General Health

Best and Worst Foods to Eat During Pregnancy In the context of pregnancy, “nutrition” refers to the many meals, fruits, and nutrients that are required for women who are carrying a child. The mother’s appetite changes throughout pregnancy, becoming more receptive to nearly everything that is edible; as a result, one of the primary reasons why a pregnant woman’s diet needs to be monitored is because of this change. In this article, we will discuss the various classes of essential nutrients and foods that pregnant women should consume to ensure that their children have a good growth and that they are able to conceive without difficulty. What are the best foods to eat during pregnancy? There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best foods to eat during pregnancy will vary depending on the individual’s unique nutritional needs. However, some general guidelines that can help pregnant women choose the best foods to eat include: Let’s now discuss deeply the essential nutrients required in pregnancy —the kinds of food that should be welcomed with open arms in order to ensure optimal well-being of mother and baby: Iron The formation of haemoglobin depends on iron, which is why the body needs this crucial vitamin in sufficient amounts. Iron  supports the growth and development of the body. The lungs are responsible for transferring oxygen to the rest of the body, and haemoglobin is the chemical that does this.  Iron is highly important for pregnant women because it helps maintain a steady level of hemoglobin which carries oxygen from the mother to the developing fetus (child).  Your child’s health could be in jeopardy if they don’t get enough iron in their bodies. This can cause an oxygen deficiency throughout the body. The various sources of Iron Red meat, eggs, red kidney beans, baked beans, soy beans, chickpeas, raspberries, tomato juice, green peas, and dried fruits are all excellent sources of the iron nutrients that are required during pregnancy.  Other great sources of iron include red kidney beans, baked beans, and dried fruits (like apricots). Folic Acid Folic acid is a nutrient that the body needs in order to reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease as well as certain types of cancer. It has been recommended that all women of childbearing age, whether or not they are pregnant or not, increase the amount of folic acid in their diet.  Infants who consume this acid have a lower risk of developing serious brain and spine disorders. About 400 micrograms is the amount of follicles acid that should be taken daily by women and girls of childbearing age, according to recommendations. Folic acid’s primary food sources The following foods, vegetable crops, and fruits naturally have high levels of this nutrient: broccoli, beetroot, peas, citrus fruit, beans, pawpaw (papaya), legumes, okra, kidney beans, sunflower seed, Brussels sprouts, romaine lettuce, asparagus, and so on. Iodine Iodine is a mineral that is necessary for the body to have in order to produce thyroid hormones. Iodine consumption during pregnancy is associated with improved fetal brain and bone development.  Iodine deficiency has been linked to premature births, stillbirths, and miscarriages.  This behavior on the side of the infant will almost certainly result in a low IQ (intelligence quotient).  Iodine deficiency can cause permanent brain damage in an unborn child, even if the mother has adequate levels during pregnancy. The various sourcesources of Iodine Iodine can be found in the following dietary supplements: iodized salt (also known as table salt), eggs, seaweed, dairy products, prunes, yogurt, and low-fat milk are some of the foods that are rich in iodine. Table salt is considered to be one of the best sources of iodine. Calcium Calcium, as we are all aware, is necessary for the development of healthy bones and teeth. It has also been demonstrated that calcium plays a role in blood clotting, which refers to the process of repairing damaged blood vessels and other bodily tissues following an injury.  Calcium is important because, as is to be expected, a developing baby requires strong bones and teeth, and this is where calcium comes into play.  In addition, calcium contributes to the formation of a healthy heart and nervous system in children, which is essential for normal growth and development. Various food sources of Calcium Broccoli, tofu, and spinach are just a few of the foods that are good sources of calcium during pregnancy. However, dairy products, which include milk, cheese, yogurt, pudding, and a variety of other options, are the finest providers of calcium. Vitamin A Vitamins are one of the few nutrients that are recommended to take before, during, and after pregnancy. Vitamin A is necessary for healthy eye growth and function, making it one of the most vital nutrients for maintaining good vision.  