Substituting foods with a lower glycemic index for foods with a higher glycemic index in your diet will help to reduce your after-meal blood glucose spikes.

A fever, pain in the back or side below the ribs, nausea, or vomiting along with symptoms of a urinary tract infection may indicate that the infection has reached the kidneys.

Look for urine ketone strips that are come in individually-wrapped packets, which last longer than those that come packaged together once the package is opened. Since they may be used only sporadically, this can help ensure that they are not wasted.

One important role that vitamin C may play is protecting against damage to DNA within cells throughout the body. Good sources of vitamin C include guava, red and green bell peppers, kiwifruit, and oranges.

Avoiding all episodes of hypoglycemia may be impossible for many people, especially since maintaining tight blood glucose control brings with it a higher risk of hypoglycemia. However, although hypoglycemia can, at times, be unpleasant, don’t risk your health by allowing your blood glucose levels to run higher than recommended to avoid it.

In some cases, people who have had chronically high blood glucose levels may experience symptoms of hypoglycemia when their blood glucose level drops to a more normal range.

When you take insulin or a drug that increases the amount of insulin in your system, not eating enough food at the times the insulin or drug is working can cause hypoglycemia. Physical activity and exercise lower blood glucose level by increasing insulin sensitivity.

It can be crucial to the treatment of erectile dysfunction to determine whether the cause is mainly physical or psychological; to determine this, your doctor may want to discuss your feelings toward intimacy or to administer a physical test.

Yes — over the last few years, several new drug treatments for impotence have been developed; if you decide to seek treatment, the chances of success are now greatly improved.

Yes — getting exercise and controlling blood pressure and blood glucose levels can preserve and even improve sexual function in both men and women.

Yes. High blood glucose levels can contribute to the blockage or narrowing of blood vessels, which can restrict blood flow to the penis and cause erectile dysfunction. High blood glucose can also lead to neuropathy, damaging the nerve signals needed for an erection to occur.

Drinking plenty of fluids regularly, and urinating regularly, can help prevent urinary tract infections. Additionally, some evidence suggests that consuming cranberry and blueberry juices and vitamin C may help prevent urinary tract infections.

If you have a urinary tract infection, in addition to your prescribed course of treatment, drink plenty of fluids and avoid caffeine, spicy foods, alcohol, and citrus juices, which can irritate the bladder.

If you suspect that you have a urinary tract infection, see your doctor so that he can order a urinalysis and make a diagnosis. Treatment consists of antibiotics; if the kidneys are infected, hospitalization may be required.

Yes. Although most cases of diabetic ketoacidosis occur in people with type 1 diabetes, it can occur in people with type 2 diabetes, as well.

Yes, but controlling blood pressure may reduce the severity or prevent the progression of erectile dysfunction and other sexual disorders.

Yes — fiber works together with fluid in the digestive system, so make sure to increase your nonalcoholic, noncaffeinated fluid intake along with your fiber intake unless you already drink plenty of fluids.

You should test your blood or urine for ketones whenever:

• There is an unexplained rise in your blood sugar, or you have a blood sugar level of more than 250 mg/dl (13.9 mmol/l) for two tests in a row;

• You have symptoms of nausea, vomiting, confusion, or severe fatigue;

• You have any symptoms of ketoacidosis such as increased thirst and urination, stomachache, or dry mouth;

• If you have a flu, infection, or injury;

• When you’re planning to exercise, but your blood sugar is over 250 mg/dl.

• If you are pregnant, check for ketones each morning before breakfast or whenever your glucose goes over 250 mg/dl.