Enlarged Prostate Causes

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), commonly called an enlarged prostate, is starting to affect more and more middle aged and elderly men.

The prostate gland is slightly larger than a peanut and is located snug in between the urethra and the pubic bone. As the prostate grows, the bladder has to work more in order to push urine through the newly thinned urethra. The muscles of the bladder become overworked and therefore more sensitive. This causes the person affected to have to urinate more frequently. As the prostate grows and places pressure on the already sensitive bladder, the bladder begins to lose the ability to empty itself completely.

There is not a true diagnosis for what causes benign prostatic hyperplasia. Some medical specialists have the theory that androgens, which include testosterone and hormones similar to testosterone, are the main causes of the development of an enlarged prostate. Testosterone is the most important androgen, and is also the most important chemical produced in a man's life.

The prostate works towards converting testosterone into a powerful androgen known as Dihydrotestosterone, or DHT. DHT stimulates the growth of cells inside the tissue lining of the prostate gland. This is the theory which causes the enlarged prostate. Another theory is that blood vessels deteriorate in men as they age. The end result is an abnormal flow of blood and in return, a loss of oxygen. This also results in an enlarged prostate.

The prostatic hyperplasia is diagnosed in three ways: a rectal exam, blood tests, and an ultrasound. A rectal exam is always tried first, but the doctor may or may not be able to tell if the prostate is inflamed. The doctor might also require a urine sample to determine if there is an infection present that has caused any urinary discomfort.

The chance of prostate cancer is also considered an option and must be determined before an enlarged prostate can be diagnosed. In order to determine this, the doctor will order an ultrasound of the prostate and urinary tract. The blood tests are able to pick up on abnormally high levels of prostate antigens.

Having your enlarged prostate diagnosed in the early stages is vital for preventing any permanent damage. The worst case scenario is urinary retention. As mentioned earlier, if you let the problems persist, your bladder could eventually stop contracting allowing urine to flow. The choices for treatment are medicine or a surgical procedure.

The doctor will probably recommend medicine first, unless your condition is so severe that a surgical procedure is the necessary first step. If you are experiencing any of the signs mentioned for an enlarged prostate, make sure that you make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. This is not a condition that can be put off for a later date.

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Causes of increased LDL cholesterol or bad cholesterol

Increased level of LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein or bad cholesterol) cholesterol can lead to heart diseases and stroke. Here is the list of causes which increase the blood cholesterol level.

Foods which increase blood cholesterol
1. Processed meat like bacon, sausages, ham burgers
2. Red meat covered with layers of fat, liver ,
3. Egg yolk
4. Full fat milk, cheese,
5. Fast foods – pizzas, cake, pastries, doughnuts etc
6. Soft drinks, refined sugar,
7. Sweets,
8. Deep fried foods.
9. Oils and fats which contain saturated fats.

Lifestyles which increase the blood cholesterol level:
1. Sedentary lifestyle. (lack of exercise)
2. Smoking
3. Increased stress.

Health conditions which increase the risk of elevated blood cholesterol

1. Diabetes
2. Obesity
3. Hypothyroidism
4. Kidney diseases.

Other factors:

1. Age : Cholesterol naturally begins to raise after the age of 20
2. Gender: women who are approaching menopause
3. Hereditary: Elevated blood cholesterol may run in family.

Increased blood cholesterol is a “silent” condition which has no symptoms. Probable symptoms are chest pain, pain in calves and increased blood pressure. Studies have shown that erectile dysfunction may be a warning sign for increased blood cholesterol.




Causes of Increased LDL cholesterol

Obesity and Erectile Dysfunction

Researchers have found that men with increased BMI (Body Mass Index) have a higher risk of erectile dysfunction. The quality of life of men is affected by erectile dysfunction. Sexual performance of obese men is almost equal to the performance of man with normal weight who is 20 years older.

Erection requires a sequence of events. Erectile dysfunction can occur when any of the events is disturbed. Nerve impulses in the brain, spinal column, around the penis and response in muscles, fibrous tissues, veins, and arteries in and around the corpora cavernosa constitute this sequence of events. Injury to any of these parts which are part of this sequence ( nerves, arteries, smooth muscles, fibrous tissue ) can cause Erectile Dysfunction.

According to principles of ayurveda kapha dosha and medho dhatu are vitiated in obese persons. These doshas block srotas (different vital channels which carry signals , nutrients , blood etc ). When srotas are blocked the blood flow and supply of nutrients to male reproductive system gets affected. Even the flow of signals is interrupted. This leads to erectile dysfunction.

