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May 2007
Erectile dysfunction
May 20, 2007
Gentlemen, there is one thing you can count on in your golden years and that's poor sexual function.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotence, refers to a man's consistent inability to get or maintain an erection sufficient to have satisfactory sex.
This does not mean a lack of sexual interest or desire or the occasional difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection that affects all men at some time in their life. According to the US-based National Institutes of Health , impotence affects approximately 5% of 40-year-old men and between 15 and 25% of 65-year-old men.
The normal process of erection begins in the brain, when the imagination or one or more senses are stimulated and arousal occurs. The central nervous system sends nerve impulses that increase blood flow to the penis. There are four requirements for a normal erection:
1) properly functioning nervous system that sends the necessary signals to the penis;
2) an intact system of blood vessels to allow blood to flow into and out of the penis;
3) normal smooth muscle in the penis (this must relax so the penis can fill with blood and enlarge) and;
4) the ability to trap the blood in the penis so that it stays firm.
Erectile dysfunction can occur for a number of reasons, either physical, psychological or a combination of the two. Physical causes are related to a breakdown in the process of erection, and can occur anywhere along the pathway from the brain to the spine, nerves, muscles, tissues or veins and arteries of the penis.
High cholesterol, atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes, neurological disease, kidney disease and chronic alcoholism account for about 70 per cent of ED cases. About 35-50% of men with diabetes experience ED. Erectile dysfunction may be an early marker for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Smoking and obesity are associated with an increased risk of developing erectile dysfunction in normal, healthy individuals.
Often, ED is a result of side effects from taking other medications. Psychological causes of impotence may include stress, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and indifference.
The good news is that the condition can be treated.
TREATMENT
Sometimes making lifestyle changes is enough to help men conquer ED. Good nutrition is essential. Eating well-balanced meals low in saturated fats can help men lose excess weight and prevent atherosclerosis. Zinc (high levels of which are found in seminal fluid), arginine (used to make nitric oxide, a substance which relaxes blood vessels; at moderate doses, men with ED reported an improvement in sexual performance), bioflavonoids, omega 3 fatty acids and vitamins C and E have been used to improve erectile function. Ginkgo biloba , Asian ginseng and yohimbe also have a positive effect on male sexual function.
By quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption and exercising regularly men can improve their overall health and circulation...
A study by the Harvard School of Public Health analysed the sex lives of more than 31,000 men between the ages of 53 and 90. Men who were overweight or who watched more than 20 hours of TV a week were more likely to have difficulty getting or sustaining an erection. On the other hand, those who ran for at least three hours a week (or played tennis for five) were 30 per cent less likely to report erectile problems than their less active counterparts.
A German study of 104 men demonstrated that a specially designed exercise regimen worked as well as Viagra for treating erectile dysfunction.
One group of men was asked to do a series of squats, pelvic tilts, and leg lifts designed to increase blood flow to the pelvic muscles; the other was given Viagra. After three months, the exercisers reported just as much improvement as the Viagra group.
Other treatments include bio-identical hormone replacement with testosterone, acupuncture, vacuum devices, external penile splints, psychotherapy and surgery. The inclusion of sensual exercises is also important. The aim of these exercises is to encourage relaxation and focus more on the pleasurable touching of lovemaking rather than on the erection itself. In fact, focusing too much on having an erection may make it difficult to have one.
Reducing prescription and non-prescription drug use, or even changing current medications can be helpful to men with erectile dysfunction.
The pharmaceutical industry has developed a number of effective medications - Viagra, Cialis and Levitra, aimed at helping impotent men achieve erection. They may have dangerous side effects, and men with certain medical conditions or taking other medications should not use these drugs.
Source: -http://www.jamaicaobserver.com
