5 early symptoms of Diabetes in men that should not be ignored

Diabetes is a chronic health condition, which develops when blood glucose levels exceed normal ranges. The body experiences this condition when it either fails to produce adequate insulin, or loses its ability to use insulin effectively. (Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps regulate blood sugar levels by allowing glucose to enter cells for energy) In most cases, Diabetes is usually not reversible, but it can be managed with a healthy diet, and medication. Both men and women can get Diabetes at any point in their lives, but the symptoms might be slightly different. Here are some early signs of Diabetes in men (however, these are not exclusive to the condition, and only a blood test can confirm the same)

Men who develop diabetes tend to first experience excessive thirst, and sudden urine production. This occurs because the kidneys must work harder to filter out excessive sugar, when blood glucose levels exceed normal ranges. Since the kidneys cannot process all the excess sugar, they pass it through urine while drawing fluids from the body tissues. The body loses fluids because of increased urination which results in dehydration, leading to a chronic cycle stemming from the body attempting to eliminate excess sugar from the system. This symptom creates problems with daily activities, because nightly urination disrupts sleep patterns. Doctors should evaluate persistent thirst and urination, because these symptoms appear frequently during the early stages of diabetes.

Diabetes may manifest in men through unexpected weight reduction, even when they do not purposefully diet. The inability of the body to use sugar for energy production because of insufficient insulin or insulin resistance, drives it to use muscle and fat for fuel, resulting in rapid weight loss. During this time, men typically experience excessive fatigue together with weakness. Fatigue develops because cells within the body fail to obtain their required energy supply. This feeling of exhaustion persists after rest periods, and is constant. The depletion of muscle tissue creates additional weakness, together with its other symptoms. These signs often get ignored by people, yet they indicate problems with blood sugar control in the body.

Diabetes creates specific sexual health complications which affect men. Erectile dysfunction is a typical symptom, which causes difficulties with achieving or sustaining an erection. The onset of erectile dysfunction occurs earlier in diabetic men compared to non-diabetic men. The condition develops because elevated blood sugar levels injure nerves along with blood vessels, which maintain normal sexual operations. Men who have diabetes face an elevated probability of developing low testosterone, which healthcare providers refer to as low-T. Decreased sex drive together with depression symptoms and muscle strength reduction are possible consequences of low testosterone levels in men. Retrograde ejaculation represents another possible condition, where semen enters the bladder instead of passing through the penis during ejaculation. These health issues stem from diabetes effects on hormone levels and nerve system health in men.

Diabetes causes the immune system to slow down, thus making wounds and cuts heal at a slower rate. Men who have diabetes notice that their small cuts, infections and scrapes, require longer periods to heal than normal. The risk of developing serious or infected wounds becomes higher because of these factors. The symptoms of repeated infections include both urinary tract infections and fungal infections, that present as genital thrush. Yeast infections of private areas is also common, because the high sugar content in urine creates an ideal environment for yeast to multiply. The affected areas typically show redness alongside swelling and itchiness, along with white lumps on the skin surface.

Vision changes constitute a common symptom which diabetic men typically experience. Men with diabetes often experience fluid movement in their eyes, that distorts their lenses, thus producing blurry vision. The condition of diabetic retinopathy develops from blurred vision through extended exposure to high blood sugar levels. This also produces numbness, along with tingling sensations in the feet and hands of diabetic men. The body develops nerve damage from prolonged exposure to high blood sugar levels. The initial mild sensations from these symptoms can transform into severe discomfort before causing complete numbness. The symptoms of blurred vision and numbness indicate diabetes-related nerve and organ damage, which requires prompt medical care for proper management and prevention of additional damage.

Sources:

https://www.medicinenet.com/diabetes_symptoms_in_men/article.htm

https://www.lybrate.com/topic/diabetes

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/311173

https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/understanding-diabetes-symptoms

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/type-2-diabetes/symptoms/

https://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes

https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/signs-symptoms/index.html

Disclaimer: This article is informational only and not a substitute for medical advice