Obesity affects the blood vessels of penis. Obesity leads to accumulation of cholesterol on the inner walls of penile artery (Atherosclerosis). The diameter of penile artery is very small. Atherosclerosis further reduces the penile artery’s diameter leading to reduced blood flow. Reduced blood flow to penis tissues causes erectile dysfunction.

The production of testosterone a male hormone is affected in men who are obese. The testosterone level is usually below normal in over weighted men. Low testosterone level causes erectile dysfunction and low libido. This condition is known as hypogonadism.

Psychological factors also play a role in obese men. Obese persons usually have low a self esteem. Anxiety, stress, depression also affect the sexual performance of obese persons. Thus psychological factors can cause erectile dysfunction in obese men.

Natural tips to improve erectile dysfunction in obese men:

Concentrate on weight loss
Increase physical activity.
A brisk walk daily for 45 minutes helps in a long way.
Include whole grains, dry fruits, and vegetables in your diet.
Avoid deep fried, junk foods and soft drinks.
Drink coffee and tea with less sugar or no sugar.
Do not consume sweets, cakes and pastries etc which contain margarine.
Say no to chocolates and ice creams.
Avoid red meat and consume fish.
Vigorous exercise and increased physical activity lower the risk of erection problems by 30%.

These methods help obese men to improve erectile dysfunction.

This article is copyrighted. Read Complete article by Dr.Krishna.R.S @ http://www.ayurveda-increaselibido.com/ED/ed_obesity.html

Low sperm count Causes

The main cause of male infertility is low sperm count. Many biological and environmental factors can cause low sperm count in men. The causes of male infertility have been explained in texts of ayurveda. Few of these factors are discussed below.

Age: Studies have shown that the rate of fertility decreases as age of men increases. Low testosterone level and degeneration of tissues may cause lowered fertility in aged persons. Ayurveda acharyas recommend “Vajikarana therapy” to elderly men. This therapy keeps men as strong as “Vaji” ( Horse) by increasing their sexual energy and stamina.

Stress: Emotional Stress produces stress hormones which interfere in production of sperms. This results in low sperm count. Stress reducing techniques like Yoga, Meditation, deep breathing etc help to reduce stress. Hence ayurveda acharyas have included herbs like Ashwagandha in Vajikarana category.

Lubricants: Lubricants used in condoms or Vaseline can affect sperm count.

Testicular Exposure to Overheating.: Over heating of testicles due to fever, saunas, hot water bath tubs etc reduce sperm count. Persons who work with their lap tops keeping them on their thighs may encounter low level of sperms. Men who are exposed to very high temperatures at working place may also face this condition. Ayurveda acharyas recommend washing of testicles with cold water twice daily.

Cocaine or marijuana: Cocaine or marijuana reduces sperm count by 50%. They reduce the swimming ability of sperms. According to principles of ayurveda these substances are “tamoguna pradhana” . Tamoguna induces lethargy and sleep. Hence sperms lose their ability to swim when these substances are consumed.

Smoking. Studies have shown that smoking reduces sperm count and sperm motility. It also reduces life span of sperm. Apart from this it causes erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation which are also causes of primary infertility.

Nutrient deficiencies: Nutrients like as vitamin C, selenium, zinc, and folate help in production of healthy sperms and they also help to increase their count. Deficiency of these nutrients may lead to low sperm count.

Obesity: Few studies have shown a relationship between obesity and low sperm count. According to ayurveda caharyas heating of testicles due to overlapping belly may lead to low sperm count.

Trauma to testicles: Any trauma to testicles may interfere with production of sperms. Usually Bicycling, raiding motor bike, etc lead to lowering of sperm count.

Apart from these genetic factors, toxins, chemicals, heavy metals and infections may also hinder production of sperms which results in low sperm count. Exposure to X-ray and other radiations may also act as causative factors for lowering sperm count.

Varicocele : Varicoceles are found in 15% to 20% of all men and in 25% to 40% of infertile men. It is not clear how they affect fertility, or even if they do at all.

This article is copy righted. The author Dr.Krishna.R.S is an Ayurvedic Physician and web master of Ayurveda Health Care for Mencontact him drkrishnars@gmail.com .Read more at Low sperm count causes

Premature Ejaculation Causes

One of the most common sexual dysfunction that most men suffer from is premature ejaculation. Studies have found that it takes about 5-10 minutes. However, the length of time it takes to reach orgasm is irrelevant. It becomes an issue if your partner regularly gets aroused during sex but needs you to stay erect longer. About 30 percent of American men reach orgasm earlier than they'd like to. PE which is also called involuntary ejaculation is a temporary condition among young, inexperienced men or people beginning a new relationship. Read the following and learn more about premature ejaculation causes.

