Type 3 Diabetes and Urinary Incontinence: Understanding the Underlying Connection

While most people are familiar with types 1 and 2 of this disease, not everyone has heard of type 3. Scientists introduced this term relatively recently and often use it when talking about brain function, memory, and various cognitive processes. Type 3 diabetes can develop quite imperceptibly, with the person experiencing numerous changes, from impaired thinking and concentration to low mood and energy levels. Physical symptoms such as urinary incontinence or bladder control problems may also develop over time.

This type of diabetes opens up new perspectives on the relationship between metabolism and the nervous system. It explains why this disease is sometimes called ‘brain diabetes’ and why it deserves special attention from the medical community. In this article, we will look at how type 3 diabetes develops, how it differs from other types, and how it is linked to Alzheimer's disease and urinary disorders.

What Is Type 3 Diabetes?

The term Type 3 diabetes is used to refer to a condition whereby the brain cells lose their capacity to utilise glucose fully, that is, they become insulin-resistant. Consequently, the brain can be subjected to an energy deficit, which can result in a number of issues related to memory, concentration, and thinking. This is the reason why this condition is also known as brain diabetes.

The concept of type 3 diabetes was first introduced in the early 2000s, when researchers and scientists found out that insulin resistance in brain activity can be a combination of the characteristics of a metabolic disorder (as in type 2 diabetes) and a neurodegenerative process (as in Alzheimer's disease ). Recent studies on type 3 diabetes in Australia reveal that it is not a known medical diagnosis, but it is becoming more and more common in other articles and scientific literature to describe the correlation between insulin levels and other cognitive disorders. 

Symptoms and Risk Factors

Type 3 diabetes is a rather complex disease, as it combines signs of metabolic disorder and various brain function impairments. In most cases, type 3 diabetes can develop gradually: a person may experience memory impairment and irritability. Common symptoms of diabetes, such as increased thirst and frequent urination, may also appear. Over time, various problems with concentration, speech, and spatial orientation may arise. This is why the symptoms of type 3 diabetes are often confused with the early signs of dementia.

The causes are mainly chronic stress, but genetic factors and insulin resistance in the brain may also play a role. Understanding the causes of type 3 diabetes can help prevent various complications in the first place and allow for the development of an individualised treatment approach.

Common Symptoms of Type 3 Diabetes

Although the initial type 3 diabetes symptoms may not raise suspicion, as they can appear to be ordinary fatigue or distraction, a person may notice that it is more difficult to concentrate and remember names. However, when complications arise, the symptoms of type 3 diabetes will resemble various signs of type 2 diabetes. 

The main symptoms are listed in the table below.

Noteworthy! Early recognition of type 3 diabetes symptoms not only helps stabilise glucose levels but also prevents cognitive impairment.

What Causes Type 3 Diabetes?

The causes of type 3 diabetes are not linked to one specific factor, but rather to a combination of conditions that gradually affect the brain and metabolism. Scientists suggest that the processes that disrupt insulin activity in the nervous system and change the capacity of the brain to control the energy balance are important. This is all influenced by external and internal factors, which are elaborated below:

• Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes in the long term;
  

• Obesity, high blood pressure, and cholesterol;
  

• Oxidative stress and chronic inflammation;
  

• Genetic predisposition (e.g., APOE ε4 allele – Alzheimer's risk gene);
  

• Sleep disturbances, excessive sugar consumption, and stress.

Many researchers consider that type 3 diabetes develops under the influence of daily habits. Therefore, a balanced diet, physical activity, and monitoring blood pressure control can not only improve well-being but also help the brain stay healthy.

The Link Between Diabetes Type 3 and Alzheimer’s Disease

There is growing evidence that type three diabetes can affect the brain in the same way as the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. Individuals with long-term type 2 diabetes have a reduction in neuronal insulin sensitivity, a decrease in glucose consumption, and other alterations that may affect memory and cognition over time. That is why the terms “Alzheimer's type 3 diabetes” or “Dementia type 3 diabetes” are becoming more common.

