There are different types of diabetes.
Type I Diabetes most often appears in early childhood, teens, or young adults but can develop at any age. In this situation, the body stops or slows in making insulin. The reason this type of diabetes develops is not fully understood but could be from an autoimmune reaction. Insulin is required for treatment. A rare and extreme complication of Type I diabetes can be low potassium with insulin therapy, leading to the development of quadriparesis if left untreated.
Type II Diabetes is more commonly developed in adulthood but can develop in younger individuals. The body is unable to make enough or is unable to use the hormone insulin to keep blood glucose levels in range. This is the type of diabetes that can develop as a secondary complication of paralysis. It is caused by a combination of factors, including being overweight, eating an unhealthy diet, and inactivity. After paralysis, moving the body can be difficult, which leads to weight gain and possibly the development of Type II diabetes.
Prediabetes is a condition where blood sugar is high but not high enough to be in the diagnostic range of Type II diabetes. This is a warning sign that Type II diabetes will soon evolve if steps are not taken to resolve the issue.
Some health conditions can affect blood glucose. Gestational diabetes can develop in pregnancy. It often resolves after delivery. Paralysis is a risk factor for Type II Diabetes. A genetic disorder called Rabson-Mendenhall Syndrome is characterized by severe insulin resistance. Taking in too much salt has been thought to increase the risk of Type II Diabetes.
Individuals with paralysis are at a higher risk for diabetes, especially Type II, because of lack of movement. Moving your body helps all muscles metabolize as movement increases blood flow. However, the muscles in the thighs are the largest, providing the most effective metabolism. After paralysis, the muscles in the affected area may reduce in size or may not be used as efficiently to produce effective metabolism. Genetics can also be a risk factor in diabetes of all types.
Symptoms of diabetes may not be as readily recognized in those individuals with paralysis. Increased thirst and hunger are symptoms of diabetes, but bladder program drinking restrictions may mask these or reduced feelings of hunger can be hidden due to a slow-moving bowel. Sensations of needing to urinate frequently may be covered up by catheter use and changes in messages sent to and from the brain. Weight loss from diabetes may be confused with loss in muscle mass. Sores on the body, especially in the feet, may be mistaken for pressure injuries. Infections can occur due to diabetes and from changes in the immune system from paralysis. Irritability can be from many sources, including stress and anxiety, as adjustments to paralysis are being made. Blurred vision can also occur with brain injury. Men may have erectile dysfunction, as with paralysis. Men and women may have increased urinary tract infections and yeast infections, as with paralysis. Dry, itchy skin can also be a sign of diabetes, as with paralysis.
A major complication of diabetes is diabetic neuropathy. This is a type of nerve damage due to the high concentration of glucose and triglycerides in the blood. The signs and symptoms can be the same as neuropathy from paralysis. Diabetic neuropathy typically occurs in the feet and legs as small blood vessels become damaged so they can no longer carry oxygen and nutrients to your nerves. It can also occur in the hands, arms, bladder, bowel, and nerves that control your heart rate. This may appear as pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness in your body. In some cases, it can affect the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which can already be affected by paralysis.
The usual symptoms of diabetes may not be noticed if you have paralysis, but do not ignore them. The best way to tell if you have diabetes is to have a blood glucose test at the time of your visit to your healthcare professional. Routine blood tests will indicate your blood glucose at that time. If there is a concern about your blood glucose, an A1C test is a one-time blood draw that provides information about your blood glucose over three months.