Diabetes & Urinary Incontinence: Understanding the Connection & 9 Treatments

Do you have diabetes and leak urine during the day or night? If so, you’re not alone.

Experiencing bladder issues, called urinary incontinence, is a common symptom of diabetes, and new research is showing just how strong the link between these conditions is. But managing both diabetes and urinary incontinence can be like solving two puzzles at once, which is why it’s essential to learn about their relationship and how to treat leakage.

Explore the profound link between diabetes and urinary incontinence and get practical, compassionate approaches to treating incontinence due to diabetes.

Multiple studies have shown the prevalence of diabetes-related urinary incontinence (UI) symptoms in those with diabetes. This often unwanted side effect can develop for a few reasons.

• Diabetes can affect sensory / motor function and bladder sensation, leading to frequent urination and urinary tract infections (UTIs).
• In an attempt to regulate high blood sugar levels, diabetes medications force glucose from the blood into the urine. When this happens, the bladder can become irritated, leading to UI.
• Increased glucose levels cause nerve damage (autonomic neuropathy), similar to peripheral neuropathy, which occurs when you lose sensation in your legs and feet. Autonomic neuropathy can cause you to develop a neurogenic bladder, resulting in UI. Neurogenic bladder is when the nerve connection between the bladder and brain is disrupted causing little to no sensation to need to empty your bladder.  It can also cause bladder spasms leading to UI.
• Excessive thirst caused by diabetes contributes to UI. This is because drinking excessive amounts of fluid at one time increases pressure on the bladder, leading to more frequent urination. This also contributes to nocturia (waking up multiple times during the night to void your bladder), which disrupts sleep and irritates the bladder.
• High blood sugar levels contribute to frequent UTIs which contribute to an overactive bladder (OAB) and urinary frequency.
• Obesity can increase urinary incontinence through increased abdominal pressure causing increased pressure on the bladder and urethral mobility.  This leads to urge and stress incontinence.

Other Contributing Risk Factors Leading to UI:

Different types of incontinence may develop from the symptoms of diabetes. These include:

Urge Incontinence: Having a sudden, intense urge to urinate, followed by an involuntary loss of urine. You may also need to urinate frequently, even during the night.

Stress Incontinence: Experiencing leakage when exercising, jumping, running, coughing, sneezing, laughing, etc.

Functional Incontinence: Failing to make it to the restroom in time due to immobility caused by conditions such as dementia, arthritis, or diabetic neuropathy.

Overflow Incontinence: The frequent or constant dribbling of urine due to not being able to empty your bladder completely.

Mixed Incontinence: Experiencing more than one of the above types of incontinence simultaneously.

In some cases, UI can only be managed. However, it can be treated in other cases and will go away with time and dedication. Some treatment methods even overlap with diabetes management to manage both conditions at once.

Bladder retraining, or timed voiding, is when you try to allow yourself to urinate only at certain time intervals and continue to prolong those intervals until they reach healthy levels (voiding every 2 hours is considered typical). This practice can help you regain bladder control over time.

Pelvic floor exercises are more than just Kegel exercises! Including these in your exercise routine or finding a pelvic floor physical therapist (PFPT) can help improve your bladder function and lessen diabetic bladder symptoms by strengthening your bladder muscles. These exercises also improve sexual pleasure and help with pregnancy.

Anticholinergics are medications that are used to control leaks. These medications protect your bladder from the nerves firing too frequently and decrease the urethra from moving as often, preventing urge incontinence.

If your diabetes is causing urinary retention, your healthcare provider may suggest intermittent catheterization. Using an intermittent catheter can help you void your bladder, limiting the chance of overflow incontinence and damage to the bladder or kidneys.

A healthy diet and proper exercise play an important role in managing blood glucose levels and reducing pressure on your bladder. Eat plenty of fiber and incorporate foods that don’t irritate your bladder. Refrain from eating spicy, acidic, or dairy-based foods.

Drink 60-80oz   of water daily to maintain proper hydration and reduce the risk of excessive thirst. Avoid alcohol, carbonated, and caffeinated drinks to control OAB. Avoiding constipation will help too!

Moderate physical activity 3-5 times a week is an excellent way to combat the risk of incontinence and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

A bladder diary can help you and your doctor track and evaluate the amount of fluids you are taking in and compare this to how often you urinate. This is an easy, non-invasive test to determine the condition of your bladder and what type of UI you may have.

UI can steal sleep, cause stress, and keep you from living your best life. It may be common, but it does not have to be your normal!

At first, discussing your UI with a healthcare provider may feel embarrassing, but the reward of a diagnosis and treatment plan will be worth the brief uncomfortable moment.

If you have diabetes incontinence, you may qualify to receive FREE incontinence supplies through your Medicaid or Medicaid-managed care plan with Aeroflow Urology. Follow these steps to see if you qualify:

1. Submit your insurance information through our secure Eligibility Form.
2. Look for an email or text from Aeroflow Urology informing you of your eligibility.
3. Get your free incontinence products!

Jump To: Top | Eligibility Form

References

Izci, Y., Topsever, P., Filiz, T. M., Çınar, N. D., Uludağ, C., & Lagro-Janssen, T. (2009). The association between diabetes mellitus and urinary incontinence in adult women. International Urogynecology Journal and Pelvic Floor Dysfunction, 20(8), 947–952. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-009-0888-8

Disclaimer

Information provided on the Aeroflow Urology blog is not intended as a substitute for medical advice or care from a healthcare professional. Aeroflow recommends consulting your healthcare provider if you are experiencing medical issues relating to incontinence issues.