Relief of gastrointestinal symptoms by correcting insulin excess.
Persons with diabetes mellitus often have disordered gastrointestinal function, usually attributed to autonomic neuropathy. Hypoglycemia in persons taking insulin has been considered a possible result of anorexia and gastric atony, but not a potential cause of gastrointestinal symptoms. Three patients with diabetes developing before age 30 yr and of long duration had severe gastrointestinal complaints for 1-9 mo, with symptoms suggesting nocturnal hypoglycemia. All recovered rapidly with no specific treatment other than reduction of insulin doses. Studies identified no gastrointestinal pathology. These patients may represent a subgroup of persons with diabetic enteropathy, in whom recurrent hypoglycemia provokes a reversible derangement of gut function with accompanying symptoms.
D000328:Adult; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000139:chemically induced; D007328:Insulin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D007328:Insulin