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Important Facts about Impotence

2012-01-28T19:04:00.000+08:00

THE term "Erectile Dysfunction" (ED) or impotence is usually defined as the persistent (lasting at least six months) inability to achieve or sustain an erection, an inconsistent ability to do so, or the ability to keep an erection firm enough to permit satisfactory sexual performance.

Medical professionals often use the term "Erectile Dysfunction" to describe this disorder and to differentiate it from other problems that interfere with sexual intercourse, such as lack of sexual desire and problems with ejaculation and orgasm.

Most men experience this at some point in their lives, usually by age 40, and are not psychologically affected by it.

Although it's a common disorder affecting at least 10 per cent of men, and may appear to be a male problem, it's something we all have to take seriously.

ED can be caused by physical and psychological reasons. The physical causes includes underlying life threatening conditions such as hypertension, heart disease, clogged blood vessels, diabetes, obesity, and/or dyslipidemia (a disorder of lipoprotein metabolism). It could also be caused by certain prescription medications, heavy smoking, alcoholism, Parkinson's disease, prostate cancer, multiple sclerosis, hormonal disorders and surgeries or injuries that affect the pelvic area or spinal cord.

ED can be your body's way of signaling that more serious health problems such as heart or kidney disease are present - and could in fact save later complications if the warning signs are heeded.

Many studies have shown that 80 per cent of chronic ED cases are related to the physical vascular system and only 20 per cent to psychological problems like stress, anxiety or depression.

Men with diabetes have a higher risk of developing ED. In addition, men treated for diabetes are up to three times as likely to develop serious ED. The causes of ED in men with diabetes involve impairment in nerves, blood vessels and muscle function. Chronic elevated blood sugar can damage the blood vessels and nerves that control erection. Therefore, you may not be able to achieve a firm erection although you have normal amounts of hormone and have sexual desires.

The medications include hypertensive medicines such as beta blockers, diuretics (hydrochlorothiaside and spironolactone), tranquilisers, antidepressants and digoxin may affect sexual function in many ways, not just induced impotence, but also causing diminished libido, inorgasmia, priaprism, premature ejaculation, gynaecomastia and decreased vaginal lubrication.

Most men with ED tend to suffer from a drop in self-esteem, embarrassment, and social stigma and believe they will become the subject of jokes and often seek unorthodox, off-label and over-the-counter methods of treatment. Self-medication for ED is dangerous because of the strong association between ED and Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). On average, ED can present itself two to three years before the symptoms of coronary artery disease occur. So, if a man has trouble having or keeping an erection more than 25 per cent of the time, he should seek medical advice.

A herbal formula containing seven herbs such as Horny Goat Weed, Ginseng, Puncture Vine, Muira Puama, Withania, Damiana and Ginkgo will prove beneficial. They help to enhance sexual performance by increasing blood flow and oxygen to the genital areas. They improve the release of nitric oxide in men, thus relaxing the spongy tissues in the penis and promoting blood flow.

Ginseng is traditionally used for male impotence. It is highly respected and prized as a herb which promotes male or yang energy, improving circulation, boosting vitality and acting as an overall systemic invigorator.

Withania is a traditional remedy for impotence due to fatigue, a tonic to fight stress and for debility and nervous exhaustion.

Ginkgo enhances the effects of nitric oxide, which helps relax the artery walls, allowing more blood flow into the penis. This herb increases the body's ability to achieve and maintain an erection during sexual stimulation. Therefore, a unique combination of herbs formulated to address the causes of low libido and male sexual dysfunction is advisable.

Good nutrition may help improve ED. Eat whole, fresh, unrefined and unprocessed foods. Include in your diet fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, soybeans, seeds, nuts, olive oil, and coldwater fish. Specific nutrients the body needs to boost energy levels, to alleviate fatigue or for healing the reproductive organs are vitamin E, vitamin C, bioflavonoids, vitamin B-complex, calcium, magnesium, iodine, zinc, selenium or organic spirulina. These nutrients are best assimilated when taken in food or supplement form. Everyone should consume more vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Not only do these foods clear the arteries and prevent diseases, they will ensure that the male pump is functioning at its best! Avoid excessive sugar, dairy products, refined foods, fried foods, junk foods, and caffeine.

