Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Constipation?SymptomsTreatmentsWhen to Seek Medical CareFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Constipation?
Symptoms
Treatments
When to Seek Medical Care
Frequently Asked Questions
Constipation—when your bowel movements don’t happen as often as they should or are difficult to pass—is a common gastrointestinal symptom ofdiabetes.Experts estimate that it may affect up to 60% of people with diabetes.
Constipation can arise from highblood sugar levelsthat lead to nerve damage in thedigestive system, a low-fiber diet, lack of exercise, and using certain medications.
This article explores why constipation is a common symptom of diabetes. It also outlines treatment options and provides tips on when to see a healthcare provider.
VioletaStoimenova / Getty Images
Constipation occurs when your bowel movements don’thappen normally. While everyone’s bowel movements are slightly different, constipation is generally defined as experiencing:
An occasional bout with constipation that resolves itself quickly usually isn’t serious. But when constipation is severe, happens frequently, or results fromanother medical conditionlike diabetes, it calls for a visit to your healthcare provider.
Experts recommend seeking emergency medical attention for constipation if you notice signs such as:No bowel movements for more than three daysAbdominal pain or bloating that doesn’t go awayBlood in your stoolNausea, vomiting, or fever
Experts recommend seeking emergency medical attention for constipation if you notice signs such as:
Is Constipation a Symptom of Diabetes?
Constipation is a common symptom of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Older adults, people withcertain health conditions, and pregnant people may be more likely than others to experience constipation.
There are several reasons behind constipation in people with diabetes, including:
If you suspect a medication you’re taking is contributing to constipation, check with a healthcare provider before stopping a prescription drug on your own.
Constipation Treatments
Constipation can typically betreatedwith diet and lifestyle changes. It may be relieved with over-the-counter (OTC) treatments or prescription medications in more severe cases.
If you have diabetes, your treatment plan for constipation should include input from a healthcare provider to ensure any changes you make won’t negatively impact your overall health or condition.
At-home strategiesfor constipation relief are usually suggested first. These include:
If those treatment methods aren’t effective, a healthcare provider may recommend OTC or prescription medications, including:
Certain types of laxatives, such as lactulose, can affect blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.It’s important to check with a healthcare provider about the constipation treatment and dosage that is best for you.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
People with diabetes experiencing occasional constipation will want to bring this up to a healthcare provider to receive a formaldiagnosisand treatment. But if you have diabetes and your constipation is chronic (lasting for several days or longer), it’s a good idea to get medical attention immediately.
In addition, seek emergency medical care if you notice:
Summary
Constipation can be a common sign of diabetes. It’s often due to diabetes-related nerve damage in the digestive tract that stems from unmanaged blood sugar levels. Other factors contributing to constipation include diet, exercise, and medications.
With input from a healthcare provider, people with diabetes can typically find constipation relief through lifestyle changes, like changes to diet and physical activity level. OTC or prescription remedies such as laxatives may be used as needed.
A Word From Verywell
While talking about your bowel movements may be embarrassing or uncomfortable, it’s important to bring up any constipation patterns with a healthcare provider—especially if you have an underlying condition like diabetes. Constipation could signify that you need to change your medications or your daily routine. It also can point to more serious issues like uncontrolled blood sugar levels and nerve damage.
Frequently Asked QuestionsHigh or unmanaged blood sugar levels can cause nerve damage in the digestive tract, leading to issues like constipation. In addition, certain medications, diet, and physical activity levels are other factors that can contribute to constipation.Learn MoreWhy Am I Constipated?Constipation in people with diabetes should be treated with input from a healthcare provider so that both conditions can be addressed and appropriately managed.Making changes to diet and exercise routines can help bring constipation relief. Additional measures usually include OTC or prescriptionlaxatives,if needed.Learn More7 Steps for Getting Your Bowels Back on Track After ConstipationYes, gastrointestinal issues like constipation can occur in both type 1 or type 2 diabetes. It may indicate related nerve damage in the digestive tract due to unmanaged blood sugar levels.Learn MoreType 2 Diabetes Symptoms
High or unmanaged blood sugar levels can cause nerve damage in the digestive tract, leading to issues like constipation. In addition, certain medications, diet, and physical activity levels are other factors that can contribute to constipation.Learn MoreWhy Am I Constipated?
High or unmanaged blood sugar levels can cause nerve damage in the digestive tract, leading to issues like constipation. In addition, certain medications, diet, and physical activity levels are other factors that can contribute to constipation.
Learn MoreWhy Am I Constipated?
Constipation in people with diabetes should be treated with input from a healthcare provider so that both conditions can be addressed and appropriately managed.Making changes to diet and exercise routines can help bring constipation relief. Additional measures usually include OTC or prescriptionlaxatives,if needed.Learn More7 Steps for Getting Your Bowels Back on Track After Constipation
Constipation in people with diabetes should be treated with input from a healthcare provider so that both conditions can be addressed and appropriately managed.Making changes to diet and exercise routines can help bring constipation relief. Additional measures usually include OTC or prescriptionlaxatives,if needed.
