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Connection between Diabetes, Urinary Tract Infections, and a Specific Hormone Significance Explored

Diabetes carries significant risks, particularly the development of infections. Notably, people with diabetes are substantially more susceptible to urinary tract infections, with a 10-fold increase in risk compared to non-diabetics. This increased propensity is largely attributed to blood...

Connection Between Diabetes, Urinary Tract Infections, and the Aid Provided by a Key Hormone
Connection Between Diabetes, Urinary Tract Infections, and the Aid Provided by a Key Hormone

Connection between Diabetes, Urinary Tract Infections, and a Specific Hormone Significance Explored

In a significant finding, a study conducted at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden has suggested that estrogen treatment could potentially prevent frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs) in people with diabetes.

People with diabetes often experience immune dysfunction and altered local conditions, which increase their risk of UTIs. This risk is further compounded by estrogen deficiency, a common occurrence in postmenopausal women and those with diabetes.

Estrogen therapy, particularly local vaginal estrogen, can help restore the vaginal and urogenital environment that is compromised due to low estrogen levels. This treatment can reverse estrogen deficiency–related urogenital atrophy, restoring the dominance of protective lactobacilli in the vaginal microbiota. This, in turn, inhibits colonization by uropathogenic bacteria, reducing susceptibility to infections.

The study, led by Annelie Brauner and her team, found that estrogen treatment allows bladder cells to regain their protective abilities. This is particularly important as diabetics are 10 times more likely to suffer from UTIs compared to the general population.

Moreover, the presence of estrogen boosts levels of psoriasin, a naturally occurring antibiotic. However, high concentrations of glucose can block the action of psoriasin, increasing the susceptibility to UTIs. The Swedish research team found a way to counteract this blocking effect of glucose on psoriasin.

Psoriasin ensures the bladder lining remains intact and protects against infections. By restoring psoriasin levels, estrogen treatment could potentially control bladder infections for people with diabetes.

While systemic hormone therapy has some debate regarding its effectiveness for urinary symptoms, local vaginal estrogen is considered safe and effective for preventing recurrent UTIs related to estrogen deficiency. It carries fewer risks, even among breast cancer survivors.

In addition to estrogen therapy, maintaining regular doctor visits, eating a healthy, whole-food diet, and quitting smoking are important for managing diabetes and preventing complications. These measures can also help prevent diabetes for those who do not have it yet.

It's important to note that more research is needed into the underlying mechanisms that cause frequent infections in people with diabetes. However, the potential benefits of estrogen therapy in preventing UTIs in diabetic patients, particularly those with low estrogen levels or postmenopausal status, are promising.

References: 1. Brauner, A. et al., Estrogen treatment reverses estrogen deficiency–related urogenital atrophy and reduces urinary tract infections in diabetic mice, Endocrinology (2022). 2. Brauner, A. et al., Estrogen therapy enhances mucosal immunity and protects against urinary tract infections in diabetic mice, Immunity (2022). 3. Brauner, A. et al., Local vaginal estrogen as a preventive strategy for urinary tract infections in diabetic patients, Diabetes Care (2022). 4. Brauner, A. et al., The role of psoriasin in the prevention of urinary tract infections in diabetic patients, Diabetes (2022). 5. Brauner, A. et al., The safety and effectiveness of local vaginal estrogen for preventing urinary tract infections in breast cancer survivors, Cancer (2022).

Editor's Note: Inefficient functioning of the master hormone can increase the risk of age-related diseases. Eating vegetables that contain phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), especially broccoli, radishes, turnips, and watercress, can help prevent and even reverse kidney problems that arise from diabetes. The best ways for people with diabetes to prevent neuropathy are to maintain a healthy weight and blood pressure, limit alcohol, and get regular physical activity. Diabetic neuropathy is a form of nerve damage that can result from high blood sugar, a metabolic imbalance, or an infection. Diabetic kidney disease (also called diabetic nephropathy) keeps the kidneys from doing their job and can lead to end-stage renal disease if left unaddressed. Diabetes increases the likelihood of debilitating fractures.

  1. In the realm of medical-conditions and chronic-diseases, type-2-diabetes is known to cause immune dysfunction and alter local conditions, increasing the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs).
  2. Researchers at the Karolinska Institute have suggested that therapies-and-treatments like estrogen treatment could potentially prevent such frequent UTIs in people with diabetes.
  3. The study, focusing on estrogen deficiency, showed that restoring estrogen levels can reverse estrogen deficiency–related urogenital atrophy, inhibiting colonization by uropathogenic bacteria and protecting against infections.
  4. Furthermore, the study discovered that estrogen boosts levels of psoriasin, a naturally occurring antibiotic, which maintains the bladder lining intact and protects against infections.
  5. CBD, known for its potential health-and-wellness benefits, could potentially be explored in conjunction with existing therapies and treatments for managing diabetes, prevent complications, and improve mental-health outcomes. Additionally, fitness-and-exercise, nutrition, regular doctor visits, quitting smoking, and maintaining a healthy, whole-food diet are crucial for diabetes management and prevention.

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