
When You Have Diabetes and Urinary Problems
Diabetes and urination problems often go hand in hand — which can be stressful. Dealing with these issues can affect your daily living and quality of life. According to the National Institutes of Health, more than half of people with diabetes have bladder dysfunction.
Difficulties with urination can happen as you get older, but when you have diabetes, bladder problems, and urinary tract infections can start earlier in life and occur more often.
This is because diabetes can cause damage to the nerves that are responsible for urinary system health and function.
In general, women are more likely to experience leakage or urinary incontinence than men because of different anatomical structures and bodily changes from pregnancy and delivery. Men may experience dribbling, weak stream, intermittent flow and urethral obstruction.
Causes of Urinary Problems in Diabetes
Bladder problems can be caused by diabetes nerve damage, nerve damage from other causes, injuries, infections and other diseases. High blood sugar levels can cause frequent urination.
The risk is increased with poor diabetes management, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, excess weight, advanced age, smoking and a sedentary lifestyle. Insulin use increases the risk for urinary incontinence.
Common Urinary Problems with Diabetes
Overactive bladder: Bladder spasms or contractions cause an urgent strong need to urinate more than eight times a day or more than two times at night.
Urine leakage or urinary incontinence can be a problem. Treatment options for overactive bladder include medication, bladder training method
Continue
reading