Frequent infections

Frequent Infections Can Be Very Serious For Diabetics

Most diabetics know that they have to be extra careful about monitoring their blood sugar levels, but many are not aware of the potential for danger regarding even the most minor infections. Diabetes is a condition that affects the body’s absorption of glucose, which is a naturally occurring sugar in many types of food. In a healthy body, this sugar is converted into one of the mainstays of the metabolic cycle; providing essential energy for all tissues. Without the production of insulin the human body begins to deteriorate and feel the effects of excess glucose throughout the blood stream. This can cause the immune system of the patient to become weakened causing an even wider range of problems.

Because of its effect on the immune system, diabetes can become a problem in many different ways. The weakened immune fighting response of diabetics lends to more frequent and more serious bacterial and yeast infections. Women, in particular, can be extremely afflicted by vaginal and bladder infections. Both of these types of infections are directly affected by the amount of sugar in a diabetics tissues and blood. When the body is unable to break apart glucose and transform it into energy, the tissues become saturated with sugar. Bacteria and yeast both feed on sugar, so it is incredibly difficult to contain an infection once it has gotten a toe hold in a diabetics organs and tissues.

In addition to the presence of sugar in the body, a diabetic often experiences other types of problems that lead to more frequent infections. There is normally a reduced blood flow to the limbs and extremities in diabetics. This blood flow reduction is due to the build up of sugar along the lining of arteries and veins within the body, which essentially work the same as cholesterol plaque build up; narrowing and restricting the flow of blood and nutrients. Because the blood is unable to flow to an infection site correctly, the body is unable to release the vital white blood cells that are so drastically needed to combat an invading bacteria.

In order to prevent frequent and uncontrolled infections, diabetics must be careful to avoid everyday bumps and bruises. It is imperative that people who suffer from diabetes wear shoes and socks. The feet of diabetics are the most vulnerable to infections as this extremity is the farthest from the heart and the above blood restriction is a real problem. By wearing shoes and socks, they can prevent scrapes, blisters and other skin breaks that can allow bacteria and other germs to enter into their sugar enriched tissues.

Regardless if you have been diagnosed with diabetes or possibly suspect that you may have this disorder, any case of unhealing or prolonged infection should be brought to the attention of your medical provider. Diabetes is a serious condition, but with prompt and careful treatment it is possible to keep the side effects to a minimum.