At North Jersey Podiatry we don’t want to appear to be buying into any stereotypes, but studies have revealed that men differ from women in the way they approach illness and treatment—particularly when it comes to diabetes–in ways that can be detrimental. Consider the following findings:
- Men are more likely to delay bringing unusual symptoms to the doctor because they fear getting bad news.
- In situations where men and women had equal access to diabetic health care, women had better long-term outcomes because they missed fewer doctor’s appointments and followed care instructions more precisely.
- One condition associated with diabetes in men is erectile dysfunction—a problem most men are reluctant to bring up with their health care providers
Take Action Early
It’s estimated that 1.5 million new cases of diabetes are diagnosed each year. Early diagnosis and treatment helps ensure the best outcomes and least amount of complications associated with the disease. If you are a man—or a woman who wants to ensure good health in a husband, father or brother—learn to recognize the symptoms of diabetes:
- Frequent urination
- Extreme thirst
- Feeling hungry even though you are eating regularly
- Blurry vision
- Cuts or bruises that seem slow to heal
- Tingling, pain or numbness in your feet or hands
- Fatigue
- Weight loss (even with increased eating)
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, speak up! Make an appointment at our Wayne, New Jersey office by calling: (973) 595-1555. Our podiatrist, Dr. Paul G. Klein, will examine your feet and assess your risk factors for diabetes.
Steps to Prevention
In addition to keeping an eye out for symptoms, you can help lower your risk of diabetes by making healthy lifestyle choices.
Avoid being overweight—people who are overweight are more likely to develop diabetes. If you need to lose weight, focus on making small changes that you can live with rather than attempting crash diets (which rarely work in the long term). Some suggestions include:
- Reduce portion sizes (use a smaller plate to help you).
- Don’t skip breakfast (or other meals). Skipping meals makes you hungrier and more likely to overeat. In addition, it’s healthier for your body to digest and burn the calories from several smaller meals than one huge one.
- Weigh yourself at least once a week to stay accountable.
Exercise regularly—if you are currently inactive, check with your physician before beginning a new exercise program. Think about small ways to become more active every day:
- Park farther away from stores and your office.
- Reduce the number of hours you spend watching T.V.
- Try a new sport or activity.
