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Does diabetes make other health conditions more difficult to recover from?

dogslife

dogslife

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Does anyone know of any evidence to show that having diabetes makes it take longer to recover from infections such as flu, bronchitis etc.
 
I'm not diabetic!
I have family who are.

And the simple answer is yes.

Your body reacts to anything unusual in your blood stream, anything that is not usually there, hormones take effect, red and white blood cells, The amount of hormones effect your brain, you get symptoms and the need for more glucose to feed your brain and body increases, more symptoms.

This creates more imbalance because of the imbalance caused by the diabetes already there. So it has to take longer for the other illness, viruses that affect us!
 
dogslife said:
Does anyone know of any evidence to show that having diabetes makes it take longer to recover from infections such as flu, bronchitis etc.
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I think it varies or depends on the person and the level of control they have. I seldom get sick, haven;t had the flu in years and when I get a head cold, or one of my animals bite or scratch me - no problems. In fact I've never encountered an infection from a cut, wound etc and I generally heal and recover from illness very quickly faster than my non diabetic spouse.
 
With everyone, diabetic or not, the body reacts to infection by releasing glucose into the bloodstream to help the body " fight the good fight" against the virus / bacteria etc. In non diabetics the pancreas is able to release enough insulin to mop up any xcess and the body is able to use it to do so. The danger with infection and diabetes is that the extra glucose in the system can feed the bugs and set up a visious cycle where the body releases more and more glucose, it isnt fully mopped up,sugars rise, the bugs start to have a party and multiply causing the infection to either get worse or abbest stay at a level the body cant clear
 
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Thanks folks for your replies. The reason I posted this question is that for years before diagnosis I would regularly pick up cold viruses etc due to the nature of my job which involved meeting lots of different people in different environments. I would feel a little under the weather for a few days but recover quickly with no serious effects. In recent years however, I have suffered from "Proper" flu, chest infections etc that have completely knocked me off my feet and lingered for weeks despite antibiotics and other more natural remedies. My blood sugars have been under control for most of the time but have recently been slightly elevated due to stress, pain and these "minor" illnesses. Or is it just the effects of getting older? LOL Just made me wonder if anyone else had any views.
 
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badcat said:
With everyone, diabetic or not, the body reacts to infection by releasing glucose into the bloodstream to help the body " fight the good fight" against the virus / bacteria etc. In non diabetics the pancreas is able to release enough insulin to mop up any xcess and the body is able to use it to do so. The danger with infection and diabetes is that the extra glucose in the system can feed the bugs and set up a visious cycle where the body releases more and more glucose, it isnt fully mopped up,sugars rise, the bugs start to have a party and multiply causing the infection to either get worse or abbest stay at a level the body cant cleay[/QUOTE

Thanks badcat for your excellent, succinct and informative summary. My bronchitis bugs must be very well fed at the moment as they are celebrating big time at my expense! LOL The challenge is what to do about it. Doing my best to fight back by keeping carbs low and taking antibiotics ( 2nd lot) etc but still struggling!
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So, folks- we all seem to agree that our diabetes effects our recovery from infections. If the infection itself increases BS levels and a vicious cycle is started what do we do to help reduce this apart from continuing to take medication and cutting down even more on carbs? As non insulin Type 2's it is difficult to adjust oral medication safely/ quickly and increased exercise is often not an option due to the illness. Any suggestion would be very welcome.:)
 
I'm never ill as such, if I ever have a cold it takes me weeks to get over but I was always like that before being diabetic. I've had a hip replacement, was out of hospital after 2 1/2 days and healed in the usual time.
 
I'm normally fairly healthy but I had a nasty throat infection a couple of weeks ago. Doc put me on an antibiotic and, although my blood sugar went uo by a point or two, it all cleared up in less than 48 hours. So, on this occasion .. answer is no
 
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