Diabetes And Your Bladder
Some diabetes complications are more dangerous, but few are more annoying than diabetic bladder. You can’t pee when you want to, or you go when you don’t want to, or both. What causes diabetes bladder symptoms, and what can we do to prevent and manage them? Bladder problems are among the most common and least talked about diabetes symptoms. Maybe they’re embarrassing to talk about, but they can make you miserable and cause worse problems, such as kidney infections. A study by Saeid Golbidi and Ismail Laher of the University of British Columbia found that 55% of people with diabetes have hyperactive “detrusor” muscles, the muscles that push urine out, while 23% have underactive detrusors that won’t empty the bladder completely. Either way, you are set up for incontinence and for urinary tract infection. Many of these problems come from nerve damage. You need a lot of healthy nerves for normal bladder function. Nerves to sense fullness, nerves to tell muscles to start pushing, nerves to close sphincters and to open sphincters. All these nerves need to be working and working together. This is difficult, which is one of the reasons toilet training is such a big project for kids. Writing in Diabetes Self-Management, urologist Bradley W. Anderson, MD, said, “Common [symptoms of diabetic bladder] include frequent urination, incontinence, difficulty starting a urinary stream, urinary tract infections, and sensations of needing to urinate urgently. The underlying problem is that neuropathy (nerve damage) causes the bladder to lose the ability to sense when it is full, just as neuropathy in the feet can interfere with a person’s ability to sense pressure or pain.” At first, that feels good. You don’t have to go to the bathroom as much. A healthy bladder usuall Continue reading >>
Symptoms Of Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes can cause serious health complications. That's why it is very important to know how to spot type 2 diabetes symptoms. Even prediabetes can increase the chance of heart disease, just like type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Talk to your doctor about preventive measures you can take now to reduce the chance of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease. The symptoms of type 2 diabetes due to high blood sugar may include: Increased thirst Increased hunger (especially after eating) Unexplained weight loss (even though you are eating and feel hungry) Fatigue (weak, tired feeling) Loss of consciousness (rare) Contact your health care provider if you have any type 2 diabetes symptoms or if you have further questions about type 2 diabetes. It's important to get diabetes testing and start a treatment plan early to prevent serious diabetes complications. Type 2 diabetes is usually not diagnosed until health complications have occurred. Most often, there are no diabetes symptoms or a very gradual development of the above symptoms of type 2 diabetes. In fact, about one out of every four people with type 2 diabetes don't know they have it. Other symptoms of type 2 diabetes may include: Slow-healing sores or cuts Itching of the skin (usually around the vaginal or groin area) Recent weight gain or unexplained weight loss Velvety dark skin changes of the neck, armpit, and groin, called acanthosis nigricans Numbness and tingling of the hands and feet Erectile dysfunction (impotency) Continue reading >>
Polyuria - Frequent Urination
Tweet Polyuria is a condition where the body urinates more than usual and passes excessive or abnormally large amounts of urine each time you urinate. Polyuria is defined as the frequent passage of large volumes of urine - more than 3 litres a day compared to the normal daily urine output in adults of about one to two litres. It is one of the main symptoms of diabetes (both type 1 and type 2 diabetes) and can lead to severe dehydration, which if left untreated can affect kidney function. Causes of polyuria Polyuria is usually the result of drinking excessive amounts of fluids (polydipsia), particularly water and fluids that contain caffeine or alcohol. It is also one of the major signs of diabetes mellitus. When the kidneys filter blood to make urine, they reabsorb all of the sugar, returning it to the bloodstream. In diabetes, the level of sugar in the blood is abnormally high. Not all of the sugar can be reabsorbed and some of this excess glucose from the blood ends