Maintaining blood sugar levels near to the normal is just as important. Other nutrients like alpha lipoic acid may help reduce nerve damage due to chronic elevated blood sugar. It may be helpful in improving ED, too

The treatment options for ED include oral medications, vacuum constriction devices, self-injection therapy with alprostadil, papaverine, intra-urethral alprostadil suppository, penile prosthesis and vascular surgery.

All current available treatments are suitable for a cardiovascular patient and, if used according to the instructions, do not increase the cardiovascular risk.

Oral medications from the phosphodiesterase type 5 enzyme inhibitors (PDE-5) family, such as sildenafil (Viagra, Pfizer), tadalafil (Cialis, Eli Lilly) and vardenafil (Levitra, Bayer) have revolutionised the treatment of ED since 1998.

Despite the lack of head-to-head comparative studies, all three PDE5 inhibitors appear to have equivalent efficacy in the treatment of ED.

Sildenafil has additional efficacy data in the management of ED associated with spinal cord injury and antidepressant medications.

Tadalafil has the longest duration of action (up to 36 hours); this feature can be both beneficial (greater sexual spontaneity) and possibly detrimental (delayed adverse events).

However, the concomitant use of nitrates with PDE5 inhibitors may be hazardous and life threatening. They must be avoided as they can produce significant hypotension and are potentially fatal. No nitrates should be used within 24 hours of PDE5 use.

Patients who have taken PDE5 inhibitors and then taken to the Accident and Emergency section of a hospital with chest pain must inform the physician because the first line treatment for angina pain is nitrates.

Fast Facts on the Serious Diseases

* Coronary disease/heart attack. A long-running study of over 2,000 men found that erectile dysfunction is associated with a more than threefold higher risk of heart attack.

* Damage from smoking - Men with high blood pressure who smoke are 26 times more likely to be impotent than non-smokers. Even former smokers with high blood pressure are 11 times more likely to be impotent than non-smokers.

* Prostate cancer - A cancerous prostate gland may interfere with blood flow and nerve impulses to the penis. That can cause ED; impotence can be one of the first signs of prostate cancer.

Cervical Cancer – Deadly Preventable Disease

2011-12-17T18:34:00.000+08:00

CANCER of the cervix recognized as Cervical Cancer is the number two killer among women in Malaysia and is the third highest widespread types of cancer after breast cancer and colorectal cancer. In fact, latest statistics divulge an average, a total of 16 new cases of cervical cancer were reported among 100,000 women in this country.

According to worldwide statistics, every two minutes, a woman dies of cervical cancer. An estimated 500,000 cancer cases reported each year, with over 80 percent in developing countries. Globally more than 270,000 deaths occur each year from cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer is caused by the transmission of persistent infection with an extremely common and contagious virus - the human pappillomavirus (HPV), the same virus that causes genital warts.

It is estimated that up to 50 to 80 per cent of women will acquire a genital HPV infection in their lifetime, and up to 50 per cent of these infections will be potentially cancer-causing. The threat starts from sexual debut, when women begin having sex.

What is Cervical Cancer?

CERVICAL cancer is a disease in which malignant cancer cells form in the cervix. The cervix is the lowest, narrow end of the uterus and is sometimes called the neck of the womb. It leads to the vagina which leads to the exterior. The cervix holds the developing baby in the uterus during pregnancy. In cervical cancer, the cells in the cervix behave abnormally. They keep growing and turn into a lump or tumour. If untreated, they can spread to other parts of the body through the blood lymph system. Cervical cancer doesn't happen overnight. It goes through a process and takes many years to develop. Although not all pre-cancers will develop into cancer, it must be treated because 15 to 30 per cent of the cases may develop into cancer. Before it develops, early changes take place in the cells on the surface of the cervix. This is called the pre-cancerous stage.

What is Papillomavirus?

THE Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a common virus and forms a group of more than 100 related viruses. They are called papillomaviruses because certain types may cause warts, or papillomas, which are benign (non-cancerous) tumours. All types of HPV infection is a pervasive condition that affects and can be transmitted between men and women.

