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Erectile Dysfunction or Impotence

Questions to Discuss with Your Doctor:

• Do you smoke cigarettes?
• Have you been screened for other medical problems such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes?
• Do you exercise regularly? How much? How often?
• Do you have a neurologic disease or sickle-cell disease?
• Are you taking any medications (prescription or over-the-counter)?
• Has your erectile dysfunction worsened since starting any new medications?
• What effect is your erectile dysfunction having on your relationship? Your self-esteem?
• How long have you had erectile problems?
• Do you have erectile problems sometimes or all of the time?
• Have you ever had any psychologically stressful sexual experiences?
• Are you less interested in sex (diminished libido)?
• Are you having difficulty achieving an erection or sustaining it?
• Do you ever awaken with early morning or nocturnal erections?
• Do you have pain with erections?
• Penile bumps or lumps?
• History of penile trauma?
• History of pelvic surgery?
• What are your goals in receiving treatment?
• What therapies have you tried?
• Do you know how much benefit you can expect from medical therapies?
• Do you know the side effects and important drug interactions?

Your Doctor Might Examine the Following Body Structures or Functions:

• Genital examination
• Rectal examination
• Pulses in the groin and feet
• Neurologic examination

Your Doctor Might Order the Following Lab Tests or Studies:

• Blood tests (complete blood count or CBC, glucose, cholesterol panels, thyroid function tests, prolactin level)
• Blood testosterone level (if libido is decreased)
• Nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT)
• Neurologic testing (nerve condition studies)
• Your doctor may decide to do some vascular tests to establish whether the arteries that supply blood to the penis during erections are narrowed.

The devastation left in the wake of recent natural disaster and terror attacksÌýprovides graphic evidence of just how destructive they can be. Residents can beÌýforced to evacuate from their homes at a moment's notice in an atmosphere of panic and chaos, and many of them will not be able to return for months. In light of these potentialÌýdisasters and theirÌýaftermath, it has become clear that preparation for the unknown is of the utmost importance.

No matter where you live in the United States, you are vulnerable to some sort of natural disaster such as a blizzard, earthquake, flood, hurricane, or tornado. In addition, terrorist attacks on America are also possible. Both natural disasters and terrorist attacks can disrupt power, communication, and transportation for days or even longer.

We can thank the Greeks for the name doctors apply to male hormones.ÌýAndrogenÌýcomes from the words meaning "man-maker," and it's a well-chosen term. Testosterone is the most potent androgen, and it does make the man. It's responsible for the deep voice, increased muscle mass, and strong bones that characterize the gender, and it also stimulates the production of red blood cells by the bone marrow.

In addition, testosterone has crucial, if incompletely understood, effects on male behavior. It contributes to aggression, and it's essential for the libido or sex drive, as well as for normal erections and sexual performance. Testosterone stimulates the growth of the genitals at puberty, and it is one of the factors required for sperm production throughout adult life.

A conversation with this health professional can help you avoid making harmful mistakes.

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When your pharmacist hands you your pills, he or she is likely to ask, "Any questions?" This is an invitation to tap into a vast store of knowledge—and one you should accept. A few minutes with your pharmacist may spare you some serious health consequences.

"People are often in the dark regarding the purpose of their medication," says Dr. Gordon Schiff, associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. Although prescriptions come with a lengthy package insert containing detailed information about the drug, the information is often written in technical terms and printed in microscopic type. The lack of clear information and the confusion and misunderstandings that result figure into more than a million preventable medical complications annually.

Mind-bending puzzles aren't the only route to improving memory and reason. Activities that engage your emotions and senses may be even better.

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In the midst of promotions for commercial brain training programs to ward off age-related cognitive decline, a few studies are beginning to indicate that simple pleasures may be even more productive. You may find that doing one of the following is an easier and more rewarding way to boost your brain than doing computer-based exercises.

1. Care for a dog

3.Play with a child

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In a large United Kingdom study, regularly practicing racket sports, swimming, or aerobics significantly reduced the risk of dying over eight to 13 years. 

New, improved devices and apps may better guide you to exercise at the right intensity to help your heart.

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Perhaps the best-known problem with fitness trackers is that people often retire them to a junk drawer after a few months, once the novelty of using them wears off. But that's not the only shortcoming with these devices, which are typically worn around the wrist or clipped to clothing.

Sure, they'll count your steps, display your heart rate, and even estimate how many calories you've burned—although you'll probably need to sync your tracker with an app on your smartphone, tablet, or computer to see these data. However, very few of the popular free apps of this type are grounded in published evidence. And they don't necessarily follow well-established exercise guidelines. Even if you do meet recommended daily exercise goals—like 30 minutes of brisk walking or 10,000 steps—how do you know if you're really working your heart enough to keep it healthy? And what if you've been sedentary for years or have a chronic medical condition—can an app help you exercise safely?

If cancer runs in your family, there is much you can do to recognize your potential risk and catch the disease before it strikes.

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You may remember stories of your father's military service and your mother's hometown, but how much do you know about your family's medical history? In particular, do you know whether anyone on your mom or dad's side ever had cancer?

"Family history can be one of the first lines of defense in preventing cancer," says Dr. Huma Q. Rana, clinical director of the Center for Cancer Genetics and Prevention at Harvard-affiliated Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Salicylic acid, a prescription-strength medicine, and cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen are common treatments for plantar warts. However, if these do not work, consult with a dermatologist or podiatrist about other options like other injected and topical drugs or laser therapy.

Vascular dementia is a less prevalent type of memory loss that nonetheless affects many older men.

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While Alzheimer's disease continues to be the most recognized type of dementia, older men should also be mindful about the second most common: vascular dementia.

In vascular dementia, memory problems result from damage to large and small blood vessels in the brain. It develops when cholesterol-clogged blood vessels can't deliver enough oxygen to the brain. Small blockages deprive some brain cells of oxygen, which causes a series of small strokes that kill brain cells. This can lead to episodes of confusion, slurred speech, and problems thinking or remembering.