Symptoms of Diabetes in males can present similarly to symptoms in women and children, although some complications of the disease will be gender specific to men. To recognize the symptoms of Diabetes in males, a man must first understand what Diabetes Mellitus is. Diabetes is a condition in which the body has a defect in either insulin production (Type 1 Diabetes) or insulin resistance (Type 2 Diabetes).
When a man consumes food, his digestive system will break down the food with the assistance of acids and enzymes. The food will eventually be converted into nutrients and sugar (glucose) that the body can use for fuel. Insulin’s primary responsibility is to remove the sugar from the bloodstream and move it into muscles, tissue, and fats where it will be used as energy. When insulin cannot be secreted or processed, the levels of blood glucose remain high causing a man to feel fatigued in addition to a myriad of other conditions.
Of Diabetes in males, 95% are type 2 Diabetes, while only 5% are type 1 Diabetes. Type 2 Diabetes is caused by environmental factors such as being overweight, having elevated levels of blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides. This type is an insulin resistance in which the body may be able to produce adequate amounts of insulin, but the problem is with the ability to absorb the insulin.This condition is preventable and treatable with making lifestyle changes such as diet modification, adding daily exercise, and eliminating drinking and smoking.
Type 1 is different as it as an autoimmune disease, not caused by lifestyle risks, and the pancreas cannot manufacture insulin. This form requires daily and sometimes more frequent, doses of insulin in order to live. There is no known method of prevention, but treatment, in addition to insulin, is the same with both types.
Symptoms of Diabetes in Males
Symptoms of Diabetes in Males consist of an excessive need to drink and to urinate. As the kidneys work diligently to flush excess sugar from the body, the tissues can become dehydrated, requiring more fluids and the necessity to urinate. When the dehydration becomes severe, it is referred to as Hyperosmolar Nonketotic Diabetic Coma. A man can easily slip into a coma if he is unable to replenish his body with sufficient fluids. Once in a coma, death is the final stage of this disorder. Emergency medical treatment including gaining control of the blood sugar and insulin and adding intravenous fluids is the preferred course of action.
A man can also develop a ravenous appetite and can lose weight regardless of his increased appetite and eating habits, due to the inability to absorb nutrients lead to hunger and weight loss. After time, untreated Diabetes symptoms can cause extensive damage to the kidneys, eyes, bladder, liver, and heart. All of this damage is the result of excess sugar in the blood, which acts like a toxin, poisoning the blood vessels and any organ and tissue that receives blood.One organ that men may want to protect is their penis. Nerve damage and restricted blood flow to this organ may prevent an erection, orgasm, and reduce sensitivity as well as sexual desire.
Diabetes in Black Males
Diabetes in males affects 13 million men or 11.8% of the population ages twenty and over. Diabetes in black males occurs60% more than it does in Caucasian males and it is the sixth leading cause of mortality in African-American males. They also suffer higher incidences of complications from the disease as well, including amputation, blindness, and end-stage renal disease. African-American males are two times more likely to have a body part amputated, three times more likely to go blind, and four times likely to have end-stage renal disease. Researchers are uncertain what factors influence this statistic, especially considering that these rates are standard across the black community, despite age, education, marital status, and geographic location.
