Posted on

All About Irregular Menstrual Cycle

Irregular Menstrual cycle is a commonly seen issue related to women’s health. Most women are worried about this physical malfunction and desire to obtain information on the topic. It should be understood that most irregular menstrual are scientifically proven to be benign. Irregular menstrual cycle or abnormally frequent menstrual, excess clotting and bleeding are commonly known issues which is generally resulted due to hormonal imbalance. To your interest, these issues can be treated easily. Irregular menstrual or missed periods is a malfunction which is faced by most women at some point of time in their lives. However, it is always better for all females to possess information on the subject and be equipped with required knowledge for such incidents. What is Irregular Period or Irregular Menstrual: The study of menstrual is vast and involves various complex medical phenomenons. It is universally believed that a woman may experience periods in a periodic interval of 24 to 29 days according to what is mentioned in books. However, researched and surveyed records depict a wider range specifically of time gap between two menstrual cycles, which is approximately 23 to 35 days. This figure is considered as standard in cases of most women. It should be understood that a female may experience her periods minimally one to four events in a year; however, on the other hand a female may also face menstrual transudation even 2 to 3 times in a month; this may involve secretion of droplets or even slightly heavy flow than normal. There are also fair chances of a woman facing incidents of heavy bleeding in an interval of two to three months. In simple terms an irregular menstrual cycle is any event of period occurring in untimely manner. Causes of Irregular Periods:
Most doctors do not consider one or two events of missed periods to be serious, within a year. However, extended discrepancy may be a symptom or indication of ‘perimenopause’. It can also be considered as a commotion of natural chain of menstrual related hormonal events. There are more than one factor that can invigorate irregular periods, some of these factors are listed below. Dramatic fluctuation in weight: Significant weight gain or weight loss is also considered as a factor stimulating irregular menstrual cycle. Inappropriate diet: Inappropriate eating habits and poor nutritional food may also lead to such irregularities; especially diets which are extravagant in carbohydrate may lead to such menstrual irregularities. Cigarettes: It is also studied that smoking may also lead to untimely menstrual cycle as it truncates the follicular stage. Cigarette smoking is harmful for physical menstrual condition as well as fertility. Stress: Irrespective of the source, stress causes the adrenal glands to release hormone cortisol, which has its direct influence on sex hormones which may lead to the relevant issue of menstrual.? There are other such notable factors which may lead to irregular menstrual cycles such as use of drugs, caffeine intake, alcohol abuse, eating disorder, hormonal imbalance, breastfeeding, miscarriage etc. Important points essential for caring about the disorder:

  • It is essential to keep of track of your irregular periods and symptoms.
  • Make a note of time when your irregular menstruation starts and ceases.
  • Track the amount of flow during your periods. This can be done by keeping a count of pads or tampons utilized including whether they were dry or soaked.
  • Note the time of bleeding between menstruations as well as after the course of copulation.
  • Also record any other symptoms if noticed.

When to consult your doctor:

  • If you have soaked number of tampons or pads approximately 4 to 6 times in 2 to 3 hours.
  • Consult your doctor if bleeding persists for more than a week.
  • If you are suffering from severe pain, especially when you are not experiencing menstruation it is suggested to consult your doctor.
  • It is wise to see your doctor when you have abnormal and odorous female reproductive organ discharges or fever during the period.
  • Also it is wise to consult a doctor even when you experience nipple discharge.
  • There are other conditions wherein you need to call your doctor such as in case of pregnancy or infertility, untimely spotting or bleeding, prolonged period etc.

 

Posted on

Causes Of Weight Gain

Losing weight has become a difficult or an almost impossible task for most of us while on the other hand gaining weight for a normal person goes without any effort. Most people think that they gain weight when they eat more than what they can burn off. This can be termed as the foremost reason for being overweight. In simple words, you gain weight when you eat more and do moderate or no form of exercise. However, this principle does not always hold true. You can gain weight due to various health problems like hypothyroidism, anxiety, organ disease, food sensitivity, blood sugar imbalance, and kidney, liver or hear disease. Weight gain is also associated with Cushing’s syndrome, which is a rare disorder resulting from abnormally greater levels of cortisol hormone in the blood. Body’s hormonal systems are impaired due to high levels of cortisol, this leads to various problems including weight gain. Sometimes, people suffering from this syndrome also face severe complications like osteoporosis, hypertension and diabetes. This syndrome is most common amongst young and middle age women. Reasons for Weight Gain: Almost each one of us is struggling to maintain weight. Several diets are prescribed to individuals who want to lose weight, but there seems to be a dearth of knowledge on how to maintain your ideal weight. This is because most individuals are unaware as to why they are overweight and what the reasons behind their gaining extra weight are. Listed below are some of the causes that lead to weight gain. The possible reasons that may lead to overweight are listed below.

