Yes, long-term type 2 diabetes can cause erection problems due to nerve and blood vessel damage from high blood sugar. Good diabetes control and medical treatment can help improve sexual function.

Two promising recent discoveries for Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus include an off-the-shelf stem-cell therapy trial where 10 out of 12 participants became insulin-independent for at least a year, and a world-first immunotherapy trial aimed at stopping the autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing cells. These developments are exciting but are still not widely available as standard treatments.

For type 2 diabetes, maintain a balanced diet rich in fiber and low in refined sugars, stay physically active with at least 150 minutes of exercise weekly, and monitor blood glucose regularly. Maintain a healthy weight, manage stress, get enough sleep, and avoid smoking and excessive alcohol.

Type 2 diabetes increases the risk of ischemic heart disease because high blood sugar damages blood vessels and promotes cholesterol buildup, leading to narrowed arteries and reduced blood flow to the heart.