Nausea and diabetes: what should you know?

Nausea may occur when blood glucose is too low or too high, particularly during an infection or when food intake changes. Some diabetes medicines can upset the stomach, especially after a dose change. Repeated nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, deep or rapid breathing, marked thirst, confusion, or unusual sleepiness can signal a serious glucose problem and needs urgent assessment. A separate digestive illness, such as food poisoning or gastroenteritis, is also possible. Low glucose is discussed in Hypoglycaemia.

Check your glucose as advised in your diabetes plan and record the result, symptoms, recent meals, and medicines. Take small sips of fluid if you can keep them down. Follow your sick-day instructions; do not change insulin or stop prescribed treatment without clinical advice. If vomiting prevents fluids or medicines staying down, contact your diabetes team promptly.

Seek emergency help for confusion, fainting, severe weakness, difficulty breathing, severe abdominal pain, or repeated vomiting. Get same-day medical advice if glucose remains outside your advised range, you cannot drink, or nausea is worsening. Dehydration can develop quickly when vomiting or diarrhoea accompanies diabetes.

Ask whether your medicines can cause nausea, which glucose readings require action, and what your personal sick-day plan should be. Mention any recent dose change, reduced eating, infection symptoms, or episodes of low glucose.