up in the urine where it draws more water. This results in unusually large volumes of urine. Other causes of polyuria include: Diabetes inspidus - a condition unrelated to diabetes mellitus that affects the kidneys and the hormones that interact with them, resulting in large quantities of urine being produced. Kidney disease Liver failure Medications that include diuretics (substances that increase the excretion of water from the body/urine) Chronic diarrhoea Cushing’s syndrome Psychogenic polydipsia - excessive water drinking most often seen in anxious, middle-aged women and in patients with psychiatric illnesses Hypercalcemia - elevated levels of calcium in the blood Pregnancy Polyuria as a symptom of diabetes As well as being one of the symptoms of undiagnosed diabetes, polyuria can also occur in peop Continue reading >>
Diabetes Symptoms: When Diabetes Symptoms Are A Concern
Diabetes symptoms are often subtle. Here's what to look for — and when to consult your doctor. Early symptoms of diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes, can be subtle or seemingly harmless — that is, if you even have symptoms at all. Over time, however, you may develop diabetes complications, even if you haven't had diabetes symptoms. In the United States alone, more than 8 million people have undiagnosed diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. But you don't need to become a statistic. Understanding possible diabetes symptoms can lead to early diagnosis and treatment — and a lifetime of better health. If you're experiencing any of the following diabetes signs and symptoms, see your doctor. Excessive thirst and increased urination Excessive thirst (also called polydipsia) and increased urination (also known as polyuria) are classic diabetes symptoms. When you have diabetes, excess sugar (glucose) builds up in your blood. Your kidneys are forced to work overtime to filter and absorb the excess sugar. If your kidneys can't keep up, the excess sugar is excreted into your urine, dragging along fluids from your tissues. This triggers more frequent urination, which may leave you dehydrated. As you drink more fluids to quench your thirst, you'll urinate even more. Fatigue You may feel fatigued. Many factors can contribute to this. They include dehydration from increased urination and your body's inability to function properly, since it's less able to use sugar for energy needs. Weight loss Weight fluctuations also fall under the umbrella of possible diabetes signs and symptoms. When you lose sugar through frequent urination, you also lose calories. At the same time, diabetes may keep the sugar from your food from reaching your cells — leading to constant Continue reading >>
My Sugars Are Normal… What’s Causing My Frequent Urination?
Q: I thought that people with diabetes experience frequent urination only when their BGs are high. Is this incorrect? Could frequent urination even when a person has consistently normal BGs be an indication of another medical problem? Mary Udell Cleveland A: Generally, the frequent urination caused by diabetes is related to high blood sugars (over 250 mg/dl for several hours or more), due to myriad causes, including overeating, inadequate insulin or medication doses and stress. In this case, there is passage of large volumes of urine. When blood sugars are normal, if there is frequent urination, it could come from other causes, which may or may not be related to diabetes. Impaired bladder emptying related to neuropathy, prostate enlargement or an overactive bladder are the three most common causes. Medications, particularly diuretics, can also be the cause. Then, there are some other underlying medical disorders that could be factors. If your blood sugars are in the normal range of 70 to 140 mg/dl and you are experiencing frequent urination, it is important to seek professional advice on finding other causes. Peter Lodewick, MD Diabetes Care Center Birmingham, Alabama I think that it’s safe to say that none of us were happy when we first found out that we had diabetes. The words “you’re a diabetic” or “you have diabetes” can sound like a death sentence and while we … Dear Nadia, Is marijuana used to lower high blood sugar? if so, does this mean I have to refrain from the munchies to get the benefits? Leah Dear Leah: The new Marijuana industry is still at its infancy in terms … Continue reading >>
Why Does Diabetes Make You Urinate So Much?