According to research funded by the NHMRC and conducted at Curtin University, “insulin resistance in the brain is increasingly being linked to cognitive decline and dementia”. Scientists have observed that higher brain insulin resistance is associated with poorer memory performance and increased levels of tau, a protein that becomes abnormal in Alzheimer’s disease. That is why diabetes and Alzheimer's are becoming more and more discussed as interrelated processes.

Therefore, this approach can be used to better comprehend how to keep the brain healthy: how to maintain the level of glucose in the body, how to eat properly, and what techniques can be used to minimise inflammation and oxidative stress.

Type 3 Diabetes and Urinary Symptoms

Urinary dysfunction is one of the most common complications observed in patients with diabetes mellitus. When the level of glucose is high over an extended period of time, changes occur that gradually affect the functionality of the bladder. This leads to a medical condition called diabetic bladder, and it presents with typical symptoms like frequent urination, incomplete emptying, retention, and incontinence.

In the early stages, these symptoms may be subtle, but over time, they become more pronounced and affect quality of life. Individuals who have urinary incontinence and diabetes usually have sleep problems, anxiety, and problems in daily life. It is important to learn about the initial symptoms, as this is the only way to reduce the risk of complications and treat them on time.

How Diabetes Affects the Bladder?

The accuracy of the signals between the brain, nerve fibres, and detrusor muscles is the key to the functioning of the bladder. This mechanism begins to malfunction not only in diabetes because of tissue damage, but also because of metabolic changes. With prolonged elevated glucose levels, cells become unable to respond to nerve impulses correctly, and the bladder becomes unable to sustain a constant rhythm of filling and emptying. These alterations are founded on a number of processes that slowly transform the functioning of the bladder. The key mechanisms of these disorders are as follows:

• Osmotic diuresis: glucosuria and loss of large volumes of fluid in the urine are caused by high glucose levels.

• Autonomic neuropathy: the lesions of nerves that regulate the bladder lead to loss of control over its filling and emptying.

• Damage of muscle layer (detrusor) and uroepithelium: chronic hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, and microvascular alterations decrease bladder tone and contractility.

Early detection of these symptoms can be used to avoid complications and enhance the quality of life of diabetic patients.

Signs of Diabetic Bladder Problems

The symptoms associated with a diabetic bladder may develop gradually and remain unnoticeable at first. Nerve damage, muscle weakness, and changes in the urinary tract cause a person to lose control over the process of urination. It is important to be aware of the main symptoms that may indicate urinary incontinence, diabetes, or other urinary disorders. The main signs are listed below:

• Urge to urinate frequently, even with a small amount of urine, may occur due to irritation of the bladder walls (detrusor hyperactivity is also possible).
  

• Urinary incontinence when laughing, coughing, or exercising, although not a typical symptom of nerve damage, may accompany diabetes in the presence of obesity or pelvic floor muscle weakness (stress incontinence).
  

• Urinary retention or a feeling of incomplete emptying is a typical sign of detrusor hyperactivity due to nerve damage.
  

• Night-time awakenings to urinate (nocturia) are often associated with osmotic diuresis in chronic hyperglycemia.
  

• Burning or discomfort during urination – not in itself a manifestation of diabetic bladder, but may indicate a urinary tract infection, which is more common in diabetes.
  

• Leakage of urine between trips to the toilet or after emptying the bladder – a sign of loss of sphincter control.

Over time, these symptoms can begin to significantly affect a person's daily routine, sleep quality, and psychological comfort. This is especially true for patients who have difficulty moving around or controlling their bladder. In such cases, it is important to choose care products that reduce stress and discomfort. QuickChange Wraps allow you to change protective products quickly and gently, without unnecessary movement, helping to maintain cleanliness and dignity during care.

Discover how QuickChange Wraps simplifies incontinence care – order a 10-Count Trial Pack for home use or request a Professional-Use Sample Pack for clinical settings.

