Q I have had diabetes for a long time and recently my postprandial blood glucose has been unusually erratic. Is this related to gastroparesis?
A When gastroparesis is present, food empties from the stomach irregularly, causing the timing of absorption to be misaligned and resulting in erratic postprandial blood glucose. When gastric emptying stabilizes, blood glucose fluctuations tend to decrease together.
Detailed Answer
Diabetic neuropathy is one of the main causes of gastroparesis, and conversely gastroparesis makes blood glucose control difficult again. When food does not empty from the stomach consistently, the timing of absorption becomes misaligned with medication action, causing postprandial blood glucose to spike or drop suddenly and become erratic. The gastric problem and the blood glucose problem are essentially intertwined.
Oriental Medicine Clinic Perspective
Traditional Korean medicine treatment focuses on the gastric emptying rhythm underlying the blood glucose issue rather than blood glucose itself. If gastric motility is restored so that the stomach empties food evenly, absorption becomes consistent and this helps reduce blood glucose fluctuations. Treatment proceeds in step with blood glucose management at your internal medicine clinic.
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