Did you know that about 8.7 million men, 20 years or older, in the United States have diabetes, but that more than one third of them do not even know it?

Most of the food we eat is turned into glucose (sugar) for our bodies to use for energy. The pancreas makes insulin, which helps sugar get into the cells. When you have diabetes, your body either doesn¡¯t make enough insulin or can¡¯t use the insulin it does make. This causes sugar to build up in your blood. Over the years, high blood sugar leads to problems like heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease, nerve problems, gum infections, and amputations.

Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

There are different kinds of diabetes:

Type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is usually first diagnosed in children, teenagers, or young adults. In this form of diabetes, the immune system (the body¡¯s way to fight infection) attacks the cells that make insulin in the pancreas and destroys them. The pancreas then makes little or no insulin, and cells can¡¯t take sugar from your blood. If not diagnosed and treated with insulin, a person can lapse into a life-threatening coma. Someone with type 1 diabetes takes insulin shots or uses an insulin pump. He also needs to make wise food choices, exercise regularly, and control blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol. We don¡¯t know yet how to prevent type 1 diabetes, but you can benefit by keeping your blood sugar under control.

Type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. People can develop it at any age¡ªeven during childhood. Type 2 diabetes begins when your body can¡¯t use insulin right (insulin resistance). There is too much sugar in your blood. At first, the pancreas keeps up with the added demand by making more insulin. In time though, it can¡¯t make enough insulin. Treatment for type 2 diabetes includes taking diabetes pills, making wise food choices, exercising regularly, and controlling blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol. The good news is we now know that if you have pre-diabetes, you can reduce your risk of getting type 2 diabetes. If you have diabetes, you can prevent or delay complications.

Diabetes-Related Problems in Men

Men with diabetes suffer more from some diabetes-related health problems than women. The American Diabetes Association reports that:

• In people who develop diabetes before the age of 30, men develop retinopathy (a vision disorder that can lead to blindness) more quickly than women.
• Amputation rates from diabetes-related problems are higher in men than women with diabetes.
• Men with diabetes also face special concerns like impotence (not being able to have or keep an erection). Men with diabetes can help prevent impotence by:
  • Controlling blood sugar levels
  • Not worrying. Fear of becoming impotent can sometimes be the cause.
  • Not drinking large amounts of alcohol, which can cause impotence.
  • Not smoking. Smoking causes blood vessels to narrow, which can lead to impotence.

You Can Delay or Prevent Type 2 Diabetes

When you take steps to prevent diabetes, you also lower your risk for heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, and amputation. Small changes in your lifestyle can make a difference. They include getting 30 minutes of physical activity five days a week and losing 5 to 7 percent of your body weight.

To help you lose weight, choose low-fat foods and foods high in fiber. Cut down on fat and cholesterol by having low-fat dairy products, lean cuts of meat, fish, poultry, fruits, and vegetables. Also, limit foods high in salt and sugar.

The Diabetes Prevention Program, a research study, found that diet and exercise lowered the chances that a person with impaired glucose tolerance, a pre-diabetic condition, would develop diabetes. These strategies worked for both men and women and for people of all ethnic groups who were in the study. Lifestyle changes worked really well for people age 60 and older. In the study, treatment with the drug metformin also reduced risk, mostly in people 25 to 44 years old and in those who were at least 60 pounds overweight.

Know Your Risks That Can Lead to Type 2 Diabetes

It¡¯s important to find out early if you have type 2 diabetes or if you are at risk of developing it. To find out if you¡¯re at risk, check off each item that applies to you.

__ I am overweight or obese.

__ I have a parent, brother, or sister with diabetes.

__ My family background is African American, American Indian, Asian American, Latina, or Pacific Islander.

__ My blood pressure is 140/90 or higher, or I have been told I have high blood pressure.

__ My cholesterol is not normal. My HDL or ¡°good¡± cholesterol is 35 or lower or my triglycerides are 250 or higher.

__ I am not very active. I exercise less than three times each week.

Talk to your doctor or nurse about the risks that you checked off. If you are age 45 or older, talk to your doctor about getting tested for type 2 diabetes. If your test result is normal, you should then be tested every three years. People younger than age 45 who are overweight or obese and checked off any of the items above should also talk to their doctor about getting tested for diabetes.