Mention the word diabetes to most men and their hearts skip a beat. Any reference to diabetes conjures up grim pictures of amputated legs, wasted bodies and early, miserable deaths.

Most men know of the association between the disease and impotence. Yet, this disease affects approximately 17 per cent of the adult population, and is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure and cardiovascular disease. Despite fear of this disease, it continues to decimate our population. How can men deal with this scourge?

Dealing with the fear factor

The most important way to deal with your enemy is to get to know him. Professor Errol Morrison, noted diabetologist, in a recent address at the launch of the book, A Patient's Guide to the Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus by Dr Jacqueline Campbell, confirmed that improving our knowledge about diabetes is the most critical factor in managing and controlling the disease.

The book in simple, layman terms explains that diabetes mellitus, also called 'sugar', is a breakdown in the body's ability to process the amount of sugar that is absorbed into the bloodstream. The author describes the diabetic as "someone whose body cannot make insulin, or the insulin does not work as it should".

Risk factors for diabetes

Who invites this enemy in? Campbell, a family physician, lists a number of hereditary and environmental factors which affects men's propensity to be attacked by this foe. They include having family members afflicted with the disease, getting older, physical inactivity and being obese. Men who have acquired the 'big belly' through years of overeating and inactivity are at great risk of diabetes. Men who take high doses of steroids for prolonged periods put themselves at risk as well. Campbell stresses that diabetes is especially dangerous because it can remain undetected for years before striking its victims with serious complications.

Symptoms and signs

Most men have heard that passing urine more often than usual and unexplained loss of weight are likely signs of diabetes. Other signs include unexplained hunger and constantly feeling thirsty. Always feeling tired, slow healing sores, dry, itchy skin and blurred vision are important pointers of diabetes. Unfortunately, these are late signs which occur when the disease has invaded the entire body.

Fighting diabetes

The best way to identify the presence of diabetes is to test the blood by a simple needle prick. In the patient's guide, Campbell advises men who are shy of needles and blood tests to "close your eyes ... and tell yourself that it's only a mosquito bite".

Once diagnosed with diabetes, men can control their diabetes by aggressively modifying their habits, especially regarding food and physical activity. The book answers the most frequently asked question by a diabetic, "So what do I eat now?" The author describes the methods that she uses with her patients and includes a sample seven-day meal plan which comprises commonly eaten Jamaican foods.

The best defence is offence. This patient's guide provides ammunition for dealing with the enemy within - diabetes.

Dr Pauline Williams-Green is a family physician and president of the Caribbean College of Family Physicians; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.

Men who have acquired the 'big belly' through years of overeating and inactivity are at great risk of diabetes. Men who take high doses of steroids for prolonged periods put themselves at risk as well. Campbell stresses that diabetes is especially dangerous because it can remain undetected for years before striking its victims with serious complications.