Most HPV infections are comparatively harmless and will clear up on their own through the body's natural immune response within one to two years. Of these about 30 infect the genital areas of women and men. Infection with high-risk types of HPV can lead to cervical cancer and other cancers of the genital area. Although HPV is not the sole cause of cervical cancer, there is no cervical cancer without HPV.

HPV types 16 and 18 account for nearly 70 per cent of cases of cervical cancer while HPV types 6 and 11 cause approximately 90 per cent of genital warts.

These four types of HPV also account for 35 to 50 per cent of all low grade cervical, vaginal and vulva lesions.

SIGNS and SYMPTOMS

* Discomfort or bleeding during sexual intercourse.

* Bleeding between periods.

* Vaginal discharge after menopause.

* Unusual foul bloody mucus vaginal discharge

* Pelvic pain and excessive tiredness.

* Swollen legs and backache.

THE CAUSES

ALTHOUGH the exact cause is unknown, there are definite factors which place some women at a slightly higher risk.

These are:

* Giving birth to many kids.

* Having many sexual partners.

* Having sexual intercourse at an adolescent age.

* Smoking cigarettes.

* Using oral contraceptive pills in the long term

* Bacterial infection such as syphilis, gonorhoea, Chlamydia or HIV.

* Lack of immune resistance (Ineffective immune system).

PRECAUTION and PREVENTION

You can reduce the risk of suffering from cervical cancer by preventing HPV infection. HPV is a sexually transmitted disease . HPV is spread through sexual contact therefore, the use of condoms can reduce the risk of HPV.

Reduce HPV with

1. Having sex with one partner.

2. Avoid sexual activity at a young age.

3. Do not smoke.

4. Immunised against HPV infection

5. Vaccinations.

VACCINES against HPV

Today there are vaccines that can prevent some strains of HPV that cause cervical cancer. Girls as young as 13 years are encouraged to take this vaccine. In fact, the younger the vaccine the higher her immune response. This makes the vaccine more effective. It can prevent up to 70 percent of HPV infection and more effective if given before girls become sexually active. It is also recommended for all women up to age 46 years.

There are currently two types of HPV vaccines available locally: Gardasil by Merck, Sharp & Dohme (The quadrivalent vaccine against HPV high-risk genotype 16 and 18 and low-risk Type 6 and Type 11 for warts) has been available in Malaysia since October 2006 and Cervarix by GlaxoSmithKlines (The bivalent vaccine against HPV high-risk genotype 16 and 18), both of which stay effective for up to about eight years. However, both vaccines offer some cross-protection for Type 31 and Type 45 high-risk genotypes.

At present, the Cervical Cancer Vaccination Programme by the Ministry of Health is giving the immunisation jab for free to all girls in Form 1 and girls currently aged 13. Under its programme, girls between 14 and 19 years who did not qualify for the school programme could receive two doses of the vaccine at RM466 and the third dose free.

Other countries that have national funding of HPV vaccines include Canada, the United States, Australia and New Zealand. In Australia, girls between 9 and 26 years are given HPV vaccine free of charge.

A course of HPV vaccine consists of three doses on the upper arm administered over six month period. The first injection takes place on the date set in school or at clinics. The second jab is a month later, and the third is six months after the first. Not completing the course makes the vaccine ineffective and a waste of funds.

If a large proportion of males are also vaccinated, herd immunity will develop. There will be less HPV infections, and the risk of women getting infected will also be reduced. Immunising them would not only prevent transmission of the virus but would also keep them protected from genital warts.

CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING

Screening is the way how cancer is diagnosed. Women are luckier than men as the two most common cancers in women can be easily detected by a simple test - a mammogram for breast cancer and a pap smear for cervical cancer.

Having the vaccine does not mean a woman can skip regular pap smear tests. The pap smear test picks up any changes in the cells. It is what we call early detection. The vaccination just stops the agent that starts the changes from taking place.

Women should have a pap smear test at least once every three years, beginning about three years after they start to have sexual intercourse. It is safe to wait three years, because cervical cancer usually develops slowly.

