How Diabetes Affects Men
Posted by Percy Reed in Metabolic Diseases Help
A person might very well think that the disease, diabetes affects each diabetic the same way. This statement couldn’t be farther from the truth at all; diabetes affects each individual differently. Things that can affect diabetes differ greatly depending upon age, race, gender, weight, lifestyle, activity level, diet, and family history.
Circulation released a report in 2006 about the higher possibilities for diabetes to develop in men. According to this report, the lack of knowledge and awareness of males about this lifelong disease contributes to the fast development of different complications. In addition to that, males are also more apt to experience the premature development of complications like heart and cardiac arrests, improper functioning of kidneys, blindness and other eye-sight problems, and amputation of lower and upper extremities such as hands, legs and feet. This might also cause erectile dysfunction.
Quite possibly because of the man must appear “macho” or “manly” many do not make the critical lifestyle changes that are essential to controlling their blood sugar levels. This puts them at even greater risks of severe complications. Men, for still unproven reasons, are two to three times more apt to need an amputation and are found to go blind more swiftly than women.
Lifestyle changes that males fail to make include changes in their diets. Males are more likely to continue eating lots of fast foods, foods high in saturated fats, tans-fats, processed foods, junk foods, foods high in sodium, starches, as well as high in sugars. It is very rare that a male will order a salad when eating out with the guys. It is very important to eat a well balanced diet that includes vegetables, Omega 3 fatty chemicals (present in fish) lean meats, chicken, fiber, and other whole grains.
Another thing that males fail to do is to quit consuming of alcohol. The liver treats alcohol as a pollutant in the body and works to rid the body of alcohol as rapidly as possible. The liver will not manufacture glucose again until the alcohol has been processed and removed from the body causing the blood sugar levels to drop dangerously. The American Diabetes Association suggests that if a diabetic chooses to drink, that they do not drink on an empty stomach in order to guard themselves from low blood sugar, drinking only after eating a meal or a snack.
Males also fail to see how quitting smoking will benefit them. People with diabetes who smoke are three times more apt to die of heart disease than other people with diabetes. Smoking increases one’s blood pressure and raises the blood sugar levels, making it harder to control diabetes. Smoking causes damage to and narrows the blood vessels. This harm can worsen foot ulcers and lead to atherosclerosis and leg and foot infections. Diabetic smokers are more likely to suffer nerve damage and kidney disease. Smokers get colds and respiratory infections easier.
Males are also considered to be very stubborn most especially in checking their blood glucose level. This can be very harmful to diabetics. Whenever possible, they need to check their blood pressure because rising and falling of blood sugar level is not good for patients suffering from diabetes.
Men are stubborn in nature. That is a common knowledge to all. However, stubbornness doesn’t help males in recovering from diabetes. Diabetes is treatable and curable only if diagnosed early and given treatment the earliest time possible. If men will continue to preserve their manly image, it’s anticipated that problems will occur but if men will accept the fact they are in fact suffering from diabetes and will adhere to treatments, medications and lifestyle changes, they’re on their way to faster recovery.
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