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Please Note: This article is presented for informational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness. If you have any health concern, see a licensed healthcare professional in person.
Diabetes is a disease in which the body cannot properly control blood sugar levels. The disease occurs in both genders, but can occur in men in only one of two forms. Type 1 diabetes is a disease that is evident from childhood or adolescence and it involves an autoimmune condition in which the pancreas is adversely affected. In type 1 diabetes, the beta cells of the pancreas do not produce insulin or the cells secrete too little insulin to be effective.
Insulin is the hormone that is released from the pancreas when our blood sugar level gets too high. This hormone helps to move sugar out of the bloodstream, which is important since high blood sugar damages nerves and blood vessels, and thus, in turn, damages cells, tissues and organs of the body regardless of which type of diabetes you have.
Type 1 diabetes used to be called juvenile diabetes since it is most often diagnosed in childhood and it is often inherited. This type of diabetes can be very dangerous and in many ways is more severe and often means that patients have to take insulin injections or medicine.
Type 2 diabetes develops later in life when people are adults, and it is more likely to be related to lifestyle factors such as living a sedentary life and following a poor diet. However, there may be genetic factors that also increase a person’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes. In type 2 diabetes the cells of the body are not able to respond properly to the insulin that the pancreas secretes or the pancreas does not make enough insulin. Type 2 is often called adult-onset or insulin-resistant diabetes.
How diabetes can cause hair loss in men
Diabetes, in general, may cause hair loss because it compromises the body’s circulation and nervous system. This means that the hair follicles of the body, including the scalp, may not be getting enough nutrients, oxygen or nervous stimuli that they usually would get.
Another way in which diabetics may contribute to hair loss is because people with diabetes may have co-occurring conditions such as autoimmune diseases like alopecia areata, or thyroid problems. These co-occurring conditions can lead to a lot of problems with the hair including thinning and loss of hair.
Hair loss can be treated at hair clinics; for instance, the Vera Clinic in Turkey. However, your general state of health is important so if you do have diabetes you may not qualify for hair transplant surgery, but hair care specialists can advise you on other ways to treat your hair loss.
Other problems that can occur with diabetes
There are some problems that may happen in men who have diabetes; for instance, erectile dysfunction and wasting of the muscles. Yeast infections of the genital region are also more common in diabetics because of the high blood sugar concentrations of uncontrolled diabetes. Erectile dysfunction is due to the compromised blood flow associated with poorly managed blood sugar.
Diabetes is a dangerous illness that can lead to disability and death. In fact, diabetics may have a higher risk of heart disease, can lose their eyesight and develop kidney failure. In addition, a diabetic may not feel if they have a sore on their foot, and if blood sugar is badly controlled, the sore will often not heal properly with the result that infection can set in. Infections in a foot can spread and lead to gangrene and amputation. It is therefore important that men take their diabetes seriously. Men should check with their doctor if they show any symptoms that suggest they have diabetes.
Symptoms of diabetes and how it can be treated
Symptoms men should be aware of include feeling very thirsty and hungry, frequent urination, blurred vision, feeling fatigued and losing weight for no reason. In some cases, the breath may also take on a fruity odor.
Being aware of your family history of medical conditions is important and also making sure to exercise and eat healthy, and maintain a healthy weight. Keeping healthy can help prevent the development of type 2 diabetes in later life.
Type 2 diabetes can sometimes be treated and managed by exercise, weight loss and a change in diet in which sugar intake is reduced. Type 1 diabetics usually require insulin injections or medication to control their blood sugar.
Risk factors for diabetes
Besides genetics, the other big risk factor for diabetes is lifestyle. Type 2 diabetes can potentially be avoided but people who are overweight, sedentary and eat badly are at increased risk of developing the disease and its complications.
You should be aware of the dangers of diabetes and the symptoms and have your blood sugar tested regularly. As adults age, they also become more vulnerable to diabetes because the pancreas often does not work as well in old age.
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This content is sponsored by Moudja Mou.
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