Understanding the common infections that afflict individuals with diabetes is crucial for effective management and prevention.
Another episode of health talk with Dr Dr Shawn XIAO, China Medical Team in NRH of Solomon Islands
People with diabetes are more prone to infections and diabetes and infections are a vicious circle. For this problem, I will continue to share the common infections in diabetes patients and tips on how to prevent them with you.
1. Skin infections
Skin is the first shield of our body to defeat the invasion of outside microbes, which is a site that is easy to be infected. Generally, patients develop skin conditions that almost anyone can have, though diabetic patients develop them a lot more easily. Skin conditions can be led by yeast, bacteria, and virus in diabetic patients. Furthermore, patients can also develop other types of infections such as folliculitis, cellulitis, boils and carbuncles.
2. Respiratory infections
Respiratory infections are the most common infections in diabetic patients. Common infections include bronchitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis etc. Elderly patients with a long history of smoking and lung function failure might be shocked by these infections. If they are not getting treated timely or properly, complications will follow and threaten their lives. In addition, the incidence rate of TB in diabetic patients is obviously higher than that of patients with other conditions.
3. Oral infections
Studies have shown that diabetics are prone to getting infections that affect their oral health. For patients with diabetes, glucose concentration in saliva is getting high with the decrease in saliva pH and volume, weakening the self-cleaning of the oral cavity and breeding of various pathogenic microbes. Therefore, diabetic patients are also prone to oral infections.
One particular fungal mouth infection that diabetics are vulnerable to is known as thrush, which is caused by a type of yeast accumulating in the lining of your mouth. Oral thrush is known to cause creamy white lesions that affect your tongue and inner cheeks. Patients who are taking antibiotics with high blood glucose levels often experience oral thrush.
4. Urinary tract infections
Diabetes has a high risk of developing urinary tract infections, especially in female patients. They have high levels of sugar in their urine as the body tries to excrete the excess sugar from the blood, and this can allow bacteria and fungi to grow and thrive, leading to urinary tract infections. Urinary tract infections can occur anywhere along the urinary tract, which includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra.
Most diabetic patients with urinary tract infections will have symptoms of frequency, urgency, and pain of urination. Even more, symptoms such as fever and back pain may occur. In severe cases, patients may develop acute pyelonephritis, renal abscess and sepsis. If effective treatment is not taken in time, infectious shock may occur and become life-threatening.
5. Reproductive system infections
Many diabetics often have recurrent genital infections. Female diabetics are more likely to suffer vaginal infections such as vaginitis with symptoms of vaginal itching or irritation and increases in the amount of discharge. While male patients are prone to urethritis, glansitis and acroposthitis. The main symptoms are redness, swelling, pain and pus flowing from the urethra, or redness and itching of the head of the genital.
This can be explained by the increased presence of sugar in the body as sugar is a source of food for bacteria and fungi and something that allows them to thrive.
6. Foot infections
Foot infections are also incredibly common in diabetics. This is because high blood glucose levels can damage nerves and blood vessels, which removes sensation from your feet and actually prevents you from realizing that you may be dealing with the early stage of infection. Diabetics also have a harder time fighting infections that have already developed. In previous columns, we have featured it and you can review it for more details.
How can people with diabetes prevent infection?
1. Make sure your blood sugar levels are well controlled and follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations for routine blood glucose testing; Take medicines exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
2. Have a healthy diet with minimal intake of high-calorie, high-fat and high-salt foods and a diet rich in high-quality protein, vegetables, and fruits; Drink enough amount of water.
3. Maintain good personal hygiene; Keep the skin clean and dry to prevent skin infections.
4. Stop smoking and seek medical attention to avoid progression to lung infection if you have respiratory symptoms.
5. Take care of your gums and teeth, brush your teeth regularly every day and have your mouth checked regularly to avoid oral infections.
6. Take a bath and change underwear regularly and keep your genitals clean and dry.
7. Wear good, soft, and covered footwear. Wear clean socks daily. People who have diabetes should examine their feet on a daily basis.
In conclusion, the most important preventive measure is taking control of blood sugar for every diabetic patient. See medical care timely for your infections. Specialists in internal medicine and surgery of China medical team are working in National Referral Hospital and will provide medical help for you. Lastly, wish you are well and happy every day!
（Translated by HUANG BAILIN, International Office, Guizhou Medical University）
