7 Diabetes Symptoms Every Man Must Know

7 Diabetes Symptoms Every Man Must Know, Warning signs men should not ignore

BY JESSICA MIGALA AND KATHY BUCHANAN

YOU’RE SO THIRSTY Excessive thirst is common with type 2 diabetes – in fact, you may feel that no amount of water can quench your thirst. hat’s due to rising blood glucose levels: excess sugar builds up in your bloodstream forcing your kidneys to work harder to ilter and absorb it; if they can’t keep up, they ramp up urine production. You’ll pass urine more, which can potentially lead to dehydration, so you’ll want to drink more. If you notice that you’re running to the bathroom all day or are excessively thirsty (or dealing with a dry mouth), talk to your doctor.

SHAVING NICKS DON’T HEAL QUICKLY 

A tiny cut may seem to linger forever. “When your sugars are on their way up, it may take longer for a cut to heal,” says Sydney endocrinologist Jane Holmes-Walker. “You may also notice more shaving bumps and white heads in the hair follicles in your beard. he sebaceous oil glands in your face are also vulnerable to low-grade infections when you have type 2 diabetes.”

YOUR HANDS AND FEET ARE NUMB AND TINGLY 

A more advanced complication is nerve damage, a condition called peripheral diabetic neuropathy. You may feel tingling or pins and needles in your feet, pain or numbness, or a sensation that feels like you are walking on cotton wool for some or stones for others.Holmes-Walker says that it presents in a ‘stocking – glove’ pattern. “It happens irst where your socks go on, and itmay occur in your ingertipsmuch later,” she says.

THE TIP OF YOUR PENIS IS RED AND SWOLLEN 

Among themany warning signs of type 2 diabetes are erectile dysfunction and a condition called balanitis. “his is most commonly due to an excess of candida, a normal resident on the skin which increases with high blood glucose levels,” saysHolmes-Walker. If you experience swelling of the foreskin and tip of the penis, any painor discharge, see your doctor.hey will instruct you on the best way to keep the area clean andmay recommend an anti-fungal or antibiotic creamdepending on the source of the problem.

YOUR MOOD IS LOW 

Of all the problems triggered by diabetes,mood disorders are notorious. An Australian study foundone in four peoplewith type2diabetes experiencedepression andone in six experience anxiety. Blood glucose balance is important formaintaining a stablemood. In a 2016 US study, diabetes was associated with increased odds of depression in older men.helonger the personhadbeendiagnosedwith diabetes, themore likely they were to sufer from depression.

YOU’RE SEEING ‘FLOATERS’ 

Although diabetes can damage eyes, it’s usually not until diabetes ismore advanced that you start experiencing symptoms. Over time, highblood glucose damages blood vessels in the retina, causing themto bleed and leading to diabetic retinopathy. Youmay notice black loating spots dotting your ield of vision, and youmay also have blurred vision. It’s important to have a dilated eye exam as diabetes is a leading cause of preventable blindess.

YOUR GUMS ARE BLEEDING 

Holmes-Walker says peoplewith diabetes are three timesmore likely to develop periodontitis – an infection that damages gums and can lead to tooth loss – than thosewithout diabetes. Red, swollen andbleeding gums are common signs of the condition. It’s important to see a dentist to get this under control, since the infection alsoworks the otherway – gumproblems can increase blood glucose and lead to diabetes.

sources:

Readers Digest, July 2018

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