Erectile Dysfunction – Things You Wanted to Know
Erectile dysfunction (ED), commonly known as impotence is a frequently reported sexual problem in men. The condition refers to the inability in a man to achieve or maintain an erection long enough to complete satisfying sexual intercourse. Experts believe that most men at some point in their lives experience an episode of erectile dysfunction, however the condition is considered serious only if a man faces erection problems on a consistent basis.
Living with ED – Is it a disease?
Men suffering from erectile dysfunction often feel depressed because of their inability to have sex. They lose their self-esteem and become withdrawn from their partner. Many men do not even discuss the condition with their doctor as they hesitate in discussing their sexual matters because of the taboos associated with erection problems. Experts suggest that man need not suffer because of ED as the condition can be treated easily today. Also, men should not feel that ED is a disease. Your erectile dysfunction can be a manifestation of an underlying disease or condition, so you must always consult your doctor and get yourself diagnosed. By treating the underlying condition, your erection problems may well be resolved.
Is ED a part of getting old?
Erectile dysfunction is commonly reported in men above 65 years of age. But this does not mean that ED is an inevitable part of ageing process. The incidence of ED is higher in older men because elderly men are more likely to suffer from medical conditions such as vascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol that may interfere in the natural process of erection and lead to impotence. Also a number of medications prescribed for these conditions can also cause impotence. A large number of younger men are also affected with erection problems. However, in younger men the cause of impotence is usually psychological in nature.
Can ED be prevented?
Erectile dysfunction can be prevented in men who are at risk of developing ED because of personal behaviour. For instance, men who smoke or drink excessively may prevent ED by changing their lifestyle and limiting their consumption of alcohol and cigarette. Besides, in many cases erection problems caused due to relationship problems and performance anxiety may be avoided by communicating more with your partner and by bringing more intimacy in your relationship. However, other causes of ED may not be preventable.
What difference can a doctor make in treating ED?
Many men hesitate in discussing the condition with their doctor as they feel too embarrassed to discuss their sexual problems. However, experts believe that men need not feel so shy in discussing the issue. This is because, ED is a frequently reported sexual problem, and your doctor is quite used to discussing the matter. To diagnose the condition, your doctor will discuss your medical and sexual history. Only a standard physical examination is usually needed to find out if there is any problem in the penis. You may also be requested laboratory tests on blood and urine to help identify any underlying medical cause that may need treatment. Depending on your condition, your doctor will suggest the most appropriate ED treatment. You may choose any that you find convenient.
NHS Not Routinely Testing For Killer Disease, UK
100,000 people in the UK are at risk from an undiagnosed heart condition called familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH), says the Royal College of Physicians. FH is an inherited condition causing high levels of LDL cholesterol, which causes early heart disease. Roughly half of men with FH, if untreated, will have developed heart disease by the age of 55 years, and roughly one third of women by the age of 60. Crucially, half of their first degree relatives (brothers, sisters and children) will be similarly affected but are often unaware of the condition…
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Comedian Jon Lovitz Serious About Joking On Skin Condition
Horsham, PA, United States (AHN) – Comedian and actor Jon Lovitz has revealed he suffers from psoriasis and for the first time is talking candidly about living with the disease. He’s part of a national disease awareness campaign titled “Are You Serious.”
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition that causes red, scaly plaques on the skin and affects nearly 7.5 million Americans. Lovitz said he struggled with severe plaque psoriasis for 10 years before getting its symptoms under control.
“A large portion of my body was covered in psoriasis – I had plaques on my arms, back, stomach and scalp. It was embarrassing, painful and emotionally difficult to deal with until, finally, I got serious about my psoriasis and worked with a dermatologist to find an effective treatment,” remembers Lovitz. “I decided to use my comedy to raise awareness about psoriasis, without making fun of having the disease. I hope that through hearing my story, people with psoriasis will feel inspired to talk with a dermatologist and get their symptoms under control.”
