There is such a myriad of ways that diabetes can cause you harm. Most people don’t think about bladder and urine infection. Diabetes sufferers are more prone to these infections as well. So to the list of bacteria, fungal viral and other infections you can add bladder and urine infection. Diabetes patients, especially women, are two or three times as likely to develop bladder and urine infection. Diabetes also increase the risk of the infection spreading up in to the kidneys, and diabetics are much more likely to require hospitalization for urinary tract infections than non-diabetics. And while not reserved specifically for diabetics, bladder and urine infection diabetes patients are much more likely to suffer complications from these infections that become severe or life-threatening. Women are at a much higher risk of complications from urinary tract infections than are men, and should be screened for it more regularly if there is even a possibility that the infection exists.
Why is there a Connection between Urine Infection, Diabetes?
Diabetes weakens the immune system in general, especially if not kept under control. And while all the body’s systems are weakened by diabetes, the urinary tract seems to be affected more than the others. Diabetics usually have poor blood circulation, so the infection-fighting white blood cells have a harder time getting to where they are needed than in a normal circulatory system not weakened by diabetes. And when the white blood cells of a diabetic get to the area needed to fight infection, they are less effective at their job.
Diabetes also often causes the bladder to become dysfunctional as well, so that they don’t contract as they should. This tends to allow urine to accumulate in a static pool for periods of time, providing a rich environment for bacteria to multiple and thrive.
What Can Be Done To Reduce The Risk?
There are some that recommend screening for asymptomatic urine infection. Diabetes affected women are more prone to complications so the screenings would probably serve them best. An asymptomatic bladder infection is when bacteria is found in the bladder through performing a urine culture, even if no symptoms are present or infection is not suspected. This is a preventative measure that might pay off if done during a regular office visit. It won’t add much to your out of pocket expense and may catch an otherwise undetected urine infection. Diabetes patients need all the preventative help they can get.
