MALE AVERAGE LIFE EXPECTANCYis around six years shorter than the female equivalent. Despite this, men are notoriously bad at looking after themselves. Many men are unaware of the range of health services available from their GP. Others tend to avoid visiting their GP until a problem becomes really bad.

ONE PER CENT of young adult males have diabetes, rising to over three per cent of men aged 65 to 75 and 4.5 per cent of men aged over 75 years. Diabetes mellitus is diagnosed when blood sugar (glucose) levels are consistently raised above a certain level. There are two main types: Type I diabetes, which usually first occurs under the age of 35 years, and Type 2 diabetes, which mainly develops over the age of 40. Type I diabetes usually develops rapidly with weight loss, excessive thirst and excessive production of urine, requiring urgent treatment. Type 2 diabetes tends to come on gradually, however, and often remains undiagnosed. It's most common in people who are obese.

If you haven't had your urine screened for glucose in the last few years, you might like to arrange to take a sample to your doctor's surgery for checking.

While a number of male health problems are linked with increasing age, symptoms should not be dismissed as merely due to the ageing process. Men with recurrent problems, such as those affecting the urinary tract, should always be encouraged to seek medical advice from their GP or - if they prefer - by talking to the practice nurse in their surgery.