More than 29 million Americans have diabetes, but more than a quarter of them don’t know it. Frequent urination may be one of the first signs that you have high blood sugar, a hallmark sign of diabetes. When you have diabetes, your body is unable to regulate blood sugar levels. Excess sugar causes more fluids to pass through the kidneys and increases urinary frequency, known as polyuria. “There are other reasons that people with type 2 diabetes can have increased urinary frequency and incontinence,” says Noah Bloomgarden, MD, assistant professor of medicine-endocrinology at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and clinical endocrinologist in the division of endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism at the Montefiore Health System in the Bronx, New York. “But the most common cause is hyperglycemia [high blood sugar], or uncontrolled diabetes.” Polyuria is not as serious as many other complications commonly associated with diabetes, such as blindness, heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, amputation, and premature death. But it can be a sign that your blood sugar is elevated, so it’s something you should address with your doctor. Frequent urination is not the only bladder problem that occurs in people with diabetes. They may experience a frequent urge to urinate (even if only a small amount of urine comes out), a loss of bladder control that results in leaking urine, and urinary tract or fungal infections. Such infections can also lead to an increase in urinary frequency and incontinence, especially in the elderly. “It really depends on the point a person is at in developing diabetes, and what level of [blood sugar] control they have,” says Dr. Bloomgarden. If diabetes goes untreated or if it has been poorly controlled for a long time, you can develop se Continue reading >>
Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms
The symptoms of type 2 diabetes (also called type 2 diabetes mellitus) develop gradually—so gradually, in fact, that it’s possible to miss them or to not connect them as related symptoms. Some people are actually surprised when they are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes because they’ve gone to the doctor for something else (eg, fatigue or increased urination). The symptoms develop gradually because, if you have the insulin resistant form of type 2, it takes time for the effects of insulin resistance to show up. Your body doesn’t become insulin resistant (unable to use insulin properly) overnight, as you can learn about in the article on causes of type 2 diabetes. If you’re not insulin resistant—and instead your body doesn’t produce enough insulin to process glucose well—the symptoms also develop gradually. Your body will be able to “make do” with lower insulin levels for awhile, but eventually, you will start to notice the following symptoms. Here are some of the common symptoms of type 2 diabetes: Fatigue: Your body isn’t getting the energy it needs from the food you’re eating, so you may feel very tired. Extreme thirst: No matter how much you drink, it feels like you’re still dehydrated. Your tissues (such as your muscles) are, in fact, dehydrated when there’s too much glucose (sugar) in your blood. Your body pulls fluid from the tissues to try to dilute the blood and counteract the high glucose, so your tissues will be dehydrated and send the message that you need to drink more. This is also associated with increased urination. Frequent urination: This is related to drinking so much more in an attempt to satisfy your thirst. Since you’re drinking more, you’ll have to urinate more. Additionally, the body will try to get rid of the excess g Continue reading >>
Why Does Diabetes Cause Excessive Urination And Thirst? A Lesson On Osmosis
A TABA Seminar on Diabetes I have the pleasure of being an executive member of the Toronto Applied Biostatistics Association (TABA), a volunteer-run professional organization here in Toronto that organizes seminars on biostatistics. During this past Tuesday, Dr. Loren Grossman from the LMC Diabetes and Endocrinology Centre generously donated his time to deliver an introductory seminar on diabetes for biostatisticians. The Institute for Clinical and Evaluative Sciences (ICES) at Sunnybrook Hospital kindly hosted us and provided the venue for the seminar. As a chemist and a former pre-medical student who studied physiology, I really enjoyed this intellectual treat, especially since Loren was clear, informative, and very knowledgeable about the subject. Diabetes Diabetes is a group of metabolic diseases that are characterized by a high concentration of glucose in the bloodstream. Glucose is a common monomer of carbohydrates that exists in many foods, including bread, pasta, rice, fruits, vegetables, and refined sugar. It provides the fuel for the cells of our bodies to function. Chemical Structures of Open-Chain and Cyclic Glucose For a variety of reasons that distinguish the different types of diabetes, diabetics cannot absorb glucose normally, leaving an excess of glucose in the bloodstream. Diabetes leads to many health problems, like kidney failure, blindness, heart attacks and strokes. The Growing Prevalence of Diabetes It was interesting but sad for me to learn about the increased prevalence of diabetes in North America and around the world. Loren commented that diabetes was a specialized niche area in endocrinology when he began his research in this field over 25 years ago, but it is now a major area of study in medical research because of its epidemic proportions. Continue reading >>
Why Does Diabetes Cause Frequent Urination?
Diabetes mellitus (MEL-ih-tus), often referred to as diabetes, is characterized by high blood glucose (sugar) levels that result from the body’s inability to produce enough insulin and/or effectively utilize the insulin. Diabetes is a serious, life-long condition and the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Diabetes is a disorder of metabolism (the body's way of digesting food and converting it into energy). There are three forms of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that accounts for five- to 10-percent of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes may account for 90- to 95-percent of all diagnosed cases. The third type of diabetes occurs in pregnancy and is referred to as gestational diabetes. Left untreated, gestational diabetes can cause health issues for pregnant women and their babies. People with diabetes can take preventive steps to control this disease and decrease the risk of further complications. Continue reading >>
Excessive Thirst, Frequent Urination And Increased Urine Production
SHARE RATE★★★★★ Excessive thirst (polydipsia), frequent urination (more than eight times per day), and increased urine production (polyuria) (generally considered urine output of over 3 liters [about 100 ounces or 12.5 cups] per day) are classic symptoms of diabetes mellitus, resulting from the effects of high blood glucose. They are also symptoms of a dangerous complication of diabetes called diabetic ketoacidosis. To understand the cause of these symptoms, it’s necessary to understand a little about the role and function of the kidneys. The role of the kidneys is to filter waste out of the blood and maintaining a balance of chemical elements in the blood. The waste products that the kidney removes from the blood are sent to the bladder, which produces urine, which in turn is passed out of the body.1,2 Learn more about diabetic ketoacidosis. Uncontrolled diabetes with high levels of blood glucose can place a great deal of stress on kidney function and over time and can ultimately cause kidney disease (also called nephropathy). Excessive thirst, frequent urination, and increased urine production are signs that the kidney is working overtime to filter high levels of glucose out of the blood. To accomplish this, the kidneys produce a high volume of urine, which results in an increase in the frequency of urination and the need to urinate at night (this is called nocturne).1 Because of extra urine production, the body becomes easily dehydrated, resulting in excessive thirst. Often, an individual who experiences excessive thirst will consume carbonated drinks containing sugar to satisfy this thirst, a choice that results in a worsening of symptoms. Despite the efforts of the kidney to meet extra demands of filtering glucose out of the blood, over time high blood Continue reading >>
Excessive Urination Volume (polyuria)
Excessive urination volume (or polyuria) occurs when you urinate more than normal. Urine volume is considered excessive if it equals more than 2.5 liters per day. A “normal” urine volume depends on your age and gender. However, less than 2 liters per day is usually considered normal. Excreting excessive volumes of urine is a common condition but should not last more than several days. Many people notice the symptom at night. In this case, it is called nocturnal polyuria (or nocturia). Excessive urine output can sometimes signal health problems, including: bladder infection (common in children and women) urinary incontinence interstitial nephritis kidney failure psychogenic polydipsia, a mental disorder causing excessive thirst enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (most common in men over 50 years old) certain kinds of cancer You may also notice polyuria after a CT scan or any other hospital test in which a dye is injected into your body. Excessive urine volume is common the day after the test. Call your doctor if the problem continues. Excessive urine volume often occurs due to lifestyle behaviors. This can include drinking large amounts of liquid, which is known as polydipsia and isn’t a serious health concern. Drinking alcohol and caffeine can also lead to polyuria. Certain medications, such as diuretics, increase urine volume. Talk to your doctor if you recently started a new medication (or just changed your dosage) and notice changes in your urine volume. Both alcohol and caffeine are diuretics, and some medications for high blood pressure and edema also act as diuretics, including: You may experience polyuria as a side effect of these medications. Seek treatment for polyuria if you think a health issue is the cause. Certain symptoms s Continue reading >>
How Can Diabetes Cause Frequent Urination?