During pregnancy, vitamin A is important for the development of the fetus’ immune system as well as the mother’s eyesight (the unborn child).  In addition, research demonstrates that vitamin A is crucial for the growth and development of a child’s skeleton. Night blindness is the most common symptom of a deficiency in vitamin A, which can also lead to damage to the retina of the eye. Night blindness is a medical disease in which a person’s vision is impaired, making it difficult for them to see clearly at night or in low light. Second, a deficiency in vitamin A during pregnancy has been linked to an increased risk of certain birth abnormalities. The various sources of  vitamin A Carrots, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, mango, apricots, broccoli, liver, spinach, ricotta cheese, and leafy greens are examples of foods and supplements that are rich in vitamin A. Other sources of vitamin A include: Riboflavin Vitamin B2 can also be referred to as riboflavin. Riboflavin, like other vitamin B compounds, helps supply the body with energy by participating in the conversion of carbohydrates into glucose. This process takes place in the liver.  There is evidence that riboflavin plays a role in the development of new skin cells, according to

One of the most important things in our life is the maintenance of healthier conditions. Good health is important and increases one’s life expectancy since it makes someone free from disease, stress and other harmful environments.Most older people think that only young people are the ones who need care and support to maintain their health, and they pay less attention to their own health.  They believed that  their lifetime will soon decline  or fizzle away. Therefore, there is no need for them to be attractive and look good. These negative thoughts should be removed in our minds. So,let’s look into the ways or how to stay healthier and younger at old age: 1. Stay OptimisticLife tests us in various ways. Beloved ones die, layoffs happen, and health problems can mount. But positive thinking can be a powerful ally. When you commit to be optimistic and grateful, your mind and body respond in kind. It is proven that  people with a rosier outlook live longer and have fewer heart attacks and depression than more negative people. Positive emotions may even reduce virus counts in people with HIV. You can learn to be optimistic. It just takes time and practice. Things you can do are: 2. Body exercise countThe biology of our body constitutes  things which need to be activated by doing body exercises. Example: muscles which need  relaxation and contractions. Simple exercise should be performed to make the body more energetic and remove some toxins which  accumulate especially during old age.  Walking is a better way to start exercising. a 30 minutes walk every day is beneficial. If that’s too much for you, break it up into shorter strolls. Exercise doesn’t call for strenuous activity or time at the gym. In fact, walking is one of the best ways to stay fit or healthier. Best of all, it doesn’t require any equipment or experience and you can do it anywhere, be it in your room. Exercising with a friend or family member is good. You can help to keep each other inspired and you’ll not only benefit from the physical activity, but also from the social contacts as well. Exercise keeps brain cells healthy by delivering more blood and oxygen. Scientifically, it’s proven that aerobic exercise may delay or improve symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. It also helps: Exercise tips for older adultsConsult your doctor before starting any exercise program. Find out  from your doctor if any health conditions or medications you take affect the type of exercise you should choose.Find an activity you like most and that motivates you to continue. You may want to exercise in a group, like in a sport or class, or prefer a more individual exercise like swimming.Begin slow. If you are new to exercise, a few minutes a day puts you well on the way towards building a healthy habit. Slowly increase the time and intensity to avoid injury.    But being lazy or inactive creates a chance for  some diseases of old age such as heart attack, diabetes and others which reduces the survival chance of an individual.  Begin exercise today and let your health glow! 3.Select eating routine.  Care should be taken on the type of food to be eaten. Make sure you know the type of food which will be good for your health. And these may be done by asking your doctors to get advice on what kind of food based on your body demands. The most advisable foods are fruits and vegetables, these improve someone’s immunity.  Avoiding too much salt, too much sugar, food with lots of fat and alcohol which are the source of many diseases in elders. Example, eating too much salt may cause hypertension resulting in heart attack. Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet — dump the junk food in favor of fiber-rich, low-fat, and low-cholesterol eating. It’s much better to get your nutrients from food, not a pill. And you usually don’t require special supplements aimed at seniors. After age 50, your body requires more vitamins and minerals from foods or supplements than before. They include: Calcium —helps to keep bones strong Vitamin D —Most people get it from sunlight, but some seniors may not get out enough. Vitamin B12 — Older people have trouble absorbing it from foods, so you may need fortified cereals or a supplement.) Vitamin B6 —(It keeps your red blood cells strong to carry oxygen throughout your body.) Talk to your doctor about any supplements you take so you can avoid bad interactions with any medications or treatments. 4. Build a happy lifestyle.  One of the greatest problems of aging is maintaining your support network. Staying connected isn’t always easy as you get older—even for those who have always had an active social life. Career changes, retirement, illness, and moves out of the local area can take away intimate friends and family members. And the older you get, the more people you inevitably lose. In later life, getting around may become difficult for either you or members of your social network. Loneliness is dangerous to your health. If you feel lonely —whether you live alone or with someone, have lots of friends or none —you  are more prone to get dementia or depression. Older people who report feeling left out and isolated have more trouble with everyday tasks like bathing and climbing stairs. They also die earlier than less-lonely folks do. Modern researchers found that lonely people have higher levels of stress hormones that cause inflammation, or swelling, linked to arthritis and diabetes. Similarly, another study found more antibodies to certain herpes viruses in lonely people, a sign of stress in their immune system.  Create a good friendship with the surrounding members including family, neighbors and community at large. Good communication will help to build a happy life and remove unnecessary stresses and depression.  Staying socially active with friends and family helps to maintain your physical and mental health. People who are engaged in more social interaction are typically very healthier individuals.

Aging: Getting older doesn’t actually mean you’ll have a slew of medical conditions or poor quality of life. Getting older before one dies is the prayer of every mankind. Old age is a special moment of happiness if we have maximized our youthful period. Many have constantly asked, ‘‘what happens to your muscles when you get older?’’ There are many anatomical/physiological and psychological changes in old age, both negative and positive, but you can enjoy aging if you understand what’s going on with your body and take steps to maintain your health. Various things happen to your body as you get older. Your skin, bones, including your brain may start to behave differently. Don’t let these changes that come with old age catch you by surprise. Here are some of them: Your bones — While you were younger your bones are dense and stronger.  But in old age, bones can become thinner and more brittle, especially in women, sometimes resulting in the fragile bone condition called osteoporosis. Thinning bones and declining bone mass can put you at risk for falls that can easily result in fractures or broken bones. Be sure to talk with your doctor about what you can do to prevent osteoporosis and falls. Your heart  — As a healthy diet and regular exercise can keep your heart healthy, it may become slightly enlarged, your heart rate may lower, and the walls of the heart may thicken. Your  nervous system(and brain) — Becoming older can cause changes in your reflexes and even your senses. As1 dementia is not a normal consequence of old age, it is common for people to experience some slight forgetfulness as they get older. Brain cells and nerves can be damaged by the formation of plaques and tangles, abnormalities that could eventually lead to dementia. Your GIT (digestive) system — As you get older, your digestive tract becomes more firm and rigid, and doesn’t contract as often. This change in your digestive system can result in problems such as constipation, stomach pain, and feelings of nausea; a better diet can help. Your senses — You may notice that your vision and hearing are not quite as sharp as they once were before. You may start to lose your sense of taste — flavors may no longer seem as distinct to you. Also,your senses of smell and touch may  weaken. As a result of aging, your body is taking longer to react and needs more to stimulate it. By age 50, most people detect changes in their vision, including a gradual decrease in the ability to see small prints or concentrate on close objects clearly. Cataracts and glaucoma are common problems with the eye that can greatly affect  your vision.  