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Diabetes Symptoms in Men

Diabetes Symptoms in Men is an accurate way to watch your health and to help you to guess whether you have diabetes. Diabetes is a condition where blood glucose levels are abnormally high because the body cells are unable to absorb glucose from the bloodstream and utilize it for energy. The condition may arise because the body produces too little or no insulin, or the body may fail to respond to insulin. Diabetes produces a number of symptoms in both men and women. This article discusses the common diabetes symptoms in men.

Common Diabetes Symptoms in Men

Some of the early signs and symptoms of diabetes are similar to the symptoms of other health disorders, making it difficult to recognize the condition. But early diagnosis and treatment of diabetes is vital in order to prevent complications. Diabetes symptoms in men include:

Excessive thirst and urination. One of the most common symptoms of diabetes is excessive thirst. This symptom can be experienced by both men and women. High levels of glucose in the blood causes the kidneys to work double time and draw more water from the blood. This results in thirst and a frequent need to urinate.

Diabetes Symptoms in Men

Diabetes Symptoms in Men

Unexplained weight loss. If you have not made any changes in your diet or amount of physical activity but find yourself losing weight, you may have diabetes. Diabetes can cause weight loss because the body cells cannot absorb and utilize glucose from the blood effectively.

Constant fatigue. If you feel rundown and tired all the time, you may be displaying one of the diabetes symptoms in men. The body cells’ inability to utilize energy-giving glucose can result in chronic fatigue.

Constant hunger. Some diabetic patients can experience an increase in appetite. This happens if the body increases its production of insulin in order to bring down blood glucose levels. High levels of insulin in the body increases hunger. Some diabetic patients can start eating more and gain weight, but others can still lose weight despite increasing their food intake.

Nerve damage. Consistently high levels of sugar in the blood can damage the nerves of the peripheral nervous system. Nerve damage causes tingling and numbness in the extremities such as the legs, toes, feet, hands and fingers.

Erectile dysfunction. This is one of the most important diabetes symptoms in men. High levels of blood sugar associated with diabetes can damage the nerves and blood vessels of the penis, leading to erectile dysfunction.

Poor healing. Diabetes may affect the immune system, causing recurring infections and difficulty with wound healing.

Vision changes. This diabetes symptom in men and women can happen if the condition is left untreated, and may even lead to blindness. The buildup of glucose can affect the shape of the lens, resulting in vision changes. Diabetes can also damage the blood vessels in the eye.

These are the most common Diabetes symptoms in men to watch out for and of course go to a doctor if you have any concern that this is what you are suffering from.

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Weight Loss Exercise

Diabetic Breakfast Ideas: Breakfast Choices for Diabetics

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day yet it can also be the most neglected. If you have diabetes, it is a very bad idea to skip breakfast. The first meal of the day provides energy to get you going and helps keep your blood sugar levels within normal limits. Healthy breakfast ideas for diabetics can help you choose the right foods to eat and avoid those that can bring your blood glucose to abnormal levels.

Diabetic breakfast ideas are not too difficult to find because they are often the same as a healthy diet for non-diabetics. Those who have diabetes, however, should limit their carbohydrate consumption and avoid foods with high glycemic values because they can cause the blood sugar level to spike.

Healthy Breakfast Choices for Diabetics

When looking for diabetic breakfast ideas, be sure to avoid highly processed foods that are high in carbohydrates. Instead of white bread, opt for whole grain breads, oats, and whole grain cereals. These foods are high in fiber and have a low glycemic value. Studies have shown that they help reduce blood glucose levels significantly.

Foods such as eggs, meat, dairy products and poultry provide the protein you need. Some amount of fat is also important in your diabetes diet, but be sure to limit your fat consumption to avoid weight problems.

Ideas for a Healthy Diabetic Breakfast

Breakfast for diabetics does not have to be a bland or boring meal. With a little imagination, you can whip up a delicious breakfast that will provide the right balance of nutrients and calories. If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, you can have a healthy breakfast of whole wheat toast with a teaspoon of margarine spread, egg or cottage cheese, oatmeal, and a small banana.

Another diabetic breakfast idea is whole grain bread with peanut butter, low fat milk, and some fresh fruits.

When planning breakfast, diabetic patients should always remember to keep an eye on their carbohydrate intake. High-carb foods quickly release sugar into the blood and this is not good for diabetics.

Breakfast can be hard to put together especially if you have to go to school or work early in the morning. But if you have diabetes, you cannot afford to skip breakfast. Plan ahead and find some healthy diabetic breakfast ideas that will help keep your blood sugar stable while giving you the energy you need for the day.

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Weight Loss Exercise

Diabetes Testing Machine

Diabetes treatment is made possible by constantly monitoring blood sugar levels. Diabetic patients can do this at home with a diabetes testing machine or blood glucose meter that measures glucose levels in the blood. How often you need to check your blood sugar depends on your particular diabetes treatment and how well the condition is controlled. People with type 1 diabetes who take insulin may need to check their blood glucose level several times during the day, in which case a diabetes testing machine would come in handy.

The diabetes testing machine is also called a glucometer. Modern glucometers are now small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. Diabetes testing machines come with test strips, calibration solution and alcohol wipes. They can be stowed in their cases, making it easy to bring them with you when you travel.

Using a Diabetes Testing Machine

To test for your blood sugar level, a very small amount of blood is taken from your finger. Almost all glucometers use a test strip to absorb the blood droplet for the machine to analyze. The machine comes with a lancet device that makes a small incision in the finger to draw blood for testing.

Older models of diabetes testing machines took up to a full minute to analyze the blood sample, but newer models can get a reading in a matter of seconds. Newer models are also more sensitive and require only the tiniest amount of blood sample to get an accurate reading. Thus, it is possible to use a smaller lancet and reduce the discomfort of obtaining a blood sample.

Many modern glucometers these days are capable of recording up to 250 blood sugar readings, including the date and time when the reading was made. This feature allows you to keep track of your blood sugar levels for trending.

Types of Diabetic Testing Machines

There are many different makes and models of blood sugar meters but there are only two basic types. One is a small portable glucometer with test strips stored inside the machine. When the diabetes testing machine is switched on, a test strip is exposed through a small slot. The blood droplet is transferred to the strip for testing.

The second type of glucometer uses external test strips which are inserted into a slot in the machine for testing.

More recently, some manufacturers introduced diabetic testing machines that they claim are able to get a blood sugar reading without a blood sample. The device can be worn like a wristwatch to check your glucose level every twenty minutes. This type of bloodless diabetes testing machine is not approved by the FDA and cannot substitute for a standard glucometer.

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