Learn More7 Steps for Getting Your Bowels Back on Track After Constipation
Yes, gastrointestinal issues like constipation can occur in both type 1 or type 2 diabetes. It may indicate related nerve damage in the digestive tract due to unmanaged blood sugar levels.Learn MoreType 2 Diabetes Symptoms
Yes, gastrointestinal issues like constipation can occur in both type 1 or type 2 diabetes. It may indicate related nerve damage in the digestive tract due to unmanaged blood sugar levels.
Learn MoreType 2 Diabetes Symptoms
18 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lins Neto MA, Moreno K, Graça R, Lima S.Constipation prevalence in diabetic patients.J Coloproctology. 2014;34(2):83-86. doi:10.1016/j.jcol.2014.04.001.Phillips LK, Rayner CK, Jones KL, Horowitz M.An update on autonomic neuropathy affecting the gastrointestinal tract.Curr Diab Rep.2006;6:417–423. doi:10.1007/s11892-006-0073-0Maisey A.A practical approach to gastrointestinal complications of diabetes.Diabetes Ther. 2016 Sep;7(3):379-386. doi: 10.1007/s13300-016-0182-y.MedlinePlus.Constipation.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of constipation.Gray JR.What is chronic constipation? Definition and diagnosis.Can J Gastroenterol. 2011 Oct;25 Suppl B(Suppl B):7B-10B.MedlinePlus.Constipation - self-care.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition & facts for constipation.Careyva B, Stello B.Diabetes mellitus: Management of gastrointestinal complications.Am Fam Physician.2016;94(12):980-986.National Institute on Aging.Concerned about constipation?.Forootan M, Bagheri N, Darvishi M.Chronic constipation: A review of literature. Medicine (Baltimore).2018 May;97(20):e10631. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000010631National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for constipation.Nishimori E, Naka M.Effect of nonpharmacological management of chronic constipation in diabetic patients.Diabetes. 2021;70(Suppl 1):478. doi:10.2337/db21-478-PJani B, Marsicano E.Constipation: Evaluation and management.Mo Med.2018 May-Jun;115(3):236-240.Shakil A, Church RJ, Rao SS.Gastrointestinal complications of diabetes.Am Fam Physician. 2008;77(12):1697-1702.Pieber TR, Svehlikova E, Mursic I, et al.Blood glucose response after oral lactulose intake in type 2 diabetic individuals. World J Diabetes. 2021 Jun 15;12(6):893-907. doi:10.4239/wjd.v12.i6.893.Piper MS, Saad RJ.Diabetes mellitus and the colon.Curr Treat Options Gastroenterol. 2017 Dec;15(4):460-474. doi: 10.1007/s11938-017-0151-1Prasad VGM, Abraham P.Management of chronic constipation in patients with diabetes mellitus.Indian J Gastroenterol.2017;36(1):11–22. doi:10.1007/s12664-016-0724-2
18 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lins Neto MA, Moreno K, Graça R, Lima S.Constipation prevalence in diabetic patients.J Coloproctology. 2014;34(2):83-86. doi:10.1016/j.jcol.2014.04.001.Phillips LK, Rayner CK, Jones KL, Horowitz M.An update on autonomic neuropathy affecting the gastrointestinal tract.Curr Diab Rep.2006;6:417–423. doi:10.1007/s11892-006-0073-0Maisey A.A practical approach to gastrointestinal complications of diabetes.Diabetes Ther. 2016 Sep;7(3):379-386. doi: 10.1007/s13300-016-0182-y.MedlinePlus.Constipation.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of constipation.Gray JR.What is chronic constipation? Definition and diagnosis.Can J Gastroenterol. 2011 Oct;25 Suppl B(Suppl B):7B-10B.MedlinePlus.Constipation - self-care.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition & facts for constipation.Careyva B, Stello B.Diabetes mellitus: Management of gastrointestinal complications.Am Fam Physician.2016;94(12):980-986.National Institute on Aging.Concerned about constipation?.Forootan M, Bagheri N, Darvishi M.Chronic constipation: A review of literature. Medicine (Baltimore).2018 May;97(20):e10631. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000010631National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for constipation.Nishimori E, Naka M.Effect of nonpharmacological management of chronic constipation in diabetic patients.Diabetes. 2021;70(Suppl 1):478. doi:10.2337/db21-478-PJani B, Marsicano E.Constipation: Evaluation and management.Mo Med.2018 May-Jun;115(3):236-240.Shakil A, Church RJ, Rao SS.Gastrointestinal complications of diabetes.Am Fam Physician. 2008;77(12):1697-1702.Pieber TR, Svehlikova E, Mursic I, et al.Blood glucose response after oral lactulose intake in type 2 diabetic individuals. World J Diabetes. 2021 Jun 15;12(6):893-907. doi:10.4239/wjd.v12.i6.893.Piper MS, Saad RJ.Diabetes mellitus and the colon.Curr Treat Options Gastroenterol. 2017 Dec;15(4):460-474. doi: 10.1007/s11938-017-0151-1Prasad VGM, Abraham P.Management of chronic constipation in patients with diabetes mellitus.Indian J Gastroenterol.2017;36(1):11–22. doi:10.1007/s12664-016-0724-2