TREATMENT

Treatment depends on the level of the cancer and how far it spreads. If still at an early stage, womb removal surgery is suggested and a major surgery will be done if the cancer has spread to nearby organs. Other treatment, includes radiation and chemotherapy. The usual treatments offered by hospitals are:

Pre-invasive stage (Stage 0 to carcinoma in situ)

When the cancer has affected only the outer layer of the lining of the cervix, treatment may include:

- Laser surgery, which uses a laser beam to destroy abnormal cells.

- Cryosurgery, which destroys cancerous and pre-cancerous lesions by freezing them.

- Loop electrosurgical excision procedure, which uses a thin wire loop (through which an electrical current is passed) to cut away an area of abnormal cells from the cervix.

- Conisation surgery, which removes a cone-shaped piece of tissue from the cervix.

Invasive stage (Stages 1-4)

When the cancer has penetrated into the cervix and possibly to other tissues and organs, treatment may include:

- Radiation using high-energy rays to shrink tumours by destroying the cancer cells' ability to reproduce.

- Chemotherapy uses anti-cancer drugs which reach all areas of the body to kill cancer cells, including those that have spread to distant organs.

- Hysterectomy can be performed in two ways, depending on the extent of the cancer:

1) Simple hysterectomy which removes the cancer, the cervix and the uterus.

2) Radical hysterectomy which removes the cervix, uterus, part of the vagina and lymph nodes in the area.

Above all, education and awareness is the best and cheaper way to deal with the disease. Parent should educate their children to regulate sexual behaviour with knowledge and moral values . They also need to know the fact that;

* HPV is the main cause of cervical cancer;

* HPV is a sexually transmitted disease;

* practise abstinence to avoid HPV infection from sexual contact;

* pap smear tests can detect early stages of cervical cancer;

* cervical cancer, if detected at an early stage, is curable;

* the vaccine is not a vaccine against cervical cancer but a vaccine against HPV, which may cause cervical cancer;

* there are 18 types of HPVs linked to cervical cancer but the vaccine protects against only six types;

* there are thousands of cases of serious side effects that are linked to these vaccines;

* you can still get cervical cancer after taking this HPV vaccine; and,

* those who take the vaccination still have to take their yearly pap smear tests for cervical cancer.

Safe Drinking Water: Fact and Fiction

2011-11-19T22:49:00.001+08:00

WATER is the most important element in our day-to-day life. The quality of our life depends on it. Unfortunately what we get on our tap is less than perfect. As the world population booms and more people are dumping wastes into water channels, some of it inevitably ends up in our water supply.

Is our daily consumed water safe to drink? What is in tap water?

Research shows 97% of our tap water comes from rivers, which are connected to drainage and sewage systems, therefore it is no surprise thousands of chemicals are found in water.

So what are the long term effects of consuming these polluted water? The list of illness may include cancers, blood contamination, and unhealthy cells, which slowly breaks down our vital organs, besides clogged heart and arteries.

Consider this. Scientist have found pesticides in water causing abnormalities to animals.

For example, a class of pollutants known as endocrine disruptors affects animals' natural hormones, causing male fishes to develop eggs in their sex organs, and male leopard frogs to develop eggs and ovaries.

Beluga Whales in Canada are reported to have a higher rate of cancer than usual, due to toxic chemicals discharged from rivers.

Studies in the U.S. show we are exposed to other people's drugs through drinking water.

There are approximately 100,000 chemicals in use in the world, and some include growth hormones, pharmaceuticals and antibiotics which are excreted and find their way into our tap water, causing dire health consequences to humans and animals alike. Hospitals that throw expired drugs openly are a major concern as well.

In another study, about 400 chemicals were found in umbilical cords, more than half which cause cancer in humans or animals, are toxic to the brain and nervous system, and cause birth defects or abnormal development in animals. Scientists refer to these as "body burden."

Local researcher Alan Ng who has more than 15 years experience in water related industry said: "Drinking polluted water can be compared to smoking cigarettes, it does not kill us immediately, but may cause a lot of health problems in the long term."

So does installing water filters help to remove 99% of pollutants? Apparently not. Ng said most water filtration system cannot remove dissolved chemicals especially inorganic minerals.

