Description
Diarrhoea in diabetes patients is a common problem. Apart from the usual inflammatory and infective causes of diarrhoea, these patients often have a specific diagnosis. Medications, dietetic agents, autonomic neuropathy, exocrine pancreatic deficiency and ano-rectal dysfunction are most commonly implicated. Autonomic neuropathy of the bowel can result in slow as well as rapid intestinal transit. Both the conditions are associated with diarrhoea. Systematic history should be taken and investigations performed before embarking on empirical therapy. Large scale studies are yet to be performed using specific drugs targeting an underlying diagnosis. Good glycaemic control is paramount. Use of octreotide, clonidine, cholestyramine, antibiotics, anti motility agents and bio feed-back techniques are discussed in the context of clinical situations.
