Erectile dysfunction is a condition where a man is unable to get and/or maintain an erection that allows sexual activity with penetration. Contrary to popular believe, erectile dysfunction is not a disease but a symptom of some other problem, either physical, psychological or a mixture of both.
Erectile dysfunction occurs when type V phosphodiesterase (an enzyme) breaks down nitric oxide too quickly. In simple term, Nitric oxide is basically the mojo for a man’s erection. Without it, there would be no firmness in a man’s erection. Erectile Dysfunction is said to affect four out of every ten men over the age of 50, however, most men with this condition don’t request for treatment.
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Risk Factors of Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile Dysfunction is a very common condition among older men, affecting more than four out of every ten men over the age of 40. The severity of erectile dysfunction varies from individual to individual.
Under normal conditions, when a man becomes sexually aroused, blood vessels, muscles, nerves, and hormones work together to create an erection. Various risk factors can alter this process, thus contributing to erectile dysfunction. They include:
- Diabetes or heart conditions
- Age
- Obesity
- Nervous disorder, severe kidney disease, brain or spinal cord injury
- Medical treatments including prostate surgery, chemotherapy or radiation treatment for cancer
- Medications including antidepressants, diuretics, antihistamines, and medications to treat high blood pressure, cholesterol, male pattern baldness
- Stress, anxiety, and depression
- Alcohol use
- Sleep disorders
- Tobacco use, which restricts blood flow to veins and arteries, can — over time — cause chronic health conditions that lead to erectile dysfunction.
When Should You Seek Help?
The severity of erectile dysfunction varies from individual to individual. In some men, these symptoms occur only occasionally – this applies more to men whose ED are caused by physical conditions. For others, the symptoms are constant and interfere with their sexual relationships.
If you have been noticing signs of weak or short-spanned erection for a few weeks, it is wise to see your doctor, because it may be a warning sign of other more serious health problems. Also, if you do not have erections when you wake up in the morning, it is time to call your doctor.
The Connection Between ED and Other Health Problems
It is important for every man to know that erectile dysfunction is often caused by other more serious life-threatening health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, obesity, and depression.
As such, treating erectile dysfunction alone will not cure the main health condition. If left untreated, it could lead to reoccurring ED even after treatments. So, it is important that your doctors carry out tests to discover the health condition that is most likely the cause of your erectile dysfunction.
How is Erectile Dysfunction Treated?
Erections occur when blood fills the penis. ED occurs when type V phosphodiesterase (an enzyme) breaks down nitric oxide too quickly. Erectile dysfunction is a very common condition among men, and there are a number of methods used in treating this condition.
There are a number of methods used to treat erectile dysfunction. erectile dysfunction tablets (viagra), injections, pellets, gels, lifestyle change, devices, and even surgical processes are being used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Because the causes and severity of this condition defer, there is a possibility that the treatment your doctor prescribes for you could be different from your neighbors.
There are various types of drugs available on the market for the treatment of ED. While there are a ton of adverts online claiming to cure or reverse erectile dysfunction, only a few of them work. We recommend that you consult your doctor who would prescribe a treatment method that has been approved by the Food and Drugs Administration for your treatment.
Can Erectile Dysfunction Be Cured?
The sad truth is erectile dysfunction cannot be cured in most men. However, for some, there may be a complete reversal of the underlying cause if treated properly. For this reason, it is important to assess all men with erectile problems to see if there is a treatable cause.
This does not dispute the fact that there are drugs and other medical aids that improve the bedroom life of men suffering from ED. The best bet for anyone with erectile dysfunction is to address its cause and not just the condition. Doing this with the help of a qualified doctor will increase your chances of reversing ED.
Can Anything Be Done to Prevent Erectile Dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction can be prevented by good general health. By paying particular attention to body weight, exercising, and avoiding cigarette smoking and drinking alcohol, one can reduce his chances of having erectile dysfunction. As already stated, heart disease and diabetes are problems that cause ED. The chances of suffering from this can be reduced by lifestyle changes such as sensible eating and regular exercise.
Also, early diagnosis and treatment of associated conditions like diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol may prevent or delay erectile dysfunction, or stop the erectile dysfunction from getting more serious. By getting a diagnosis and controlling the erectile problems early, the damage done to the tissues of your body (including the penis) may be reduced.
