Diabetic neuropathy is a potential complication of diabetes.
It is more common with individuals who have had diabetes for a number of years. Over time, elevated blood glucose levels can damage nerves throughout your body. This is called neuropathy. There are several types of neuropathy. The neuropathy most commonly discussed is peripheral neuropathy, which causes pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness in your hands and feet.
Autonomic neuropathy affects the nerves that control the bladder, intestinal tract, and other organs. When elevated blood glucose levels affect the nerves that control digestion it makes controlling blood glucose difficult and causes uncomfortable gastrointestinal symptoms.
This form of autonomic neuropathy is known as gastroparesis. The vagus nerve controls the movement of food through the digestive tract. When the nerves controlling the muscles of the stomach are damaged the movement of food slows down or can even stop.