Archive for category treatment
Impotence: Treatment Development and Outlook
Due to the high prevalence rate of erectile dysfunction, the responsibility of ED management has been shifted to the primary care physicians. As a result, primary care physicians now need to add questions about sexual functioning and satisfaction during the initial patient workup. Patients with ED is treated by the primary care physician, or referred to other health care professionals, depending on the problem presented. Treatment and management of individuals with ED includes patient education, particularly focusing on general sex education and sexually transmitted diseases. Counseling and providing an appropriate treatment of impotence, basing on its main cause are also included in the program. Up to 85% of impotence cases are caused by medical or physical problems, and so, it is essential that a healthy lifestyle and avoidance or moderation in smoking and alcohol are emphasized
Advances in suppositories, injectable medications, implants, and vacuum devices have stretched out the options for men seeking treatment for ED. The medical and surgical advancement in treating erectile dysfunction has helped increase the number of men to seek consult and treatment. Gene therapy for ED is now being tested in several centers in US, and may offer a long-lasting therapeutic approach for ED.
Most research now is focused on using organic sources of treatments and enhancing of the existing ones. Organic sources such as watermelon are being looked into as alternative means to treat impotence. You can read this at http://www.webmd.com/erectile-dysfunction/news/20080701/watermelon-a-natural-viagra. Institutes such as the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) sponsors programs that aim at understanding the causes of erectile dysfunction and at finding treatments to reverse its effects. NIDDK’s Division of Kidney, Urologic, and Hematologic Diseases supported the researchers who developed Viagra and up to this time, it continuously supports basic research regarding the mechanisms of erection. In addition, continuous support is given in the research of diseases that impair the normal body functions at the cellular and molecular levels, such as diabetes and high blood pressure. These are signs of a growing awareness and acceptance of the problem ED in the society.
History of Treatments on Impotence
Before urologists recognized the physical nature of impotence, treatments generally fell into three categories—aphrodisiacs, surgery or transplants, and mechanical treatments.
Innumerable substances called aphrodisiacs have been used to increase sexual performance. Oysters, lobsters, eggs, and spices are some known aphrodisiacs. Noteworthy to mention, these sources are now recognized to do nothing more than irritate the genital organs. The user interprets this irritation as an increased sexual sensitivity, thereby creating the impression of increased performance.
In the 1880s, French physiologist Charles Edouard Brown-Sequard injected himself with an extract from a dog’s testicles that he claimed to have made him smarter, stronger, and more virile. In the 1920s, Eugen Steinach pioneered a surgical treatment of impotence called vasectomy. In the early twentieth century, Swiss professor Paul Niehans treated men with testicular cell injections. Another surgeon, Dr. Leo Stanley removed the testicles of recently executed prisoners and transplanted them into impotent prisoners. When the supply ran low, he substituted them with goat, ram, boar, and deer testicular tissues. It remains unclear whether any of these early attempts to treat impotence through the use of human or animal testicular tissue have actually worked. Most of the researchers mentioned eventually fell into disrepute.
In the US, Dr. John R. Brinkley broadcasted male impotence cures in his radio programs. He recommended expensive goat gland implants and “mercurochrome” injections as the paths to restore male virility. His medical license was revoked, and his radio license was not renewed.
For mechanical devices, many types of splints have been used to treat impotence, including hollowed-out antlers and horns. Although these initial attempts failed, penile prostheses are recently proven to be particularly reliable. During the 70s, surgeons began providing patients with inflatable penile implants.
The use of medications started in the ninth century until the sixteenth century. Muslim physicians and pharmacists in the medieval Islamic world were the first to prescribe medications for ED. They developed several methods of therapy, which include a single or a combination of drugs and food. Most were oral medications, though a few patients were also treated through topical and transurethral means. In 1983, modern drug therapy for ED made a significant exploit when British physiologist Giles Brindley, Ph.D. dropped his trousers and demonstrated to a shocked American Urological Association audience his phentolamine-induced erection. The drug he injected into his penis was a vasodilator, and the mechanism of action was muscle relaxation. This discovery established the fundamentals for the later development of orally-effective drug therapies. In 1998, a breakthrough in medicine occurred with the introduction of Viagra in the market as an effective drug against erectile dysfunction. The drug was originally researched for its beneficial effects in chronic increase in blood pressure and chest pains. A few years later, vardenafil and tadalafil are introduced as effective erections drugs.
Alternative Ways to Manage Impotence
Posted by admin in male impotence, treatment on May 7th, 2009
Can Herbs Treat Impotence?
The use of herbal supplements in treating impotence is rapidly growing in popularity. Herbal use offers an alternative and effective treatment option for sexual dysfunction management. In addition to their spectacular healing properties, many alternative health supplements can promote general well-being and overall health, which cost a lot less than synthetic drugs. Most herbal products out in the market contain potent combinations of rejuvenating herbs that act in a synergistic manner for a more effective impotence management. They fight off fatigue and general and sexual weakness. More so, herbal formulation has many side benefits on overall health, other than sexual health.
