How Can Diabetes Affect Bladder Control?
Over time, diabetes can damage the nerves that control the bladder. In both men and women, this can lead to overactive bladder.
These are symptoms of overactive bladder:
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Frequent urination—eight or more times a day
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The need to get up often at night to urinate
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A sudden, strong urge to urinate
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Leaking of urine after a sudden urge
Overactive bladder can be treated. Your health care provider may recommend exercises to strengthen the muscles that hold in urine. Electrical stimulation and medication may help treat it. For more severe cases, you may need surgery.
Neurogenic bladder is a less common condition caused by diabetes. People with this condition may lose the urge to urinate. They may be unable to empty the bladder completely and have frequent urinary tract infections. Medication, surgery, and behavior changes may treat it.