The problem of hair loss is certainly a very sensitive issue both for men and women. Hair is a good indicator of how healthy a person is, and if the person starts to get bald it is seen as either a sign of poor health or aging. Of course, it’s not always so and in case of male balding it’s often seen as a matter of genetic predisposition or poor hair nutrition. But how relevant these assumptions are to the actual causes behind hair loss in men?

A large number of scientific and clinical studies on the problem of hair loss in men have come to the same conclusion that there’s a reason for male pattern hair loss other than what was assumed before. Yes, genetics, nutrition, care and environment play an important role in maintaining a good condition of hair. But the majority of male hair loss cases have been observed to be caused by hormonal changes. And it’s not about a particular glad dysfunction or hormonal imbalance. It’s all about one of the most important male hormones – testosterone.

But it’s not the abundance of shortage of testosterone that really matters. Of course, the level of testosterone in general influences many aspects of a man’s health. But when it comes to hair loss, it’s the way testosterone is processed that really matters. Usually, testosterone is converted into another male hormone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), after some time. And it’s the DHT that’s responsible for hair loss in men. When there’s a small quantity of this androgen in the bloodstream there’s nothing to worry about. But as it accumulates in the body and starts contacting with hair follicles it gradually stops natural hair growth and makes the follicles weaker. By having a low natural hair growth rate a person will gradually start balding because of the normal hair loss rate (100-200 hairs per day). Usually, the lost hair gets restored rapidly and we have a constant form of hair. But as the follicles get weaker, the usual hair loss becomes a real problem.

Some studies that focused on the genetic causes of male pattern hair loss have also concluded that in cases where hair loss problems have passed through generations it was also due to the abundant production of DHT that seems to pass from father to son. So it’s clear that hair loss in men is generally caused by the levels of DHT. But what can be done about it? (more…)

In younger men erectile dysfunction is relatively uncommon, but there are still cases. Find out the possible ED causes in younger men.

How common is ED in younger men?

In your late teens and early twenties, you should be at your physical peak in all aspects of life. So if you are experiencing erectile dysfunction, this suggests either an existing injury or psychological problems. Indeed, ED is usually related to age, affecting more men as they pass beyond sixty. Doctors estimate psychological problems are the cause in up to 25% of men under the age of forty. However, a second statistic should give you cause for thought. About 75% of men with diabetes suffer erectile dysfunction. With an increasing number of young men overweight, diabetes is becoming more common, followed by sexual problems.

What are the main causes?

Artherosclerosis is the most common physical cause of ED, i.e. a build-up of plaque on the walls of the penile artery caused by excessive levels of carbohydrates in the blood. So if you are overweight and have high blood pressure, this cause of ED can be treated by changing your diet and exercising. The evidence from the clinical trials is clear. Losing weight, eating healthy food and increasing activity levels restores sexual function. Because nicotine causes artherosclerosis, smokers are 1.5 times more likely to suffer erectile dysfunction than non-smokers. Alcoholism and drug abuse also cause sexual problems. Recent studies have found up to 25% of younger men have low levels of testosterone which can reduce the libido. The remaining problems are related to stress. (more…)

Because PDE5 inhibitors are so famous for their incredible ability to restore erections, people are often surprised to learn that they are useful for much more than that! The first of these types of erectile dysfunction medications was initially developed to treat angina, but once researchers learned of its special erectile properties, they pursued a pattern for ED. However, in the years since the famous blue pill has been on the market, doctors have continued to test its abilities and have learned it is one of the most versatile, useful drugs around.

Read on to see some of the amazing uses for your erectile dysfunction treatment.

Recovering from Jet Lag

Scientists in Buenos Aires discovered that PDE5, a common body chemical associated with erectile dysfunction, breaks down cGMP, which plays an important part in the regulation of the internal clock. When there are certain types of light changes, the clock will become distorted. This is what causes jet lag.

In order to put this knowledge to use in recovering faster from jet lag or preventing it entirely, doctors are turning to PDE5 inhibitors, which are known for treating erectile dysfunction. As of 2008, this treatment is already in use.

Lowering High Blood Pressure

Part of the initial research for the now famous erectile dysfunction drugs was to treat high blood pressure. The drugs actually do this quite effectively, though other medications may be preferred for various reasons. However, PDE5is are actually quite commonly used since it does multiple things for patients.

Helping Stroke Patients Recover

The effects of sildenafil in helping stroke patients recover are still being studied, but earlier studies have been promising. Doctors think that medical treatment within three days of the stroke could help patients recover speech, thinking, and movement more quickly. It does this by aiding cGMP in creating new brain cells. (more…)

When the back starts to give you problems this may seriously affect any of your activities. Being a key region for most motor functions of the body, the back is both a very strong and a very vulnerable part that can be affected in many different ways. Starting from simple physical trauma to muscle spasms, spine conditions and inflammatory diseases the back can often be the area of both acute and chronic pain. And if you have ever experienced any form of back pain you probably know that it can turn any simple activity like walking, sitting, climbing stairs or laying in bed into a real torture. That’s why knowing about the most common forms of back pain relief is essential for minimizing the impact or this unpleasant health condition. Here are some of the most popular methods for dealing with back pain:

Physical therapy

Physical therapy can be very effective when dealing with various forms of back pain. Because in many cases back pain results from improper posture and the condition of the muscles and the spine, an experienced therapist can eliminate the very causes of back pain in a series of sessions. By manipulating the muscles and other tissue in the affected area a professional can promote faster recovery and minimize the risk of recurring back pain very effectively. However, physical therapy requires you to address only real professionals as the therapy can be harmful if performed by a non-professional. (more…)

Erectile Dysfunction, also commonly referred to as impotence, is a medical condition that effects thousands of men, keeping them from leading healthy and satisfied sex lives. In fact, statistics have shown that over half of men forty years and older have experienced trouble getting and sustaining an erection. If you or someone you know has experienced erectile dysfunction, then you know how quickly it can weigh you down and hurt your quality of life. Throughout the years various and vastly different treatments have been used to restore normal function in men who suffer with ED. But until the invention and marketing of Viagra, the magical little blue pill, many men believed that ED was just something they would have to learn to live with.

What Exactly is Erectile Dysfunction?

As stated above, erectile dysfunction is what happens when a man has trouble getting an erection and/or maintaining it. When it comes to ED, not every man is going to be affected in the same way. For instance, some men have no trouble getting an erection, but maintaining it long enough to have sex is not possible. On the other hand some men will be able to get an erection but the erection won’t be hard enough. For others still, the issue is that they cannot get an erection at all. For men dealing with any of the issues listed above, having a normal sex life is impossible. While difficulty getting an erection is something most men will face at least once or twice in their lifetime, ED is different. Men with ED constantly struggle with impotence issues. Without medical treatment of some kind, ED is not likely to “get better”.

Why Do Some Men Get ED?

Contrary to popular belief, ED is not just something that only older men experience. There are various causes leading to ED and age is just one of them. Certain medical conditions like high cholesterol, depression, hardening of the arteries, and even diabetes can affect a man’s sexual health and give rise to erectile dysfunction. Other men get ED from the medications that they are taking in order to treat other medical conditions or lifestyle choices they are making. Blood pressure medicine and smoking cigarettes have both been linked to erectile dysfunction. Even if a man is young, healthy, and not taking any medications, he can still end up dealing with the annoyance and embarrassment that erectile dysfunction can cause. As with any other medical condition, much depends on the particular man and his circumstances. (more…)