Most people, especially males believe that diabetes afflicts people on the same way. Although some may experience the same effects, it is still proven that diabetes afflicts different individuals in a different way. Moreover, these effects vary depending on the different risk factors of diabetes such as mobility of a person, lifestyle, family hereditary, gender and ethnicity.
The biggest leap in those diagnosed with diabetes seems to be in the men, according to a report in Circulation published in 2006. Males have a tendency to often ignore the symptoms of diabetes, therefore often tend to have more severe complications later on. The complications due to failure to diagnose and treat diabetes, and make the necessary lifestyle changes, in its early stages for a male may evolve into heart disease, circulatory problems, impotence, impaired vision, kidney disease, nerve damage, and possible amputation of hands, legs, or feet due to unmonitored symptoms of nerve damage and uncontrolled infections.
Males tend to be very egoistic. They want to maintain their male strength and machismo by not getting help from the doctors and medical experts. They also do not want to enliven the changes they need to apply in their lifestyle. Because of this, the risks of getting complications from diabetes are aggravated. Certain studies also show that males are more prone to having visual problems that may eventually lead to blindness.
One of the lifestyle modifications that men fail to follow is the complete change in their diet. Many males tend to stay with their usual diet such as continuous intake of junk foods, sodium-rich foods, high-fat foods, tans-fats, starches and foods that are from fast food chains and restaurants. You will rarely see a man ordering salad from the restaurant. However, the diet that most males curse is very important for health. These are Omega 3 fatty acids, whole grains, vegetable, poultry, fish and lean meats.
One more thing that males find so hard to do is to stop from drinking alcohol. Alcohol serves as body pollutant. The liver is very much sensitive to alcohol and as much as possible it wants to get rid of the alcohol right away. Moreover, once alcohol is present, the liver does not function properly most especially in the production of glucose. When this happens, the level of blood sugar decreases and this can be very dangerous and harmful for the body. According to the American Diabetes Association, it is okay to drink alcohol however; it should not be taken with an empty stomach. This way, the lowering of blood sugar is guarded and monitored. It would be best to drink only after eating.
Males also fail to see how quitting smoking will benefit them. People with diabetes who smoke are three times more likely 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 sugar level. This is extremely bad for diabetic patients. As much as possible, they should monitor 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 maintain their masculine image, it is expected that complications 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 are on their way to faster recovery.
