increased risk for colorectal cancer should undergo regular screenings, primarily colonoscopy. Colorectal cancer screenings can detect precancerous polyps in the colon or rectum so that they can be removed before they turn into cancer. Screenings can also identify colorectal cancer early, when treatment is more likely to be successful.

Other Causes Of Diarrhea

Your diarrhea may not be related to your type 2 diabetes. Dont assume diarrhea is a symptom of type 2 diabetes if you havent been diagnosed.

Everyone experiences diarrhea from time to time. Numerous other things can cause it. Its also possible to have type 2 diabetes and another condition that causes diarrhea.

The following things may cause diarrhea:

• Viral infections: Your diarrhea could be caused by a virus, such as viral gastroenteritis or norovirus.

• Bacterial infections: Bacteria like Salmonella or Escherichia coli can enter your digestive tract through contaminated food or water and cause diarrhea.

• Parasitic infections: Your diarrhea could be caused by a parasitic infection, such as Cryptosporidium enteritis or Entamoeba histolytica.

• Medications: Some medications can cause diarrhea as a side effect. Taking some medications long-term can cause chronic diarrhea, such as antibiotics.

• Food allergies or intolerances: Foods containing lactose, fructose, soy, egg, seafood, and cereal grains can cause chronic diarrhea in some people.

• Other health conditions: Some conditions related to digestive health cause diarrhea, including Crohns disease, celiac disease, and ulcerative colitis.

• Abdominal surgery : You may develop chronic diarrhea after having abdominal surgery.

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Treating Diarrhea Caused By Diabetes

Treatment for diabetes-related diarrhea depends on the cause.

Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics if you have bacterial overgrowth.

For EPI, your doctor may recommend vitamin supplementation and pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy.

If autonomic neuropathy is causing your diarrhea, your doctor may decide to adjust your treatment to help stabilize your blood sugar levels.

Youll need to discuss the options available if you have metformin-related diarrhea. They may change your dose or medication.

What To Expect At Your Office Visit

Your provider will take a medical history and perform a physical exam. The exam will focus on your abdomen.

You may be asked the following questions:

• Are you taking blood thinners, such as aspirin, warfarin, Eliquis, Pradaxa, Xarelto, or clopidogrel, or similar medicines? Are you taking an NSAID, such as ibuprofen or naproxen?
• Have you had any trauma or swallowed a foreign object accidentally?
• Have you eaten black licorice, lead, Pepto-Bismol, or blueberries?
• Have you had more than one episode of blood in your stool? Is every stool this way?
• Have you lost any weight recently?
• Is there blood on the toilet paper only?
• What color is the stool?
• When did the problem develop?

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Prevention Of Bowel Cancer

Red meats and, in particular, processed meats have been linked with increased risks of colon cancer and so the department of Health advises people to consume less than 70g of red or processed meat.

Taking regular exercise and losing weight may also help to decrease your risk of developing colon cancer.

A 2022 study found that physical activity reduced the risk of bowel cancer by 20 percent, in comparison to those with as sedentary lifestyle.

The NHS will soon be offering screening checks for bowel cancer to everyone aged over 50, while screenings are already available for anyone over 60 years old.

How Does Diabetes Cause Diarrhea

Diabetic diarrhea is likely the result of longterm high blood sugar levels damaging the nerves and overall function within your colon, small intestines, and your stomach .

Many gastrointestinal complications of diabetes seem to be related to dysfunction of the neurons supplying the enteric nervous system, explains the 2000 edition of Clinical Diabetes.

When the nerve fibers throughout your digestive system are damaged, this can result in constipation or diarrhea at different times because some nerves stimulate movement and other nerves help to slow movement in your intestines.

The bouts of diarrhea can be ongoing or they can persist for a few months and then quiet down for a few months. The phases of diarrhea can also be countered with phases of constipation, too.

Another possible cause of diabetic diarrhea is that people with diabetes are more likely to consume large quantities of artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols, which are known to be potent laxatives.