  1. Simple reasons:

Some of the simple reasons that may lead to weight gain are listed below:

  • Overeating
  • Pregnancy
  • Aging
  • Recent childbirth
  • Appetite changes
  • High carbohydrate diet
  • High fat diet
  • Excessive snacking
  • Inactive lifestyle
  • Less exercise
  • Lifestyle changes that may lead to reduced activity or increased eating
  • Comfort eating
  • Stress
  • Depression
  • Compulsive eating
  • Unhealthy eating behavior
  • Medications like contraceptives

2. Diseases: People suffering from certain diseases tend to gain weight.

  • Hypothyroidism
  • Certain hormonal conditions
  • Acromegalia
  • Familial obesity
  • Obesity
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
  • Depression
  • Hypoglycemia
  • Diabetes
  • Cushing’s syndrome
  • Emotional conditions
  • Psychological Disorder
  • Hypothalamus disorder
  • Brain tumor or trauma
  • Brain disorder

3. Psychological disorder: It has been noticed that people suffering from some kind of psychological disorder gain weight. Certain psychological disorders that may lead to gaining weight are:

  • Comfort eating
  • Depression-related eating
  • Anxiety-triggered eating
  • Reactive hyperphagia

4. Fluid retention: Weight gain is not necessarily due to fat retention, it has also been observed in case of fluid retention. Some of such conditions are mentioned below:

  • Premenstrual bloating
  • Edema
  • Nephrosis
  • Congestive heart failure
  • Heart failure
  • Cirrhosis of the liver
  • Kidney failure
  • Lymphatic obstruction
  • Excessive IV fluid

Conclusion: Listed above are the possible reasons through which you can gain weight. However, the most common reason for gaining weight is your diet. Your diet plays a key role when it comes to weight gain. If your diet includes a lot of calories and fats, especially from fast foods, you are bound to gain weight.? You are advised to consume a well-balanced diet that is rich in variety of vegetables and fruits, wholegrain and also lean meats like chicken. Besides, you should also pay heed to your physical activity. If you desire to lose weight, you have to incorporate exercise in your daily regime. Physical inactivity is the second biggest reason for gaining weight. Women especially tend to ignore exercise and hence accumulate extra body fat. By doing exercise, you not only stay away from being overweight you also actively reduce risk of developing certain diseases mainly cardiovascular diseases.

Posted on

Diagnosis of Impotency

The diagnosis is divided into the following parts

  1. Case History
  2. Physical Examination
  3. Lab Examination
    • Blood tests
      • CBC
      • Fasting blood glucose test
      • Liver function test (LFT)
    • Hormone tests
    • Thyroid function tests
    • Urine analysis
  4. Other Tests

    • Imaging Studies
      • Angiography-
      • Dynamic Infusion Cavernosometry and Cavernosography:
      • Duplex ultrasound
      • Penile nerve function-
      • Ultrasonography-
      • Penile brachial index-
  5. Erectile Function Test

    • Vasoactive injections
    • Nocturnal penile tumescence
    • Penile tumescence monitor
    • Biothesiometry

Diagnosis of impotency

1.? Case History :
This involves taking an in-depth account of the background of the patient including his life style along with medical, personal and sexual history.

  • Medical History – Diseases like hypertension, diabetes, coronary disorders, scleroderma, and liver cirrhosis can constitute the etiology of erectile dysfunction. It’s important to know if the patient is suffering from any of these.
  • Surgeries – If the patient has undergone any surgeries in the past, it’s important to have a look into it as the surgery may have caused nerve damage.
  • Sexual History – It’s important to analyze the sexual history, right from the onset of erectile dysfunction to the severity of the situation. Questions will include the circumstances, frequency and durations of erections, if any. Strain in the current relationship and history of past sex partners should also be looked into.
  • Trauma or Injury – Any fall, injury or accident should be reported as it can lead the physician to any nerve damage or blood vessel damage due to external trauma.

