Brigham
Joined: 05 Nov 2011 Posts: 3
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Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 8:44 am Post subject: |
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Erectile dysfunction (ED) or Impotence is the inability for a man to achieve or maintain an erection adequate to perform sexual intercourse. It can happen to men aged 40 to 70 years, but the problem can be overcome in the majority of these cases.
Causes of Impotence:
Certain medications and drugs, such as alcohol, cigarettes, antidepressants, antihistamines, antihypertensive, blood pressure medication, chemotherapy, diuretics, narcotics, nicotine, sedatives, steroids (if abused), stomach acid inhibitors and ulcer medications, can all interfere with normal erectile function.
The cardiovascular system is responsible for erectile function, so problems with circulation and heart disease often show up early as erectile dysfunction. Exercise, especially walking, running, biking and other cardiovascular exercises, reduces the risk of heart disease and maintains circulation. Most Men at Risk for Erectile Dysfunction
The large study of over 31,000 men who did not have prostate cancer, aged 53-90, is significant. One third of the men reported having erectile dysfunction in the previous three months. The risk goes up 5% a year after age 50. The study showed that regular exercise can mean 10 more years free of erectile dysfunction for the average man. Previous studies have found exercise to reduce the risk of prostate cancer, treatment for which can also result in erectile dysfunction.
1. Watch what you eat.
A diet that's bad for a man's heart is also not good for his ability to have erections.
Research has shown that the same eating patterns that can cause heart attacks due to restricted blood flow in the coronary arteries can also impede blood flow to and within the penis. The blood flow is needed for the penis to become erect. Diets that include very few fruits and vegetables along with lots of fatty, fried, and processed foods can contribute to decreased blood circulation throughout the body.
Anything that is bad for a man's heart is also bad for his penis, says Andrew McCullough, MD, associate professor of clinical urology and director of the male sexual health program at New York University Langone Medical Center.
Recent studies show that ED is relatively uncommon among men who eat a traditional Mediterranean diet, which includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, heart-healthy fats including nuts and olive oil, fish, and wine, particularly red.
"The link between the Mediterranean diet and improved sexual function has been scientifically established," says Irwin Goldstein, MD, director of sexual medicine at Alvarado Hospital in San Diego.
2. Maintain a healthy weight.
Being overweight can bring many health problems, including type 2 diabetes, which can cause nerve damage throughout the body. If the diabetes affects the nerves that supply the penis, ED can result.
3. Avoid high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
High cholesterol or high blood pressure can damage blood vessels, including those that bring blood to the penis. Eventually, this may lead to ED.
Make sure your doctor checks your cholesterol levels and blood pressure. You might also want to check your blood pressure between doctor visits. Some stores and fire stations offer free screenings. Blood pressure monitors are also sold for home use.
If your cholesterol or blood pressure is out of whack, get it treated.
Blood pressure drugs can make it hard to get an erection. But doctors say many cases of ED that get blamed on these drugs are actually caused by arterial damage resulting from high blood pressure (also called hypertension).
4. Drink alcohol in moderation or not at all.
There is no evidence that mild or even moderate alcohol consumption is bad for erectile function," Sharlip says. But chronic heavy drinking can cause liver damage, nerve damage, and other conditions -- such as interfering with the normal balance of male sex hormone levels -- that can lead to ED.
5. Exercise regularly.
Strong evidence links a sedentary lifestyle to erectile dysfunction. Running, swimming, and other forms of aerobic exercise have been shown to help prevent ED. |
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