Nocturnal diarrhoea is a common sign of diabetes, research has found. 

While the link between diarrhoea and diabetes isn’t entirely understood, it could be caused by nerve damage. 

Having uncontrolled blood glucose levels increases the risk of nocturnal diarrhoea.

The symptom could also be caused by inflammatory bowel disease or microscopic colitis.

“Idiopathic diarrhoea is a common complication of diabetes mellitus,” said researchers from the Baylor College of Medicine, Texas.

“It occurs frequently, but not exclusively, in patients with poorly controlled insulin-dependent diabetes.

“The diarrhoea is often intermittent; it may alternate with periods of normal bowel movements, or with constipation.

“It is typically painless, and occurs during the day as well as at night and may be associated with faecal incontinence.”

You should see a GP if you’re experiencing frequent diarrhoea.

They’ll analyse your overall health, and check your blood sugar levels. 

Diarrhoea can be treated by some medications, and by altering your eating habits.

High-fibre foods could help to reduce nocturnal diarrhoea.

Sudden night-time diarrhoea could also be caused by inflammatory bowel disease - where the patient has chronic inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract.

Other signs of the condition include finding blood or mucus in your bowel movements, weight loss, or anaemia.

Microscopic colitis could also be causing your nocturnal diarrhoea.

The condition causes your large intestine to become inflamed on a microscopic scale.