Erectile Dysfunction?

Many men suffer from a common condition that can be both a symptom of existing diabetes and a warning sign that they may be at increased risk to develop diabetes. This condition, known as erectile dysfunction (ED), affects up over 150 million men worldwide. Some men will ignore the fact that they have ED and others do not realise that they have erectile dysfunction because of the confusion and uncertainty about the actual definition of the condition.

Many men believe that ED occurs when they cannot get any erection, but, in fact, the earliest symptom of erectile dysfunction occurs when a man has difficulty being able to keep or maintain a firm erection. Recognising this early symptom of ED (poor maintenance of an erection) could empower men to be proactive about their health, leading to earlier detection and better management of medical conditions like diabetes.

Recent research has shown that men with ED are twice as likely to have diabetes. In fact, ED is three times more prevalent and can occur 10 to 15 years earlier in men with diabetes than in non-diabetic men. Damage to the nerves and arteries in the penis, a common complication in diabetes, is responsible to ED. Over time, if glucose levels are not managed, poor erectile function will persist and ED will get worse.

Common symptoms of diabetes are: Frequent urination, increased fatigue, excessive thirst, irritability, extreme hunger, blurred vision and unusual weight loss.

(Adopted from : The Star)