Acanthosis nigricans is a common sign of elevated sugar levels, especially seen in darker skinned people.
Diabetes is a condition that impacts millions of American men. In fact, 11.7% of men over the age of 20 have diabetes. This percentage increases to nearly 15% if you’re of African American decent. Latino men are also significantly at risk, having a 45% chance of developing diabetes in their lifetime. Sue Bettenhausen, RN, Diabetes Educator at MetroSouth Medical Center urges all men to get regular physicals to ensure diabetes is caught early. A simple blood test administered as part of a yearly physical will detect elevated sugar levels in the blood.
On average, diabetics go undiagnosed for 6-10 years, because of the subtlety of symptoms. During this time, men are at significantly increased risk for developing heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, and nervous system damage. Diagnosing diabetes early is critical to avoiding these potentially devastating complications. Sue Bettenhausen urges men to know the symptoms and know the risk factors.
Some of the more common symptoms seen in men include:
- Unexplained fatigue or tiredness, especially after eating.
- Urinating frequently. Urinating more than once occasionally at night can be a sign of elevated sugar levels.
- Unusual thirst.
- Lost libido and ability to achieve an erection.
- Some patients, especially those of African American or Hispanic decent or with darker skin, may develop acanthosis nigricans – or a darkening of the skin within the natural wrinkles in the neck or forehead. Some people describe the condition as resembling velvet. This discoloration of the skin is nearly always a sign of elevated sugar levels.
Because the symptoms of diabetes can easily go unrecognized, patients at risk should be particularly vigilant about regular physicals. Patients with ONE parent or ONE sibling with diabetes have a 40% risk of developing diabetes. Increased age and excess weight are also risk factors for developing diabetes.
If you are at risk or are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, contact your doctor or call 708 489-7925 to schedule an appointment with a MetroSouth Medical Center family medicine physician. Appointments in Blue Island, Morgan Park, Alsip and South Holland are available. Men seeing a MetroSouth physician before Labor Day will receive a complimentary gift for the family to enjoy.