There are a number of factors responsible for PE causes. Excitement or anxiety is a major factor for causing this problem. For instance when a man indulges in the sexual act for the first time, he might find it difficult to control it. Often he rushes to act and ends up unsatisfying. Premature ejaculation may also be caused due to physical or structural problem, neurological problem, etc. Infection of the prostrate gland, performance guilty, anxiety, etc are also the causes of PE. Depression is another major cause of premature ejaculation. Such an individual fails to enjoy having sex.

There have also been cases where learning to distinguish and manage the feelings in the penis also reduces the arousal. Older men also tend to be at a higher risk of suffering from this problem. No doubt they are more experienced but the feeling of excitement comes back at a certain stage where men face the problem of premature ejaculation. Most commonly adolescents suffer from this condition. However, it should be kept in mind that premature ejaculation is not a disease but a disorder which can be controlled and perfected with practice. So there is no point using any medications to avoid this condition. The best way is to understand the causes and learn the self help methods on how to control and mange premature ejaculation.

If the PE causes is psychological then the counseling is the best way to overcome this problem. Only open discussion can help in such a situation. There are also other methods like masturbating before having sex, excessive foreplay to excite both the partners, use of thicker condoms and the stop and start technique re some of the ways through which you can delay PE. Initially you might find it quite difficult to get use to it, but keep practicing till you master it.

Once you get to know each and every whims of your arousal, you will be able to enjoy sex for an extended period of time. There are also many other ways through which you can control premature ejaculation. As far as possible, stay away from medications for it is not going to be of much help.Be proactive and be aware of the various ejaculation causes. The more you are aware of the PE, the more will be your chances of recovery.

Read complete article by Linda Jitto @ http://www.ayurveda-increaselibido.com/articles/PE_causes.html

Causes Of Male Infertility

One of the painful realities that occasionally confront married couples is their inability to bear children. This may come as a shock to couples who have long postponed child-bearing and have worked hard to realize their dreams - only to find later that one of them is infertile.

While infertility may be blamed on women, the problem can also be due to the low sperm count of men. But unlike sterility, which is a permanent condition, a low sperm count can be corrected and with time and patience, a couple can have children.

Sperm production can be interrupted by anything from emotional stress to too much alcohol. The man may worry a lot about his inability to have children without realizing that this can contribute to his infertility.

The prospect of being infertile can certainly be degrading to some men, but it should not give them something to brood about nor make them ashamed of their condition. Remember that infertility is only a temporary condition that can happen to any¬one given the following circumstances we will discuss below. So there's no point worrying but much can be gained if you seek professional help.

Since sperm is affected by temperature, its production can be hindered by tight underwear. Healthy sperm thrive below body temperature, precisely why the testes (that manufacture sperm) are protected by the scrotum that hangs behind the penis.

The scrotum has a temperature slightly lower than the rest of the body. To maintain this, it contracts and appears smaller on cold days and expands in hot or ordinary weather.

Any change in temperature may damage sperm or affect its motility - its ability to move fast and reach the female egg cell inside the uterus. The same goes for tight underwear or pants that may be fashionable yet are partly to be blamed for infertility. Men who take a hot bath before sex or work near ovens are likely to experience the same fate.

Urinary infections, mumps, venereal disease and other illnesses characterized by high fever are other factors that affect fertility. Decreased motility also follows old age starting in the mid 20s. So the longer a couple postpones marriage and childbearing, the harder it will be for them to have children later.

A check with a urologist may confirm whether hormonal imbalance is responsible for low sperm count. The thyroid and pituitary glands should be examined to determine whether they are doing their share in sperm production

Frequent intercourse can also make a man infertile. Healthy sperm are usually found in the first ejaculation. Semen should be at least four cubic centimeters and contain 20 million sperm.

This is the minimum number of sperm required to make fertilization possible. Too much sex can deplete the supply of sperm faster than it is replaced. It takes at least 40 hours for sperm to reach normal levels and succeeding ejaculations will contain fewer and sluggish sperm that can't reach the female egg cell.

Read complete article by Sharon A Bell at http://www.ayurveda-increaselibido.com/Links/infertility.html