Diabetes is no longer a new term, and most people are probably familiar with it. However, what patients fear more than diabetes itself is a series of complications. Therefore, to prevent the onset of diabetic complications, diabetes should be nipped in the bud when it shows early signs.
What changes will occur in the body of women who have diabetes?
Body itching is not necessarily a sign of vaginitis; it could be caused by diabetes.
Three years ago, Ms. Liu was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes after experiencing symptoms such as fatigue and frequent urination. At the beginning of this year, Ms. Liu felt itching in her private parts and had cottage cheese-like vaginal discharge. After going to the hospital for examination, she was diagnosed with yeast infection.
So the doctor prescribed her a lot of oral and topical medications. After taking the medication for a period of time, the itching symptoms were relieved, but the symptoms would recur as soon as she stopped taking the medication. Ms. Liu, who was very anxious, had to go to the hospital again.
After learning that Ms. Liu had diabetes, the doctor told her that the root cause of her vaginal itching was actually high blood sugar , rather than a simple case of vaginitis. After receiving the appropriate treatment, Ms. Liu finally solved her embarrassing and troublesome problem.
For women, itching in the genital area can be caused by more than just vaginitis; it can also be a symptom of diabetes. Firstly, diabetes weakens the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to infections.
Women's private parts have many folds, and when blood sugar is not well controlled, it can lead to increased acidity in the private parts, causing infection. Moreover, the acidic environment can cause bacteria to multiply rapidly. In addition, high blood sugar can damage peripheral nerves, which in turn can cause symptoms of itching in the private parts.
The American Diabetes Association points out that persistently high blood sugar levels can damage skin cells and increase the risk of infection . When fungal infections occur in different parts of the body, itching can occur.
Areas such as the genitals, groin, armpits, and toes are more susceptible to fungal infections and itching due to moisture or lack of fresh air exposure.
In the early stages of diabetes, patients may experience various symptoms. Due to their unique physiology, women who develop diabetes may experience some symptoms that are not present in men, which should raise concerns.
Women with diabetes will have three early signs.
Women with diabetes may experience the following specific symptoms in the early stages, which require close attention:
1. Itching in the private area
Due to insufficient insulin secretion, the sugar content in the patient's urine increases, which provides an opportunity for bacteria to multiply in the genital area when passing through the urethra, thus causing itching in the genital area. This situation is most common in patients with type 2 diabetes.
2. Giving birth to a macrosomic infant
In pregnant women with diabetes, the increased glucose levels stimulate the fetus to synthesize large amounts of insulin. Insulin, in turn, leads to increased protein and fat synthesis in the fetus, thus accelerating growth and development and ultimately resulting in a macrosomic fetus.
3. Sexual dysfunction
Prolonged high blood sugar can cause lesions in the nerve fibers responsible for controlling the vagina, leading to abnormal nerve conduction function. As a result , patients cannot experience pleasure during sexual intercourse, thus causing sexual dysfunction.
In addition to these symptoms, women with diabetes may also experience irregular menstruation, vaginal dryness, and a larger waist-to-hip ratio , and are more prone to urinary tract infections . Therefore, controlling blood sugar levels is essential for maintaining good health.
Normally, fasting blood glucose levels should be maintained within the range of 3.9 to 6.1 mmol/L . If fasting whole blood glucose exceeds 6.7 mmol/L and plasma glucose exceeds 7.8 mmol/L, diabetes can be diagnosed .
To avoid developing diabetes, preventative measures are essential, especially paying attention to small things in daily life.
To prevent diabetes, do these 3 things
Regular exercise is not only a way to prevent diabetes, but it can also boost immunity and lower blood sugar. To maintain healthy blood sugar levels, you should exercise at least three times a week for at least 30 minutes each time .
Secondly, maintaining a healthy weight is key to preventing diabetes. A large proportion of diabetes patients are obese, so if you are overweight, actively losing weight is an important measure to prevent diabetes.
Developing healthy eating habits, such as eating more fruits, vegetables, high-fiber foods, and whole grains, and keeping your diet light , while reducing or eliminating oily and salty foods, can help keep your blood sugar levels within the normal range.
In short, controlling your diet and exercising regularly are key measures for preventing diabetes, and are the "six-word mantra" that diabetic patients need to follow.
References:
[1] "Why are diabetic patients more prone to vaginitis?" Uterus Talk. 2020-03-24
[2] "Itchy Skin in Diabetic Patients? Years of Experience from Diabetics Tell You How to Solve It". Tangren Health Management. 2020-07-08
