Momentum - Business to Business Online Magazine | Page 11

AND TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR HEALTH – MEN AND DIABETES MEN’S HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH By Amber Bagwell, CP Home Care [email protected] Men’s health is not only a concern for men, but it is also a concern for women who care about the health of their fathers, husbands, sons and brothers. Amputation rates from diabetes-related problems are 1.4 to 2.7 times higher in men than in women with diabetes. “Historically, men have not been comfortable discussing issues about their health,” says Tyrice Thomas, Administrator and Director of Nursing for CP Home Care, a local agency and new League City Regional Chamber of Commerce member that provides services to those who want to recover at home and age in place. “Since June is designated as Men’s Health Awareness Month, it is a great opportunity to challenge men to take control of their health and get informed!” “I suffer from Typ e II diabetes and it is a struggle dealing with the complications of the disease. I broke my foot at work and, because of the slow healing wound, it has been a long and painful recovery,” says Juan Garza, client of CP Home Care, an agency that provides services to those who want to recover at home. “It has always been hard to reach out when I need help. For men, it sometimes is. But this is my life. Now that we are addressing my health issues head on, working with my health team at CP Home Care as well as my doctors to get the assistance we need, things are going much more smoothly.” When it comes to men and diabetes management specifically, experts identified by the American Diabetes Association, say that the main barriers to good health are lack of understanding and education of the disease, as well as fear of having to change their current lifestyle (including eating habits, level of physical activity and sex life due to developing impotence, a complication of diabetes). Other top reasons that can inhibit care are lack of access to health care, limited time to visit the doctor and inability to afford the doctors’ visits. If unmanaged, diabetes can cause far-reaching health implications such as heart disease, nerve damage and kidney damage. The death rate from heart disease is much higher for men with diabetes than it is for men who don’t have diabetes. Diabetes can damage the blood vessels of the eye, potentially leading to blindness. Eye disorders can include retinopathy, glaucoma and cataracts. Neuropathy is also very common, as about half of people with diabetes have some sort of nerve damage. “With June being Men’s Health Awareness month, I encourage men, and their families, to find the resources in your community to help manage your health, whether that is using the services of a home care agency, such as CP Home Care of Houston, joining an exercise group or working with a physical therapist,” Juan continues. “Type II diabetes is the most common form, affecting 90% to 95% of the 13 million men with diabetes. Diabetes, even pre-diabetes, is nothing to mess around with.” Some symptoms of diabetes are: increased thirst, increased hunger, dry mouth, nausea, frequent urination, fatigue, blurred vision, numbness or tingling of the hands or feet, frequent infections of the skin or urinary track and more. So make it a point this month, and throughout the year, to seek regular medical advice and early treatment for disease and injury. Man up and take control of your health. To learn more about men and diabetes, go to www.diabetes.org.