Men: Uncontrolled Diabetes May Lead To Erection Difficulties

Erectile Dysfunction (ED) - the inability to sustain an erection when sexually aroused, is a complication of diabetes that affects some men. This condition is caused by neuropathy (nerve damage).

A practicing urologist and surgeon in Grenada Dr. Robert J. Yearwood, says that there is a direct correlation between uncontrolled diabetes and ED, "Erectile Dysfunction in males is a lot more common than people think because it is certainly not something that people talk about - but a major or leading cause of erectile dysfunction is diabetes." Dr. Yearwood went on to say that diabetic patients taking their medications as prescribed, following a healthy diet plan and exercising daily can lower men's risk of developing this particular complication of diabetes, "Some people are still able to get an erection but the quality might be diminished and another thing too - just to just sort of stick a pin here - diabetes is not the only cause of erectile dysfunction; and because you have diabetes it does not mean you will get erectile dysfunction. So everyone who is a diabetic don't think, that they have erectile dysfunction but if you are diabetic and you don't look after yourself; take your medication as prescribed [or] stick to the diet plan, the chance of you getting erectile dysfunction is very high."

The United States' National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease (NIDDK) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that nerve damage is likely due to a combination of factors, these include:

* High blood glucose, long duration of diabetes, abnormal blood fat levels, and possibly low levels of insulin
* Damage to the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients to nerves
* Inflammation in nerves
* Inherited traits that increase susceptibility to nerve disease
* Lifestyle factors, such as smoking or alcohol use

Neuropathy is one of several complications associated with diabetes when the blood glucose levels are not controlled. Other complications that can develop are eye disease, kidney failure, dental disease, heart disease, stroke and amputations - due to poor circulation in the extremities, in the legs, feet and fingers. Additionally, neuropathy is not limited to just ED. It depends on which nerves of the body have become damaged due to the long periods of high glucose (sugar) levels. NIDDK/NIH list other symptoms caused by nerve damage that both men as well as women can experience, these are:

1. Numbness, tingling, or pain in the toes, feet, legs, hands, arms, and fingers
wasting of the muscles of the feet or hands
2. Indigestion, nausea, or vomiting
3. Diarrhea or constipation
4. Dizziness or faintness due to a drop in blood pressure after standing or sitting up
problems with urination
5. Erectile dysfunction in men or vaginal dryness in women
weakness
6. Patients who notice any of these symptoms are encouraged to tell their doctor immediately.

This article was written in recognition of November being diabetes awareness month.

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Type 2 Diabetes - Beating Diabetes Before It Starts

The number of new Type 2 diabetes cases is increasing at an alarming rate. But what is even more alarming is the fact that Type 2 diabetes is largely preventable. So why does its occurrence continue to spread all over our planet? Because not enough emphasis is being placed on preventing it before it has a chance to occur.

Here are some ways that can help you to avoid diabetes before it's too late...

1. Lose weight. It sounds simple enough, right? Yet, obesity is consuming society almost as quickly as Type 2 diabetes. But losing weight should not only be used as a tool to ward off developing prediabetes or full-blown Type 2 diabetes. It holds many other benefits, as well. Maintaining a healthy weight is good for controlling:

• heart disease,
• stroke,
• high blood pressure,
• cancer

and a host of other medical ailments that cripple and dramatically shorten our lives.

2. Avoid the fads. When many people think of losing weight, they immediately want some type of magic pill, drink, supplement, food or medicine to help them do so. But fads are not meant to be a long-term fix. Besides, many are notoriously dangerous, too. The ONLY way to effectively lose weight in a healthy manner is to eat right - period. Fad diets might allow you to drop some weight in the beginning, but it will never keep it off. If you are going to commit to losing weight, change your lifestyle so the effects will stay with you.

3. Exercise. Although this often accompanies weight loss, this is recommended whether an individual has excess weight to lose or not. Exercise is an excellent way to help maintain healthy blood sugar levels. The good news is you don't have to act as if you are training for a marathon in order to reap the benefits derived from exercise. Simple, low-impact exercise will do just fine.

4. Eat the right foods. People don't typically put on and hold onto excess weight because they are over-indulging in broccoli or green leafy vegetables. Extra weight is put on due to making poor food choices - either having the wrong foods or too much of it. Adopting a healthier eating plan will not only allow you to drop excess weight, but it will also benefit you in many other areas of your life. You will be able to sleep better, feel more rested throughout the day, think clearer and have more energy for other things - such as exercise.

Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. By making simple changes to your daily routine, its possible to protect your heart, kidneys, eyes and limbs from the damage often caused by diabetes, and eliminate many of the complications you may already experience.

For nearly 25 years Beverleigh Piepers has searched for and found a number of secrets to help you build a healthy body. Go to http://DrugFreeType2Diabetes.com to learn about some of those secrets.

The answer isn't in the endless volumes of available information but in yourself.

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Type 2 Diabetes - Managing Diabetes in the Workplace

Being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes could really affect how you work day-to-day. Often a lot is spoken about the physical effects having diabetes can cause. Whilst this is vital, a part often overlooked is just how much of a mental toll it can take on a person.

Be Honest with Your Employer & Colleagues:

The moment you find out you have a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, you should tell your boss or line manager. This way, if anything happens to you out of the blue, they will have a better understanding of how to help you.

Also, keep anyone you are close to at work in the picture as well, and I would suggest explaining to all those you work with what to do should you for example, suffer from a diabetic hypo.

Your boss is not legally permitted to fire you if you are diagnosed with diabetes during your employment, but they may wish to change your job description or number of hours to help you to best manage it.

It might be wise to carry some form of ID on you at all times so if you ever become unwell and can't communicate in an emergency; people will know from this ID that you have diabetes and how to help.

Types of Diabetic Identification:

• Identity Card
• Bracelet
• Necklace

Keep Positive:

Diabetes is sadly becoming a very common modern-day lifestyle disease. But out of this, more and more people are becoming aware of it and so in turn, there is less and less stigma towards people living with the disease.

Even so, some people at work may still occasionally say nasty things to you about your health and, if this is the case, you should remember you never have to put up with this form of bullying. It should be reported immediately to someone senior.

Remember, if anyone says anything hurtful to you do not believe a word these bullies say to you and do not let them affect your confidence levels. No one is permitted to say anything nasty to you just because you have Type 2 diabetes and if they do, no matter who they are, they need to be reported because they are breaching the human rights and equality act.

You are not alone in having diabetes, in fact many celebrities have Type 2 diabetes. Celebrities such as Halle Berry, Drew Carey, Patti LaBelle, Chaka Khan, Randy Jackson, Tracy Morgan and there are many more.

Try to associate yourself with positive, happy and upbeat people at work as this will not only make you feel better about living with a health issue, but will be good for managing your stress levels and in turn, your Type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. By making simple changes to your daily routine, its possible to protect your heart, kidneys, eyes and limbs from the damage often caused by diabetes, and eliminate many of the complications you may already experience. Staying positive will also help you.

For nearly 25 years Beverleigh Piepers has searched for and found a number of secrets to help you build a healthy body. Go to http://DrugFreeType2Diabetes.com to learn about some of those secrets.

The answer isn't in the endless volumes of available information but in yourself.

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Skin Problems Can Be Connected With Diabetes

Diabetes is one of the diseases that interrupts the work of all body. Nevertheless the causation of some skin problems with diabetes is neglected sometimes. About one third of humans who suffer from diabetes will have skin diseases. All of them should be cured as early as possible to prevent its residual and epiphenomenon.

Here we will add up skin diseases that are apt to emerge in men with diabetes and that are typical for diabetics. If you suffer from diabetes and want to prevent skin problems, it's better to look after your skin heedfully, to take control of your disease and the suggested level of blood sugar.

Skin Diseases that Are Supposedly to Emerge in Diabetics
Bacterial microbiosis can provoke healthless, inflated, irritated and hot skin. The remedy for such skin infections is antibiotics and regulation of the normal level of blood sugar. The excellent environment for proliferation of bacteria is the redundancy of glucose. Here is a list of some bacterial infections: carbuncles, blotches, hordeolum, nail and hair follicle infections. Diabetics quite often have a typical bacterium which is called staphylococcus.

The other kind of infection which is peculiar for diabetics is mycotic infections that can cause psorous eruption in weeping areas of the body. The eruption is supposed to be red rash with peeling and bulla around it and foamy white incrustation. The best cure is following all doctors' prescriptions and taking control of diabetes. The fungus as well as bacterial infections is connected with the redundancy of glucose. Yeast infections, bald ringworm, jock itch and dermatomycosis of feet belong to the mycotic infections. The fungus that provokes the mycotic infections in diabetics is candida albicans.

