Does high blood sugar cause constipation?

High blood sugar may cause constipation.

Long-term poor blood sugar control can lead to autonomic neuropathy, which affects gastrointestinal motility. Normal gastrointestinal motility is essential for the advancement of food and defecation. When motility slows down, food stays in the intestine for a longer time, and water is excessively absorbed, which can easily lead to dry stools and constipation. In addition, elevated blood sugar can cause osmotic diuresis, causing the body to expel too much water, resulting in water shortage in the body. Intestinal moisture reduction will make stools become dry, increase defecation difficulties, causing constipation.