Diabetes and menDiabetes is known to affect how your body uses the blood glucose. Men with Diabetes have their set of unique complications which slowly affects the quality of their life. In this article we seek to identify those complications. This will help you recognise them at the outset and seek medical help in time.Prostate problemsThe prostrate is a walnut shaped gland; a part of the male reproductive system that wraps around the male urethra near the bladder. Prostrate problems are common in men after age 50 as it grows larger as you get older. Enlarged prostate can cause a number of health issues.Benign prostate enlargement - One in three men over 50 have an enlarged prostate. Why this happens is not known but its symptoms can hamper the quality of life. The good news is that it is not caused by cancer. Symptoms of enlarged prostate may include:A weak or slow urinary streamA feeling of incomplete bladder emptyingDifficulty starting urinationFrequent urination during day and nightIt is important to consult your doctor if you have any of these symptoms as early treatment can help timely management.Skin problemsThrush is a yeast infection. Thrush can occur in the mouth, throat, on the skin or on the genitals. High blood sugar levels (or Diabetes) encourage the growth of fungus. Men with Diabetes tend to sweat more which creates a perfect breeding environment for the fungus. Male yeast infection leads to an inflammation of the tip of the penis. Symptoms of male yeast infection include:redness, itching, pain, irritation and burning in the genital areawhite discharge from the site of the infection resembling cottage cheesean unpleasant smellThe infection usually begins with as a red and itchy rash. Small red spots may also develop. It is best to see a doctor for a diagnosis if you suspect thrush..Sex related problemsSexual dysfunction is common in people with Diabetes but is rarely discussed. Lack of blood sugar control causes damage to the blood vessels and nervous system. This leads to lowered blood circulation and loss of touch in sexual organs. As a result, affected men may have difficulty maintaining an erection.Men with Diabetes who suffer from sexual dysfunction may have one or more of following issues:Decreased erection and difficulty in penetrationLonger time to achieve erectionLoosing erection in between coital activityReduced night time and early morning erectionNo erection at allPremature ejaculationPain during erectionThe risk factors for erectile dysfunction (ED)include obesity, smoking, Diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, medication use and sleep disorder. Psychological factors such as stress, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, guilt and fear of sexual failure could also cause ED. Certain medications like anti- depressants, tranquilizers, anti-histamines and anti-hypertension could result in ED.The incidence of erectile dysfunction is three times higher in men with Diabetes. 50-75 per cent of men with Diabetes suffer from ED. The presence of ED is associated with more than 14 times higher risk for silent heart attack, higher risk of death due to heart disease in men with Diabetes. Early detection of ED is crucial to lower your risk of a heart attack. In men who have ED with Diabetes, it is very important to control Diabetes. Better managing the blood sugar levels can help improve nerve condition and blood supply. Prior to taking medication for ED, one should do a complete evaluation for Diabetes and related complications especially heart-related because ED and heart disease share many risk factors. In some cases, ED is an early sign of the succeeding heart disease.Lifestyle modification, medication, psychosexual therapy or often times testosterone replacement could help treat ED. Seeking counselling is also necessary. Sexual dysfunction related problems may not only be physical problems but could also be associated with low self-esteem, embarrassment and guilt. Psychiatrists,psychologists and sexologists are involved in treating sexual dysfunction along with physicians and andrologists..Urinary tract infectionsUrinary tract Infections or UTI is an infection involving the urinary tract which consists of the kidneys, ureters (i.e. tubes that connect the kidneys and the urinary bladder), urinary bladder and urethra (i.e. tube running from the bladder to the outside). UTIs can occur in any part of theurinary tract. Most infections involve the lower urinary tract, the bladder and the urethra. Most UTIs are caused by bacteria. They typically occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra, multiply in the bladder and sometimes even ascend to the kidneys.Men with Diabetes are at an increased risk of UTI. Diabetes results in several abnormalities of the immune system which leads to an immune-compromised state. This might result in a higher risk of certain infections. Diabetic neuropathy causes impaired bladder emptying which increases the chances of UTI, mainly cystitis. Also, high glucose concentration in the urine may serve as a medium for growth of pathogenic microorganisms..Symptoms of UTI in the:Urethra include a strong, persistent urge to urinate and a burning sensation or pain while urinating. Urinary bladder include lower abdomen discomfort or pain, frequent, painful urination, blood in the urine, passing frequent and small amounts of urine. The urine may appear cloudy or malodorous and the person may have fever with or without chills. Kidneys include upper back pain, fever with or without chills and urine that appears red, bright pink or cola- coloured - a sign of blood in the urine.Seek immediate medical help if any of these symptoms present. Medical treatment of UTI includes antibiotic medications and adequate hydration.To concludeA lot of conditions mentioned above can be managed with medication. It is important to discuss any medical issues that you face, with your doctor. This may help the doctor take timely steps to alleviate the problem. Timely medical intervention can help minimise or alleviate Diabetes related complications.