2. Physical examination:
A thorough examination of the venereal can reveal some of the causes if erectile dysfunction. The physician can detect peyronie’s disease, hypospodiasis, and hypogonadism. Digital examination of the rectum (inserting lubricated, gloved fingers in the orifice of female sexual organ to check for abnormalities) can help detect prostrate abnormalities. Prostate can also cause nerve damage or block the arteries.
3. Lab Examination:
Lab examinations are based on the case history. It is not necessary that every patient has to undergo these tests.

  • Blood tests
    • CBC – Complete blood test evaluates the level of lipids in the blood such as cholesterol, triglycerides which can lead to arteriosclerosis, which can lead to erectile dysfunction. Besides this it will also calculate red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), total amount of hemoglobin in the blood, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular volume (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC).
    • Fasting blood glucose test – This can help detect diabetes which can lead to erectile dysfunction.
    • Liver function test (LFT) – This involves examination of enzyme and serum creatinine levels. Live cirrhosis or impaired functioning can cause erectile dysfunction.
  • Hormone tests
    These tests are vital in cases where the patient is suffering from a diminished or absent libido, depression or signs of secondary sexual character (hypogonadism). In the morning, the hormone levels are the highest than any other time of the day. Hormone tests include measuring the morning serum testosterone levels which is a common endocrine cause.? A hormone test will give an estimate of

    • Sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG)
    • Estrogen-Etradiol (E2)
    • Total testosterone (T)-
    • Free Testosterone (T) or bioavailable testosterones are the ones that are getting used.
    • Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS)
    • Dedydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
    • Follicular stimulating (FSH)
    • Androstenedione
    • Luteinizing hormone (LH) – elevation of this hormone indicates that the pituitary gland is hyper functioning. The hypothalamus regulates the testosterone levels. High level of LH with low level of testosterones indicates primary testicular (Leydig cell) failure. Contrary to this, low testosterone level indicates a central defect.
  • Thyroid function tests
    Hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism can cause erectile dysfunction. It’s important to determine that TSH is normal.
  • Urine analysis
    After collecting the urine, it is judged on the basis of its physical, microscopic and chemical appearance.

    • Physical appearance -This includes the color, clarity and its appearance to the naked eye.
    • Microscopic appearance – The urine is examined under a microscope to check the appearance of cells, foreign body, urine? crystals, mucus and presence of other microorganisms.
    • Chemical appearance – determined by a dipstick, this test determines the different substances present in the urine.

    This analysis helps to determine if there is kidney infection, diabetes mellitus and hypertension as presence of any of these diseases may lead to erectile dysfunction.? Post the completion if these lab tests, the physician should have a better picture about the status of the disorder, treatments and can suggest further tests, if required.

4. Other Test:
These tests are performed if the physician feels the need to study penile or pelvic blood flow, nocturnal erections and other blood tests.

  • Imaging Studies– this test is preformed in the case of trauma, accident or surgery, where there can be potential nerve and blood vessel injuries.
    • Angiography – This is performed in patients who have undergone vascular surgeries that have caused injury to some arteries or veins. These patients may require vascular reconstruction.
    • Dynamic Infusion Cavernosometry and Cavernosography -? This test helps to determine the penile vascular status in impotent patients. This test ascertains the arterial and/or venous insufficiency in the male sexual organ.
    • Duplex ultrasound – This test is used to evaluate the circulation of blood in the male sexual organ, venous leak, artherosclerosis and scarring or calcification of erectile tissues. Patients are injected with prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) to induce erection. A measurement of caversonal arteries within the corpora is taken. Through ultrasound, the vascular dilation is observed and the penile blood pressure measured. This is compared to the measurement of the male sexual organ in the flaccid state.
    • Penile nerve function – The bubocavernosus reflex test is used to determine the nerve sensation in the male sexual organ. The head of the male sexual organ is squeezed which results in the orifice of female sexual organ contracting under normal conditions. The latency between the squeezes is measured by inserting a gloved, lubricated finger in the orifice of female sexual organ.
    • Ultrasonography – This test helps to find any abnormalities in the testes and epididymides. Abnormalities in the prostate and the pelvis can be determined by transrectal unltrasonography.
    • Penile brachial index -This process involves measuring the blood pressure in the male sexual organ and that of the arm and comparing the two. This can help to detect obstruction in the arterial blood flow.

