Current Status of Research on Mechanisms and Treatment of Constipation in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Both the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and the number of its complications have been rising over the past few years. Type 2 diabetes constipation (T2DC) is one of the most common gastrointestinal complications caused by diabetes mellitus, and the incidence is also increasing due to the high prevalence of T2DC. Morbidity is also increasing. This review outlines the pathogenesis of DM, which causes oxidative stress, alterations in the enteric nervous system and related structures, intestinal dysbiosis, rectal dysfunction, biochemical dysfunction, and constipation, to further characterize T2DC. At the same time, the disease is in urgent need of intervention to alleviate the pressure of constipation on the lives of patients. This overview also summarizes the understanding of T2DC by domestic and foreign medical practitioners and the therapeutic advances in the treatment of T2DC from the perspective of improving symptoms by controlling blood glucose, diet and exercise, and improving symptoms through laxatives and gastrointestinal motivation drugs in Western medicine.