Usually hearing losses are caused by aging, often due to loud noise exposure. Your teeth — The tough enamel that usually protects your teeth from decay can start to wear away over the years, leaving you susceptible to cavities. Also,gum disease is  a concern for older adults. Proper dental hygiene can protect your teeth and gums. Dry mouth called Xerostomia, which is a common side effect of many medications that seniors take, may also be a problem.  If you take good care of your teeth and gums, they can last for a lifetime. Your skin — Due to old age, your skin loses its elasticity and may start to sag and wrinkle. But the more you protect your skin from sun’s ultraviolet damage and smoking when you are younger, the better your skin will look as you get older. Now,begin to protect your skin  to prevent further damage, as well as skin cancer. Your sex life — After menopause, when menstruation stops, many women experience physical changes like a loss of vaginal lubrication that might lead to painful sexual intercourse. The vagina begins to atrophy —losing its shape and size due to loss of adipose tissues that had been supported by hormones during younger age. There is also a decreased sexual urge called low libido.Similarly, men have andropause(the stopping production of spermatozoa and testosterone) and  may experience erectile dysfunction. Thankfully, both problems can be easily treated. Many changes in the body are a natural part of aging, but they don’t have to slow you down.  There’s a lot you can do to protect your body and keep it as healthy as possible. Finally, you have known the changes that occur  in the body at old age, i.e, the characteristics of aging. Then it is vital to begin taking care of yourself in your sunny hours(youthful age) before you approach dark hours (old hours) where you might have less opportunity to do as you want.

What is Male Circumcision? Male Circumcision is a simple surgical procedure involving the removal of the foreskin or loose sleeve of skin covering the end of the penis so as to permanently expose the glans or glans knob.  Ideally, this usually result in full exposure of the whole glans and what is named the “coronal groove” behind it. In such instances, there’s no bunching of shaft in the groove, leaving it smooth and unable to accumulate or trap “smegma”. Smegma is smellycheesy-white substance formed in damp folds of skin on the human body. It accumulates when such areas are not properly cleaned in normal hygiene routine and has been reported to be a possible cause of cancer of the penis in uncircumcised men and of the cervix of their sexual partner. Globally, about 25% of all adult men are circumcised. This also varies from country to another. Over 85% of Americans are circumcised (because of the great economic emphasis placed on preventive health issues in that country).  About 20% of British men have been circumcised and higher proportions in Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. It is the norm among African settings and a strict religious requirement for Jewish males, who are ritually done eight days after birth, and a custom among Muslims who have it performed at varying ages before puberty. In fact, the only groups globally that have not embrace the practice of male circumcision regularly are the Mediterranean Europeans, South Americans, and Scandinavians, and non-Muslim Asians. Why male circumcise? As I have explained above, some people see circumcision as religious requirements while for others a social indicator making a boy’s progression into manhood.  In developed countries like USA, it has become an approved medical and social custom for the majority. Moreover, there are strong medical reasons for male circumcision –many of which actually united religious and social performance of the rite. Here are the benefits of male circumcision: Circumcision totally prevents phimosis This is a condition in which the opening at the end of the foreskin is too small and tight to allow it to be freely retracted over the whole glans when both flaccid and erect. To some men, this opening is so tight that the whole foreskin balloons out painfully when voiding. This is unnatural and if not properly treated, can cause severe bladder and kidney failure. Circumcision prevents paraphimosis totally This is a situation in which the foreskin or prepuce can be retracted over the glans, often with some difficulty when flaccid but then becomes trapped in the coronal groove as the glans swells with erection. The constriction of the foreskin causes the glans to swell up even more and a vicious circle sets in. A prompt medical attention from experts can return the foreskin to its original state of covering the glans, but if left untreated, a