5. Erectile function test:

  • Vasoactive injections – Injecting certain chemical in the male reproductive organ can cause erection by vasodilatation (dilating the blood vessels). These injections can produce an erection that can last for 20 minutes. A special dye is injected in the blood stream and penile pressure and x-ray is measured.
  • Nocturnal penile tumescence – This test involves covering a special elastic band around the male sexual organmale reproductive organ for two three consecutive nights. This is especially useful in finding out if the cause is psychogenic or organic. If the male reproductive organ gets erect during rapid eye movement, the force and duration are noted on a graph. If the erection is absent or inadequate, it indicates an underlying physiological cause while presence of an erection suggests psychogenic cause.
  • Penile tumescence monitor – This is a special monitor that is used to measure the size of the erection. This monitor is placed near the base and at the corona of the male reproductive organ. Another device is connected that monitors the graph recording the force and duration of erections occurring during the sleep. This monitor is trapped to the leg. The patient has to undergo this test for several nights to get an accurate reading of the erections.
  • Biothesiometry – The vibration sensitivity of the male reproductive organ is detected by the means of biothesiometry. A small electromagnetic test probe is placed on the right and left sides of the shaft and the glans. The amplitude of the vibration is adjusted until the subjective sensory threshold is reached, which is indicated by the patient. The vibrational sensory threshold is determined on each location. This test helps to detect sensory failures which can lead to erectile dysfunction.
Posted on

Reduce Fat from Hips and Thighs

Losing weight from any part of the body is not an easy task. It is difficult and frustrating, more so when you are trying to lose weight from trouble spots like the thighs and hips. It is like going mad trying to perform hours of exercise for these parts of the body and then not seeing results at times. For women, losing weight on the hips and thighs is like a dream come true. This same issue has intrigued most weight loss physicians since many methods that are used often don’t show results in these problem areas. Many people opt for spot reduction in the form of gels, mechanical gadgets, soaps etc. The gels and soaps are the most non-result oriented while the mechanical devices prove to be more fruitful though not much, so the eternal question is what really works on those bulky hips and thighs? To lose weight and inches from your hips and thighs, you will need to attack the issue on two fronts: it should be combination of exercise and diet. There are different mode of exercises that work for different people which have proven benefits, they are: Reduce or cut fat intake

  • Switch to olive oil or vegetable oil and cut out the consumption of butter, ghee, cheese, milk and whole milk curd. Check the amount of oil and fat in your diet every single meal.
  • Avoid eating too much paneer or cottage cheese. Avoid fried stuff like chips, fries, paratha, samosa, fried rice and fried foods.
  • Opt for fruits for breakfast or a vegetable stuffed toast. Toasted garlic bread with olive oil is also a healthy option.
  • Go high on the fiber in your diet for eating fruits with skin, multigrain flour, soy etc.
  • For people who love to non-vegetarian food, eat fish 4 times a week and chicken can also be consumed twice a week but go easy on the red meat.
  • Dinners should always be light and add 2 teaspoons of triphala (an ayurvedic herbal remedy) to detoxify the body. Combine it with ginger water for good liver function which will help in fat breakdown process.

Cut intake of carbohydrates

  • Change the quantity of carbohydrates and proteins in your diet to eat less carbs and more proteins.
  • Excess carbs add to the fat on hips and thighs so it is best to limit the intake of pasta, rice, potato and bread.
  • Eat more of wheat flour bread. Soya or multi-grain bread.
  • Non-vegetarians can consume all varieties of foods like fish and chicken and avoid the red meats.
  • Eat vegetables liberally and in plenty in the form of raw salad, soups or cooked vegetables. This helps to maintain the acid-alkali balance of protein diets.
  • Avoid fruit juices, this contains sugar; eat the whole fruit with the skin to consume fiber.
  • Drink plenty of water all through the day.

Exercise

  • All exercises do not necessarily help you lose weight on the hips and thighs. The stationery cycle and cross trainer helps you to tighten the muscles around the hips and thighs.
  • Brisk walking 4 kilometers per day will help you to lose weight from the hips and thighs. Walk as much as you can without feeling uncomfortable and tired.
  • For those of you who already walk and not getting the adequate results need to check up on your diet and increase your walking distance to another 3-4 kilometers. If you are bored, alternate the walking with swimming or calisthenics (calisthenics are floor exercises which stretches and tones the body muscles)

The combination of all three methods is very beneficial. You can tailor it to your needs by gradually lowering intake and increasing exercise. You will be more comfortable with time and habit. Make the effort and you will see the results soon. You can lose fat from your thighs and hips and look absolutely fabulous simultaneously, you just need to start. Finally set a goal for yourself, make sure you are realistic and give it time. It is bound to work!

