Kidney infections and UTIs?

Why are diabetics so prone to kidney infections and UTIs? I'm not talking about diabetics with organs at diminished capacity. She's 5 years old, she's had Type 1 for two years, and has still has full use of her organs. I learned, following a pyelonephritis hospitalization a few months back, that diabetics are more prone to kidney infections and UTIs. Why would this be true for someone with healthy kidneys?

No cut and paste volumes and volumes of google results please, with an answer buried on page 50 somewhere. If you know can you tell me simply?

Thanks Tulsa, for adding your bitterness and 2% best answers. This is a place I go for insight from other parents, and a perfectly appropriate topic to do that with. Stick to the subjects you know; maybe start w/ anger management.

Thanks for the answers so far. Makes sense about the breakdown.

Diabetics aren't equipped to process foods the way we are. Put simply, their bodies just can't handle the strain. Diabetes can also weaken the immune system, which makes it easier for nasty types of bacteria to gain access to the kidneys/urethra (where the urine's made).

Then YOU google it yourself or better yet- ask the doctor! If she has juve dm- you should have a doctor for her that would be more than happy to answer your questions- it shows that you are trying to take care of her!

If you don't want cut and paste answers- then research it yourself! Don't be lazy- this is YOUR KID!! Who would trust anyone's word of mouth when it comes to a disease as serious as Juve DM. Get a grip!

Diabetes can destroy internal organ. The kidney cannot process all the extra sugar that is not taken care of by the insulin. Therefore it becomes extra strain on the kidneys. Eventually the kidneys need rest and when they do, that is usually when the infection starts. The excess sugar throws off the pH in the body therefore screwing up the immune system response. plus sugar is bacteria food. hope this is easier to understand that google.