In the past, the belief was that erectile dysfunctions were caused by the build up of plaques on the arteries of the penis. The theory was that excessive plaque buildup reduced blood flow to the penis, rendering an erection less than satisfying. While this has been shown to exist as a cause, erectile dysfunctions may also be caused by a host of other medical conditions including cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, diabetes, neurologic conditions, and multiple sclerosis.
However, this theory was not proven by the medical community until the advent of ultrasound technology which allowed doctors to see into the body and determine the heart problems and other ailments that were causing the erectile dysfunction. Now that we have ultrasound machines, we can see exactly what is wrong with our bodies. Using this information, doctors are able to treat patients for heart problems and high cholesterol without necessarily having to resort to risky and expensive surgeries. If you are suffering from erectile dysfunction, and do not believe that it is due to heart disease, you need to have some of these risk factors investigated.
One of the most important elements of erectile dysfunction treatment options is lifestyle changes. A specialist such as the ED clinic at Premier Men’s Medical Center should be able to guide you in the right direction as to what these changes might look like. For example, if you smoke, your doctor may recommend that you quit or at least cut down on your smoking, since smoking is known to significantly increase the risks of heart disease. Once you have quit smoking, your physician will want to evaluate any other lifestyle changes that you have made to help prevent heart disease.
While lifestyle changes can certainly help you if you are suffering from erectile dysfunction, they are only one aspect of the puzzle when it comes to dealing with heart problems. Another risk factor is blood vessels causes, specifically high blood pressure. Blood vessels causes are linked to ED as well, so if you want to avoid surgery, or at least substantially reduce the risk of it, you need to make sure that you check with your doctor about increasing your exercise level, eliminating excessive sodium consumption, and quitting any drugs or alcohol that you currently have.
Certain medications can also cause ED if they are overused. Commonly prescribed medications for erectile dysfunction include nitrate preparations, such as Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra. If you have high blood pressure, anxiety problems, or a history of depression or alcohol addiction, you need to speak with your doctor about avoiding these medications.
While erectile dysfunction is an embarrassing and sometimes dangerous condition, it is treatable. You should speak with your doctor about the available treatment options. The earlier you begin to treat it, the better your results will be. While there are medications to help improve erection, erectile dysfunction is simply a part of the aging process. With proper treatment options, you can fully enjoy your life.
Until a few decades ago, erectile dysfunction was thought of as a disease of men, specifically middle-aged men. Now we are beginning to learn that this is far from the truth. Recent studies have shown that as many as 20% of men experience erectile dysfunction at some point during their lives. Men who are older do tend to get erectile dysfunction more often than younger men, but the percentages are not as extreme. Erectile dysfunction has also been associated with cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.
In the past, the theory was that erectile dysfunction was caused by the buildup of plaque in the arteries. The thinking was that as the plaque built up, blood flow to the penis was reduced, rendering an erection less than satisfactory. It was also believed that the plaques increased the risk of heart problems. A number of studies over the years have attempted to answer these questions. All have come back with a consistent message: ED is a warning sign of something much bigger going on.
One of the most recent studies looked at the possible relationship between ed and heart disease and random male sexual disorders. Men who had been treated with bioidentical hormones (binding agents for the hormones testosterone and dihydrotestosterone [DHT] were included} were compared with placebo controls. The study found no difference in incident Erectile Dysfunction Index scores between the two groups. This study further found no significant difference in the incidence of heart attacks or strokes between the two groups.
This study strengthens the idea that Erectile Dysfunction may not be a direct cause of cardiovascular disease. Further studies are needed to fully understand the link between sexual health, Erectile Dysfunction and cardiovascular disease. However, this study makes a strong case that future studies need to take into account the possible effect of Erectile Dysfunction on the cardiovascular system. The bottom line is that ED is nothing to fear because it is usually not life threatening.
Many individuals are not aware of how their health can affect their chances of having Erectile Dysfunction or even premature heart problems in general. For instance, certain diseases such as diabetes can have a negative impact on sexual health. When you are diabetic, you are more likely to have vascular disease which is linked to erectile dysfunction. Viral diseases such as the Human Papillomavirus [HPV] and the Hepatitis B Virus [HBV] also have been known to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with erectile dysfunction, there are many options available to help treat the condition. However, you should also realize that there are several treatments for Erectile Dysfunction that do not involve drugs at all. These treatments include lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise as well as lifestyle devices such as the penis pump, penis extender, and stretcher. In addition, there are several alternative methods for treating erectile dysfunction including acupuncture, cognitive behavior therapy, and self-help programs. If you or someone you know suffers from this condition, it is important that you discuss all of your options with a qualified physician or health care provider.