Let’s Talk About Men and Diabetes

June is International Men’s Health Month. Why do we dedicate an entire month to men’s health? For one thing, it’s common knowledge that men are more hesitant to see a doctor than women are. They’re afraid of hearing bad news. They don’t want to take time off from work. They push through the pain. But this attitude isn’t just silly – it can be downright dangerous.
For example, undiagnosed diabetes is more common in men than in women. They’re more likely to ignore symptoms of this potentially debilitating disease, such as:
- being more tired than usual
- irritability
- having to urinate more frequently
- being thirsty all the time
- excessive hunger
- fruity-smelling breath
- slow-healing wounds
- blurred vision
Other symptoms you might have a hard time facing
Low sex drive and erectile dysfunction are other symptoms of diabetes in men. Diabetes can slow down blood flow to all parts of the body, including the penis. Nerves also take a hit from diabetes, decreasing sensitivity.
Nerve and blood vessel problems are also the reasons why podiatrists are concerned about diabetes and care for many patients with the disease. Left untreated, diabetes will eventually affect your feet, causing ulcers that don’t heal, numbness, changes in shape, an alarming breakdown of your entire foot structure called Charcot foot, and even lower limb amputation.
Our experienced podiatric surgeons, Dr. Craig B. Frey and Dr. Megan L. Oltmann, monitor and treat the feet of many diabetics. If you’re having symptoms of diabetes, don’t ignore them. And if you receive a diagnosis of diabetes, it’s important to establish a relationship with a qualified podiatrist. Call Foot & Ankle Associates of Cleveland in Solon, Ohio at (440) 903-1041 or contact us online to schedule a consultation. We offer a modern office with the latest technology for podiatric patients in Portage, Geauga, Cuyahoga, and Summit Counties, proudly serving our patients from Solon, Aurora, Bedford, Chagrin Falls, Hudson, Macedonia, and Twinsburg.