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Men's Health

This subject might seem general enough not for you to be concerned. Your first might be 'I am perfectly healthy' or 'why do I need guidance from a nobody?'. But take a step back and evaluate your lifestyle...is your heart pumping a little faster? Do not be disappointed or contented just yet, because it is never too late to start investing or invest further on your health.

It is an investment because you have to nurture and keep a close watch regularly to attain a desired result.

Want muscles?
You have to work out.

Want to avoid diseases? You have to eat and sleep right.

The difference is, it is a never ending process and like all investments, selflessness will get you higher returns minus the risk. Bear in mind that all you are doing is for your own benefit, thus loving yourself seems to be only logical!

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Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

Everyone knows what erectile dysfunction (ED) is, but no one seems to talk about it. To put it in layman's terms, ED happens when the male reproduction organ is unable to perform sexually as it should. Since we are living in an 'appearance-conscious' society, it inevitably forces one to be self-conscious, thus threatening one's self-esteem and ultimate happiness. ED is, however, not incurable as most people think because medical treatment and advancement in the medical field enable ED to be treated as long as one seeks help.

How does erection work?

There are two different mechanisms governing a penis to erect. The first is the reflex system where your spine and peripheral nerves both react when touched directly in the penile shaft. The second is caused by emotional and erotic stimuli catalysed by the limbic system of the brain.

During the stimulation of the penile shaft, your nervous system secretes nitric oxide which causes the relaxation of smooth muscles of the main erectile tissue of the penis known as corpora cavernosa. A healthy production of testosterone levels and pituitary gland also assist in a healthy erection. Impotence can be caused by hormonal deficiency, disorders of the neural system, lack of blood supply and psychological problems. Restriction of blood flow can arise from coronary artery disease.

Resources taken from Guardian - The one you trust

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Signs of ED (Erectile Dysfunctions)

Below Are Some Signs of ED:

During sleep, you do not attain full erections at times (when the mind and psychological issues, if any, are less present). Do not be alarmed though, since a lack of nocturnal erections does not imply the opposite as men do not have frequent wet dreams.

Experiencing lazy erection or one which is more rapid than would be expected (often before or during penetration), can be a sign of a failure of the mechanism which keeps blood held in the penis, and may signify an underlying clinical condition, often cardiovascular in origin.

Other factors leading to erectile dysfunction are decreased testosterone levels due to disease affecting the testicles or the pituitary gland.

Anxiety

As mentioned earlier, the male organ signifies masculinity and success in most cultures. Fear of not performing might cause one to feel emasculated. Due to this "perfectionist" mentality; one feels tremendous pressure, thus lacking concentration. Perfectionists are likely to feel depressed because they expect a certain standard in themselves and if they are unable to cope, expect society to view him in a certain way.

Depression

We go through depression every now and then. Long term depression, though, makes us feel inadequate and we slump into a comfort zone where it feels great to be depressed.

Lifestyle

Excessive smoking, drinking and drug abuse. (Read QUIT SMOKING for more repercussions and ways to rid the addiction.)

Physiology

  • Hormonal disorders (low levels of testosterone or tumor in the pituitary gland)
  • Neurological disorders (brain and spinal cord injury, nerve disorders such as Parkinson's and multiple sclerosis)
  • Arterial disorders (reduced blood flow to the penis)
  • Cavernosal disorders (Peyronie's disease)
  • Surgery (surgery in the rectum, prostate, colon and even radiation therapy may damage the nerves and blood vessels involved in erection.)

Resources taken from Guardian - The one you trust

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Dealing with Erectile Dysfunctions

To know what treatment is correct depends on the cause of ED for example, ED caused by psychological causes may require:

  • Counseling
  • Psychotherapy
  • Relationship counseling


There are also mechanical aids available for ED such as :

  • Vacuum Pumps - A cylinder is put over your male organ and the air is then pumped out. That should "suck" your male organ into an erection. But the "erected" organ would be a bit cold and blue-looking.
  • Rings - A specially designed ring fit at the base of male organ which is often used with vacuum pumps. The ring is designed to help stop blood from flowing out of the male organ.

