Antibiotic resistance is currently a growing concern. Bacteria that used to respond to antibiotics are evolving to survive even the strongest treatments. People with diabetes are currently the most affected because they are more likely to develop infections in the first place.
Staphylococcus aureus, often called staph, is the leading bacteria when it comes to antibiotic resistance. Staph is also a leading cause of death from antibiotic-resistant infections. A recent study from the Science Advances journal found that people with diabetes are more likely to develop antibiotic-resistant strains of staph.
Diabetes creates the perfect environment for bacteria to grow, spread, and adapt to antibiotics much faster than normal. Therefore, people with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing infections that antibiotics might not be able to treat.
At Zeam Health & Wellness, we focus on diabetes management, preventative care, and primary care to help patients stay ahead of these risks. The first step in protecting your health is to understand the link between diabetes and antibiotic resistance.Â
This blog looks at how diabetes is driving the evolution of antibiotic resistance.
Why People With Diabetes Are More Likely to Get Infections
Diabetes affects how the body processes sugar. A rise in blood sugar levels can cause serious health problems, including a weakened immune system. A weakened immune system makes it harder for your body to fight off infections.
One of the bacteria that takes advantage of this weakness is Staphylococcus aureus. Diabetic patients are more likely to get infections caused by this staph, especially in wounds, skin, and soft tissue.Â
Below are some reasons why this happens:
- High blood sugar feeds bacteria. Staph bacteria thrive in high-sugar environments. Such environments allow them to grow faster than normal.
- The immune system does not work as well. Diabetes makes it harder for the body to attack and kill bacteria. As a result, infections last longer.
- Poor circulation slows healing. Many people with diabetes, especially those with uncontrolled blood sugar, have reduced blood flow to their feet and legs. In such cases, wounds take time to heal, which increases the chance of infection.
Because of these factors, people with diabetes tend to get more infections and need more antibiotics. In fact, research shows that people with diabetes receive 60% more antibiotic prescriptions for respiratory infections than people without diabetes. The more antibiotics are used, the higher the chance that bacteria will develop resistance and become harder to treat.
How Diabetes Helps Bacteria Evolve Resistance to Antibiotics
The Science Advances study found that staph evolved resistance to antibiotics in diabetic mice within just five days. In comparison, non-diabetic mice did not develop resistant bacteria at all.
The reason for this rapid evolution comes down to three key factors:
- Faster Bacterial Growth: The high sugar levels in people with diabetes act as fuel for bacteria, allowing them to multiply quickly. The more bacteria there are, the greater the chance that some will mutate and become resistant to antibiotics.
- Weakened Immune System: Normally, the immune system helps kill bacteria before they have a chance to develop resistance. However, in people with diabetes, the immune response is weaker, which gives bacteria more time to adapt.
- Frequent Antibiotic Use: Because people with diabetes tend to get more infections, they also take more antibiotics. This constant exposure to antibiotics pushes bacteria to evolve ways to survive and resist treatment.
Over time, this creates a dangerous cycle where infections become harder and harder to treat. If this trend continues, we could reach a point where some common infections become untreatable.
The Spread of Drug-Resistant Staph Infections
One of the most concerning things about antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is how easily it spreads from person to person. This can happen through:
- Skin contact (especially in crowded places like gyms, hospitals, or nursing homes)
- Touching contaminated surfaces (like doorknobs, medical equipment, or personal items)
- Airborne particles (from coughing, sneezing, or even talking in close contact)
Hospitals, in particular, are seeing a rise in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections. MRSA is extremely difficult to treat. These infections can lead to life-threatening complications such as bloodstream infections and pneumonia.
The study also found that vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VISA) thrives in diabetic environments. Vancomycin is one of the strongest antibiotics doctors use to treat serious staph infections, so the rise of resistance to this drug is especially alarming.
Can Controlling Blood Sugar Reduce Antibiotic Resistance?
One of the most promising findings from the study was that controlling blood sugar levels can slow the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
When researchers treated diabetic mice with insulin, their blood sugar levels improved, and the emergence of antibiotic resistance dropped significantly. This suggests that good diabetes management can be a key factor in preventing antibiotic resistance.
By keeping blood sugar levels in a healthy range, people with diabetes can:
- Reduce bacterial growth, making infections less likely.
- Boost immune function so the body can fight infections more effectively.
- Lower the need for antibiotics, reducing the chance of resistance.
Preventative Care: The Best Way to Stay Ahead of Infections
Preventative care is one of the most effective strategies for reducing the risk of infections in people with diabetes. By catching potential health issues early, we can prevent minor infections from becoming major problems that require antibiotics.
Key steps in preventative care include:
- Regular blood sugar monitoring to prevent dangerous spikes.
- Routine foot care and wound checks to avoid infections in slow-healing areas.
- Early detection and treatment of infections before they get worse.
- Careful use of antibiotics to prevent unnecessary prescriptions.
Take Control of Your Health and Reduce Your Risk
The rise of antibiotic-resistant infections is a growing concern, and diabetes plays a big role in fueling this problem. But the good news is that managing diabetes effectively can help slow down the development of resistance.
At Zeam Health & Wellness, we are here to help you:
- Manage your diabetes with personalized treatment plans.
- Stay on top of preventative care to reduce infection risks.
- Access primary care services for chronic disease management, wound care, and hormone replacement therapy.
Do not wait until an infection becomes a serious problem. Contact Zeam Health & Wellness today to take control of your health and lower your risk of antibiotic-resistant infections.
