Candida linked to diabetes

Candida linked to diabetes

If you have diabetes, chances are good that you also have problems with a bacteria known as candida. Why is there a connection? Because every living person has candida in their system. Normally, the “friendly bacteria” keep the non-friendly Candida in check, but certain factors can allow the Candida to thrive - factors often caused by diabetes.

For example, Candida is a cause of vaginal yeast infections in women, and while yeast infections are very common, they are even more common in women with diabetes. This is because diabetes affects the body's immune system and its ability to fight infections. Candida overgrowth, which would be treated naturally in non-diabetics, becomes problematic. Additionally, high blood sugar levels (characteristic of diabetes) make mucous membranes more sugary, providing a perfect environment for yeast to grow.

Diabetic women with candida-caused yeast infections can usually cure them just as easily as other women, provided they are properly diagnosed. (Some studies have shown that about a third of women who self-diagnosed believed they had a yeast infection when it was actually something else. Always see a doctor so you can treat the correct illness!) Yeast infection treatment often takes longer for diabetic women. Usually, the 14-day drug therapy is required to get rid of it in diabetic women, as opposed to a three-day or seven-day program. But it's just as treatable as it is for non-diabetic women, so the fact that it's more common shouldn't worry you.

In addition to yeast infections, Candida also causes other diseases, including many that are also common in men. (In fact, vaginal yeast infection is the only "women-only" condition associated with candida.) Candida is a bacteria that can grow into a full-blown fungus, and the entire body is susceptible to it.

For example, oral candidiasis, also known as oral thrush, is a fungal infection in the mouth that manifests as white or yellow patches. It occurs more often in diabetics. Antifungal medications prescribed by your dentist can take care of this. It is important for everyone to practice good oral hygiene (brushing, flossing, etc.), but especially for people with diabetes, as their immune systems are slightly weakened and their blood sugar levels are slightly higher, creating an environment conducive to candida growth.

It is therefore clear that people with diabetes should be particularly careful to avoid conditions that lead to problems with the Candida bacteria. But how do you know if you have diabetes? The most common symptoms of type 1 diabetes (the more serious variant) are frequent urination, excessive thirst, and increased appetite. Some patients also experience blurred vision, fatigue and irritability.

If you suspect you have diabetes, it is important to see a doctor immediately and get tested for it. Diabetes used to be fatal but is now almost always easy to treat - but it needs to be treated. Patients who monitor their blood sugar levels and take necessary treatments and precautions typically lead normal, healthy lives. You're at higher risk for yeast infections, oral thrush, and other conditions caused by candida, but even these can usually be treated.

Inspired by Jane Symms