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January 10, 2025 06:56 PM IST
From tuberculosis to pulmonary infections, here are the ways diabetes can affect lung health.
Diabetes is a long-term condition that affects blood sugar levels in the body. However, it also affects other organs, including the lungs. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr. Shehla Shaikh, Consultant Endocrinologist, Saifee Hospital, Mumbai said, “Diabetes reduces lung vital capacity, lung compliance, peripheral airway function and pulmonary diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide. Is known. This means that lung volume is reduced, increasing the total number of restrictive conditions. “In addition, diabetic patients’ respiratory muscles become inactive and holding the breath becomes more tiring because their lungs cannot fully expand.” Read this also Diabetes: How deep breathing can help control blood sugar and improve health
What is Diabetic Neuropathy?
Dr Shehla Shaikh explains, “Diabetic Neuropathy is a very common complication which generally affects the autonomic nervous system and hence adjusts the diameter of the airways to reduce pulmonary functions. This usually enlarges the capacity of the airways, so poor airflow occurs when it becomes difficult for the patient to clear irritants or pathogens from the lungs. Read this also Diabetes: Tips to avoid winter pollution for diabetic and asthma patients
Diabetes makes lungs vulnerable to infection
Diabetes may also increase the risk of pulmonary infection. Explaining the effects, the endocrinologist said, “With high glucose concentrations in the airway surface fluid combined with defective immune responses to infection, the susceptibility to pulmonary infection is further increased in diabetic patients. The presence of high levels of oxidative stress and a failing mucociliary clearance system does not help – the infection can easily progress to pneumonia.
Risk of Tuberculosis:
“Perhaps the biggest reason to be concerned about the diabetic lung is its susceptibility to tuberculosis. Basically, diabetic patients suffer more cases of tuberculosis as the reason behind this factor lies in the fact that low immunity often coincides with other secondary complications, especially complications involving the lungs. This has contributed to longer admission times, with longer stays leading to higher re-hospitalizations,” the doctor said. Read this also Diabetes can lead to coma or death—are you at risk?
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions you may have about a medical condition.
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