What are the Symptoms and Signs of Diabetes in Men?
In this article, we'll take a look at some of the symptoms and signs of diabetes in men. If you're looking for treatment options, consider Ozempic® (semaglutide), an injectable prescription medicine used to improve blood sugar (glucose) in adults with type 2 diabetes, Jardiance (empagliflozin), a medication used in the management and treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, Semaglutide, an injection used to treat type 2 diabetes and Canagliflozin, a medication for type 2 diabetes that works by helping the kidneys remove excess sugar from the body through urine.
Worst Foods for Diabetes in Men
- Sugary beverages.
- Processed snacks and sweets.
- White bread and refined grains.
- High-sugar cereals.
- Fried and fatty foods.
Best Foods for Diabetes in Men
- Leafy greens and non-starchy vegetables.
- Whole grains like quinoa and oatmeal.
- Lean proteins (chicken, fish, tofu).
- Berries and other low-sugar fruits.
- Nuts and seeds in moderation.
1. Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
Between 20% to 75% of men with diabetes may suffer from erectile dysfunction or the inability to achieve or maintain an erection. In addition, diabetic men may suffer from ED at an earlier stage of their lives than men without diabetes. ED can result from damage to the blood vessels and nerves that supply the penis.
2. Frequent Urination
Frequent urination, or polyuria, is a common symptom of diabetes and its associated high blood sugar levels. This is because the kidneys become overwhelmed with the excessive sugar levels and work to excrete it out of the body via the urine. Unfortunately, fluids from the body’s tissues are also excreted alongside the sugar, leaving you feeling thirsty and dehydrated.
As ED can be caused by many serious health conditions, such as high blood pressure, so you should discuss this symptom carefully with your doctor.
3. Retrograde Ejaculation
Another male-specific diabetes symptom is retrograde ejaculation, where semen is released into the bladder. This can result in less semen being released during ejaculation and is associated with fertility problems. Retrograde ejaculation is caused by nerve damage to the bladder.
4. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
Diabetic men may suffer from a variety of urological issues, including UTIs, overactive bladder and urinary incontinence due to bladder nerve damage.
5. Genital Thrush
Excess levels of sugar within the urine provide ideal conditions for yeast growth around the genitals. This makes diabetic men more susceptible to episodes of genital thrush.
6. Reduced Muscle Mass
As people with diabetes lack sufficient insulin levels, sugar stored within the blood is unable to pass into the muscles and provide the fuel necessary for growth. This can lead to the death of muscle cells and a subsequent reduction in muscle mass.
7. Fatigue
Fluctuating blood sugar levels can leave people with diabetes feeling fatigued throughout the day. This happens as your body’s cells are unable to convert sugar within the blood into energy, leaving you feeling constantly sluggish.
8. Hunger
As your cells are not using sugar successfully, they send messages up to your brain claiming that they are being starved! This causes your brain to tell you that you are hungry and trigger cravings for sugary foods.
9. Unintentional Weight Loss
As your body enters this starvation mode, it lacks the energy it needs to function correctly. Your body then starts to break down muscles to fuel itself, causing a loss of muscle mass and unintentional weight loss.
10. Tingling or Numbness in the Hands or Feet
High blood sugar levels can result in nerve damage throughout the body. The small nerves within your hands and feet can be easily affected, causing a tingling or numb feeling. As these extremities receive less circulation than other parts of the body, these nerves are repaired slowly.
11. Skin Changes and Slow Healing of Wounds
Damage to localized nerves and blood vessels means that less blood is delivered to the surface of the skin. This can cause several skin complaints and delay the healing of skin wounds, particularly when these occur in the extremities.
12. Blurred Vision
High blood sugar levels can cause localized fluid to be drawn into the eye’s lens, causing swelling and blurred vision. However, this effect is likely to be temporary, and vision will generally return to normal once blood sugar levels have stabilized.
How and When Should Men Seek Treatment for Diabetes?
If you are experiencing any of these key signs of diabetes, you should make an appointment to see your doctor as soon as possible. The symptoms of diabetes can be managed and controlled with the appropriate treatment in place. Therefore, you must take control of your condition promptly so that you can prevent any severe and long-term health complications.