Medicrit – Medicare

Archive for September, 2011

Erectile dysfunction (ED), which is also referred to in some circles as “impotence,” is a well-known and widely experienced sexual health problem with men. It is more or less the partial or complete inability to get an erection, or the inability to maintain one long enough to complete intercourse, even when a man may be sexually excited.

Now the probability that a man would have erectile dysfunction problems increases as his age goes up. About 5% of men in their middle ages are likely to come down with serious erectile dysfunction problems. This number increases more than 500% when men reach the age of 60. If less serious erectile dysfunction problems are being considered, then up to 50% percent of men between 40 and 70 years of age are potentially at risk.

In the light of the foregoing, the importance of understanding the causes of erectile dysfunction cannot be over-emphasized.

Causes of erectile dysfunction in middle-aged men

The causes of male impotence are majorly either due to a poor state of physical or psychological health. Sometimes, both work hand-in-hand to result to male impotence. This article, however, focuses on the physical causes of erectile dysfunction in middle-aged men. They include:

· Neurological disorders. The process of obtaining an erection is effectively completed when the brain correctly interprets signs of arousal and blood is diverted to the spongy tissues lining the penis, leading to an increase in length and hardness. When there are impediments within the nervous system, this cannot be achieved.

Some of the more popular diseases that have been known to significantly lower a man’s chances of having an erection include sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, brain and spinal cord injuries and et cetera.

· Cardio-Vascular diseases. Studies have shown that cardio-vascular disease like atherosclerosis, constant heart attacks, veno-occlusive disease, high cholesterol and blood vessel trauma are responsible for up to 50% of the cases of erectile dysfunction in men more than 50 years old.

·Systemic diseases. These include diabetes, kidney problems, liver cirrhosis, hypertension, scleroderma, and such like. It is believed that 60% of men with diabetes also experience erection problems.

· Penile anomalies. Since the penis is the organ where erection takes place in the first place, it naturally follows that when the penis is not in the best state of health, one is likely to be faced with male impotence. Some of the common penile diseases are Peyronie’s disease, priapism, epispadias and other such infections.

· Respiratory diseases. Some of the respiratory diseases that may lead to male impotence include sleep apnea and serious obstructive pulmonary diseases.

· Trauma. Physical injury to the spinal cord, bladder, penis, pelvis and prostate may lead to erectile dysfunction. In these cases, the nerves responsible for transmitting signal between the brain and the penis, as well as the spongy tissues lining the penile walls may be harmed, leading to loss of erection.

·Surgical complication. In improperly conducted surgical operations in which the blood vessels and nerves responsible for erection are harmed, erectile dysfunction may occur as a result of malfunction in surgical operation.

These are some of the physical causes of male impotence. It is hoped that by creating awareness about its causes, men would be given a better chance of taking proactive steps to find solutions to the problem of male impotence.

Have you ever wondered if your child is getting enough nourishment in his everyday diet? While burgers, noodles, a packet of potato chips, and pastries are most preferred by children, these types of junk food have very less nutritional value. Therefore, it helps to know what nutrients are needed for a child’s growth and development and where to find them. What Your Kids’ Diet Should Contain – Calcium. An essential nutrient that helps making the bones and teeth stronger. It also helps in releasing hormones that are essential for daily functioning. Daily intake of low-fat standardized milk, cheese, and yogurt will ensure that your child gets enough amounts of calcium. Broccoli and Chinese cabbage contain calcium too. – Vitamin D. This helps the body absorb all the calcium it gets. Insufficient vitamin D can make the bones brittle and thin and also cause rickets in children. While exposure to sunlight makes the body produce vitamin D naturally, this nutrient is also present in fish such as mackerel, tuna, and salmon. Egg yolks and cheese are other rich sources of this vitamin. Milk and orange juice fortified with vitamin D also helps. As the natural sources of vitamin D are less, these can be had in the form of supplements prescribed by a pediatrician. – Iron. This is very important for transporting oxygen to the cells and also in regulating cell growth. Insufficient amount of iron stores results in decreased immunity and fatigue, while excess iron can lead to toxicity. Therefore, it is essential to check with your doctor before starting any form of iron supplement. Ideally, iron included in everyday diet should be sufficient in keeping adequate iron stores. Natural iron is found in lentils, soybeans, beans, spinach, tofu, raisins, and whole wheat bread. Chicken, lean meat, and tuna are also rich in iron. – Vitamin A. While it improves immunity and helps fight diseases, vitamin A is also good for improving eyesight. It plays an important role in bone growth and cell division. Vitamin A is naturally found in colorful fruits and vegetables. Carrots, spinach, cantaloupe, papaya, peas, tomato juice, apricots, and sweet potatoes are great sources of iron. Milk, cheese, and beef liver also contain this essential nutrient. – Vitamin B. This aids in red blood cell production and also in transportation of oxygen throughout the body. Vitamin B is available in leafy greens, milk, fish, whole grains, chicken, and meat. – Vitamin C. This nutrient fortifies the body’s immune system and helps fight diseases. Vitamin C also helps in wound healing. Citrus fruits such as oranges and grapefruits, strawberries, tomatoes, cantaloupe, and broccoli are good sources of this vitamin C. – Magnesium. This helps in producing energy and increasing metabolism. It is also important for normal muscle and nerve function and makes the immune system stronger. Green vegetables like spinach, beans, peas, almonds, cashews, potato, peanut butter, avocado, whole milk, and wheat bread are rich sources of magnesium. – Zinc. A nutrient essential for fighting off bacteria and virus. While it makes the immune system stronger, it also helps in the production of proteins and genetic material in the cells. Infants, children, and pregnant women need zinc the most. Red meat, poultry, beans, dairy products, whole grains, and nuts contain zinc. This can also be had in the form of supplements. – Potassium. This is important for good heart function. It is also aids in proper function of all cells and tissues in the body. A banana a day is enough for maintaining a good potassium level. This nutrient is also found in citrus juices, tomatoes, avocado, lima beans, potatoes, salmon, chicken, and meat. Article Source: