Erectile dysfunction (E.D.) is the inability to maintain or have an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse.

It is estimated that between more than 20% of diabetic men will experience E.D. (which is 2 to 6 times more often than non-diabetics).

Many of the causes of erectile dysfunction can be treated or eliminated. The causes are:

1. Hypertension (high blood pressure)

2. Cholesterol that is too high

3. Diabetes - especially if the blood sugar is out of control

4. Obesity

5. Smoking

6. Drug abuse

7. Excess alcohol use

8. Inactivity

9. Many prescription medications

10. Anxiety, depression, or worry

The most important thing to know is that E.D. usually has a physical cause and can be treated.

So treatment often involves correcting the causes by:

1. Eating healthy - this can help correct hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity.

2. Control your blood glucose

3. Stop smoking (smokers are twice as likely to have erectile dysfunction than non-smokers).

4. Stop abusing drugs

5. Cut down on alcohol intake (or better yet eliminate it altogether)

6. Exercise

7. Discuss your prescription medications with your doctor (illicit drugs and prescription medications account for 25% of the causes of erectile dysfunction).

8. Relax - yoga, meditation, or listening to quiet music are good techniques to help reduce stress and relax.

Other treatments for E.D.

Oral medications such as Viagra can be used for erectile dysfunction. But this medication cannot be taken if you take nitrates for blood pressure and it reacts with numerous prescription medications including alpha-blockers for blood pressure, anti-fungals, and some antibiotics.

Your physician can prescribe certain medications which can be injected into the penis causing an erection.

Vacuum devices can be used to draw blood into the penis causing an erection.

And as a last resort, there is a surgery that implants a device into the penis that can cause the penis to become erect. Another type of surgery can reconstruct the blood supply to the penis correcting the erectile dysfunction.

Conclusion -

Erectile dysfunction can be treated. So do not suffer with this condition. See your doctor and take better care of yourself. Your body will reward you in the end.

Type 2 Diabetes is a chronic illness that happens when the body is resistant to insulin. If  there is too much sugar in the blood the body cannot produce energy required for the cells and it can also damage your kidneys, eyes, heart, and eyes .

Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes are excessive thirst, urinating a lot, blurry vision, hunger all the time and losing weight without trying. The most effective treatment for diabetes is to control your blood sugar. You can lower your blood sugar by eating healthy foods, decrease your consumption of  simple carbohydrates, exercise, lose  weight and take medications when necessary.

You can control your Diabetes by making healthy choices every day. Learn as much as you can about your disease and possibly consult a Dietitian for meal planning.  Check your blood sugar level often as instructed by your physician, drinking fluids to avoid dehydration and get plenty of exercise.

If you can lose as little as ten pounds then you can also reduce your risk of complications of diabetes.  You physician will probably check your blood pressure and cholesterol.  Diabetics are usually at risk of high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Changing your lifestyle is important such as limiting your alcohol intake, limiting saturated fats, walking 30 minutes a day. 

Try supplements to help improve your health such as multivitamins. Consider chromium which could improve your glucose tolerance. Add fiber to your diet to help reduce your blood glucose.  Fish Oil can help improve your glucose tolerance. In order to control your diabetes eat a healthy diet, lose weight,  exercise and take dietary supplements.

Being diagnosed with diabetes is only the first stage of your journey. Once you see your Dr you will almost certainly be giving a whole list of treatments to follow.

The success of the treatment regimen will depend on the cooperation of the patient. Compliance with the intake of medications and the necessary lifestyle modifications help ensure the success of the treatment and prevent or minimize the complications of diabetes.

The blood sugar should be checked frequently and recorded in a log book. Monitoring the blood sugar is important and helps the doctor determine of the patient is responding well to the medications. Glucose monitoring kits are readily available and the test is now simpler and less painful. In addition to the blood sugar levels, the food eaten, type of exercise done and duration, and medicine intake should also be included in the logbook.

Cigarette smoking and alcohol intake should be at least reduced if not eliminated completely. Cigarette smoking and alcohol increase the chances of developing nearly all the complications of diabetes. See your doctor if you are having difficulty quitting smoking.

A well-balanced diet high in fiber and low in fat and sugars is recommended. This diet can help the patient reach his ideal body weight. A diet that consistently contains the same amount of calories can help your doctor prescribe the correct dose of medication. It is important to keep the blood sugar levels even. Very high or very low blood sugar levels can be life threatening.

Regular exercise can reduce the risk of complications such as stroke, heart and kidney failure and blindness. Any kind of exercise has beneficial effects. But like anything, too much of a good thing can actually be bad for you so make sure to consult you doctor before embarking on any exercise regimen.

The honest truth is that you are in charge of how much control diabetes takes of your life. You can either take it seriously and make a total change to your life, or not take it seriously and your diabetes will gradually deteriorate and you will become sicker.