6. Erratic Blood Sugar Levels: The Unseen Rollercoaster
Gastroparesis, you might think, is confined to the digestive system. Well, think again. This condition can play a devious game with your blood sugar levels, creating an internal rollercoaster that’s anything but thrilling. It’s like being in a car that has its accelerator and brake pedals switched at random. One minute you’re speeding, and the next, you’re skidding to a halt.
At the root of this is a unique paradox. You see, delayed gastric emptying complicates the body’s insulin response. Your food is lingering in your stomach, but your body doesn’t stop releasing insulin, thinking it needs to prepare for an influx of nutrients into the blood. So, while you’re not getting the necessary sugars for energy, your insulin levels are acting as though you are, creating a volatile situation.
This particular symptom is a traitor in disguise, one that goes unnoticed until it becomes severe. You might feel fatigued without understanding why or experience sudden mood swings that you can’t explain. Your body is in a state of constant fluctuation, caught between the need for energy and the inability to properly utilize it. (6)
