If you have diabetes, you may be familiar with the embarrassment of urine leakage. There may be a connection between diabetes and urinary incontinence that you may not know about. In this article, we will talk about the effects of diabetes on urinary incontinence.
What Is Diabetes?
It is a chronic health condition that affects your body’s energy conversion process. The food we eat is converted into glucose, and the pancreas uses that energy to release insulin. That helps our bodies use the energy to perform daily activities.
People with diabetes have difficulty producing insulin naturally, which can result in elevated blood sugar levels. The lack of insulin can lead to severe symptoms such as fatigue, infections, and blurred vision.
Doctors usually recommend that patients watch their blood sugar levels and be notified of emergencies. There can be severe complications if patients do not take diabetes as seriously as they should.
Symptoms Of Diabetes Mellitus May Include
Here is a list of all the symptoms patients with diabetes can expect:
- Blurring vision
- Extreme thirst and hunger
- Fatigue
- Frequent infections (such as yeast infections)
- Increased frequency of urination
- Wounds that heal too slowly
Can Diabetes Cause Urinary Incontinence?
Various research shows the connection between urinary incontinence and diabetes. According to popular research, women with diabetes are more likely to develop urinary incontinence because diabetes can affect our nerve health. This can lead to neuropathy in the nerves surrounding the bladder and the urinary system.
The neurogenic bladder can be very problematic for diabetic people and results in the loss of bladder control.
Symptoms
- Frequent urination – overactive bladder
- Leaking of the underactive bladder
- Unannounced trips to the bathroom
- Urinary incontinence
- Urinary retention
If you do not treat diabetes on time, these complications may increase and result in more dangerous conditions.
Four Reasons Behind The Connection Between Diabetes And Incontinence
Other reasons may result in a connection between diabetes and incontinence. Let’s look at them:
- Obesity – Related To Diabetes
If you suffer from obesity, a consequence of diabetes, then there is a high chance of you having incontinence. When your BMI is high, extra weight collects in your lower abdomen. The increased BMI adds pressure on your bladder and all the surrounding nerves, known as stress incontinence, and can result in bladder leakage.
- Increase In UTI
Diabetes can affect the immune system and lower it. This way, people with diabetes are more prone to developing infections such as urinary tract infections and yeast infections.
There are many similarities in the symptoms of urinary tract infections and urinary incontinence. Patients suffering from UTIs often need to urinate urgently or more than others. If you have repeated urinary tract infections, that can affect your bladder significantly, showing a connection between diabetes and incontinence.
- Neurogenic Bladder And Incontinence
Nerve damage around the bladder can be dangerous, and it can also affect the cauda equina nerves that supply muscle sensation to your bladder, bowels, and legs. The continuous damage to cauda equina nerves can result in loss of bladder control and also affect bowel movements resulting in fecal incontinence.
- Diabetes Medications
There are diabetes medications that can also affect the bladder and cause incontinence. The medications such as Metformin can have side effects on your bladder and bowel. If you are experiencing any side effects, it is best to talk to your doctor directly, and they will help you sort this issue.
How To Manage Diabetes And Incontinence?
If you are experiencing any form of incontinence, you must start managing it, so it does not have lasting impacts on your life. With your doctor’s help, you can develop the best management plan for your specific case.
They may ask you to do pelvic exercises or set a schedule to retain your bladder. They may also ask you to monitor your fluid intake and keep tabs on medications. In other cases, doctors recommend incontinence products to help you. Just make sure you buy these products from the best company.
How Active Life Medical Products Can Help With Catheter Supplies
You need a trusted catheter supplier when you require catheter supplies. Active Life Medical Products makes ordering the entire catheter supply process easy. Our Product Specialists can help you get your prescribed catheter covered through most insurances. Everything will be delivered directly to your front door.
Call Active Life Medical Products at (800) 319-2336 to place your order.
