Diabetes Symptoms in Men

Due to the nature of our work, we spend most of the day engaged in activities that keep us sitting or lying in one position. But, our bodies are not designed to remain stationary for a prolonged time. This has resulted in a growing incidence of lifestyle diseases. And, when you talk about lifestyle diseases, the most common name that comes to your mind is diabetes. Some diabetes symptoms in men may vary significantly from that of women.

According to the findings of the International Diabetes Federation, India presently comprises 77 million individuals with diabetes. The prevalence of diabetes in men has been found to be 11.8% compared to women, which is 9.5%. Mostly, men above the age of 45 with a BMI greater than 32 are prone to type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in men before 30 years of age.

Type 1 and 2 diabetes symptoms for men and women are fairly similar. However, there exist certain signs of diabetes that are more specific to the male population.

What is diabetes and its causes?

Diabetes is a chronic disease related to insulin dysfunction in the body. This leads to irregularities in blood glucose levels, causing a number of associated conditions. Type 1 and 2 diabetes are the most commonly occurring forms.

Many of the diabetes symptoms for men and women are common, and so are the causes:

• Insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas stop functioning, resulting in high blood sugar levels.
• Genes are responsible to some extent.
• Problems in insulin signaling.
• Toxins and microbial infections, causing autoimmune reactions.
• Unhealthy diet and consumption of processed foods. Read more about diabetes causes.

Common symptoms of diabetes

Diabetes symptoms for men and women are largely similar. The most prevalent signs of diabetes are:

• Increased thirst
• Frequent urination
• Sudden weight loss
• Tingling sensation in the extremities
• Dry and itchy skin
• Slow-healing wounds
• Hazy vision
• Patches of dark skin
• Constant fatigue

What are the Diabetes Symptoms in Men?

Following are some type 1 & type 2 diabetes symptoms in men:

1) Increase in appetite: Insulin resistance causes reduced glucose breakdown. There is a lesser release of energy. As such, the person consumes more food to make up for it.

2) Feeling of drowsiness: A general feeling of lethargy sets in due to constant fluctuations in blood glucose levels.

3) Breathing issues: One of the familiar signs of type 1 diabetes in men is laborious breathing. This is caused by a short-term complication known as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). The kidneys become overburdened to remove the toxic ketones being formed because of this condition. Consequently, the lungs end up expelling these excess ketones. This causes shortness of breath.

4) Frequent states of near-unconsciousness: High blood sugar levels result in dehydration, and low blood sugar levels deprive the brain of glucose. Both these conditions lead to states of stupor.

5) Urinating frequently: When your blood sugar levels are high, your body gets rid of the extra sugar via the kidneys. This leads to urinating more often.

6) Increased thirst: As a result of increased urination, the body gets dehydrated and therefore you feel a frequent urge to drink water.

7) Low levels of testosterone: Insulin sensitivity decreases testosterone levels, resulting in low sex drive. It is characterized by a reduced energy level and a feeling of fatigue.

8) Erectile dysfunction: Since diabetes affects the autonomic nervous system, it may lead to problems concerning sexual health. Erectile dysfunction or the inability to sustain an erection is one of the common signs of type 2 diabetes in men. 

9) Retrograde ejaculation: Backflow of semen takes place into the bladder instead of passing out through the urethra. This may impair fertility. It happens due to defective blood sugar control, leading to bladder neuropathy.

10) Incontinence and difficulty in bladder control: Urinary tract infections and incontinence are common signs of type 2 diabetes in men. 

11) Genital yeast infections: Yeast feeds on sugar. Since excess sugar passes out through urine for individuals with diabetes, yeast infections may occur in the genital areas. Symptoms include redness, swelling, discomfort and foul odour. Also read about sugar in urine

12) Loss of muscle mass: High blood sugar levels cause auto-digestion of fat, muscle and protein to derive energy. This reduces muscle mass and is the reason for unexplained weight loss. Also know about best medicine for diabetes in India.

13) Enlarged prostate: Urinary incontinence is a common symptom associated with the development of an enlarged prostate.

What are the diabetes complications in men? 

Complications of diabetes usually develop gradually. If your blood sugar levels are uncontrolled for longer durations then your risk of developing complications is high. Certain complications of diabetes in men include

Cardiovascular diseases- Having diabetes increases the risk of having heart problems such as chest pain, heart attack, strokes, atherosclerosis, etc.

Nerve damage- Excessive sugar in the blood damages capillaries which leads to numbing, tingling sensations in feet and hands. Damaged nerves can also lead to erectile dysfunction in men.

Kidney damage- Diabetes damages the blood vessels in the kidney that disrupt the filtration process of waste from blood leading to kidney damage.

Foot Damage- Elevated blood sugar level leads to damaged blood vessels in the foot which causes a delay in the healing of wounds and other infections.

Eye damage- Known as retinopathy, the damaged blood vessels of the eye lead to eye problems and blindness in some cases.

Skin disorders- Having abnormal blood sugar levels causes skin problems such as dark patches on the skin, bacterial infections, fungal infections, etc.

‍Depression- Having diabetes can be overwhelming. People with diabetes usually suffer from mental problems such as depression, anxiety, etc.

What are the Risk Factors for Diabetes in Men?

The following factors increase the chances to develop diabetes in men:

• Obesity
• Being more than 45 years of age and leading a sedentary lifestyle
• High blood pressure and cholesterol levels
• Family history of diabetes
• History of cardiovascular complications
• High consumption of alcohol and nicotine
• Fat storage in the abdominal area

Regular exercises and following a proper diet go a long way in preventing complications in diabetes. 

Bottomline

Diabetes in men raises many questions: Can diabetes affect men’s fertility? or Is diabetes responsible for losing muscle weight? The answers to these lie in the symptoms and how well they are managed. A suitable diet, regular exercises and cutting down on the risk factors help to control the condition. Talk to your healthcare provider if you experience any of the symptoms. Early diagnosis is a life-saver in most cases. Also know about ayurvedic medicine for diabetes.

FAQs

Can Diabetes affect Fertility in Men?

Yes. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can influence men’s fertility. High blood sugar levels damage the sperm DNA, thus lowering the sperm quality. Issues such as retrograde ejaculation and erectile dysfunction, which arise due to diabetes, can lead to infertility in men.

What are the Complications of Diabetes in Men?

Low testosterone levels due to diabetes lead to reproductive issues in men, such as erectile dysfunction and genital thrush. It may cause infertility. Damage to the autonomic nervous system causes loss of bladder control. Having an enlarged prostate, as a result of diabetes, increases the chances of prostate cancer. All these complications can be controlled by proper diet, exercise and insulin management.

At what age do men usually get diabetes?

Type1 diabetes can occur at any stage of life. However, men usually get diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. There are higher chances of men with a BMI greater than 32 of getting diagnosed with type 2 diabetes after the age of 45. On the other hand, though type 1 diabetes can be diagnosed at any age, it is noticed that it might be diagnosed in men before 30 years of age.

What causes diabetes in a man?

The inability of the body to produce insulin or to utilize it properly is what causes diabetes in men. Generally, the effects of diabetes are similar in all genders. However, the complications of the disease may differ in men and women. Diabetes may also affect the strength of a man. Studies show that men have a higher risk of developing diabetes than women as they experience less relative weight gain than women.

‍What are diabetes symptoms for males?

Usually, symptoms like frequent urination, increased thirst, feeling lethargic, delayed healing of wounds, skin infections, etc. are common for men and women. However, men may particularly face certain symptoms such as erectile dysfunction, retrograde ejaculation, low testosterone levels, difficulty in bladder control, etc.