Diabetes is a common condition that affects approximately 37 million Americans. And over 50% of those men and women with diabetes have some kind of bladder dysfunction.
There’s no question there is a strong link between diabetes and urological health.
What Is Bladder Dysfunction?
Bladder dysfunction is a broad term that covers a spectrum of conditions relating to the lower urinary tract including:
Urinary urgency (or no urgency even if the bladder is overfilled)
Frequent urination
Hesitancy (difficulty starting a urine stream)
Nocturia (waking up more than once to urinate during the night)
Decreased bladder sensation
Increased bladder capacity
Impaired ability to empty bladder
How Does Diabetes Cause Incontinence?
In the case of incontinence, damage to the nerves that control the bladder can result in difficulty urinating or urinary incontinence. In some cases, the urethral sphincter may fail to contract because the bladder is chronically overfilled, thereby stretching and damaging the muscles of the bladder, which can lead to leakage (incontinence).
What Other Urinary Issues Can Diabetes Cause?
Urinary Retention
While incontinence is certainly one of the side effects that may affect patients with diabetes, the condition can also cause something called urinary retention.
In a patient without diabetes, when urinating, the external sphincter muscle relaxes, and when finished urinating, the muscle contracts again.
In the case of a diabetic patient, muscle control is damaged which means that even with an overfilled bladder, the sphincter may fail to relax (which causes urinary retention - which can increase the risk of infections).
Urinary Tract Infections
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, urinary tract infections are more common, more serious, and carry worse outcomes for those patients with diabetes.
You should keep an eye out and call your doctor if you are having symptoms like:
Frequent, strong urge to pee
A burning, painful sensation when urinating
Urine that has a strong smell, is cloudy, dark, or bloody
Pain in the back and/or lower abdomen
Fever or chills
A Vicious Cycle
It can feel like a vicious cycle for diabetics who may experience extreme thirst when excess glucose is in the blood, which in turn means they’re probably drinking more liquids, which can then result in a full (or overfilled) bladder.
That’s why it’s crucial for diabetics to see their doctor regularly and report any lower UT issues they may be having.
How Can I Prevent These Conditions From Developing?
One answer, while obvious, is to properly manage your diabetes. You can reduce your chances of developing lower urinary tract issues by doing things like:
Sticking to your target glucose numbers (high glucose numbers can increase the risk of UTIs)
Keeping an eye on blood pressure and cholesterol levels
Leading a physically active life
Keeping a healthy weight
Ditching the cigarettes if you are a smoker
Wiping front to back after going to the bathroom to reduce the likelihood of spreading harmful bacteria
Talk With Your Doctor
How diabetes affects urological health is specific to each patient, and a doctor can help you understand both your risk factors as well as the preventive measures that can reduce the likelihood of developing diabetes-related urological issues.
If you’re experiencing diabetes-related urological issues, the physicians and staff at Norman Urology are here to help. We specialize in treating disorders of the male and female urinary tract, including diabetes-related complications.
If you’re diabetic and are concerned about symptoms you may be experiencing, why not book an appointment with us today?