Diabetes is a metabolic disorder that affects the manner in which the body processes blood sugar. It is a chronic disease and cannot be cured. Our genes contribute a lot towards our susceptibility to suffering from diabetes but so does our lifestyle. Unhealthy food habits coupled with a sedentary routine can increase the odds of suffering from this disease.
While anyone can get it irrespective of gender, age or social strata, the number of men suffering is high1. One has to seek immediate medical treatment for this disease as a delay in getting medical help might adversely affect your heart, eyes, blood vessels, nerves and kidneys. There are many early warning signs and symptoms of diabetes in men. In any case, consult a doctor and never take medicines on your own, as it might lead to severe complications.
Since the level of blood sugar is high, it extracts fluids from the cells making the patient feel excessively thirsty. People suffering from diabetes feel hungry frequently because of the body’s inability to efficiently utilize blood sugar to be converted to energy. If you find yourself drinking gallons of water or gorging on food suddenly, talk to your doctor2.
People who suffer from diabetes start using the washroom frequently. Excessive thirst leads to frequent urination. Most men suffer from broken sleep at night. Older patients may even experience bed-wetting. The body tries to expel the extra glucose in the blood through urine. That is another reason for frequent urination2.
If you have generally been feeling low-key and suffering from tiredness and lethargy without any obvious reasons, you may have diabetes. Unexplained fatigue and listlessness are due to inefficient usage of energy. A glucose test will provide you with clarity so get one done immediately3.
Read More: 10 Foods to Fight Fatigue
Men suffering from diabetes often present with unintentional weight loss. The body is unable to use blood sugar to transform it into energy. This leads to sudden weight loss. If you have lost weight without any reason, please consult your doctor2.
Due to high sugar levels in the blood, men suffering from diabetes fall prey to skin infections very often. This could be genital itching or even thrush. The high sugar proves to be a perfect breeding ground for fungus which causes these infections4.
Adding to the symptoms mentioned in the blog burning pain in the legs and feet are also a symptom of diabetes. Regular blood sugar screening is recommended if you are experiencing any of the above.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD(Pediatric)
Men suffering from undiagnosed diabetes may experience blurred vision and rarely loss of eyesight. The high glucose levels in the body are harmful for most organs ,at times the eyes are the first to suffer. Seek treatment immediately if you have a sudden dip in your eyesight2.
Men who suffer from diabetes find that their cuts and wounds take longer to heal. High blood sugar reduces immunity and affects the body’s ability to heal itself. Since the situation can exacerbate gangrene and even can lead to amputation, if you have a wound that is not healing, seek expert medical guidance5.
Men suffering from diabetes experience erectile dysfunction. There are several mechanisms responsible for such kind of Erectile Dysfunction in diabetes. To name a few, impaired function of nerves, hindrance with the blood flow and psychological issues associated with diabetes are the common ones. It is important to be aware of false advertisements of many supplements and medicines that claim to cure ED. One must avoid self-medicating and always consult a doctor beforehand6.
Diabetes especially type 2 is commonly related to erectile dysfunction as high blood sugar over long periods of time can damage nerves and blood vessels causing problems with getting or keeping an erection firm enough.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj, MBBS, MD in Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology
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Many factors contribute to or increase your chances for diabetes and its related complications, some of them include:
Quitting or reducing daily smoking, engaging in some amount of daily physical activity, maintaining a well-balanced diet and keeping a check on your weight are good measures to reduce the risk of diabetes. Keeping a constant check at intervals on your blood glucose level also helps.
If you have a family history of diabetes and already have been diagnosed with borderline diabetes, certain changes in lifestyle can benefit your physical and mental well-being while also keeping your diabetes in check. Balancing your meals by putting in enough protein, vitamins and leafy vegetables will improve your bodily health. An even mixture of starch, fruits, vegetables, healthy fats and protein comprises a good, balanced and well-made meal.
Avoiding excess sugar, like carbonated drinks, fizzy sugary juices, sodas, candies and sweets is the key to keeping your diabetes level low. You can indulge in one or two sugary treats once in a while, however, consuming them in moderation is important.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
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