Posted on

10 Ways to Help Your Child Lose Weight

Children in their growing phase need to have balanced diet so that the body gets its daily dose of required nutrients. With both the spouses working, there is extra income in the house but less time to cook. The result is that children binge on junk food resulting in malnutrition and obesity. Making your child loose weight requires you to be determined, supportive and gentle with your children.  Here are a few tips to make your child loose weight the healthy way.

  1. Cut the junk– Reduce the junk diet that your child consumes and tutor him gently to avoid aerated drinks. Replace the cola with fresh juices and milk shakes. Cook up some tasty surprises at home to keep your child’s taste buds happy and body junk food free.
  2. Add some raw food– Encourage the consumption of fruits at home. Try fruit salads, custard and fresh fruit juices to add some variety. You can also dish out some tasty salads with their favorite dressings and store it in the fridge. Your children can snack on it whenever they are hungry.
  3. Exercise– Get you child to be active. Buy him/her a cycle and tell them to get outdoors and play. Sitting indoors watching TV and playing videogames lowers their BMR and weakens their bone and eyesight. Encourage them to play basketball, foot ball or rugby. Getting on the field and running around will help them shed off the puppy fat.
  4. Be a role model– Your children look up to you. Join them in their quest to loose weight and share their meals. This will ensure that they don’t feel left out and will also keep you in shape. It will also minimize their chances of cheating on their diet.
  5. Family health‘ The whole family switching to a healthy diet and exercising together can be fun and help to bond well together. Working out and eating right will benefit all your kids irrespective of them being thin or fat.
  6. Choose the right food– While dishing out recipes; choose foods that are high on nutrition but low on calories. Discourage the use of packaged food as they have preservatives that decrease the nutrient absorption in the body and lower the BMR.
  7. Encourage outdoor activities– With computer games and video games taking on the fancy of the children, they tend to get stuck indoors. Encourage them to go out, play in the garden. Take short walks with your children every day.
  8. Picnic with them– Go out on weekends instead of being stuck indoors. Play games like Frisbee and badminton while you are out. It can be a fun way to give your children a work out.
  9. Join classes– For children who are extremely obese and lethargic, make them join classes like karate, swimming, dancing or gymnastics. It’s the perfect way to make them learn something new and also loose weight.
  10. Avoid comfort food‘ Do not use junk food as treat or comfort food when they are low. It will only make them crave for them more, whenever they are low and increase their addiction to junk food.
Posted on

Daily activities that can burn calories

Machines have become indispensable part of our lives, cutting down the time taken to get work done by half. But they have also helped to add a few inches to our waist and few pounds to our weight. A few changes in our daily activities can keep us in shape by increasing the amount of calories burnt. Just follow these tips and get slim.  

  • Take the stairs– Start with giving elevators or lifts a miss and climbing the stairs. Just ensure that you have comfortable footwear and safe, well lit stairs. Initial few days you may pant your way up, but later you can try increasing the speed. Since you have to fight the gravity to go up, it proves to be a vigorous and effective exercise. You can burn around 8 calories in minute and also tone your legs and butts. Besides, it’s a good exercise for your knee and hip joints. It’s also the perfect exercise to perk up muscular stamina in the legs and increase cardiovascular endurance to excess strain. In fact, fitness equipment companies have taken the inspiration of the motion of climbing of stairs to design the stepper. While climbing down, slow the pace so your knee does not feel overloaded.
  • Scrub and clean your floors and kitchen shelves– Stop hiring help to clean the floor and keeping your kitchen clean. Go down on your knees and scrub the floor clean. This gives good complete body work out. It tones the muscles in your arms and legs, burns mores than 200 calories, tucks your tummy in and above all, gives you a spotlessly clean kitchen.
  • Hide that remote – This may initially seem annoying, but helps in a big way to burn those calories. Get up and switch channels, increase or decrease the volume and if it gets too annoying, just shut the TV and go for a walk.
  • Stop taking the car for short distances– Next time if you are heading for grocery shopping, leave the car behind and walk the distance. For all you know, you may enjoy the walk, reconnect with nature and lose some calories.
  • Fire the gardener– No one can beautify your garden as well as you do. So tend to your plants, mow the lawn and water your seeds by yourself. It can keep you active and you just might get a new hobby that you can enjoy. Besides, you save on the gardener’s salary.
  • Fetch your things yourself– Stop sending your kids to fetch things. Get up and fetch them for yourself. In time it can get you more active and less bossy.
  • Cut the stops– If you take the bus to work, get off a stop earlier and walk the rest of the way. Just learn to catch the bus early, so you are not late to work.
  • Play with your kids– Stop just watching them have fun, join them. It can get the kids happy; give you some work out, not to forget be equally fun for you too.
  • Do some crunches while watching TV– Don’t be a couch potato and sit and stare at the idiot box. So some crunches or finish cooking while watching TV. It can get you a flat tummy and stop you from putting on calories due to sitting idle.
  • Take walk breaks– Take a walk for a minute or two between work at office. It can refresh your mind and get your body active again.
  • Take the dog for a walk– In reality let your dog take you for the walk and burn the excess calories.
Posted on

