Why does Diabetes Cause Incontinence?

Diabetes is a group of diseases that result in too much sugar in the blood, or high blood glucose. It is a metabolic disease in which the body has an inability to produce any or enough insulin that causes the elevated levels of glucose in the blood.   

The most common types of diabetes are:

• Type 2 diabetes - a chronic condition that affects the way the body processes blood sugar (glucose).
• Type 1 diabetes - a chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin.
• Prediabetes - a condition in which blood sugar is high, but not high enough to be type 2 diabetes.
• Gestational diabetes - a form of high blood sugar affecting pregnant women.

The CDC report “2014 National Diabetes Statistic Report” states that there are 29.1 million people in the US with diabetes. That is 9.3% of the population. This group consists of 21.0 million people that are diagnosed and 8.1 million people that are undiagnosed. The undiagnosed portion of people with diabetes represents 27.8% of people with diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes used to be called adult-onset or non insulin-dependent diabetes) is the most common form of diabetes with about 95% of people with diabetes in the US having this type according to the Simon Foundation for Continence. You can find an article on their web site by Medical Reviewer Shanna Atnip, MSN, WHNP-BC titled “about incontinence Continence - Contributing Factors - Diabetes that has a wealth of information  including the following details regarding the causes and impacts of diabetes in relationship to incontinence.

Diabetes causes the body to have too much glucose, also called blood sugar. Too much glucose will damage the body over time. Diabetes cannot be cured, but type 2 diabetes can be managed with the help of your healthcare professional through diet, exercise and maintaining a health weight. If diet and exercise do not bring blood sugar into a health y range your healthcare professional will discuss the need for medication or insulin therapy.

Type 2 diabetes increases the risk and severity of urinary and fecal incontinence. Unhealthy weight often associated with type 2 diabetes can cause incontinence from the increased weight placed on the pelvic floor muscles.

One of the symptoms of diabetes is frequent urination (Please note there are many other symptoms). This happens because excess glucose is building up in the blood stream causing fluid to be pulled from tissues resulting in the individual being thirsty. As a result, a person will drink more fluids to attempt to quench thirst. At the same time the body is trying to get rid of excess glucose by excreting it out in urine. The result is large increases of the amount of urine produced by the body.

Diabetes can also lead to nerve damage. Nerve damage includes nerves to the bladder or bowel, lungs, heart, stomach, and sex organs. Nerve damage may lead to changes in the bladder function.

Changes in bladder function caused by nerve damage include:

• Overactive bladder (OAD) which may lead to urgency to urinate and urge urinary incontinence (UUI)
• Decreased bladder sensation which leads to little or no warning before feeling the urge to urinate which may lead to incontinence episodes.
• People with severe or longstanding diabetes may have bladder muscles that have been weakened because the bladder is not completely emptied each time of urination. The left over urine in the bladder may lead to a urinary tract infection (UTI). In severe cases the bladder will not contract causing overflow incontinence. UTI’s also cause increased frequency to urinate and the urgency of urination.
• Diabetic women or women who develop gestational diabetes may suffer injuries to the perineum and bladder, particularly to the sphincter controlling the mouth of the bladder during childbirth that may result in retention of urine in the bladder or incontinence.
• Congestive heart failure (CHF) from diabetes related coronary artery disease can cause legs and feet to retain water resulting in the creation of too much urine in the night.
• Stroke from diabetes may affect bladder sensation and the ability to hold back from urinating.
• Mobility changes due to diabetic neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease and amputation may prevent a person from reaching a toilet in time resulting in leakage.
• Some medications for the treatment of diabetes or the  treatment of the complications of diabetes can impair continence.

As you can see there are many reasons why diabetes can impact or cause bladder or bowel incontinence. Your healthcare provider can help you work on a plan to address the symptoms and issues.

This article is about the details behind diabetes and how it may cause incontinence and should not be considered for any diagnosis, treatment or cure of diabetes. Please consult a doctor or medical professional with any questions or concerns you may have regarding diabetes or any other health issue or disease. Tell your healthcare provider of you are experiencing frequent or urgent urination, having to get up more than once a night, or are having any incontinence episodes. Any changes with toileting habits should be discussed with your healthcare provider. For tips on how to speak with your healthcare provider click here.

Incontinence Products Plus offers a wide range of incontinence products to help individuals stay dry, healthy and comfortable.