Diabetes is one of the few diseases that affects men differently than women. Type 2 Diabetes is the most common among men and this is a disease in which your body cannot produce enough insulin. Diabetes affects a vast portion of the world, but men are at most risk for Diabetes.
Symptoms:
- increased thirst
- increased hunger
- fatigue
- frequent urination, especially at night
- unexplained weight loss
- blurred vision
- sores that don’t heal
Complications in Men
If left unmanaged, diabetes can cause serious health implications such as heart disease, nerve damage and kidney damage. The death rate from heart disease is much higher for men than it is for men without diabetes. Diabetes can also lead to blindness and other eye disorders such as glaucoma and cataracts.
Diabetic neuropathy is very common after having the disease for many years. This is a type of nerve damage that affects the legs and feet, numbing these parts of the body.
One of the biggest issues with diabetes among men is that the disease can also affect their libido because there is a greater risk for males to develop erectile dysfunction. According to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, 20 to 75 percent of men with diabetes have erectile dysfunction. It’s a wise choice to get checked out if you’re experiencing erectile dysfunction.
Prevention is Key With Type 2 diabetes
Half the battle of controlling your blood sugar is managing what you eat. Make sure you are eating plenty of fruits and vegetables and limiting the amount of processed foods, which often have a lot of hidden sugars.
Staying active and getting at least 30 minutes of exercise every day will help you stay healthy and fit. Make sure you are getting your cardio in, that way your heart stays healthy because believe it or not most people that have diabetes also have high blood pressure, which puts them at risk for heart disease.
Staying positive is also a great way to manage stress and to lead a healthier life. If you’re a male diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, remember, it’s not the end of the world- it’s the beginning of a new chapter.