1200 Calorie Diet for Weight Control

Keeping a check on weight can be a hard task especially for people who love to eat. This breed of people is so habituated to pampering their taste buds that dieting their way to a good body sends them into depression. Such people are not able to keep away from food for long and after sometime, give in to their cravings and start digging into food sooner or later. 1200 diet calories is perfect for this breed of food lovers.

What is 1200 calorie diet?
This is diet plan that is perfect for people who want to loose weight while they are eating well. ??It involves counting the daily consumption of calorie intake and ensuring that it does not exceed 1200 per day.  
Advantages of the 1200 calorie diet plan

  • No need to go on diet pills
  • Eat all your favorite food
  • No need to crave for food
  • Fulfills the nutritional requirements
  • No need to starve

  While people are on the 1200 calorie diet plan they do not need to cringe away from their favorite food. From pastas to pizzas, all can be consumed, but in smaller portions. People who follow this plan need to keep a count on their calories. ??Also called as portion control, this diet allows you to indulge in your favorite food. ??While a person is on 1200 diet control he has to maintain a food diary, weight table and exercise table.  
How to go about with this plan?

  • Storage of food– while keeping left over food, separate them into small servings. Know the calorie account of the serving, either through cook books or by looking up the internet. By doing this, you automatically decrease the portion of food that you will be eating without the extra effort. It also helps to decrease the temptation of eating more food.
  • Eat more salad– this one of the most effective and healthy way to curb your appetite. It is also ensures that you avoid overeating and gives a faster sense of satiety. You can have your greens between meals and spice them up with some vinegar or lime juice. Fresh, raw vegetables are rich in fiber which helps in digestion and adds bulk to the food, thus avoids constipation.
  • Buy small packs- it’s important to buy small packs of snack food. This is because when we open a large pack of some snack, we tend to finish it all immediately. In order to avoid this, one can resort to smaller packs which mean automatically cutting down the calories.
  • Avoid second helpings- in order to ensure that you stick to your 1200 calorie count, avoid second helpings. For this, serve a portion of the food and immediately store away the left over. This helps to ensure that the person does not face the temptation of a second serving.
  • Drink water- this will not only keep you hydrated but also helps to burn calories and curbs your appetite.
  • Eat slowly- chewing your food slowly helps in digestion and ensures that you feel full faster so you can easily cut your calorie count.
Posted on

Symptoms of erectile dysfunction

The symptoms of erectile dysfunction can be classified as

  • Primary
  • Secondary

Primary:
An inability to achieve or maintain an erection is the primary symptom of impotence.   This can be due to a history of impotency since childhood, inability to attain an erection after a certain age or inability to sustain the erection for penetrative sex to take place. Most men, post the age of 35 experience a decline in their libido with temporary loss of erection. This does not necessarily mean that they are suffering from erectile dysfunction. It could be due to mental stress, fatigue, depression, trauma or duet to some medication. Once the underlying cause is removed, the patient reverts back to his healthy self.   Erectile dysfunction is diagnosed only if the condition persists at least 25 % of the time. Having this disorder does not mean loss of sexual desire in a man, or the inability to ejaculate. Patients do get aroused and have climax even in the flaccid state.  
Secondary:
Besides the primary cause it can also manifest itself in the form of stress, low self-esteem, social withdrawals, strained relationship with the partner, lack of interest in sex, anxiety and depression.   Clinical symptoms:

  1. A physical examination may reveal penile plaques, prostrate infection, hypertension and possibility of prostate cancer.
  2. Studies suggest a correlation between hypertension and erectile dysfunction. This can be taken into account as they both are manifestations of vascular disorders.
  3. Some studies also suggest a correlation between benign prostatic hyperplasia and erectile dysfunction
  4. Evaluation of texture of the testes, the presence of the epididymis and vas deferens, and abnormalities of the male organ for reproduction such as hypospadias and Peyronie plaques.

