Page 25 - Seniors Today Dec 2019
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the penis or affect the function of penile
blood vessels, making it more difficult to get
an erection. It can also damage the nerves in
the penis (and elsewhere in the body).
Diabetes is often associated with high blood
pressure, high cholesterol and obesity –
each of these is an independent risk factor
for erectile dysfunction. Less commonly,
the lower levels of testosterone in men with
diabetes may contribute to erectile dysfunc-
tion. ED can be caused by certain diseases, so get regular health
Just as in men without diabetes, psycho- checkups
logical issues including “performance anx- one in ten men.
iety” can also cause erectile dysfunction or It seems that erectile dysfunction in young-
make the situation worse once a man starts er men is an even stronger predictor of later
to experience erectile problems. cardiovascular disease than in older men.
In some cases, men presenting with erectile The link between erectile dysfunction and
dysfunction may have undiagnosed diabe- cardiovascular disease is thought to be due
tes (or hypertension or high cholesterol). to a common underlying vascular problem.
A blood glucose test from a doctor, and if As blood vessels in the penis are smaller,
levels are high, diabetes treatment, can help they may be affected earlier than other
both the erectile problems and other health parts of the body, such as the heart.
problems caused by diabetes. In this instance, the penis acts as a window
to the health of the circulatory system.
ED and cardiovascular disease
Erectile dysfunction is increasingly being Getting checked out
recognised as an early warning sign of The best way to get help for erectile prob-
future cardiovascular disease, particularly lems is to see a doctor to discuss the prob-
coronary heart disease. lem.
A study has shown about twice the risk of Undergoing a general health check includ-
a later cardiovascular event (such as heart ing measurement of cardiovascular disease
attack or stroke) in men aged 20 years or risk factors including diabetes, hyperten-
older with erectile dysfunction, compared sion, high lipid levels, smoking, obesity and
to similarly aged men in the general popu- low level of physical activity will help.
lation. As will a discussion of psychosocial issues
Men with diabetes and erectile dysfunc- that might be contributing to the problem
tion also have a higher risk of a subsequent and the importance of restoring sexual
cardiovascular event, than other men with function. In some cases, a testosterone mea-
diabetes. surement may be done.
The risk of a cardiovascular event after Discussions of sexual issues and erectile
developing erectile dysfunction is similar function can be challenging for both doctors
to that of being a smoker or having a family and men. But understanding more about
history of coronary heart disease. erectile dysfunction, and its links with
One study has shown that within a year of other health problems can be a motivating
the first significant episode of erectile dys- factor for men to take steps to improve their
function in men aged 55 years or over, one erectile function and general health.
in 50 had a major stroke or heart attack.
And within five years, it was greater than Courtesy - The Conversation
25 SENIORS TODAY | Volume 1 | Issue 6