"There are tens of thousands of chemicals in the water found during water testing. Laboratory tests show many toxic chemicals are present in filtered water as dissolved chemicals take only a few seconds to move through these filters.

Currently there are many water purification systems available in the market including GAC and carbon block filters, ceramic filters, sand filters, reverse osmosis, or distiller. So which type of purification of water amongst them are most effective in removing contaminants from the water?

Apparently none of the above., said Ng. The answer lies in water distillation, which remains the most effective process as it does not remove the contaminants from water but extracts water by boiling it to steam, and leaving the contaminants behind.

That is why only distilled water can be used for intravenous dripping and laboratory tests, besides being used in the former Mir Space Station and now in the International Space Station.

So what is the difference between distilled water and other forms of water? Ng said, it is simply this: "All other forms of water contain inorganic minerals as well as chemicals, but distilled water is pure.

"Our body is approximately 70% water, which is the medium in which the body uses to flush away toxic and waste products. Therefore it is important the water we drink is free from pollutants so it does not reverse the process by polluting the body with contaminants during the cleansing process.

"Studies show when chemicals are present in our body, they interfere with white blood cells production.

"Our immune system is really a miracle. People who lose both of their arms and legs in accident or war can still survive. If you cut the skin of a 100-year old person, it will heal by itself. If you do not systemically destroy your immune system with toxic chemicals, you will be much healthier. It is as simple as that."

Ng said it is ironic some people stress on eating organic foods, but consume thousands of chemicals through dirty drinking water. Ng said distilled water is the cheapest "health food". If one were to consume only two litres of distilled water per day, it costs only 50 sen a day.

"You can distill your own water and save money every day by making your own coffee and tea instead of drinking outside.

"Furthermore drinks made with distilled water tastes much better as there are no chemicals."

Info

Distilled water health benefits

DISTILLED WATER is purified with a distiller which turns water into steam by boiling and leaving the contaminants behind. With distilled water, you do not have to be concerned about bacteria, chemicals or other contaminants. Here are among the benefits:

* No microscopic contaminants

Distillation removes microscopic contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa.

* No added chemicals

Distillation removes chemicals such as fluoride and chlorine, which are commonly added to tap water and may appear in other types of bottled water.

* No farm or garden chemicals

Additional chemical contaminants which have been found in other types of bottled water including fertiliser residue, herbicides and pesticides. These are eliminated from distilled water.

* No inorganic chemicals

Distillation removes any trace of chemicals, such as disinfectants and asbestos originating from factories, mines and other facilities.

* No sodium or other minerals

Distilled water has no salt, calcium, iron or magnesium, the most common minerals in tap and bottled water.

* Flushes away mineral deposits

Research shows drinking distilled water can flush away mineral deposits accumulated in joints, preventing arthritis, and in cells, preventing gallstones.

Plain water as a treatment for various diseases

SCIENTISTS have found the habit of drinking water upon rising every morning has tremendous benefits. The Japanese Medical Society, for instance, has proven that in certain cases, this practice could even treat serious diseases. The diseases that were studied by the medical society in Japan include: headaches, physical body aches, arthritis, rapid heart beat, epilepsy, excess body fat, bronchitis, tuberculosis, meningitis, kidney and urinary infection. For this practice to be effective, certain rules should be followed:

* Drink four glasses of water (160ml) upon rising every morning and before brushing your teeth.

* Brush your teeth and rinse your mouth but do not consume any food or drink for 45 minutes.

* After 45 minutes, you may have your food and drink as usual.

* 15 minutes after breakfast, lunch and dinner, do not consume any food or drink for two hours.

* Elderly patients who are initially unable to drink four glasses of water all at once, could start this practice by gradually drinking up to four glasses of water.

* This healing method is believed to be able to treat various diseases within certain periods of time.

1. High Blood Pressure (30 days)

2. Gastritis (10 days)

3. Diabetes (30 days)

4. Constipation (10 days)

5. Cancer (180 days)

6. Tuberculosis (90 days).

Arthritis patients need to be on this regimen for three days. There is no side effect but there will be a constant urge to urinate at the early stage.