Functional disorders of the bladder with diabetes

Diabetes is a disease of the body metabolism caused by a lack of insulin, a hormone produced naturally in the body that controls the blood sugar level. Patients with diabetes are twice as likely to have bladder dysfunctions and/or urinary incontinence than non-diabetics of the same age. Men and women with diabetes are affected equally.

Two out of every three diabetes patients have bladder dysfunctions. The list of symptoms during the first years with the condition is headed by urinating frequently during the day and at night, an increased urge to urinate and urge incontinence. As the disease progresses, problems with urination come to the fore, such as difficulty with passing water and incomplete emptying. Coming to terms with diabetes in good time can prevent bladder problems occurring, or at least delay their onset.

Similar to what is the already self-evident annual eye check for diabetes-related damage, diabetics should also have their bladder function neurourologically examined on a regular basis in order to identify problems promptly and avoid complications in the urinary tract. People with diabetes are generally more susceptible to inflammations and infections than non-diabetics, and this is no less the case with the urinary tract and an inflamed bladder. Consequently, regular checks of the urine for an infection and measurement of residual urine are recommended.