Humans with diabetes often suffer from dry and also lamellar, peccant, red skin. Their skin can crack and it creates favorable environment for germs and later on infections. Dry skin is associated with high level of blood sugar as the fluids with urine egest from the body in order to remove sugar. The other cause of dry skin is nerve disease as sweating process is embarrassed by affected nerves that can't work properly. Dry skin together with yeast infections and poor circulation can provoke itching. Uncontrolled diabetes favours dry skin and bad blood circulation. The lower parts of legs are often exposed to itching.

Acanthosis Nigricans, Atherosclerosis, Diabetic Dermopathy and Skin Tags: What Is Common.
The mentioned-above diseases are typical skin diseases of people with diabetes.
Acanthosis nigricans is characterized by rich dark dots that emerge in skin crease, for example, groin and neck, armpits and elbows, knees and hands. This skin problem is caused by insulin insensibility. The best treatment for the disease is losing weight and using creams.

Atherosclerosis is notable for induration of the arteries that hampers blood circulation. The aftertrouble of atherosclerosis is cool, dim and glossy skin, a little quantity of hair, thickened and faded toenails. The cure of injuries lasts for a long time if a diabetic suffers from atherosclerosis. In order not to be taken ill with an atherosclerosis you should keep diet, do exercises, take control of your weight, give up smoking, regulate blood pressure and the level of bad cholesterol.

Diabetic dermopathy is known as a disease of small blood vessels. It promotes the reduction of blood supply to skin and furthermore the dots of different shape that seems to be age dots. These lamellar brown spots are supposed to emerge on the front part of the leg. The other names for this skin problem are shin spots or skin spots. The cure is not necessary as diabetic dermopathy is nonhazardous.

Skin tags are peculiar to quarter of people with diabetes. Papillary tumors are small bits of flesh that are supposed to emerge on the eyelids, neck and armpits. Skin tags are associated with insulin insensibility and atypical blood fats. They can be ablated in accordance with the desire.

I advocate healthy lifestyle for over 20 years, during this time i collected thousands of recipes, ideas and guidelines related to healthy lifestyle. If you care of your body and want to make life healthier, take a look at the collection of ideas gathered on WikiTalks.

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Type 2 Diabetes - Side Effects of Taking Diabetes Medication And What You Can Do About Them

No one should be on a particular medication or drug for life. The same should apply to people living with Type 2 diabetes. The type of 'drugs' I am referring to here are all prescription medications. I believe these were created to help people deal with a chronic health problem in the short-term - I don't believe for a second they were intended for long-term use and, in some people's case, lifetime use.

So, the reason for this article is because often people are not made aware of the side effects their diabetes medications come along with. Everyone should know the full facts of anything before they get into it, and nothing is more important than knowing as much as possible about what you are putting into your body and what it may do to you.

This article may be quite useful for you if you have been recently diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, as your doctor will probably be discussing your suggested treatment plan going forward. Now is the BEST time to make the critical lifestyle and diet changes as it could prevent you from ever needing diabetes medication in the first place! Injecting yourself every day is never fun and can be quite stressful especially if you are not a fan of needles.

Most Common Side Effects of Insulin Medication:

There are 6 main types of insulin, and all are administered by injection. The most common side effects of insulin therapy are:

• hunger,
• weight gain,
• hypoglycemia, and
• lipohypertrophy.

Most Common Side Effects of Newer Diabetes Drugs:

There are other drugs used for treating Type 2 diabetes other than insulin. Some of these include the DPP4 inhibitor injection (also known as 'gliptins'), and the GLP-1 injections (these are glucagon-like). The most common listed side effects of these specific diabetes drugs are diarrhoea and nausea.

Some cases of diabetes are managed with the newer drugs only - depending on the severity of the diabetes. Eventually, if the treatment plan continues to rely solely on drugs for management, then all patients with Type 2 diabetes will require insulin therapy.

All the side effects here may not seem too much of a concern, but they all could have serious consequences if you end up suffering with them. For example, if you take insulin and the side effect you get is hunger, you could end up overeating and therefore picking up extra weight which is known to cause other health problems. Or if you get frequent diarrhea from the insulin, there is nothing more embarrassing than having to constantly feel the need to go toilet when being out with friends or on a date. Not to mention having regular diarrhea can cause you to become severely dehydrated.

What to do if you wish to avoid or come off diabetes medication?

Firstly, you need to realize you, the person living with diabetes has the final say on how you wish your diabetes to be managed and there are ways to manage your Type 2 diabetes without drugs, and to even reverse it. So, if this article has inspired you to wish to look into eventually coming off your diabetes medication then the first step is to go and chat to your doctor.

Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. By making simple changes to your daily routine, its possible to protect your heart, kidneys, eyes and limbs from the damage often caused by diabetes, and eliminate many of the complications you may already experience - without the help of diabetes drugs.

For nearly 25 years Beverleigh Piepers has searched for and found a number of secrets to help you build a healthy body. Go to http://DrugFreeType2Diabetes.com to learn about some of those secrets.

The answer isn't in the endless volumes of available information but in yourself.

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Type 2 Diabetes - Choosing Smaller Food Portions to Help Lower Blood Sugar and Weight

Diets are not always the smartest way to control your Type 2 diabetes. Some diabetics eat a lot and still maintain a healthy weight range. However, most diabetics should choose smaller food portions so they have a better chance of controlling their blood sugar and weight.

The more food you eat, the more chance you have of gaining weight and affecting your overall health adversely. Diets try to restrict the types of foods you eat but it's not enough. You must control the portion sizes as well if you want long-term success.

The key to everything is moderation. Create some new habits and you will quickly find your health improve. Use smaller plates, bowls and cups. If you are dining out, choose to not order dessert until you have finished eating your main meal and rested for at least 20 minutes. This gives the food you have eaten a chance to digest before deciding on if more food is needed.

Order an entrée size or share a main course with a friend or partner. Ignore the myth about having to eat everything on your plate. If you find you have had enough to eat - stop! Even if there are only two or three mouthfuls left, leave them there.

If you have a large bag or box of food, put a small portion onto a plate or bowl. If you eat from the box or bag, you will more than likely keep grazing, and before you know it, the whole contents of the box will be eaten. It's easy to do when you're watching TV or occupied on the computer.

Don't eat "just because everyone else is eating." You have the right to say no at every opportunity and refuse to be teased about it. Your health is too important to allow others to influence you in a negative way.

Have a drink of water before you eat. This will partially fill your stomach and reduce the need for extra food. Use visual references to help you remember portion sizes...

• 1 cup = a tennis ball.
• 3 ounces of meat = deck of playing cards.
• 1 teaspoon = tip of your thumb.
• 1 tablespoon = your whole thumb.

Take a plate and divide it in half. Then divide one half in half again. The half-side should be filled with non-starchy vegetables or salad. Then one of the quarter sections should contain your source of protein. The final quarter should be for starchy food. Instead of a standard 12 inch plate, use a 9 inch plate. You can reduce your overall portion sizes while still keeping the correct proportion.

Buy an accurate set of scales and weigh your food. Even though you can divide your plate and reduce the portion size, some food obviously weighs more than other food types and that can cause problems.

These are just a few tips to help Type 2 diabetics reduce portion sizes and gain better control of their blood sugar and weight.

Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. By making simple changes to your daily routine and eating smaller portions, its possible to protect your heart, kidneys, eyes and limbs from the damage often caused by diabetes, and eliminate many of the complications you may already experience.

For nearly 25 years Beverleigh Piepers has searched for and found a number of secrets to help you build a healthy body. Go to http://DrugFreeType2Diabetes.com to learn about some of those secrets.

The answer isn't in the endless volumes of available information but in yourself.

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Type 2 Diabetes - Hazelnuts to Help in the Treatment of Diabetes

Hazelnuts have been shown to improve the fat content in the blood of healthy people and those with too much fat in their blood. Researchers at Tehran University of Medical Sciences in Iran looked at the use of hazelnuts in an attempt to lower blood sugar levels and improve cholesterol and blood fats in people who have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

Their study, reported on in the Journal of Research Medical Science in April 2013, included 50 Type 2 diabetics, who were randomly divided into two groups...

• one group received 10 percent of its calories in hazelnuts,
• while the other group did not.

At the end of the 8 week period, the hazelnut group had significantly lower blood levels of HDL-C, the cholesterol responsible for clogging arteries, than did the non-hazelnut group. The hazelnut group had only slightly lower levels of blood fats and the two groups' average fasting blood sugar levels were the same.

From these results it was concluded adding hazelnuts to the eating plan of Type 2 diabetics could help lower their HDL-C.

One ounce of hazelnuts provides...

• 24.4 mg of omega-3 fats and 21 percent of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for vitamin E, which could explain their good effect on cholesterol.

That ounce also provides...

• 12 percent of the RDA for thiamine,
• a B vitamin,
• 7 percent of the RDA for iron,
• 11 percent of the RDA for fiber,

but watch out for the calories. There are 176 of them in 1 ounce.

