Why is it important to be able to recognize the first signs of diabetes in men? More and more frequently men are being diagnosed with diabetes. You can say that this is unfortunate. However, being diagnosed is truly a good thing. In the past, men have generally been resistant to visiting their doctor frequently and looking after their own health. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) states “Today’s men have a strong grasp of their disease and related conditions, actively engage with their healthcare providers, and proactively manage their health. We encourage all men with diabetes to take the ‘modern man’ challenge: get out, get active, get informed!”
On the other hand, the incidence of diabetes has doubled over the last 30 years, and many people still go undiagnosed. In fact, the ADA states that 7 million people have the disease but are not diagnosed. When people continue to go undiagnosed, it opens the door for further complications to develop such as nerve damage, kidney damage, blindness, heart disease, or even death. Many of the men that go undiagnosed do so because they simply are unable to recognize the first signs of diabetes in men and damage has already been damaged by the time they realize that they have it. Therefore, take the time to learn the first signs of diabetes in men. They are as follows:
- Increased thirst
- Increased hunger
- Fatigue
- Frequent urination, especially at night
- Unexplained weight loss
- Blurred vision
- Sore which heal slowly or fail to heal
Who Should Be Aware?
Everyone should be aware of the first signs of diabetes in men, women, and children. We should all look out for one another, and particularly be able to spot these signs in the ones we love. However, along with being able to spot the first signs of diabetes, you should be able to recognize who is the most at risk. Those most at risk of developing diabetes are:
- People who are overweight and obese
- People who lead a sedentary lifestyle
- People who have an immediate family member with diabetes, such as a sibling or parent
- People who are of African American, American Indian, Hispanic, Native Alaskan, Asian American, Pacific Island decent
Those who are at a high risk of developing the disease should be tested regularly no matter what their age. With any luck you can catch the condition as a pre-diabetic, or when the condition is still reversible. According to WebMD.com, studies have shown that 90% of diabetes cases could have been prevented, or significantly delayed, simply through a healthier diet with plenty of physical activity.
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