paraphimosis can cause gangrene and loss of the glans. It is of great important to note that any man who has suffered an incidence of paraphimosis should be circumcised after immediate relief of the symptoms to prevent it from occurring again—as it surely whilst he is enjoying sex! Male Circumcision prevents balanitis This is the infection of the foreskin and glans caused by bacteria and fungi which thrive on stale urine, unremoved smegma and the warm, moist environment beneath the foreskin. Irritation can also result from some individual’s reaction to body soaps which comes in contact with this sensitive area. Sometimes, it can equally set off by certain detergents used to wash underwear which are not properly rinsed in clean water before drying. When this happens, the inflamed area then becomes colonized or invaded by harmful bacteria. When a foreskin is removed during circumcision, it cannot become infected. The bare glans of a circumcised penis changed slightly and is not susceptible. Male Circumcision corrects frenulum Breve This is a condition in which the frenulum (a cord of skin joining the foreskin to back of the glans in the cleft on the underside) is short and tight, thus pulling the lip of the glans over to a point of pain. It forms a tight web preventing the retracted foreskin form lying along the shaft. If not properly attended to, the short frenulum can rip during sexual intercourse with painful and bloody consequences. Also, it can inhibit a man’s enjoyment of sex as he strives never to put any strain on the frenulum and hence, limits retraction and suppresses his erections. Most times, some women report that this tight band can rub and cause them pain during coitus.  During all circumcisions, the frenulum is severed in part and in many it s removed totally. Circumcision increases “staying power” Most common complaint form women regarding sex is that their partners “come” too quickly and they themselves are not brought to orgasm. Men naturally reach their orgasm quicker or earlier than women do unless one takes some time and trouble to learn how to delay orgasm until a partner has had hers, sex becomes a one-sided affair and the other feels cheated. That is, by slightly reducing sensitivity of the glans, male circumcision assists delay orgasm and thus improves sexual relations. Moreover, it has been reported by both partners sometimes ago that, because there is no foreskin to get in the way the rim of the glans can be felt by the woman –giving her better friction and stimulation and the man a more sexual teasing during such movements. It is important to know that almost all the artificial penises on sale are modeled on the circumcised shape, that’s, a larger, fuller and rounded elliptical one of the uncircumcised. Circumcision improves genital health Studies have shown that the circumcised men suffer fewer urinary tract infections than uncircumcised men by a factor of 10. Also, there is clear evidence that male circumcision makes a man slightly less susceptible to getting HIV virus. It is a well-known fact that cervical and penile cancers are reduced by circumcision. Urologists have confirmed that a

healthy teeth: Our teeth are important part of our body that should not be neglected as many do today. It often pains me when I some clients suffering from various tooth problems during the dispensation of my clinical duties whereas these could have been prevented by some simple tips. Well, here are proper things to treat and prevent tooth problems:   (A). Proper brushing and flossing – the best tooth care: These are the most important things that you can do to keep your teeth and gums shinny and healthy. Tooth paste contain abrasives, detergents an foaming agents, fluorine –the most common active ingredient in toothpaste, is what prevents cavities. Therefore, you should always be sure your toothpaste contains fluoride. You need to remove plague – the transparent layer of bacteria that coats the teeth –in turn preventing dental  cavities by brushing your teeth twice daily and flossing at least once a day. Brushing also stimulates the gums, which helps to keep them healthy and prevent gum disease called gingivitis. If you have teeth that are sensitive to heat, cold, and pressure, you may want to try special toothpaste for sensitive. But you will still need to talk to your dentist about your sensitivity because it may be a sign for more serious problem like a cavity or nerve inflammation (irritation). Tips for proper tooth brushing As recommended by a dentist friend of mine, Dr. Udefi Joseph and other dentists, the minimum time you should spend brushing your teeth is 2 minutes twice a day and not 45 seconds as most people quickly do. Here are the tips on how to brush properly: 1. Hold your brush at 45o angle against your gum-line. Gently brush from where the tooth and gum meet to the chewing surface in short (about half-a-tooth-wide) strokes. Brushing too hard can result to receding gums, tooth sensitivity, and, over the time, loose teeth. Avoid hard brushes too. 2. Use the same method to brush all outside and inside surfaces of your teeth. 