Warning Signs:
Though sex is not required to keep a man alive, it may also be a symptom of various other underlying causes that can prove fatal.  

  • Medical records prove that men presenting with erectile dysfunction may be suffering from cardiovascular disorder.

Erection occurs due to sudden rush of blood to the male organ for reproduction which leads to engorgement of male organ for reproduction. If there is a disease that affects the blood vessels, it can interfere with the blood flow to the male organ for reproduction. Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and hypertension can cause abnormal blood flow to the male organ for reproduction and can affect the patients ability to have an erection.  

  • Low testosterones

Testosterones are important for sex drives. Patients of erectile dysfunction may demonstrate a low count of testosterones which could arise due to thyroid abnormalities; liver problems; and abnormalities within the testes themselves.  

  • Nerve damage

If the nerves that carry signals to the brain get damaged, it can result in an inability to get an erection. This can happen due to

  1. Diabetes: People who are not able to control their sugar levels may develop neuropathy (nerve damage) which can affect the limbs and venereal.
  2. HIV: Studies have shown that people who test positive for HIV can develop this disorder as the virus can damage the nerves and the antiviral treatments also result in neuropathy.
  3. Multiple sclerosis: This is a disease that affects the nerves and patients of this disease can suffer from ED.
  4. Spinal cord injuries can cause nerve damage that can result in this disorder.
Posted on

Erectile Dysfunction Overview

Erectile dysfunction is the repeated inability, without treatment, to keep an erection firm enough for penetrative intercourse or sex. There are some men who experience temporary episodes of lack of erection which could be due to fatigue, stress, anger or depression. But these are brief and usually pass on as the mental upheaval subsides.   Also known as impotency, erectile dysfunction is different from other sexual disorders such as decreased libido (results in decreased sexual desire) or premature climax though they frequently co exist together.   Severity:
This disorder varies in severity. There can be cases where the patient has never experienced an erection since childhood. These problems can be treated through medications or surgery. The other cases involves patient having erection but inconsistently. These inconsistent cases are presented in two forms the first being the cases where patients experience sudden and complete loss of erection though they have a history of active, healthy sexual life and the second case of patients inconsistent ability to achieve an erection. There are some who can achieve it, but only for a brief period of time that does not allow penetration. Previously, due to social norms, patients were hesitant to discuss this issue with doctors and hence many people suffered in silence.   But in the face of an aware and more health conscious population, decreasing social stigma associated with this disorder and an increasing availability of effective oral therapy for its treatment, more people are seeking treatment and getting cured.   There are cases of men diagnosed with this disorder who may be able to attain sexual satisfaction, but due to psychiatric stress, the relationship with their partner gets affected which can in turn aggravate the physical problem.  
Research:
Due to this reason, estimating its incidence becomes difficult. According to the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS), for every 1,000 men in the United States, 7.7 physician office visits were made for ED in 1985. By 1999, that rate had nearly tripled to 22.3.? But even today, only 10% of the affected population seeks medical aid for treatment of this disorder.   In 2003 researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health conducted a study to assess the relationship between age and erectile dysfunction. The studies indicated that men who were physically active and possessed a lean frame had lower chances of encountering ED than men who opted for a sedentary life style and had a heavier body. During the study, less than 2% men reported that they experienced erection problems before the age of 40 while 4 % experienced this problem between the age 40 and 49. Post 50, more than 26% men reported ED, while 40 % of men between 60 and 69 complained of this disorder. After crossing the age of 70, there was steep rise in the occurrence of this disorder with over 61% of men suffering from it.   Though these studies show that the prevalence of erectile dysfunction increases with age, it is not a part of normal aging process as assumed by some men. Since erection occurs due to hormones, blood vessels, nerves and muscles working in coordination, lack of erection simply implies that its time to seek medical help and not put it off as an age related disorder. Though studies do suggest that with age, sexual desire decreases to the extent that post 55 the need to have sex is three times lesser than that of an 18 year old boy.
Posted on

Essential Information on Men’s Eating Disorder

Eating disorders can be defined as physical conditions usually recognized by uneven eating habits that may include inadequate or excessive intake of food causing detriment to physical as well as mental conditions of the victim. It is widely believed that this state of unwellness is generally seen in Christian adolescent; but it should be understood that this malfunction can affect any individual, irrespective of religion, age and sex. A person affected with this disease may not find it easy to gain at least of 85% of the ideal weight suggested for their age and height. Men who are suffering from eating disorder are often afraid of adding on excess weight to their body and have an ill-shaped physique. This unhealthy physical condition usually involves Anorexic and Bulimic issues which are common in case of this physical malady.