“Are You Serious” was launched by Centocor Ortho Biotech Inc. and the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) and uses Lovitz’s personal experiences and signature humor in an effort to educate the condition.
“Our findings about the impact of psoriasis, along with the stories we hear from people coping with the disease, underscore the importance of working with a dermatologist to find a treatment that effectively manages your disease symptoms,” said Randy Beranek, president and CEO of the National Psoriasis Foundation. “The NPF is grateful to Jon for taking a different approach to share his story, using humor as a means to motivate patients and educate the public about a disease that’s often misunderstood.”
Medical professionals estimate that approximately 7.5 million Americans and nearly 3 percent of the world’s population are living with psoriasis and nearly one-quarter of those people have cases that are considered moderate to severe.
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List of Things You Can Do to Lower Your Cholesterol
Experts say that people who are over 20 years of age should pay more attention to their cholesterol level and advise them to do everything they can to lower their levels of “bad” cholesterol. Despite the so many claims that you can lower your cholesterol level through low cholesterol diet plans, lifestyle changes, and monitored medication, more and more people who suffer from this condition still fail to lower their cholesterol level.
Although it is sometimes hard to stick with the needed requirements to be able to lower your cholesterol levels, it is still possible to get the result that you want by following these easy ways to lower to cholesterol:
1. Make sure you know where you stand by getting your levels checked regularly. Visiting your doctor and getting your cholesterol levels checked regularly is very important to achieving optimum health for good. Since high cholesterol is related to cardiovascular disease, make sure that you know your numbers so you can rearrange your diet and change lifestyle habits as well. Knowing your cholesterol level will also help you decide what kind of diet plan you should follow and if you need medication and treatment already. Knowing your starting point will also help you monitor your progress toward healthy cholesterol levels. If you know your exact cholesterol status then you can also do something to combat it by learning to quit cigarette smoking and excessive eating of high cholesterol foods.
2. Understanding the basics and learning everything you can about the condition. If you have been diagnosed with high cholesterol levels, the first thing to do is to understand the situation fully and acquire more information about the condition. By conducting your own personal research on the condition will also make you knowledgeable about initial lifestyle changes you can do to lessen the problem and you will also have an idea what other treatments options available. Knowing everything about cholesterol, its types, kinds, and health risks will also make you understand that the case is not really hopeless if you are in the right track.
Finding and getting more information about the condition will also make you realize that there are so many things that you can do. You can get more information from a registered dietician, local centers for nutrition, local hospital or public health department, and from a consultation with your attending physician or health care provider.
3. Watch your weight and get rid of extra pounds if needed. Monitoring your weight is one of the best ways to combat high levels of cholesterol. If you think you are overweight for your age and height, then you should be contemplating on slimming down to be able to decrease your high cholesterol level. Since being overweight disrupts a person’s normal metabolism of dietary fat, experts say that people who weight more than they should shout start planning on a healthy lifestyle and diet to lose weight safely.
But, before having a drastic change in your diet and lifestyle, make sure that you visit your doctor first to access your overall health. Doing this may prevent further damage especially if you have to undergo certain medications.
4. Get physical, do regular physical activities and exercises more often. The wonders of exercise are indeed very essential in lowering high cholesterol levels. Doing regular physical activities can also help raise the good cholesterol levels and lose weight as well. There’s really no need for high-intensity workouts, regular brisk walking or jogging can help the body boost HDL cholesterol and also beneficial for the heart.
5. Make a commitment and stick to that commitment. The best way to lower cholesterol levels is to be able to develop the discipline to stick to your goal. You can also lower your cholesterol level by acquainting yourself what are the good and the bad fat and its sources, by discovering the wonders of fiber in cutting down cholesterol, by taking in good multivitamins, by freeing yourself from lots of stress, and by exploring and considering treatment options when all else fails.
To learn about high cholesterol foods and normal cholesterol levels, visit the Cholesterol Guidelines site.