Diabetes and menDiabetes is known to affect how your body uses the blood glucose. Men with Diabetes have their set of unique complications which slowly affects the quality of their life. In this article we seek to identify those complications. This will help you recognise them at the outset and seek medical help in time.Prostate problemsThe prostrate is a walnut shaped gland; a part of the male reproductive system that wraps around the male urethra near the bladder. Prostrate problems are common in men after age 50 as it grows larger as you get older. Enlarged prostate can cause a number of health issues.Benign prostate enlargement - One in three men over 50 have an enlarged prostate. Why this happens is not known but its symptoms can hamper the quality of life. The good news is that it is not caused by cancer. Symptoms of enlarged prostate may include:A weak or slow urinary streamA feeling of incomplete bladder emptyingDifficulty starting urinationFrequent urination during day and nightIt is important to consult your doctor if you have any of these symptoms as early treatment can help timely management.Skin problemsThrush is a yeast infection. Thrush can occur in the mouth, throat, on the skin or on the genitals. High blood sugar levels (or Diabetes) encourage the growth of fungus. Men with Diabetes tend to sweat more which creates a perfect breeding environment for the fungus. Male yeast infection leads to an inflammation of the tip of the penis. Symptoms of male yeast infection include:redness, itching, pain, irritation and burning in the genital areawhite discharge from the site of the infection resembling cottage cheesean unpleasant smellThe infection usually begins with as a red and itchy rash. Small red spots may also develop. It is best to see a doctor for a diagnosis if you suspect thrush..Sex related problemsSexual dysfunction is common in people with Diabetes but is rarely discussed. Lack of blood sugar control causes damage to the blood vessels and nervous system. This leads to lowered blood circulation and loss of touch in sexual organs. As a result, affected men may have difficulty maintaining an erection.Men with Diabetes who suffer from sexual dysfunction may have one or more of following issues:Decreased erection and difficulty in penetrationLonger time to achieve erectionLoosing erection in between coital activityReduced night time and early morning erectionNo erection at allPremature ejaculationPain during erectionThe risk factors for erectile dysfunction (ED)include obesity, smoking, Diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, medication use and sleep disorder. Psychological factors such as stress, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, guilt and fear of sexual failure could also cause ED. Certain medications like anti- depressants, tranquilizers, anti-histamines and anti-hypertension could result in ED.The incidence of erectile dysfunction is three times higher in men with Diabetes. 50-75 per cent of men with Diabetes suffer from ED. The presence of ED is associated with more than 14 times higher risk for silent heart attack, higher risk of death due to heart disease in men with Diabetes. Early detection of ED is crucial to lower your risk of a heart attack. In men who have ED with Diabetes, it is very important to control Diabetes. Better managing the blood sugar levels can help improve nerve condition and blood supply. Prior to taking medication for ED, one should do a complete evaluation for Diabetes and related complications especially heart-related because ED and heart disease share many risk factors. In some cases, ED is an early sign of the succeeding heart disease.Lifestyle modification, medication, psychosexual therapy or often times testosterone replacement could help treat ED. Seeking counselling is also necessary. Sexual dysfunction related problems may not only be physical problems but could also be associated with low self-esteem, embarrassment and guilt. Psychiatrists,psychologists and sexologists are involved in treating sexual dysfunction along with physicians and andrologists..Urinary tract infectionsUrinary tract Infections or UTI is an infection involving the urinary tract which consists of the kidneys, ureters (i.e. tubes that connect the kidneys and the urinary bladder), urinary bladder and urethra (i.e. tube running from the bladder to the outside). UTIs can occur in any part of theurinary tract. Most infections involve the lower urinary tract, the bladder and the urethra. Most UTIs are caused by bacteria. They typically occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra, multiply in the bladder and sometimes even ascend to the kidneys.Men with Diabetes are at an increased risk of UTI. Diabetes results in several abnormalities of the immune system which leads to an immune-compromised state. This might result in a higher risk of certain infections. Diabetic neuropathy causes impaired bladder emptying which increases the chances of UTI, mainly cystitis. Also, high glucose concentration in the urine may serve as a medium for growth of pathogenic microorganisms..Symptoms of UTI in the:Urethra include a strong, persistent urge to urinate and a burning sensation or pain while urinating. Urinary bladder include lower abdomen discomfort or pain, frequent, painful urination, blood in the urine, passing frequent and small amounts of urine. The urine may appear cloudy or malodorous and the person may have fever with or without chills. Kidneys include upper back pain, fever with or without chills and urine that appears red, bright pink or cola- coloured - a sign of blood in the urine.Seek immediate medical help if any of these symptoms present. Medical treatment of UTI includes antibiotic medications and adequate hydration.To concludeA lot of conditions mentioned above can be managed with medication. It is important to discuss any medical issues that you face, with your doctor. This may help the doctor take timely steps to alleviate the problem. Timely medical intervention can help minimise or alleviate Diabetes related complications.