Then there are the conventional drugs for ED such as:

  • Viagra - Widens the blood vessels which give an erection.
  • Injections into the penis prior to sexual intercourse.
  • Pellets inserted down the urinary pipe prior to sexual intercourse.

Under drastic circumstances, the following surgery procedures are practiced for ED:

  • Curing venous leak - Some men lose their erections because blood leaks out of the male organ. Sometimes, this only happens only in certain sex positions. A urologist may be able to operate if the leak is clearly pin-pointed by special X-rays.
  • Internal splints - A skilled urologist can insert artificial splints into the male organ. There is the simple splint which is a firm rod whereby the man can lift his organ into position when he needs to.

There is also the more sophisticated internal splint which you or your partner can inflate when needed.

Resources taken from Guardian - The one you trust

©To Men's Health Blog

Backing Up Your Back


Ever had a really excruciating pain when picking up boxes or waking up? Can barely bend over when you need to? Back pain is normally felt in the neck and might spread towards the arms and hands, the upper and lower back which sometimes spreads towards the legs and feet. Back pain is a serious medical problem and these might be some of the causes:
  • Severe back pain that occurs with other signs of severe illness such as fever or weight loss may also indicate a serious underlying medical problem.
  • Back pain that occurs after a trauma such as a fall or a car accident should be looked into as these may have caused a fracture or other severe injury.
  • Osteoporosis or multiple myeloma can also be contracted by individuals with medical conditions and back pain.

However, back pain usually does not require immediate medical intervention as most of them are self-limiting and non-progressive. But it is still best to prevent back pain before it happens. Follow us as we take preventive steps to back up our back!

Unknotting Your Back Muscles

The last thing you need when you are having back pain is for stress which ties lovely 'lace knots' on your muscles. And like it or not, stress can really tie up your muscles and create knots. Anxiety can also intensify the perception of pain, turning a little discomfort into a huge nerve wrecking drumming machine for your body. Eliminating pressure from your life is near impossible but there are always ways to deal with it such as taking a brisk walk around the block or taking a 5-minute break to close your eyes and relax.

Load Off Your Back's Backload

Below are a few habits which can be practiced to help take the load off your back:

  • Try not to take on high-impact activities such as water skiing or bungee jumping and try to look for ways to limit impact when jogging such as doing it on the dirt track rather than concrete.
  • Do not sit or stand for more than a few minutes in the same position. Move around, flex your back muscles or take a brisk walk around the office.
  • When lifting heavy objects, bend your knees and keep the weight as close as possible to your body to avoid unnecessary strain on your lower back muscles.
  • Road vibration and sitting in one position for long periods of time is tough on back pain. If you are travelling long distance, try to take as frequent breaks as possible to stretch and stand.
Resources taken from Guardian - The one you trust

©To Men's Health Blog

Hair Loss

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Does the word "Comb Over" have any meaning to you? Does it scare you? Or is there a sign of receding hairline that is terrifying you right now to the point that you either wear a hat out or would refuse to go anywhere remotely windy?

Your hair may start to fall off the head's temple and crown at any time and as early as your teenage years but this problem mostly hits men in thier late 20s and early 30s. Hair thinning may not be noticeable at first, but could slowly be followed by widespread hair loss, making your scalp more visible.

Why Is This Happening To Me?Hair Loss mens health magazine menshealth hairstyles loss weight care fitness issues diet products vitamins natural fit nutrition male alternative information prostate lose supplements hair secrets exercise impotence enhancement workout tips

Hair loss tends to be inherited and happens because of excessive dihyrotestosterone or (DHT), a chemical which causes hair follicles to make thinner and thinner hair until they eventually become nothing! Other causes of hair loss would include:

  • Stress
  • Iron-deficiency anaemia
  • Underperforming thyroid
  • Fungal Scalp Infection

What Should I Do?

Check with the doctor to make sure that the hair loss is not due to any illness. This is especially true if the hair loss is patchy and not in a typical male pattern distribution. There are also various treatments to reduce or repopulate the hair.

