Diabetes can have an adverse affect on your sex life, especially if your diabetes condition is poorly controlled. I am a diabetic, first diagnosed as such about 20 years ago, so I think I can appropriately discuss this rather “delicate” subject that looms for all of us male diabetics. It is a potential problem that all newly diagnosed diabetics should know about early after their diagnosis but I suspect that most doctors are not going to mention it to them. And when the male diabetic does learn about it, it may be too late, in fact that may be why he becomes aware that something is not quite right. So that is the time to immediately commence a discussion with the doctor. There are solutions.

Diabetes is a disease in which a person’s body does not properly process the glucose that occurs naturally in the blood after eating meals or any food. Glucose is the source of energy needed by all the cells of our bodies to maintain their many functions to keep us alive and is delivered to those cells by the bloodstream. The levels of glucose in the blood are normally kept within a specific safe range, however, in the case of the diabetic, the body’s system to maintain those acceptable levels becomes impaired with the result that they become dangerously high.

That by definition is diabetes and it is important that actions be taken to bring the blood glucose levels to a safer range that will help prevent complications, one of which is the topic of this essay, perhaps not so important as the more serious heart disease and other conditions for which the diabetic is also at risk, but of concern just the same.

Poorly controlled diabetes can result in damage to the nerves and blood vessels that control circulation of blood to the required areas when needed, so for that reason alone, I urge that the diabetic should do the utmost to keep blood sugar levels within the desired range. That may mean the threatened diabetic will have to engage in more strenuous exercise and follow a more diabetic-friendly food plan that minimizes the effects of the food items that cause the most damage, such as those with high carbohydrate and fat content and too many calories.

What to do

Do what is needed to keep the blood glucose levels close to the normal range and it will reduce the possibility of the above problems occurring. The problem is called erectile dysfunction, also known as impotence. Now that you know about it, why allow things to deteriorate? Having diabetes is bad enough.

Dr. Gabe Mirkin, a well know M.D. who writes and broadcasts on a number of health topics, cited a study from Italy reporting that more that 56 percent of men with diabetes suffer from impotence, adding that they complained bitterly about it and were depressed at the loss of something so important to them. But on a note of encouragement, Dr. Mirkin stated that if the problem is caused by diabetes, then it can be prevented in almost all men if their bodies are still making insulin naturally.

I will close with a brief reference regarding diabetes in women, who, while not suffering in the same way as men, can encounter some problems that I think may be the caused by vascular neuropathy, nerves and veins - but I will leave that for someone else to address if they so care to.

Yes, 2 out of 3 people that suffer with diabetes die because of heart disease or stroke. Once someone has diabetes, he/she is at much higher risk of developing problems with other parts of their body, including the heart. This means that it is crucial for people to be diagnosed early in order to receive the proper treatment of diabetes.

People with diabetes are more prone to developing coronary artery disease. This can result in a blocking or narrowing of your blood vessels leading to the heart. This kind of heart disease is quite common. The blood vessels carry your blood, which contains oxygen among other things to your heart. When these vessels get blocked, it can cause a heart attack or a stroke.

Therefore, people need to watch for the onset of diabetes so they can receive the correct treatment early on. With early treatment of diabetes, the risk for developing the coronary artery disease can be lowered. This will in turn lower the chances of a stroke or heart attack from occurring.

You need to have an A1C test to measure your blood glucose levels. This test is usually recommended being done about every 2 or 3 months. The ADA (American Diabetes Association) suggests that people should have a blood glucose level under 7.0 on this test.

You need to also watch your blood pressure when you have diabetes, in order to prevent other problems from occurring. High blood pressure can also bring on heart attacks and strokes. A safe blood pressure is 130/80 or below as recommended by the ADA.

A person needs to watch their cholesterol levels for maximum health. The quantity of fat contained in your blood is what cholesterol levels are all about. The good cholesterol or HDL actually provides protection for your heart. The bad cholesterol or LDL can lead to your blood vessels becoming clogged, which can then cause heart attacks to happen as we mentioned earlier. Also, triglycerides are a different form of fat in the blood, which can make the chances for heart attack higher.

LDL cholesterol should be lower than 100 mg/dl, while HDL cholesterol should be above 40mg/dl for men and 50mg/dl for women. Triglycerides need to be under 150 mg/dl for both sexes.

You need to watch what you eat normally for your health; this becomes even more important if you have diabetes. Sometimes just by changing one’s diet a person can control a mild form of diabetes and the other problems we have discussed here. This usually includes eating a low-fat diet and watching salt intake. You also need to be sure you are at your recommended weight, which eating in this way will help you do. Being overweight can cause diabetes along with heart problems. So you should shed those extra pounds if needed.

Have a daily exercise routine to help lower blood pressure, strengthen your heart, and control or prevent diabetes. Exercise is good for everyone, make sure to do some cardio and weight bearing exercise to have a full workout.