Man up for Father's Day and face your health concerns

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8: Try to remember these important diabetes health tips on Father’s Day submitted by Debbie Jones, nurse educator for the Bermuda Hospitals Board Diabetes Centre.

International diabetes expert Debbie Jones contributes a diabetes column every second Wednesday for the Bermuda Sun. Here is her second instalment.

Father’s Day is 19 June and what better time to remind them, especially those with diabetes, that they need to take care of themselves.

Sometimes men feel that just because they are men,  they should “tough it out” rather than address symptoms.

The truth is that nearly two thirds of working age men are overweight, increasing their risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

Men have never been comfortable talking about their health problems and if they have diabetes, they are at an increased risk for depression and sexual dysfunction.

So what is sexual dysfunction? For the most part, it is erectile dysfunction or the inability to achieve and/or maintain an erection suitable for sexual intercourse. Men need to know that it is important to talk about any sexual dysfunction and erectile dysfunction is the most common problem facing men.

Almost 50 per cent of men have had sexual problems in the course of their lifetime and diabetes increases that risk. If we look at some of the underlying risks associated with diabetes, such as lack of exercise and weight gain, these same risks are associated with sexual dysfunction.

It is important for men to have regular medical checkups and to share their sexual history  with their physician. Men often think they can wait until a physician brings it up, but the truth is that often the physician won’t and then no one is the wiser and nothing changes.

Sexual history is part a patient’s medical history and needs to be brought to the attention of the physician. Some men may feel that because they have diabetes, sexual dysfunction is just something they have to live with. This is absolutely not true, as sexual dysfunction has many causes, including urinary tract infections, side effects from medicine, stress, fatigue and depression.

Some men have heard that blood pressure medicine can cause sexual problems, so they stop taking their medication. This is very unwise. Instead, patients should make an appointment to see their physician to discuss problems and investigate solutions.

If men smoke they should stop. Blood vessels in the sexual organs are very fragile and can be damaged by elevated blood sugar, high blood pressure, tobacco use and drinking alcohol to excess.

So what can men do? Well, first if they have diabetes, they need to see their physician and have a thorough medical examination. Remember — waiting for the physician to ask about sexual performance is the not the best thing to do, so always bring up the topic if your doctor does not.

 Healthy, getting regular daily exercise and stopping smoking will help control blood sugar and blood pressure. Relaxing and taking time for oneself is important, so make sure this Father’s Day, the men in your life take the opportunity to relax and enjoy the day.

A recent Interheart study has shown that stopping smoking, exercising every day for at least 15 minutes and eating seven fruits and vegetables daily can have a positive outcome on all complications, including sexual function. So what are you waiting for?