The most commonly used herbs in impotence
Ø Gingko biloba: Gingko biloba improves blood supply to muscles of the penis without causing an increase in blood pressure, increases the male hormone, testosterone, and improves endurance
Ø Yohimbe: This herb from Africa improves transmission of nerve impulses that encourage sexual arousal
Ø Panax ginseng: This herb commonly seen in Eastern Asia improves endurance and increases sperm count and motility
Ø Fo – ti: A dried root of a twining vine, this herb increases sexual desire.
Ø Muira puama, damiana and sarsaparilla: These known herbs from the South America increases sexual desire
Ø Milk thistle and shizandra: These herbs cleanse and re – model the liver since liver damage can greatly decrease the production of the male hormone, testosterone
Ø Saw palmetto: Mainly used to treat benign prostatic hypertrophy, this herb increases sexual desire
What Are the Limitations and Drawbacks of Herbal Supplements?
Herbal supplements contain active components that can affect the way your body functions. Like synthetic drugs, herbal supplements are not for everyone. Some herbs may not be recommended to certain individuals with pre – existing medical conditions. Individuals taking herbal supplements, in conjunction with prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications are at risk for adverse reactions. The effects of the combination of these drugs are often lacking in clinical research, and so, its safety and compatibility are not fully determined.
Some herbs are contraindicated in pregnant or breast-feeding mothers since some of the herbal components have the ability to cross the placenta, a group of tissues that nourishes the child in the womb and are transferred through the breast milk. Herbal use is also avoided at least two weeks before surgeries. It was observed that a regular use of herbs causes decreased anesthetic effects and increases the risk for bleeding associated to surgeries.
It is emphasized that herbal remedies are considered dietary supplements, or add - ons by the FDA. They do not have the same rigorous testing and labeling process as over-the-counter and prescription medications. It is best that you consult your physician before deciding on herbal use. These herbs do not replace the medications prescribed to you by your physician.
The Good, The Bad and the Ugly: Benefits and Drawbacks of Conventional Drug Therapy in Male Impotence
Posted by admin in male impotence, treatment on May 7th, 2009
Is drug therapy beneficial in erection dysfunctions?
Sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil (Levitra) and tadalafil (Cialis) are the three most commonly prescribed oral medications for ED treatment. These drugs enhance the release of nitric oxide, a chemical that causes relaxation of the muscles of the penis, resulting in erections. Based on the testimonials of their users, these drugs seem to have truly lived up to their promise of bringing in new hope to those who suffer with ED. For so many years, various treatments have assured the public, time and time again that they have all the answers to bout your fight against ED, only to leave futile efforts and empty promises. But in 1998, a ground breaking event was made when Viagra was approved by the FDA for the treatment of ED. This breakthrough in medicine has paved the way for the release of other erection drugs, Levitra and Cialis in 2003.
These drugs are the treatment of choice for healthy men in any age, without limitations to any ethnic group. For as long as you have a healthy heart, a stroke – free medical history with normal and controlled blood pressure and blood sugar, you can be a candidate for this therapy. It is best that you consult your physician for further evaluation. Never try any of these drugs without the assistance and prescription of your physician.
Erection drugs are generally effective within 15 - 45 minutes of use, with the duration of erections occurring in hours. The effects of these drugs may last for 4 to 36 hours, depending on the dose. They should not be used more than once a day. Success rates increase with the number of attempts, so a man should not be discouraged if the drug does not work at first.
According to dailystrength.org, a website focused on people’s experience about ED, out of 124 members, 73% finds Viagra helpful; 79% for Cialis and 75% for Levitra.
Do these drugs have limitations and drawbacks?
Erection drugs are not absolute. These drugs do not assure full proof protection against side effects and adverse reactions. Though these drugs are 75% effective most of the time, erections drugs are not for everyone. They are contraindicated in people with heart diseases, history of strokes, constant increase in blood pressure and uncontrolled blood sugar levels.
Common side effects include flushing, upset stomach, headache, nasal congestion, back pain, and dizziness. There have been reports of fatal heart attacks and strokes in a small percentage of men taking Viagra. About 2.5% of men have temporary vision problems. In 2007, the FDA added a warning about potential hearing loss associated with the above mentioned oral drugs. A small number of men have experienced sudden hearing loss in one ear, which is sometimes accompanied by ringing and dizziness. There also have been a few reports of seizures in men taking sildenafil. These are rare occurrences, and it is not clear if there is any causal association with the drugs. Men taking erections drugs are predisposed to priapism. Priapism is a medical emergency, described as a sustained, painful, and unwanted erection. In addition to serious interactions with nitrates (nitroglycerides), ED oral drugs may also interact with certain antibiotics.