Yummly.com has a recipe for making a salad with pink grapefruit, red onion, lemon juice, fat-free yogurt (substitute vegan yogurt), olive oil, kosher salt, black pepper, kale, and hazelnuts. The same site suggests making your own muesli from banana, apple, Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, almonds, dates, raisins, raspberries, and flaked coconut. Use sparingly as a topping on salads or cereals.

Hazelnuts have been cultivated as early as 9,000 years ago in Scotland, England, and Ireland. Home gardeners usually cultivate hazelnut trees from saplings. A large number of varieties are available, and local nurseries know which strains are ideal for their area...

• saplings should be planted in holes partially filled with loose dirt.
• small trees' roots should be kept moist for the first month. After that daily watering is not necessary except in times of extreme heat and drought.
• the trees tend to grow bushy and new saplings should be trimmed to encourage trees to produce more nuts.
• two trees need to be planted near each other to produce nuts, since they must be cross-fertilized.
• the time from planting until the trees produce nuts is four years.

Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. By making simple changes to your daily routine, its possible to protect your heart, kidneys, eyes and limbs from the damage often caused by diabetes, and eliminate many of the complications you may already experience.

For nearly 25 years Beverleigh Piepers has searched for and found a number of secrets to help you build a healthy body. Go to http://DrugFreeType2Diabetes.com to learn about some of those secrets.

The answer isn't in the endless volumes of available information but in yourself.

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Are You Aware of All the Types of Diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder in which a person has high levels of sugar in his/her blood, either because the pancreas do not produce sufficient insulin or because cells are unable to respond to the insulin that is produced. There are different types of diabetes, some of which are more prevalent than the rest.

Let's learn more about its different types:

1. Type 1 Diabetes:

It is also known as 'juvenile diabetes.' Type 1 is more commonly seen in children. However, it can affect people of any age. Type 1 is an auto-immune disease (a process in which your own body cells turn against itself) that permanently destroy the beta cells in the pancreas, as a result of which the body can no longer produce insulin.

2. Type 2 Diabetes:

It is also known as non-insulin dependent diabetes. Type 2 is a condition in which the cells fail to utilize insulin leading to insulin resistance or hyperglycemia. People with type 2 may need to take oral anti-diabetic medication or take insulin to maintain blood sugar level.

3. Gestational Diabetes:

It is mainly tested during 24 - 28 weeks into pregnancy. It results from hormonal changes which result from hormones produced by the pancreas that tend to resist insulin in the second or third trimester of pregnancy. During this phase, a woman's insulin needs may be increased to about 2 to 3 times above the normal requirement. It occurs in 3-5 % of all pregnancies.

4. LADA (Latent Autoimmune Diabetes of Adulthood):

LADA is diagnosed by examining for the presence of elevated levels of pancreatic antibodies amongst patients who have been diagnosed with diabetes but do not require insulin. One can suspect LADA when symptoms show absence of metabolic syndrome features, uncontrolled hyperglycemia or evidence of auto-immune diseases.

5. MODY (Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young):

It affects nearly 1- 2 % of people who have diabetes. MODY is caused by a change in a single gene and children of an affected parent have a 50 % probability of inheriting this gene and subsequently developing MODY.

6. Double Diabetes:

It involves someone affected with type 1 diabetes developing insulin resistance, which ia key feature of type 2 diabetes.

7. Type 3 Diabetes:

It is indicative of Alzheimer's disease which results from resistance to insulin in the brain. People with insulin resistance have more risk (50- 65%) of developing Alzheimer's disease.

8. Steroid Induced Diabetes:

Prolonged use of corticosteroids could cause diabetes like symptoms. Corticosteroids are known to increase blood glucose levels by increasing insulin resistance. It tends to disappear with the decrease in usage of steroids.

9. Brittle Diabetes (Labile Diabetes):

It is a term used to describe hard to control type 1 diabetes. Brittle diabetes causes serious fluctuations in blood glucose levels. It is rare yet serious. About 3 in 1000 people with type 1 will develop brittle diabetes.

10. Secondary Diabetes:

It is diabetes that results as a consequence of another medical condition. Some of the health conditions that may lead to this condition include cystic fibrosis, hemochromatosis, chronic pancreatitis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), glucagonoma, etc.

11. Diabetes Insipidus:

It is a rare form of diabetes. It is not related to diabetes mellitus but shares some of its signs and symptoms. It is caused when the complex system that regulates the amount and type of fluid within the body gets disrupted.

Remember to consult a diabetologist to have your medical condition thoroughly evaluated.

Medical Writer at Lifespan India, a leading chain of Diabetes and Pre-Diabetes Clinic.

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