Pneumonia is a common but often severe respiratory infection. According to the American Thoracic Society, in the United States alone, around1 million adultsare hospitalized withpneumoniaevery year, and around 50,000 adults die from it.
Diabetesis a chronic condition with a range of symptoms to manage. It can also weaken your immune system and leave you at greater risk of serious infections such as pneumonia.
High blood sugar levels caused by diabetes can also make it harder for your body to fight pneumonia once it develops. This can lead to more severe cases of pneumonia and increased complications, including organ damage, respiratory failure, and even death.
The
Adults with chronic conditions such as diabetes have an
Diabetes can also negatively affect the immune system by impairing your circulation and your nerves. This puts you at a higher risk of infections, including pneumonia. It also makes it harder for your body to fight infections when they develop.
Diabetes also increases risk of more severe cases of pneumonia
In addition to having an increased risk of pneumonia, people with diabetes have an increased risk of pneumonia cases that are severe or even fatal. The CDC reports that people with diabetes are
Pneumonia can be mild or severe. However, pneumonia that doesn‘t get better without treatment can be very dangerous and lead to serious complications. Symptoms of pneumonia include:
- fever
- sweating
- chills
- rapid heartbeat
- difficulty breathing
- chest pain
- coughing
- loss of appetite
- producingphlegmfrom coughing
- nauseaorvomiting
- confusion
It doesn‘t matter which type of diabetes you have. Bothtype 1andtype 2 diabetesweaken your immune system. This means that either type increases your risk of pneumonia and other infections.
Diabetes increases your risk of pneumonia. However, there are steps you can take to lower your risk. These include:
- Getting the pneumonia shot.The
疾病预防控制中心 recommends apneumonia shotfor anyone over the age of 2 with diabetes. They also recommend two more doses after you turn 65. Talk with a medical professional about what’s best for you. - Getting a flu shot.Pneumonia sometimes develops as a complication of the flu. That’s why it’s a good idea to get an annualflu shot, even if you’ve already had a pneumonia shot.
- Consider quitting smoking if you smoke.Smoking weakens your lungs and increases your risk of pneumonia and other respiratory infections. Quitting can help you prevent infection.
- Managing your diabetes.Working to keep your blood sugar under control can help strengthen your immune system.
- Maintaining overall health.Eating a balanced diet and staying active can help your body fight off infection.
- Washing your hands.Practicing good hygiene such as washing your hands frequently can help you avoid pneumonia and other infections.
People with diabetes are at risk of more severe cases of pneumonia. A2015 reviewfound links between diabetes and longer hospital stays, increased complications, and a higherrisk of deathfrom pneumonia. Higher blood sugar levels during a pneumonia infection increase these risks.
Additionally, a 2016 study suggests that people with diabetes have a
This doesn‘t mean that developing pneumonia when you have diabetes is always serious. However, it does mean that it’s important to seek medical care as soon as possible if you have diabetes and develop any pneumonia symptoms. Early treatment can significantly improve the outlook for people with diabetes who develop pneumonia.
Your recovery from pneumonia will depend on the type and severity of your pneumonia. Some people will respond to at-home treatment quickly and feel better in a week or two. Other people will need significant medical intervention at a hospital and might have lingering fatigue even after the infection clears.
People with diabetes might need to be monitored closely after recovering from pneumonia to make sure there are no lasting complications.
Not everyone who has diabetes and develops pneumonia will have complications. Because pneumonia is more likely to be severe for people with diabetes, complications are also more likely.
Complications of pneumonia for people with diabetes might include:
- Lung abscesses.Alung abscessis a cavity of pus inside your lung that needs to be treated by an antibiotic, drainage, or surgery.
- Pleural effusion.Fluid around your lungs, in the membranes that line your lungs, and inside of your rib cage is calledpleural effusion. This fluid can become infected and will need to be drained.
- Impaired breathing.Severe pneumonia can make it difficult to get enough air when you breathe. You might need to use aventilator.
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).ARDS是一个医疗紧急情况。它发生在有一个buildup of fluid in the small air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs. People ARDS often develop respiratory failure and are unable to breathe on their own.
- Bloodstream infection.An infection in your bloodstream known asbacteremiacan spread and causelow blood pressureandseptic shock. In severe cases, it can lead to organ failure.
- Organ damage.A lack of oxygen in your body can damage the kidneys, heart, and liver. Increased kidney damage is especially likely in people with diabetes.
- Death.Severe pneumonia can be fatal.
Diabetes increases your risk of pneumonia. It can also make it harder to fight off the infection once it develops. People with diabetes who develop pneumonia are more likely to spend more time in the hospital and have more severe symptoms, increased complications, and more fatal cases.
You can take steps to reduce your chances of getting pneumonia. A great way to start is by getting a pneumonia shot. Talk with a medical professional about other lifestyle steps, such as diet, diabetes management, smoking cessation, and more, that might also help lower your chance of getting pneumonia.
Contact a medical professional right away if you develop any symptoms you suspect might be pneumonia.