Diabetes and Night-time Urination

Many people with diabetes notice that they wake up more often at night to go to the bathroom. This is not just a coincidence because usually, diabetes frequent urination occurs at night. When the blood sugar level is elevated, the kidneys attempt to eliminate it by excretion of glucose and excessive fluid. Consequently, the bladder fills fast even during the night, and you have to rise to go to the bathroom a few times. The continuous disturbance of sleep is not only irritating, but also complicates the normalisation of glucose levels the following day.

Moreover, a diabetic bladder can be accompanied by symptoms of urinary incontinence in diabetes, such as involuntary leakage of urine during sleep or when the bladder fills quickly.. The symptoms are more prevalent in patients with long-term diabetes or neuropathy. Regulating the level of glucose, restricting the amount of fluid consumed before bedtime, and frequent monitoring of the urinary system can help decrease the number of night urges and enhance the body's recovery during sleep.

Managing and Treating Type 3 Diabetes & Incontinence

Treatment of type 3 diabetes needs a comprehensive approach – not only management of glucose levels, but also brain activity and urological complications prevention. The primary objective of treatment is to decrease insulin resistance of the brain, stabilise metabolism, and avoid the occurrence of diabetes and bladder control issues. To do this, medical treatment should be used together with lifestyle changes: a low glycemic index diet, consuming less sugar and saturated fats, physical activity, frequent measurement of blood pressure, and cholesterol control.

Special attention should be paid to urinary issues in diabetes. The management of diabetes incontinence is a combination of medication and behavioural therapy that is geared towards the restoration of bladder control. The following are just a few ways in which you can assist your body to cope more easily:

• Exercise your pelvic floor regularly. Kegel exercises strengthen the muscles that support the bladder and help prevent leakage.
  

• Plan your toilet visits. “Bladder training” helps to gradually increase the intervals between urination.
  

• Maintain your water balance. Do not restrict fluids excessively – a lack of water only increases blood sugar levels.
  

• Consult your GP about medication. Anticholinergic drugs or beta-3 agonists may be prescribed to reduce excessive bladder activity.
  

• In diabetic urinary retention treatment, your doctor may recommend catheterisation or physical therapy to stimulate detrusor contraction.
  

• Maintain psychological comfort. The combination of cognitive and urological symptoms often affects self-esteem, so it is important to talk about it openly and get support.

Through a combination of medication, healthy habits, and professional support, it is possible to reduce incontinence symptoms, improve memory and concentration. Moreover, this also leads to an improvement in the person's overall condition.

Conclusion

Type 3 diabetes combines metabolic and cognitive disorders, affecting not only the brain but also bladder function. A comprehensive approach to treatment should include glucose control, memory support, and attention to daily comfort.

For people in Australia who experience urinary incontinence or limited mobility, it is important to have convenient care products. QuickChange Wraps help ensure stress-free hygiene and preserve patient dignity, making managing the effects of diabetes more comfortable and effective.

FAQ

Does diabetes cause incontinence?
Yes, diabetes causes urinary incontinence in most people because high blood sugar damages the nerves that control the bladder and reduces the ability to hold urine.

Is incontinence a sign of diabetes?
Yes, because in some cases, urinary incontinence is a sign of diabetes, especially if it is accompanied by thirst, fatigue, or frequent urination.

Diabetes and urinary retention – how are they related?
Diabetes and urinary retention are linked through neuropathy: impacted nerves prevent the bladder from contracting completely, leading to urine accumulation and the risk of infection.

How many times does a diabetic person urinate at night?
On average, a diabetic person may urinate 2-4 times per night, depending on glucose levels, the amount of fluid consumed before bedtime, and kidney function.

Can type 3 diabetes be reversed?

No, because type 3 diabetes cannot be completely cured, but its progression, like other types, can be stabilised. Moreover, with the proper lifestyle, brain cells regain insulin sensitivity, and cognitive functions also improve. 

This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read or seen here.