The most common type of diabetes is type 2, which accounts for 90% of all cases of the disease. 8% of patients have type 1 diabetes, and the remaining 2% have other types of diabetes. Men suffer from diabetes the most. In Romania, diabetes affects 1.5 million people, the risk of dangerous complications is the most serious aspect of this disease.

What is type 2 diabetes and why does it affect men more often?

While in type 1 diabetes the body’s own cells attack the pancreas, which can no longer produce insulin, in type 2 diabetes the body no longer produces enough insulin or it cannot be used properly. This condition causes blood glucose levels to rise, which can eventually affect the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerve structures.

In addition, it can lead to amputation of the lower limbs. A diagnosis of diabetes is made if the blood glucose level exceeds 126 mg/dL in the morning, on an empty stomach, after an overnight fast, or if the value of glycosylated hemoglobin exceeds 6.5% (this test measures the change in blood glucose retrospectively, over a period of 2-3 months).

While the causes of type 1 diabetes are unknown (genetic inheritance can affect the risk of developing the disease), for type 2 diabetes, known risk factors are age, family history, waist circumference, and obesity. These include physical inactivity, metabolic syndrome (characterized by hypercholesterolemia, high levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol and low levels of “good” HDL cholesterol, elevated triglycerides, high blood pressure), increased consumption of sugar and fast-digesting carbohydrates, and low fiber.

An earlier study by researchers at the University of Glasgow highlighted why men are more at risk of diabetes, even at lower weights, than women who develop the disease. The explanation lies in the distribution of fat in the body, especially in the abdominal area in men, otherwise diabetes is associated with excess fat in the liver and muscles.

Erectile dysfunction, a consequence of diabetes in men

There are a number of common symptoms of diabetes, such as the need to urinate frequently, excessive thirst, fatigue, unexplained weight loss, blurred vision, and prolonged wound healing. In addition, men may experience a decrease in muscle strength, episodes of genital rashes and penile itching. One of the consequences of diabetes in men can be erectile dysfunction, and people diagnosed with diabetes are three times more likely to suffer from sexual dysfunction than people without diabetes. Erectile dysfunction occurs against the background of high blood sugar, as well as hypertension and high cholesterol.

In addition to erectile dysfunction, nerve damage from diabetes can lead to overactive bladder, urinary incontinence, urinary tract infections, and retrograde ejaculation. In addition, a decrease in libido can be observed in both women and men. Studies have shown that men with diabetes, those who are overweight, and those who fall into both categories have double the risk of having low testosterone, which is associated with a decreased libido. You can correct the situation by eliminating excess weight and testosterone therapy.

Diabetes at a young age dramatically shortens life expectancy

According to the American Diabetes Association, the age at which screening for potential prediabetes or even diabetes should begin is 35. In most cases, type 2 diabetes occurs in people aged 45 to 64 years. But the number of cases of type 2 diabetes in people younger than 45 years is increasing.

An analysis of data collected from 19 developed countries, recently published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, found that type 2 diabetes diagnosed at age 30 can shorten a person’s life expectancy by 14 years. If diabetes is diagnosed around the age of 50, life expectancy can be reduced by 6 years. Researchers from the Universities of Cambridge and Glasgow compared and analyzed data from two large studies involving 1.5 million people with diabetes and found that the younger the age at which diabetes is diagnosed, the greater the reduction in life expectancy.

Type 2 diabetes used to be a condition that occurred in the elderly, but now we are seeing more and more patients being diagnosed at a younger age. And this means an increased risk of having a shorter life expectancy,” said Professor Emanuele Di Angelantonio from the University of Cambridge. The reduction in life expectancy associated with diabetes is due to an increased risk of death from vascular problems associated with the disease. They primarily include myocardial infarction, stroke and aneurysm.

It is also known that men are the main victims in such situations. “Our study confirms this idea: the younger diabetes is detected, the more various problems accumulate in the body over time as a result of the metabolism affected by this disease. But our analysis also shows that early detection of diabetes through screening methods and effective long-term blood glucose control can lead to long-term prevention of complications,” added Professor Naveed Satta from the University of Glasgow.

How can diabetes complications be prevented?

After being diagnosed with diabetes through blood tests, patients should consider a long-term treatment plan for the disease under the supervision of their diabetes physician.

To reduce the risk of complications and maintain a good life expectancy, it is also recommended:

• Regular visits to a specialist,
• Managing blood sugar with medication and a balanced diet
• regular movement
• Quitting smoking, which additionally affects blood vessels,
• Blood pressure and cholesterol level control,
• stress management,
• Reducing alcohol consumption,
• Avoidance of injuries and proper care of them if they occur especially in the lower limbs,
• Regular examinations by an ophthalmologist,
• Annual vaccination against influenza.

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