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.