Not many people like going to the doctor. Many of us are guilty of pushing off our doctor’s visits, affecting our health. The American Diabetes Association mentions that men tend to ignore their health issues, leading to a higher risk of diabetes.
Diabetes affects around 14 million men in the United States, and about 90%-95% of them have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Men are also more likely to develop type 2 diabetes at a lower weight. One contributing factor is men’s bodies naturally store more fat in their bellies. Let’s look at the symptoms of diabetes and how it affects men’s health.
Symptoms of Diabetes
It’s not unusual for signs of diabetes to go unnoticed. Symptoms can be very mild and may not cause concern for years. Early symptoms include:
- frequent urination
- unusual fatigue
- increased hunger
- blurred vision
- increased thirst
- unusual weight loss
- tingling or numbness in the hands and feet
- low-healing sores
- frequent infections
- areas of darkened skin, usually in the armpits and neck
If diabetes continues to go untreated, it can start to cause complications. Other parts of your body that may be affected are:
- skin
- eyes
- kidney
- liver
- nerves, including nerve damage
Nerve damage from diabetes over many years could lead to diabetic neuropathy. Because it impacts blood flow to parts of your body, it could also lead to amputation of a toe, foot, or leg. Diabetes also puts you at greater risk for more serious health complications such as heart disease, stroke, vision loss, and kidney failure.
Impact on Sexual Health
A possible symptom of type 2 diabetes for men is erectile dysfunction (ED), the inability to achieve or maintain an erection. A recent analysis of 145 studies found that over 50% of men with diabetes also have ED.
Chronic high blood sugar causes damage to small blood vessels or nerves. Diabetes can also cause damage to the autonomic nervous system, which can also cause ED due to reduced blood flow.
Managing Diabetes
The first steps to managing diabetes are healthier lifestyle changes. This includes eating more greens, consuming less sugar, and exercising regularly. Together, you can have better control of your weight and glucose levels.
Devices and medications may also be used to control your blood sugar levels. You can learn more about these options in our blog.
If you have type 2 diabetes, participating in clinical research studies may help. Contact our team at Synergy Healthcare to learn more about enrolling diabetes studies or our Metabolic Health Initiative program today! Call (941) 896-4948 or visit our website.
Sources:
https://www.webmd.com/men/guide/diabetes-men
https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/library/features/diabetes-and-men.html
https://healthline.com/health/recognizing-diabetes-symptoms-men
https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pdfs/data/statistics/national-diabetes-statistics-report.pdf