3. To brush the chewing parts/surfaces of your teeth, just use short sweeping strokes, tipping the bristles into the pits and crevices. 4. To clean the inside surfaces of your top and bottom front teeth and gums, hold the brush properly, almost vertical. With back and forth motions bring the front part of the brush over the teeth and gums. 5. Use a forward –sweeping motion, gently brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth to remove the decay-causing bacteria that inhabits these spaces. 6. Use a timer, or play a favorite song while brushing your teeth to get well ex with brushing for a full 2 to 3 minutes. Thanks to God, some electronic toothbrushes have timers that let you know when 2 minutes are exhausted. (B) Exercise your teeth: Exercise my teeth? How is that possible? You might be wondering. That is, very simple to do than you imagined. Exercise is good for your entire body system. You can easily exercise your teeth by chewing nuts like palm kernels, tiger nuts and others. This helps to increase blood flow within the living part of the teeth, even the muscles of the mouth like the buccinators and this generally improves the condition of your teeth and gums. (C) Mind your diet: Eating sugary foods as you probably already known, is a major cause of tooth decay. However, it’s not just how much sugar you consume –when and how you eat it can be as important to keeping your teeth healthy. When you consume sugary foods or drink sodas frequently throughout the day, the enamel that protects your teeth is constantly exposed to acids.  Cough syrups, hard candies and breath mints that contain sugar are especially harmful because they dissolve slowly in your mouth. Many experts or dentists recommend that you take a 3-hours break between eating foods containing sugar. Note that sugary or starchy food eaten with a meal are less harmful to your teeth than when they are eaten alone, possibly because  the production of saliva, which washes away the sugar and bacteria, is increased. Therefore, eating sugary items before you go to bed can be the most damaging especially if you don’t brush your teeth afterward because you don’t produce sufficient saliva when you sleep unless you are the drooling type. Well, I understand that most people find it hard to cut out sweets completely. It is therefore, good to try these more realistic guidelines: 1. Eat carbohydrates (sugars and starches) with a meal. 2. If you brush your teeth after eating, rinse your mouth very well with water or mouthwash or chew sugarless gum. 3. Quit eating sugary foods between meals. 4. If you snack, eat non-sugary foods such as cheese, popcorn, raw veggies, or yogurt. (D) Avoid too cold or too hot foods: Neither of too cold nor too hot foods is good for maintaining the optimum health of your teeth. It is very vital to avoid them and embrace warm foods; even nature teaches us the right thing to do by always maintain the optimum temperature of the body by homeostasis. Avoid smoking and too alcoholic intake: These have detrimental effects not only to your teeth but also your entire body.  Find out more below: 1. What alcohol does to your body? 2. Effects of smoking on your effects and benefits of smoking. (E) Regular dental checkup: Dentists are specialists in the care of teeth and treatment of several tooth problems. Having regular checkup is the best antidote for mouth odour and other mouth-related problems. It can help you treat and prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and other disorders that put the health of your teeth and mouth at risk. Going to dentist regularly –at least every 6 month –is very preventive and you know that prevention they say is better than cure. Therefore, get the service of good dentist now and follow his or her instructions given to you like taking your prescribed medications and

What is Erectile dysfunction? Erectile dysfunction(ED) is one of the “bedroom cases” that cut across both young and old. But before we dig deep into erectile dysfunction, let us explain what erection is for proper understanding. It can occur as a recurring condition in which a man is unable to get or keep an erection.  