Diabetes and Infections - Topic Overview
Diabetes can affect the body's immune system, impairing the ability of white blood cells to come to the site of an infection, stay in the infected area, and kill microorganisms. Because of the buildup of plaque in blood vessels associated with diabetes, areas of infection may receive a poor blood supply, further decreasing the body's ability to fight infections and heal wounds.
Common infections
People with diabetes can be more severely affected by common infections, such as pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. And people who have diabetes are more likely to be infected with unusual organisms, such as Gram-negative bacteria or fungi, and can also be infected with a mixed group of organisms because of their poor healing capacity and impaired immune system.
The endocrine system is a network of glands that produce and release hormones that help control many important body functions, especially the body's ability to change calories into energy that powers cells and organs. The endocrine system influences how your heart beats, how your bones and tissues grow, even your ability to make a baby. It plays a vital role in whether or not you develop diabetes, thyroid disease, growth disorders, sexual dysfunction, and a host of other hormone-related disorders...
Read the Endocrine Disorders article > >
Foot infections
Foot infections are common in people with diabetes. Nerve damage (neuropathy) combined with poor blood supply to the feet puts people with diabetes at high risk for developing infected foot ulcers.
Other infections
Other infections for which people with diabetes are at increased risk include:
- Yeast infections on the skin and in the urinary tract.
- Severe infection of the outer ear with the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa called malignant otitis externa.
- Extremely serious infection of the nose and sinuses with the fungus mucor.
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Is This Normal? Get the Facts Fast!
Answer:
0-69
70-130
131+
Your level is currently
If the level is below 70 and you are experiencing symptoms such as shaking, sweating or difficulty thinking, you will need to raise the number immediately. A quick solution is to eat a few pieces of hard candy or 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey. Recheck your numbers again in 15 minutes to see if the number has gone up. If not, repeat the steps above or call your doctor.
People who experience hypoglycemia several times in a week should call their health care provider. It's important to monitor your levels each day so you can make sure your numbers are within the range. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
Congratulations on taking steps to manage your health.
However, it's important to continue to track your numbers so that you can make lifestyle changes if needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
Your level is high if this reading was taken before eating. Aim for 70-130 before meals and less than 180 two hours after meals.
Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.
One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
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