Type 2 diabetes affects insulin in a person’s body and creates a number of health problems. Insulin allows the glucose in the blood to enter the cells and help fuel the body. When a person has issues with this, as in the case of type 2 diabetes, the pancreas has to respond to this complication by releasing insulin but when it doesn’t work properly, blood sugar levels increase to high and dangerous levels, with dangerous health complications ensuing.
Diabetes.co.uk said on their website: “Thrush is a yeast infection which tends to affect warm, moist areas of the body such as the vagina, penis, mouth and certain areas of the skin.
“Thrush is more common in people with diabetes as high blood sugar levels lead to better conditions for the yeast to grow.
“High blood sugar levels is one of the main causes of thrush and so is an weakened immune system, which is also common in people with diabetes.”
What the study say
In a study with the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, yeast infections and type 2 diabetes connection were investigated.
The study noted: “Yeast infection is caused by abnormal growth of yeast-like fungi on the female genital tract mucosa.
“Patients with type 2 diabetes are more susceptible to fungal infections, including those caused by type 2 diabetes.”
The study concluded there was a significant link between high blood sugar and vaginal yeast infections.
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What is a yeast infection?
The Mayo Clinic said: “A yeast infection is a fungal infection that causes irritation, discharge and intense itchiness of the vagina and the vulva – the tissues at the vaginal opening.
“Also called vaginal candidiasis, vaginal yeast infection affects up to three out of four women at some point in their lifetimes.
“Many women experience at least two episodes.
“A yeast infection isn’t considered a sexually transmitted infection.”
Why are yeast infections more prevalent in those with type 2 diabetes?
Yeast feeds off sugar and if a person’s type 2 diabetes is not well-controlled, their blood sugar levels can spike to unreasonably high levels.
This increase in sugar can cause yeast to overgrow, in the vaginal area.
The body may develop a yeast infection in response to havoc on blood sugar levels caused by type 2 diabetes.
It’s important to maintain blood sugar levels which will then help to reduce the risk of infection.
Source: Daily Express