 
Anorexics and Bulimics
Anorexic is also scientifically referred to as Anorexia nervosa. Anorexia is chiefly related to conditions in which a person truncates his diet severely. Under such conditions a person desire to put down calories by means of skipping meals or not eating sufficient amount of food.   Bulimics is also technically known as bulimia nervosa, which involves bingeing of food and also purging it. In this case a person usually eats more than his capacity and then purges the food through various measures such as clysters, purgatives, diuretic drugs etc. It is widely seen that, most victims usually perform self inducted vomit to remove the food from the body.  
Causes of Eating Disorder:
To your information, eating disorder is general noticed with the feminine sect of the society; hence, most experts may fail to recognize it in case of males. It is suggested that men are more prone to inappropriate eating habits due to mental disturbance which may influence their appetite. It should be understood that eating disorder usually occurs due to various reasons. Apart from mental disturbance, in cases of men, there are other causes of truncated appetite. Media can be considered as one of the reasons which frequently promote extremely slim models which influence the audience. Inferiority Complex can be considered as another reason why men cut down or skip their meals in order to achieve slimmer body image. In most cases biological or/and genetic conditions can also be blamed for any such abnormal eating habits. Most men, in effort to become fit, may omit necessary diet and insidiously surpass the threshold of appropriate weight which may also result in eating disorder.   Some men desire to cope well with their profession which may require them to be lighter in terms of body weight. Some of such professions may include modeling, swimming, running, dancing, jockey etc. Individuals in similar profession may also be affected by this disorder.  
Symptoms of Eating Disorder:
The list of symptoms of eating disorder is quite extensive; hence, to determine this health issue one should look for abnormal eating habit. However, below listed are few symptoms that are generally noticed in case of eating disorder.  

  • Remarkable weight loss or weight gain in comparatively less time.
  • Worry about weight and frequent complaints regarding weight related issues.
  • Self famishment and restricted eating habit.
  • Noticeable purging or bingeing of food.
  • Consuming diet pill such as clysters, diuretic pills, purgatives, etc
  • Enigmatic eating style.
  • Obsession of eating away from the crowd.
  • Paled skin or loss of hair.
  • Head pain and giddiness.
  • Low blood pressure
  • Incontinency
  • Constipation
  • Weariness and depression.
  • Inadequate sleep.

These aforementioned points are some of the known symptoms which may suggest diagnosis for the disorder. However, there are other signs that may denote about such chaotic physical conditions; hence, as mentioned above any in case of strange and odd eating habit or dramatically rapid change in weight of a person, the individual should be immediately diagnosed for eating disorder.

Consequences of eating disorder:
Though eating disorder is not considered as a severe disorder such as cancer, arthritis etc, during its initial stages; the gradual results of this physical issue can also be fatal as well.  

  • Malnutrition: The most basic and common result of eating disorder is ‘malnutrition’ which usually occurs due to overeating or eating significantly less food. This malfunction is the deficiency of important nutrients such as protein, energy, vitamins etc. This can also lead to severe health problems and can hinder the functioning of the body organs leading to kidney failure, heart issues and lethally death.
  • Dehydration and Hyponatremia: A person with eating disorder may also feel dehydrated which is generally caused due to lack of fluids in the body. Ironically, this eating disorder can also lead to another disease known as Hyponatremia which is caused due to insufficient sodium in blood. Drinking more than eight ounce of water within few hours can lead to Hyponatremia which may deposit fluids in lungs, swelling in brain, vomiting etc.
  • Rough Fingers: One of the noticeable results of eating disorder is abrasive fingers which are caused due to constant self inducted vomiting.
  • Fatal effects of laxative and other drugs: It should be understood, especially by victims of eating disorder that consuming diet pill, clysters, emetic syrups, diuretic medicine etc may not be suitable for most and may lead to immediate death

Mulling over the abovementioned consequences it can be understood that eating disorder can lead to severe adverse results. Hence, it is wise to diagnose and cure the disease at its earlier stages in order to prevent any unfortunate outcomes.