Nausea and Vomiting

There are several complications of diabetes that could explain your nausea or vomiting. Please discuss your diabetes with your doctor so that these possibilities can be considered.

Hypoglycemic Spells

Nausea or vomiting can occur as a symptom of a low blood sugar. Other common symptoms include sudden tremulousness, sweating, anxiety, headache, a racing heart rate, or confusion. Low blood sugar episodes are dangerous. If you are having recurring hypoglycemia episodes, you should discuss your diabetes treatment with your doctor right away.

Gastroparesis (Delayed Stomach Emptying)

When the stomach is abnormally slow to empty this can cause nausea, vomiting of undigested food, bloating, and a feeling of fullness after only a partial meal. Slow emptying of the stomach is known as gastroparesis. Gastroparesis is common in people who are vulnerable to nerve injury, including people with diabetes.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis

A complication that occurs most commonly in people with type 1 diabetes is ketoacidosis. This is an emergency that results when the body has too little insulin, or when insulin is made much less effective due to a severe illness or infection. The liver manufactures ketones when insulin is inadequate or ineffective, and ketones result in nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Ketoacidosis is life-threatening because it is associated with profound dehydration.

Click for more information on diabetic neuropathies (including gastroparesis).