How do emotions and stress affect diabetes?
Stress and emotions can affect the blood glucose level and cause it to rise. When the body is faced with an emotional situation or stress, several things happen. The body responds to stress by releasing hormones, such as glucagon, cortisol and adrenalin, all of which act to raise blood sugar levels. As a result of this increase in blood glucose, you may be further “stressed” because you cannot get your diabetes under control. Stress and emotions that are causing problems with your diabetes control are clues that you may need help in managing or reducing your stress level. Many men with diabetes also have erectile dysfunction (ED) • Erectile dysfunction can be an early sign of diabetes in men who have not been diagnosed with diabetes. • A man with diabetes is two to five times more likely to develop ED than a man who does not have diabetes. Other factors that increase the likelihood of developing ED include poor glycemic control, insulin dependence and tobacco use. • Men with diabetes t
