Doctor Wu’s most frequently asked question during outpatient consultations:

“Doctor, my recent urinary frequency has become more severe. Why are you asking me about my diabetes control? What’s the connection between these two conditions?

Complications of Diabetes

In Taiwan, there are over two million people suffering from diabetes, a well-known chronic disease.

Common complications of diabetes include retinopathy, neuropathy, and nephropathy. These complications are often heard of by the public.

However, diabetes can also lead to complications related to the urinary tract, with a prevalence even higher than the aforementioned commonly heard complications. Over half of diabetic patients have varying degrees of urinary tract complications.

The longer the duration of diabetes or the poorer the blood sugar control, the more severe the urinary tract-related symptoms.

What Urinary Problems Can Diabetes Cause?

• Diabetes may indirectly contribute to prostate enlargement, hindering urination.
• Insulin resistance may cause smooth muscle contraction in the prostate, hindering urination.
• High blood sugar itself may cause smooth muscle contraction in the prostate, hindering urination.
• Diabetes damages bladder mucosa and nerves, resulting in poor bladder muscle control, leading to urinary frequency, urgency, and nocturia.
• These conditions may be accompanied by increased residual urine and urinary tract infections.

Treatment Options:

• The most important treatment: diligently control diabetes, including weight loss, exercise, dietary adjustments, and blood sugar control. Seek professional help from endocrinologists.
• For bladder sensitivity symptoms: bladder training, Kegel exercises, reducing irritating foods, and medication.
• Medication use to improve urination
• Intermittent catheterization or indwelling catheterization if necessary.

Conclusion: Diligent diabetes control can prevent the occurrence of urinary tract complications and alleviate the troubling symptoms of urinary tract disorders. Diabetic patients now have more motivation to control their blood sugar!

Further Reading: Refractory overactive bladder, really refractory?