Today, diabetes is one of the most common and dangerous diseases on the planet. According to medical data, this pathology takes the sixth place in the world in mortality among men, however, every year the number of sick representatives of the strong half of humanity is growing significantly. In this article, we will talk about what are the signs of type 2 diabetes in men, and also learn how to properly diagnose and treat this disease. Carefully read the information provided in order to arm yourself and protect yourself as much as possible.
What is this disease?
The most common worldwide type 2 diabetes is considered. Signs in men we will consider further. This disease is characterized by a lack of production of insulin in the body. In some cases, this hormone is produced in normal quantities, but the body has developed immunity to it. Most often, this pathology affects men over forty years of age, but the onset of the disease at an earlier age is also not excluded.
The main causes of the disease
Signs of type 2 diabetes in men are not difficult to recognize, especially considering the factors that lead to the onset of the disease. So, we will consider the main prerequisites for the development of diabetes:
- One of the main causes of this disease is considered improper nutrition. Excessive consumption of sweet, fatty and salty foods can cause malfunctions in the endocrine system in the body. Do not forget that diabetes is precisely a hormonal disease.
- Sedentary lifestyle. Representatives of the strong half of humanity who do not perform physical exercises are prone to gaining excess weight, including the occurrence of obesity. Overweight is also the cause of type 2 diabetes (for signs in men, see below).
- There is a special type of obesity called the beer belly. In this case, an incredible amount of fat accumulates in the abdomen and waist in men, which contributes to the deterioration of the digestive system, which can lead to a deterioration of the pancreas.
- Also, the disease can be inherited. If there were people with diabetes in your family, urgently start a healthy lifestyle to minimize the risk of this pathology.
- Another reason for the occurrence of diabetes is the prolonged use of certain medications. The worst effect on the endocrine system is the excessive use of beta-blockers, antidepressants, and diuretics.
- Also, the influence of certain diseases on the endocrine system should not be ruled out. So, some pathologies can disrupt the pancreas. These diseases include pancreatitis. In some cases, the disease can make itself felt after a person has transferred strong forms of viral diseases.
- Quite often, failures in the endocrine system occur against the background of constant and severe stresses. Nervous work, as well as problems in personal relationships can cause severe hormonal disorders.
Signs of Type 2 Diabetes in Men
In fact, this disease is considered very insidious. As soon as it begins to progress, it is not so easy to recognize it at the first stage, because it can be completely asymptomatic. However, over time, signs of type 2 diabetes in men begin to appear, and it is simply impossible not to notice them. So, let's consider what the symptoms of this disease are:
- Constant feeling of thirst, as well as excessive dryness in the oral cavity. A person can drink at a time more than a liter of water and at the same time feel a strong thirst.
- Another sign of type 2 diabetes in men (the treatment of pathology is described below) is a constant feeling of hunger. Since insulin is produced in very small quantities, it is simply not enough to convert glucose into energy for the body.
- A person complains of severe weakness, fatigue and drowsiness. The reason is the same. The body simply has nowhere to take energy from.
- If there are wounds on the body, then they will heal for a very long time.
- Another symptom of the disease is rapid visual impairment.
- Severe bleeding of the gums and alopecia can also occur.
In order for the disease to actively progress at the beginning, it is very important to start timely treatment. A sign of type 2 diabetes in men is also considered severe peeling of the skin, as well as intolerable itching in the groin area. The immune system begins to malfunction, which means that there is a high risk of various fungal and viral diseases. If the disease has already managed to move to more serious stages, then there may be signs of type 2 diabetes in men on the legs, such as trophic ulcers on the feet, which over time make walking simply impossible. In addition, a man will rapidly drop testosterone levels, which means that sex drive will simply come to naught. Most often, the disease makes itself felt in men after forty years, but its occurrence is still possible.
How to recognize pathology in elderly men
The signs of type 2 diabetes in men (treatment and consequences are described in this article), it is very important to recognize correctly. This is especially true for older people who currently have a bunch of other diseases. Consider how to recognize the ailment in elderly men.
The very first sign of illness in men who have reached the age of fifty is considered to be a violation of the flexibility of the fingers. Dystrophy violates the elasticity of the tendons so much that the patient simply cannot join two palms so that all fingers fit snugly together.
The next sign of the occurrence of pathology is a strong uncontrolled appetite. Insufficient insulin production simply does not allow food to be processed. From this there is a feeling of irrepressible hunger. If the disease began to progress rapidly, then a number of others join these signs. Let's consider which ones:
- a constant metallic taste in the mouth;
- a frequent desire to go to the toilet "little by little", especially at night. In this case, when passing a urine test, you may find that it has become too sticky;
- The occurrence of cardiovascular diseases is also becoming more frequent and blood pressure rises;
- the patient complains of constant weakness, malaise and muscle pain.
Does this pathology have consequences
Signs of type 2 diabetes in men indicate that the stronger sex needs to be treated urgently, otherwise the disease can lead to serious consequences. Please note that any form of the disease affects the activity of the male reproductive system. So the level of testosterone in the body drops significantly, which contributes to the lack of sexual desire, as well as the impossibility of an erection. Male genitals cease to be filled with blood, which contributes to a significant reduction in sperm production, as well as the occurrence of pathologies in DNA cells.
