Gastrointestinal Neuropathies
Gastrointestinal neuropathies (e.g.,
esophageal enteropathy, gastroparesis,
constipation, diarrhea, fecal incontinence)
may involve any section of the
gastrointestinal tract. Gastroparesis
should be suspected in individuals with
erratic glucose control or with upper gastrointestinal
symptoms without another
identified cause. Evaluation of solidphase
gastric emptying using doubleisotope
scintigraphy may be done if
symptoms are suggestive, but test results
often correlate poorly with symptoms.
Constipation is the most common
lower-gastrointestinal symptom but can
alternate with episodes of diarrhea.