Diabetics & Immune systems

[simply_h]

Hello All,

Hope we are all well.

My doctors and nurse both said to me, that Diabetics have weakened immune systems and can’t fight infections: e.g. where they will catch the common cold and any viral infections faster (just get ill quicker) than non-diabetics and they will heal more slowly etc.

My question is once we Diabetics get out Blood Sugar (BS) under tight control, say an HBa1C under 5.9%, does this then mean our immune systems are better at fighting of infections and heal better.

Is there any way that we diabetics can strengthen our immune system, so that it can get back to the normal, e.g say the same as a Non-Diabetic? etc.

Cheers
Simply.

 

[noblehead]

Keeping good control does help......that there is no doubt!

As for getting every cold or infection going and taking longer to heal, I've had diabetes for 31 years and rarely get cold's and flu and when I do get an infection I heal just the same as the next person, to strengthen the immune system just eat a healthy diet including plenty of fruit and vegetables.

 

[viviennem]

I don't think I've had any infection or cold or whatever since I was diagnosed in April 2010. Nor was I a 'sicky' person before that - I've averaged 1 cold a year since 1972.

This could have something to do with the fact that I don't socialise! :lol: :wink:

I think a healthy immune system is based on a fresh-food varied diet and lots of fresh air. Mind you, my diabetes was caught very early and I have never run BGs much over 7, even at the beginning. Maybe the longer/higher you are re diabetes, the worse it gets.

Viv 8)

 

[Sanober]

Interesting post.

I posted a while back out of curiosity really, as I've always been hit with health problems all my life and I was just wondering if Diabetics in general did suffer weaker immune systems. Here's the link to the post if you're curious.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=23698&hilit=immune

Interestingly this year, when I got a simple cold, it really knocked me out, I've had to take two days off sick for two separate colds (I used to recover within 2-3 days as normal before this). I don't know if it's now because my Diabetes is progressing therefore my immune system's still attacking away at my Pancreas, and maybe my immune system's just strained at this time.

I suffer from continous Thrush too, which rather than poor glucose control is probably that my immune system isn't strong enough to fight it. I'm on a SIX MONTH course of tablets to keep it at bay, and thankfully it's been 'away' for a couple of months now.

 

[shop]

Hi,

I suppose the only thing I have had in the 6 yrs I have been diabetic is 2 chest infections, when I had never had one before. Having said that how do I know its because of the diabetes. I do have the flu jab. I have only had a rise in colds etc when my son had started school and of course came home with everything going. So I obviously caught them from him. Otherwise I have been pretty good!

Lucy xxx