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Lins Neto MA, Moreno K, Graça R, Lima S.Constipation prevalence in diabetic patients.J Coloproctology. 2014;34(2):83-86. doi:10.1016/j.jcol.2014.04.001.Phillips LK, Rayner CK, Jones KL, Horowitz M.An update on autonomic neuropathy affecting the gastrointestinal tract.Curr Diab Rep.2006;6:417–423. doi:10.1007/s11892-006-0073-0Maisey A.A practical approach to gastrointestinal complications of diabetes.Diabetes Ther. 2016 Sep;7(3):379-386. doi: 10.1007/s13300-016-0182-y.MedlinePlus.Constipation.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of constipation.Gray JR.What is chronic constipation? Definition and diagnosis.Can J Gastroenterol. 2011 Oct;25 Suppl B(Suppl B):7B-10B.MedlinePlus.Constipation - self-care.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition & facts for constipation.Careyva B, Stello B.Diabetes mellitus: Management of gastrointestinal complications.Am Fam Physician.2016;94(12):980-986.National Institute on Aging.Concerned about constipation?.Forootan M, Bagheri N, Darvishi M.Chronic constipation: A review of literature. Medicine (Baltimore).2018 May;97(20):e10631. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000010631National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for constipation.Nishimori E, Naka M.Effect of nonpharmacological management of chronic constipation in diabetic patients.Diabetes. 2021;70(Suppl 1):478. doi:10.2337/db21-478-PJani B, Marsicano E.Constipation: Evaluation and management.Mo Med.2018 May-Jun;115(3):236-240.Shakil A, Church RJ, Rao SS.Gastrointestinal complications of diabetes.Am Fam Physician. 2008;77(12):1697-1702.Pieber TR, Svehlikova E, Mursic I, et al.Blood glucose response after oral lactulose intake in type 2 diabetic individuals. World J Diabetes. 2021 Jun 15;12(6):893-907. doi:10.4239/wjd.v12.i6.893.Piper MS, Saad RJ.Diabetes mellitus and the colon.Curr Treat Options Gastroenterol. 2017 Dec;15(4):460-474. doi: 10.1007/s11938-017-0151-1Prasad VGM, Abraham P.Management of chronic constipation in patients with diabetes mellitus.Indian J Gastroenterol.2017;36(1):11–22. doi:10.1007/s12664-016-0724-2
Lins Neto MA, Moreno K, Graça R, Lima S.Constipation prevalence in diabetic patients.J Coloproctology. 2014;34(2):83-86. doi:10.1016/j.jcol.2014.04.001.
Phillips LK, Rayner CK, Jones KL, Horowitz M.An update on autonomic neuropathy affecting the gastrointestinal tract.Curr Diab Rep.2006;6:417–423. doi:10.1007/s11892-006-0073-0
Maisey A.A practical approach to gastrointestinal complications of diabetes.Diabetes Ther. 2016 Sep;7(3):379-386. doi: 10.1007/s13300-016-0182-y.
MedlinePlus.Constipation.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of constipation.
Gray JR.What is chronic constipation? Definition and diagnosis.Can J Gastroenterol. 2011 Oct;25 Suppl B(Suppl B):7B-10B.
MedlinePlus.Constipation - self-care.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition & facts for constipation.
Careyva B, Stello B.Diabetes mellitus: Management of gastrointestinal complications.Am Fam Physician.2016;94(12):980-986.
National Institute on Aging.Concerned about constipation?.
Forootan M, Bagheri N, Darvishi M.Chronic constipation: A review of literature. Medicine (Baltimore).2018 May;97(20):e10631. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000010631
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for constipation.
Nishimori E, Naka M.Effect of nonpharmacological management of chronic constipation in diabetic patients.Diabetes. 2021;70(Suppl 1):478. doi:10.2337/db21-478-P
Jani B, Marsicano E.Constipation: Evaluation and management.Mo Med.2018 May-Jun;115(3):236-240.
Shakil A, Church RJ, Rao SS.Gastrointestinal complications of diabetes.Am Fam Physician. 2008;77(12):1697-1702.
Pieber TR, Svehlikova E, Mursic I, et al.Blood glucose response after oral lactulose intake in type 2 diabetic individuals. World J Diabetes. 2021 Jun 15;12(6):893-907. doi:10.4239/wjd.v12.i6.893.
Piper MS, Saad RJ.Diabetes mellitus and the colon.Curr Treat Options Gastroenterol. 2017 Dec;15(4):460-474. doi: 10.1007/s11938-017-0151-1
Prasad VGM, Abraham P.Management of chronic constipation in patients with diabetes mellitus.Indian J Gastroenterol.2017;36(1):11–22. doi:10.1007/s12664-016-0724-2
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