Connection between Diabetes and Urinary Tract Infections: Insights and Beyond
Diabetes and the Increased Risk of Urinary Tract Infections
High blood sugar levels associated with diabetes create an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive in the bladder, increasing the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in older individuals.
The Link Between Diabetes and UTIs
Diabetes can impair the body's ability to use sugar for energy, leading to increased blood sugar levels. This sugar spilling into the urine (glycosuria) provides a fertile ground for bacteria to grow rapidly. Moreover, diabetes weakens the immune system, making it harder to fight infections and leading to delayed recognition and treatment of UTIs. In some cases, diabetes causes poor bladder emptying, which allows urine to accumulate and bacteria to proliferate further.
Risk Factors for UTIs in Diabetic Individuals
Other risk factors for UTIs in older individuals with diabetes include white blood cells in the urine, poor circulation, immune system function, and the increased ability of bacteria to bind to the urinary tract lining. Diabetic women also have a higher rate of asymptomatic bacteriuria (presence of bacteria in urine without symptoms), which increases the risk of symptomatic UTIs.
Symptoms of UTIs
The signs and symptoms of a lower urinary tract or bladder infection include needing to urinate frequently, a burning sensation or pain when urinating, passing frequent, small amounts of urine, cloudy or bloody urine, pelvic pain in females, and rectal pain in males. If a UTI spreads to the upper urinary tract and kidneys, it may cause lower back pain, fever or chills, nausea or vomiting.
Preventing UTIs in Diabetic Individuals
Optimizing diabetes management and adopting hydration and bladder habits that minimize bacterial growth are critical to preventing UTIs in people with diabetes. Maintaining good blood sugar control, staying well-hydrated, emptying the bladder completely and frequently, promptly recognizing and treating early UTI symptoms, practising good personal hygiene, and regular medical check-ups especially for those with recurrent UTIs or asymptomatic bacteriuria can help reduce the risk of UTIs.
Lifestyle Factors for UTI Prevention
Healthy lifestyle factors that can help prevent UTIs in people with diabetes include drinking plenty of water, maintaining a balanced diet, exercising, managing stress, getting enough sleep, not smoking, going to the toilet after sex, and maintaining good personal hygiene. High levels of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c, or A1C) also increase the risk of UTIs in older individuals with diabetes.
UTIs in Pregnancy
Pregnant people have an increased risk of developing UTIs, likely due to changes in the urinary tract. Pregnant people with either gestational diabetes or preexisting diabetes have an even higher risk of developing UTIs. In infants, fever is the most common sign of a UTI.
UTIs in Older Individuals
Older people are at a higher risk of developing UTIs due to age-related changes in the urinary tract and bladder, as well as potential complications from diabetes.
Conclusion
Managing diabetes effectively and adopting healthy lifestyle habits can help reduce the risk of UTIs in older individuals with diabetes. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of UTIs early and seeking prompt treatment are crucial for preventing complications and reducing the risk of mortality associated with UTIs in this population.
- Despite optimizing diabetes management, those with diabetes may still encounter urinary health issues such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), given the increased risk due to high blood sugar levels and weakened immune systems.
- Science indicates that people with diabetes are more susceptible to chronic diseases like UTIs because bacteria thrive in the sugar-rich environment of the bladder, which diabetic individuals often exhibit due to glycosuria.
- For individuals with type-2 diabetes, UTIs can be a medical-condition that recurs often, potentially leading to chronic diseases if not effectively treated and managed in conjunction with overall health-and-wellness practices.
- Pfizer, or other pharmaceutical companies, may play a role in the development of medications to treat or prevent UTIs in diabetic patients, given the growing link between diabetes and the increased risk of UTIs and other urinary system infections.