Many representatives of the stronger sex in the presence of this disease do not know how to live, what to do. Treatment for signs of type 2 diabetes in men should be started as early as possible. Otherwise, the consequences can be really terrible.
The disease can lead to inflammation of the foreskin, as well as to the occurrence of a huge number of diseases of the genitourinary system. If treatment has not been started, then diabetes can lead to impotence and to the inability of a man to have children.
Serious forms of the disease affect the activity of cerebral vessels and lead to stroke, atherosclerosis, and other diseases. The blow also falls on the cardiovascular system. A patient may have a heart attack, coronary heart disease, and many other pathologies.
Diabetes also causes complete loss of vision. Patients have an increased permeability of blood vessels in the retina, which precedes hypoxia and complete retinal detachment.
The disease also contributes to impaired renal function. This leads to pathologies such as renal failure, nephropathy, and many others.
However, the most terrible is the appearance of gangrene. On the feet there are trophic ulcers, which are rapidly increasing in size and affect an increasing number of tissues. The progression of gangrene can lead to amputation of the limbs.
Diagnostic Features
Diagnostic measures are taken if there are signs of type 2 diabetes in men. Diagnosis consists in taking a blood test for sugar. Such a procedure is recommended for men after forty years, especially in the presence of obesity, as well as with a hereditary predisposition. The analysis is performed on an empty stomach. If the level of glucose in the blood is more than 6.1 mmol, then this indicates the initial stage of the disease. Another test is taken two hours after consuming 75 grams of glucose. If the analysis shows a result higher than 11.2 mmol, then this is a criterion for diabetes. With indicators from 7.8 to 11.2, glucose tolerance is impaired. In this case, you should also consult a doctor, since such indicators are not considered normal and are precursors of diabetes.
Features of nutrition in the presence of diabetes
In the treatment of diabetes, the first thing a person needs to do is to adjust his diet. Indeed, without this, treatment simply will not bring any results. How to live for men with signs of type 2 diabetes? You will have to completely review the features of your life. A person must do everything necessary in order to establish metabolic processes in his body. To do this, you will have to adhere to a special diet, the features of which we now consider:
- you need to eat in small portions, but often. The number of meals per day should be five to six. In this case, accustom yourself to eat at the same time;
- Do not bring yourself to a state of hunger. If you want to have a snack between meals, then vegetables or sour-sweet fruits are best;
- It is very important to correctly calculate the amount of nutrients for the body, based on its individual characteristics, as well as the nature of your activity;
- it is very important to completely remove sweet confectionery products from the diet, which for many men is considered the most difficult;
- in no case do not skip breakfast, as it is the most important meal. But have dinner two hours before bedtime;
- It is also very important to monitor the drinking regimen. Try to drink at least one and a half liters of purified water daily.
Prefer protein foods, as well as various cereals and bran, fruits and vegetables. But try to minimize the amount of easily digestible carbohydrates.
Treatment features
The main essence of the treatment of this pathology is to reduce the concentration of sugar in the blood (a photo of the signs of type 2 diabetes in men you can see in this article). In this case, it is very important to establish the production of insulin, as well as to normalize all metabolic processes.
In the presence of this disease, it is very important to consult an endocrinologist in a timely manner. Depending on the individual characteristics of your body, he will choose the right dosage of insulin for you. In this case, the patient will have to take insulin-containing drugs for life, otherwise the disease will begin to progress at an incredible speed.
If the disease has not yet begun to progress, then there is a likelihood that a man will be able to normalize the production of insulin without the use of medications. To do this, you must strictly follow dietary nutrition, as well as perform physical exercises. If a man is obese, then it will be very important for him to lose weight.
Treatment for diabetes will also include the use of additional measures, such as:
- taking medications that improve the activity of the male reproductive system;
- the use of various therapeutic procedures;
- the use of drugs that improve the circulatory system.
Preventive measures
In order to prevent the formation of signs of type 2 diabetes in men, the diet must be followed. To prevent the occurrence of such a dangerous disease, it is very important to start a healthy lifestyle. To do this, you need to establish your diet, get rid of bad habits and excess weight, and also begin to perform physical exercises. For preventive purposes, you can also use various measures of traditional medicine. Good results can be achieved by taking decoctions from plants such as goatberry, elderberry, ginseng and mountain ash.
Older men need a very responsible approach to their health. It is very important to take a blood and urine test every year to determine the level of sugar. Only by monitoring yourself and your lifestyle can you eliminate such a terrible disease as diabetes.
To summarize
What should a man do with signs of type 2 diabetes? Urgently go to the hospital. The sooner you start treatment, the more you can count on positive results. Diabetes is a disease that requires immediate treatment, as well as a complete change in lifestyle. Having adjusted your nutrition, as well as starting to perform physical exercises, you can completely change your life and prevent the development of a large number of other dangerous pathologies. The main thing is to carefully monitor your health indicators.
If you still encounter a pathology such as diabetes, do not immediately get upset. Following the recommendations of doctors, you can not only normalize your condition, but also live a long and happy life. Take care of yourself and take care of yourself, and you will notice how your body begins to take care of you.