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Common Causes Of Diarrhoea

The NHS lists gastroenteritis, bowel infection, as the most common cause of diarrhoea. Gastroenteritis can be caused by a bacterial or viral infection.

Other relatively common causes of diarrhoea include:

• Food intolerances such as lactose or gluten intolerance
• Drinking too much coffee or alcohol

Read further below for causes more specifically related to diabetes.

Can I Prevent Diarrhea

For people with type 2 diabetes, managing the condition is essential for preventing complications like diarrhea.

Youll need to work closely with your medical team to find a treatment plan that works well for you and keeps your blood sugar levels under control. Your doctor may recommend lifestyle adjustments, such as healthy eating, exercising, and quitting smoking . They may also prescribe medication, such as supplemental insulin.

Sticking to your recommended treatment plan can help keep your digestive system healthy and avoid nerve damage caused by continuously high blood sugar levels.

Here are some general tips for avoiding diarrhea:

• Drink filtered, boiled, or bottled water: This is particularly important if youre traveling to a high-risk area to avoid water-borne bacteria, viruses, and parasites that cause diarrhea.

• Practice safe food hygiene: Always cook food thoroughly and store it correctly. Dont eat food past its use-by date.

• Wash your hands regularly: Thorough and regular handwashing with soap and warm water can help prevent diarrhea. This is particularly important before and after preparing food, before eating, and after using the toilet and touching surfaces.

• Clean your toilet: If you or someone in your household have diarrhea, be sure to clean the toilet after each bout of diarrhea.

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How Is Diarrhea Diagnosed

Most cases of diarrhea do not require diagnosis or treatment since they typically get better within four days.

However, chronic diarrhea could suggest you have an underlying health condition. In this case, your doctor may look at your medical history and ask you questions about your symptoms. They may also organize some diagnostic tests, such as:

• Stool test: This involves testing a stool sample to determine the presence of blood, bacterial infections, parasites, and inflammatory markers.

• Breath test: This can help determine if you have a lactose or fructose intolerance.

• Blood tests: Testing your blood can rule out medical reasons for diarrhea, such as thyroid disease, celiac disease, or pancreatic disease.

• Endoscopy: This involves examining your upper and lower gastrointestinal tracts to help determine what is causing your diarrhea.

Treatment Of Bowel Cancer

Treatment for colon cancer will depend on how far advanced the cancer is.

If the cancer is in stage 1, the cancer will often be treated with surgery alone to remove the cancer.

If the cancer is in stage 2 or 3, surgery can remove the cancer and chemotherapy will likely be given to prevent the cancer returning.

If in stage 4, the cancer cannot be eliminated but it may be possible to control the cancer using one of more of the following treatment options:

• Surgery to physically remove the cancers
• Chemotherapy medicines used to kill cancerous cells
• Radiotherapy radiation in the form of high energy x-rays used to kill cancer cells
• Monoclonal antibody therapy laboratory made antibodies which can target cancer cells and prevent them from spreading

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What Are The Different Types Of Diabetes

look at blood taken from Can High Blood Sugar Cause Blood In The Stool an alternate website, such because the forearm or palm But these readings will not be as accurate as readings from the fingertips, especially after a meal or throughout exercise, when blood sugar levels change extra incessantly Alternate websites aren t recommended to be used in calibrating CGMs The strip will show your blood sugar degree in both mg dL and mmol L People with sort 2 diabetes could experience signs of excessive or Can High Blood Sugar Cause Blood In The Stool low blood sugar.

It s a fact of life that blood sugar fluctuates all through the day These ups and downs depend Can High Blood Sugar Cause Blood In The Stool on a handful of factors, like if you get up, what you eat, the drugs you take, and how you manage stress So, some variation is normal, to the point that you simply won t even discover it CGMs are environment friendly and effective, however they want to be used only after consulting your doctor or physician who s properly aware of your medical condition CGMs make it easier to maintain track of your blood sugar level as most of them come with alarms or alerts when there is a sudden drop or rise in your blood sugar levels It also has a feature known as the time in a spread, which tells us how much the blood sugar level changed inside a limited interval.