As men get older, the likelihood that they will deal with ED increases, but by no means is ED limited to men over 50, or 60, or even 20. No matter your age, there are several factors that could contribute to ED. Table of content Physiology of penile erection (How erection works) Many guys already know that the penis gets erect because of blood and urge for sex but not many know where that blood goes. It doesn’t just fill up the penis like a water balloon! When blood flows into the penis to create an erection, it goes into and fills up two spongy bodies of tissue that run the length or shaft of the penis. The corpus cavernosum runs along the top of the penis and another similar body known as the corpus spongiosum runs along the urethra. Both the corpus spongiosum extend a little into the body, which is what gives the leverage so that, when these spongy structures are filled with blood, they get stiff and the penis becomes both hard and erect. Similar thing also happens to the clitoris, female counterpart of penis during an excitement. Moreover, most guys associate getting an erection –also called a “hard on”, boner, woody or by other sorts of name –with being ready for sex or ready to feel sexual excitement. The truth is: most men get erections quite a few times daily for no particular reason and certainly not because anything sexual is going on. It just happens. Ignore it, and it will surely fizzle away. Also, your manhood doesn’t have to be hard in order for you to feel sexual pleasure. There are many types of sensation that can feel sexual good. An erection is not prerequisite. The urethra is the tube that runs the length of your penis and links several organs inside your body. Everything that comes out of your penis passes through the urethra –urine, pre-ejaculatory fluid (precum), and semen. The urethra is highly sensitive and delicate duct, and can easily get scarred or infected if you treat it roughly. Male urethra is longer than female urethra measuring about 19-20cm while that of the female is 3-4cm –predisposing the female counterparts to urinary tract infections, UTIs easily than men. Sometimes, little boys are curious about how it would feel to put objects up their urethras. This is very bad idea: it can even end requiring surgery in the penis. And if you treat the urethra as a one-way street, you’d be fine. Urethra problem  –if your urethra ever burns or itches, particularly when you are urinating, or if you see  greenish, yellowish, foamy, bloody, or foul-smelling discharge from your urethra, visit a doctor or urologist immediately. All these are indications or signs of infections or injuries that need to be attended to by a doctor. Why Erectile dysfunction is bad? I have digressed a bit; let’s move on. The term impotence and erectile dysfunction(ED) can strike fear into the hearts of even the most reasonable men. Although both differ from each other, find out more about male impotence. Men who are unable to satisfy their wives on bed are not regarded as “true men”. Hence, it is wise to consult your doctor anytime you notice malformation in your genitalia. Causes of erectile dysfunction Erectile dysfunction begins in the brain, and end up, well, you might know where they end up. Arousal occurs in your brain, and a chemical reaction allows the muscle that keeps blood from flowing to the penis to relax. Between the brain and the penis, many things can happen to prevent, or hinder erections. That means that there are a number of possible factors that lead to poor erection. They are all grouped into two broad categories. If you own condition occurred without any build up –any warning –it is more likely to be psychological –perhaps tied to stress in one way or the other. You and your partner will have to diligently work together to get past this sort of problem, but it’s one that will likely get better with time. You may eventually find the need to talk with a therapist about it, but not everyone does! However, if you’ve noticed the over a longer period of time, erections have been fewer and farther between, it could be a medical problem that’s causing the difficulty. Medical problems like this usually get worse gradually until the person experiencing them is completely unable to get an erection any more. If you fit into this description, a visit to the doctor is unavoidable. It could be blocked arteries or damaged nerves that are causing the ED, and that’s a serious stuff. Outside these two broad categories, ED has many potential causes and contributing factors, some of which you can control easily, and some of which you can’t. Stress and other psychological factors: This is the most common cause of ED, and it often sets off a vicious cycle of “performance anxiety” that can be hard to break out of. The key is to relax yourself. It can be tedious to avoid, but worrying will only constitute more problem. If this is the problem for you, then the best first step is to inform your partner about it and seek help from them. And once she knows about it, it will only get easier. Moreover, you can visit a psychotherapist for expertise care. Cardiovascular diseases: These can make it more difficult for blood to flow to the penis. And if this is a cause of your ED, there is little you can do to alleviate the ED in particular. Rather, you need to simply follow the medical