The connections between various metabolic systems and organ systems is a frequent theme in my articles. This time the connection is between two very disparate organ systems, namely, the respiratory system and the endocrine system. I think you all know by now what the respiratory system is (nose, trachea, bronchial tubes, air sacs and lung tissue with its blood supply). The endocrine system are those organs which produce chemicals that help to regulate our bodies various functions (thyroid gland, pituitary gland, pancreas for insulin production, adrenal glands, etc.)
The connection in this article is between a pulmonary problem called bronchiectasis which I have written about recently and also have devoted one of my radio shows (The Buzz with Dr. Z) to on WRTA. This an anatomic distortion of the airways caused by repeated inflammation and infection. The endocrine problem is one of he most common we see in medicine, specifically, diabetes.
An analysis of over 30,000 patients across four international registries has found that patients with bronchiectasis and diabetes have more severe disease characteristic for their bronchiectasis. What does this mean and why?
Patients with diabetes have more associated changes in the body’s markers for inflammation and significant differences in the type of bacteria cultured from their airways. This means that patients who have both of these problems are more at risk for serious lung infections and as we all know infections can play havoc with blood sugar management in diabetes.
It is important for your doctor to recognize this association.