How can diabetes cause frequent urination? Frequent urination with an abnormally large amount of urine is often an early symptom of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. This happens because the body tries to rid itself of unused glucose through the urine. International Painful Bladder Foundation: "The Urinary Tract and How It Works." MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: "Frequent or Urgent Urination." American Diabetes Association: "Dropping Insulin to Drop Pounds." March of Dimes: "Changes During Pregnancy" National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: "Prostate Enlargement: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia." National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: "Interstitial Cystitis/ Painful Bladder Syndrome." University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority: "After a Stroke, Managing Your Bladder." MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: "Frequent or Urgent Urination." MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: "Urinalysis." WebMD Information and Resources: "Cystoscopy." National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: "Neurological Diagnostic Tests and Procedures." The American Heritage Medical Dictionary, Houghton Mifflin Company, 2007. National Center of Biotechnology Information: "Comparing Drugs for Overactive Bladder Syndrome." National Association for Continence: "Overactive Bladder Syndrome." Continue reading >>
Sex, Urinary, And Bladder Problems Of Diabetes
What sexual problems can occur in men with diabetes? Erectile Dysfunction Erectile dysfunction is a consistent inability to have an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. The condition includes the total inability to have an erection and the inability to sustain an erection. Estimates of the prevalence of erectile dysfunction in men with diabetes vary widely, ranging from 20 to 75 percent. Men who have diabetes are two to three times more likely to have erectile dysfunction than men who do not have diabetes. Among men with erectile dysfunction, those with diabetes may experience the problem as much as 10 to 15 years earlier than men without diabetes. Research suggests that erectile dysfunction may be an early marker of diabetes, particularly in men ages 45 and younger. In addition to diabetes, other major causes of erectile dysfunction include high blood pressure, kidney disease, alcohol abuse, and blood vessel disease. Erectile dysfunction may also occur because of the side effects of medications, psychological factors, smoking, and hormonal deficiencies. Men who experience erectile dysfunction should consider talking with a health care provider. The health care provider may ask about the patient's medical history, the type and frequency of sexual problems, medications, smoking and drinking habits, and other health conditions. A physical exam and laboratory tests may help pinpoint causes of sexual problems. The health care provider will check blood glucose control and hormone levels and may ask the patient to do a test at home that checks for erections that occur during sleep. The health care provider may also ask whether the patient is depressed or has recently experienced upsetting changes in his life. Treatments for erectile dysfunction caused by nerve damage, Continue reading >>
Resolving Diabetes-related Bladder Problems
Diabetes can cause a host of medical complications, some well-known and others less so. Bladder and voiding (bladder emptying) problems are quite common in people with diabetes, both in those who have had trouble maintaining good blood glucose control and in those who have been able to keep a tight rein on their levels. The bad news is that bladder problems, like so many complications of diabetes, are at first “silent” ones — they can go unsuspected for months or even years before suddenly manifesting themselves. The good news is that by looking out for certain warning signs, you can catch bladder problems early and treat them before permanent injury is done. Why bladder problems? The reason people with diabetes develop bladder problems is complex and involves the bladder muscles and the nerves that control them. The picture is further complicated by the fact that people with diabetes can develop all of the same bladder and voiding problems as people who don’t have diabetes. For instance, women with diabetes can develop the same overactive bladder problems (including feeling sudden urges to void and needing to void more frequently) that women without diabetes often have. Likewise, men with and without diabetes tend to develop enlarged prostates as they get older, causing both obstruction of the flow of urine and irritability of the bladder (a condition that has symptoms similar to overactive bladder, but different treatments). A stroke or a herniated disk compressing a spinal nerve, among other non-diabetes-related conditions, can also cause bladder problems. Sometimes a person with diabetes may have bladder and voiding problems with multiple causes, only one of which is diabetes. Seeing a physician who is familiar with the many possible causes of bladder dysfun Continue reading >>
Diabetes Symptoms: Early Signs, Advanced Symptoms, And More
Diabetes symptoms may occur when blood sugar levels in the body become abnormally elevated. The most common symptoms of diabetes include: increased thirst increased hunger excessive fatigue increased urination, especially at night blurry vision Symptoms can vary from one person to the next. They also depend on which type of diabetes you have. Symptoms of type 1 diabetes tend to begin abruptly and dramatically. Type 1 diabetes is most often seen in children, adolescents, and young adults. However, type 1 diabetes can develop at any age. In addition to the symptoms listed above, people with type 1 diabetes may notice a quick and sudden weight loss. Type 2 diabetes is the most common type. Although it primarily develops in adults, it’s beginning to be seen more frequently in younger people. Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include being overweight, being sedentary, and having a family history of type 2 diabetes. Many people with type 2 diabetes don’t experience any symptoms. Sometimes, these symptoms are slow to develop. Oftentimes, your symptoms may seem harmless. The most common symptoms of diabetes, such as persistent thirst and fatigue, are often vague. When experienced on their own, symptoms such as these may not be anything to worry about. If you’re experiencing one or more of these symptoms, you should speak with your doctor about being screened for diabetes. Frequent thirst You’ve had glass after glass of water, but you still feel like you need more. This is because your muscles and other tissues are dehydrated. When your blood sugar levels rise, your body tries to pull fluid from other tissues to dilute the sugar in your bloodstream. This process can cause your body to dehydrate, prompting you to drink more water. Frequent urination Drinking excessive amou Continue reading >>
