Recognizing Diabetes Symptoms in Men

What Is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease in which your blood glucose (sugar) levels are too high. The definition of the disease is simple, but the potential health consequences are complex and often serious. Diabetes raises the risk of cardiovascular disease. It can also cause problems with your eyes, skin, kidneys, and nervous system. For men, erectile dysfunction (ED) and other urological problems are also associated with diabetes.

Fortunately, many of these complications are preventable or treatable. The key is awareness and taking charge of your health.

Diabetes and Sexual Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection. It can be a symptom of many health issues. These include high blood pressure, stress, smoking, medication side effects, and kidney disease. It can also be caused by conditions related to the circulatory and nervous systems.

If you start to experience ED, consider the possibility of diabetes. According to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, men with diabetes are at risk for ED. Though estimates vary, the organization says 20 to 75 percent of men with diabetes have erectile dysfunction.

Diabetes may lead to sexual problems because it can harm the body’s autonomic nervous system (ANS). The ANS controls the widening or constricting of your blood vessels. If the blood vessels and nerves in the penis are injured by diabetes, the result can be ED.

Another diabetes-related urological problem men face is a condition called retrograde ejaculation. The condition results in some semen being released into the bladder. Symptoms may include noticeably less semen produced during ejaculation.

Sexual problems can be uncomfortable to talk about. A frank conversation with your doctor about ED and other symptoms is essential. Simple blood tests can help diagnose diabetes. Investigating the cause of your ED could lead you to discover other un-diagnosed problems, too.

Prevention and Treatment

The best way to prevent urological and other diabetes-related problems is to keep you blood glucose levels under control. Treatments include medications, exercise, and a proper diet. Erectile dysfunction medications, such as tadalafil (Cialis), vardenafil (Levitra) and sildenafil (Viagra) may treat your ED.

To avoid any potentially harmful drug interactions, discuss all medications and supplements with your doctor.

Talk to doctor, don't be shame

Sometimes, conditions such as diabetes or heart disease can lead to emotional problems like anxiety or depression. These can worsen your ED, as well as other aspects of your health. Speak with your doctor if you start to experience feelings of hopelessness, sadness, anxiety, or worry. If you develop new eating and sleeping behaviors, share those new symptoms with your doctor. By treating the mind, you may help the problems affecting the rest of your body.

Other Symptoms

Some diabetes symptoms are common to both men and women. For example, a variety of skin problems may be among the first signs of diabetes.

Poor circulation caused by diabetes may cause itching in the lower legs and feet. Having diabetes also makes you more vulnerable to bacterial and fungal skin infections. Practice good skin care and see a dermatologist when skin problems arise.

Nerve damage affects about half of those with diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. When nerves are damaged by diabetes, it’s called diabetic neuropathy. In autonomic neuropathy, you experience damage to nerves that control basic functions, such as circulation and respiration. In peripheral neuropathy, you experience tingling or pain in the hands or feet. If you have these feelings, or experience numbness in your hands or feet, tell your doctor. Treating diabetic neuropathy as early as possible may limit the extent of the damage.

Notes

Men are slightly more likely than women to develop diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Diabetes is a growing problem in the United States for many demographics, including children. The rise in obesity may shoulder much of the blame.

If you have elevated blood sugar and are at risk for type 2 diabetes, you might be able to prevent it. Even if you develop diabetes, you can still live well. With healthy behaviors and proper medication use, you might be able to prevent or manage complications of the diabetes.

Being proactive is vital. If you can’t remember the last time you had your blood glucose checked, get a blood test soon. This especially important if you’re starting to experience ED or other well-known diabetes symptoms.

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Can Onions Lower My Cholesterol?

Onions are known for their culinary benefits, but they may also benefit your health. Research indicates that onions may even help improve cholesterol levels.

What the Research Says

Onions are strong in flavor and high in polyphenolic compounds called flavonoids. Flavonoids may have:

• Anti-inflammatory abilities 
• Antioxidants 
• Anticancer abilities 
• Antiproliferative abilities, or the ability to stop cell growth 

Studies also suggest that onions may help improve cholesterol levels.

In one study, flavonoids in onions reduced the low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or “bad” cholesterol in obese people at risk of cardiovascular disease. The researchers attributed this to the specific flavonoid quercetin, an antioxidant found in onions and other fruits and vegetables. High-density lipoprotein (HDL), or “good” cholesterol, levels were not affected.

Another study looked at the effect of onion extract on cholesterol in rats. The researchers noted a significant decrease in cholesterol levels, though triglyceride levels remained unchanged. Some of the rats were given onion extract and zinc sulfate, while others were only given onion extract or zinc sulfate. Better results were seen among the rats that were given a combination of onion extract and zinc sulfate.

Red onions may also benefit cholesterol levels. In a study published in Food and Function, male hamsters were fed a high-cholesterol diet. Some of the rats’ diet was supplemented with red onion powder. The rats that received the red onion powder experienced lower LDL cholesterol levels and maintained high HDL cholesterol levels. The research was the first of its kind to use red onions.

Onions, Diabetes, and Cholesterol

People with diabetes have an increased risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke. Diabetes often lowers HDL cholesterol, and raises LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. It’s important for people with diabetes to keep their cholesterol in check.

One study examined the effects of combining the diabetes drug metformin (Glumetza, Glucophage, Fortamet, Riomet) and onion extract. Rats with diabetes were given this combination. Researchers saw a reduction in blood glucose and total cholesterol levels. Despite the encouraging results, researchers are unsure how onion extract helps reduce cholesterol levels and why it increased hunger and feeding in rats without diabetes. Many of the studies have also only examined the effects of onion on cholesterol in animals. There have been limited studies in humans. More research is needed.

Raw vs. Cooked 

Most of the research on onions has been done using raw onions or concentrated onion extracts. It’s unclear how the nutrients in onions are impacted when onions are cooked over high heat.

Quercetin levels aren’t altered when onions are simmered. Instead, this antioxidant is transferred into the cooking water or other liquid. As a result, it may be best to consume onions raw, cook them in a liquid, or sauté them over low heat.

Flavonoids are highest in the outer layers of an onion. To retain as many nutrients as possible, be careful to only peel the onion’s thin, papery layer and leave its fleshy layers intact.

Nutrition

When it comes to nutrition, not all onions are created equal. A study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry compared the nutrient value of 10 varieties of onions. Among the varieties tested, shallots were found to contain the highest phenolic content and antioxidant activity. The Western yellow onion topped the list for highest flavonoid content.

Precautions

Most people tolerate onions well when consumed in small amounts. Although rare, some people may have an allergic reaction to onions. Some drugs may also interact with onions. You should use caution if you take any of the following medications:

• aspirin
• lithium
• antidiabetes drugs
• anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs
• medications that affect the liver, such as acetaminophen, chlorzoxazone, ethanol, theophylline, and some anesthetics

Talk to your doctor if you take any of these drugs on a regular basis.

The next time you cut an onion, smile through your tears, because you’ll be doing something positive for your health.

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