  • Wigs or hair transplants, the most direct form of treatment.
  • A different hairstyle to create an appearance of a fuller head or hair (the "Comb Over").
  • Herbal preparations which contain zinc, magnesium, iron, Vitamin E and other ingredients in various combinations.
  • Consult your doctor for hair loss treatment.
Resources taken from Guardian - The one you trust

©To Men's Health Blog

5 Skin Care Tips For Men

Follow us as we walk through 5 simple tips for men on how to keep your skin looking great and feeling good!

Keep It Clean!

The most important rule of improving your skin is keeping it clean! This is the simplest task but many men tend to either forget or ignore this. Taking the time to wash your skin twice a day can go a long way towards keeping your skin looking clear and clean!

Skin Type? What Skin Type?

Indeed, different people have different skin types. To take good care of your skin, you need to know your skin type. You can have normal, oily, dry or a combination of skin types. There are various products designed for oily, dry and normal skin but it is slightly harder to find products for combination skin. So do make sure you know what skin type you have as to ascertain you are using the correct skin care products!

Foam That Shave!

Do take care when shaving, it is best to avoid getting a shaving cut or rash on your face. It is especially easy to make a mistake when you are in a rush. Purchase products that can help you get a smooth shave and when you are done, an aftershave that will keep the skin smooth and help avoid rashes!

Toning Your Skin

While keeping your face clean, it is also an important factor to tone your face as well. Using a toner will firm up your skin and can also reduce the size of your pores! Use toner everyday and your skin will start to look healthier.

Hydrate Your Skin

Moisturizing your skin is important as it will keep your skin healthy and soft. So apply lotions every time you finish cleaning up to keep your skin smooth and healthy.

Resources taken from Guardian - The one you trust

©To Men's Health Blog

Can Men Have Menopause Too?

Technically, men cannot have menopause as the definition of menopause means the cessation of menstruation.

However, men go through a similar process called the andropause which has similar symptoms experienced by women!

In general, older men have lower testosterone levels compared to younger men. At the age of 40, the testosterone level in their blood starts to decline gradually at around the rate of 1 percent a year. Between the ages of 45 to 50, a steep drop happens.

Resources taken from Guardian - The one you trust.

©To Men's Health Blog

Signs And Symptoms of Male Menopause

  • Fatigue - Easily tired and physical activity takes more time to complete and with considerable effort.
  • Decreased sex drive - Less interested in sex, less frequent sex. Another related symptom is that sex becomes less enjoyable for the man.
  • Forgetfulness - A noticeable lack of ability to remember things. Unable to concentrate - Difficulty in focusing.
  • More emotional - Having difficulty to deal with events or actions of others which were easily dealt with before.
  • Weight gain - Increased body fat and weight with loss of muscle mass.
  • Difficulty Sleeping - Having difficulty falling asleep, not sleeping well and feeling restless before waking up.
  • Confused, indecisive, lack of self-confidence - The inability to make decisions, confused and reduced self confidence.
Resources taken from Guardian - The one you trust.

©To Men's Health Blog

Diagnosing Male Menopause

To diagnose, the doctor will perform physical examination and enquire about your symptoms. Diagnostic test might be ordered to rule out medical problems that may be contributing to the condition. The doctor will then order a series of blood tests which include determining hormone and testosterone level.

Resources taken from Guardian - The one you trust.

©To Men's Health Blog

Time For A Change

  • Eliminate the use of tobacco. To know more about how to quit smoking, later will add up the link for quit smoking blog.
  • Regular exercise is essential for good health and vitality. The male body is made for moving around constantly. Your body part will perform better and longer when they move on a regular basis. Will added up Get Fit tips on how to start exercising.
  • Diet and nutrition is important as insufficient nutrients will lead to other various problems besides menopause! Our Healthy Eating tips will also help guide you in planning your diet and nutrients!. Will add the link soon.
  • Consume whole unprocessed food which contains more nutrients and fiber. Try to take at least 8 to 9 glasses of vegetable juice a day.
  • Try opting for an organic diet.
  • Fish oil supplement and extra virgin olive oil are important fats and oil in your diet. So do get some and consume them according to directions.
  • Consume best nutritional supplements which can help your body to deal with the low nutrient count in food. Look for quality daily nutritional supplements made for men.
Resources taken from Guardian - The one you trust.

©To Men's Health Blog

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