diabetes care

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Urinary system

The urinary system comprises the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. The Urinary system is responsible for filtering blood, eliminating waste and regulating electrolyte balance.

Kidneys

The kidneys are located on either side of the spine just below the rib cage. The kidneys are made up of epithelial, endothelial, immune and interstitial cells. The different cell types in the kidney work together to perform the kidney's functions, which include filtering blood, regulating blood pressure, and secreting hormones.

Ureters

The ureters are located in the abdomen and pelvic area, connecting the kidneys to the bladder. They are made up of transitional epithelial cells (urothelial cells), which form a lining in the ureters called the urothelium; this lining allows the ureters to stretch and contract as urine passes through them.

Bladder

The bladder is located in the pelvis, between the hip bones. It is made up of urothelial cells, which form the lining of the bladder which stretches to accommodate the increase and decrease of urine volume as it fills and empties. The lining is called the urothelium.

Urethra

The urethra is made up of several layers. The epithelial layer is the inner lining that protects the urethra from urine, seminal fluid in males, and the external environment which may contain micro organism such as bacteria, viruses and yeast. The Submucosal layer which is the middle layer, keeps the urethra flexible and moist. The Fibromuscular layer which is the outer layer this provides structure, tone, and propulsion of urine in both males and females and sperm in males.

How does diabetes effect the urinary tract

Kidneys

Diabetes damages the blood vessels called glomeruli which reside in the kidneys. These vessels filter waste from the blood, and when damaged, they can't filter properly. 

The nephrons, can become thick and scarred over time due to unregulated high blood sugar.

Ureters

Diabetes can affect the ureters indirectly by causing damage to the nerves and blood vessels in the urinary tract, leading to an increased risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) which can then impact the ureters, potentially causing inflammation and impaired urine flow due to the infection; people with diabetes are significantly more likely to experience UTIs compared to those without the condition.

Bladder

Diabetes can affect the bladder by causing Nerve damage, other wise referred to as autonomic neuropathy which is a group of symptoms that occurs when the nerves that control automatic body functions are damaged. Autonomic neuropathy can be caused by Diabetes making it hard to empty the bladder. The pressure from a full bladder can also damage the kidneys.

Urethra

Diabetes can affect the urethra by damaging the nerves that control the muscles surrounding it, leading to issues like urinary incontinence, frequent urination, difficulty starting a urine stream, and an increased risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) due to poor bladder emptying, as the sphincter muscle that controls urine flow may not function properly; essentially, the urethra can become less efficient at holding urine in the bladder due to nerve damage caused by diabetes.

Nutrients needed to keep the urinary system in homeostasis

Kidneys

The main nutrients necessary for the kidneys to remain in homeostasis in regard to diabetes include hydration, Vitamin D, Protein(in moderation), sodium(restricted), potassium(balanced), chloride(balanced), calcium(balanced), magnesium(balanced), phosphate(carefully managed), and bicarbonate(balanced).

Ureters

Nutrients that keep the ureters in homeostasis in regard to diabetes are Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), Vitamin K1 (Phylloquinone), fiber, chromium, Omega 3 fatty acids, Alpha-linolenic acid, Vitamin D (calciferol), hydration with water. The key focus should be on managing blood sugar levels as uncontrolled diabetes can significantly impact kidney function and ureter health due to damage caused by high blood glucose levels. 

Bladder 

Nutrients necessary for the bladder to remain in homeostasis are sodium, potassium, calcium, and water as they play a key role in regulating fluid balance and electrolyte levels within the body, which is primarily managed by the urinary system, including the bladder. 

Urethra

When considering the urethra and maintaining homeostasis in a diabetic individual, key nutrients include electrolytes, vitamin D, zinc, and adequate hydration (water), as these play a crucial role in regulating electrolyte balance, preventing urinary tract infections, and supporting overall urinary system health which can be compromised by diabetes complications.


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