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Diagnosis of Impotency

Last Updated on: January 19, 2024
Edited By: Alfred

The diagnosis is divided into the following parts

  1. Case History
  2. Physical Examination
  3. Lab Examination
    • Blood tests
      • CBC
      • Fasting blood glucose test
      • Liver function test (LFT)
    • Hormone tests
    • Thyroid function tests
    • Urine analysis
  4. Other Tests

    • Imaging Studies
      • Angiography-
      • Dynamic Infusion Cavernosometry and Cavernosography:
      • Duplex ultrasound
      • Penile nerve function-
      • Ultrasonography-
      • Penile brachial index-
  5. Erectile Function Test

    • Vasoactive injections
    • Nocturnal penile tumescence
    • Penile tumescence monitor
    • Biothesiometry

Diagnosis of impotency

1.? Case History :
This involves taking an in-depth account of the background of the patient including his life style along with medical, personal and sexual history.

  • Medical History – Diseases like hypertension, diabetes, coronary disorders, scleroderma, and liver cirrhosis can constitute the etiology of erectile dysfunction. It’s important to know if the patient is suffering from any of these.
  • Surgeries – If the patient has undergone any surgeries in the past, it’s important to have a look into it as the surgery may have caused nerve damage.
  • Sexual History – It’s important to analyze the sexual history, right from the onset of erectile dysfunction to the severity of the situation. Questions will include the circumstances, frequency and durations of erections, if any. Strain in the current relationship and history of past sex partners should also be looked into.
  • Trauma or Injury – Any fall, injury or accident should be reported as it can lead the physician to any nerve damage or blood vessel damage due to external trauma.

2. Physical examination:
A thorough examination of the venereal can reveal some of the causes if erectile dysfunction. The physician can detect peyronie’s disease, hypospodiasis, and hypogonadism. Digital examination of the rectum (inserting lubricated, gloved fingers in the orifice of female sexual organ to check for abnormalities) can help detect prostrate abnormalities. Prostate can also cause nerve damage or block the arteries.  
3. Lab Examination:
Lab examinations are based on the case history. It is not necessary that every patient has to undergo these tests.

  • Blood tests
    • CBC – Complete blood test evaluates the level of lipids in the blood such as cholesterol, triglycerides which can lead to arteriosclerosis, which can lead to erectile dysfunction. Besides this it will also calculate red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), total amount of hemoglobin in the blood, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular volume (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC).
    • Fasting blood glucose test – This can help detect diabetes which can lead to erectile dysfunction.
    • Liver function test (LFT) – This involves examination of enzyme and serum creatinine levels. Live cirrhosis or impaired functioning can cause erectile dysfunction.
  • Hormone tests
    These tests are vital in cases where the patient is suffering from a diminished or absent libido, depression or signs of secondary sexual character (hypogonadism). In the morning, the hormone levels are the highest than any other time of the day. Hormone tests include measuring the morning serum testosterone levels which is a common endocrine cause.? A hormone test will give an estimate of

    • Sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG)
    • Estrogen-Etradiol (E2)
    • Total testosterone (T)-
    • Free Testosterone (T) or bioavailable testosterones are the ones that are getting used.
    • Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS)
    • Dedydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
    • Follicular stimulating (FSH)
    • Androstenedione
    • Luteinizing hormone (LH) – elevation of this hormone indicates that the pituitary gland is hyper functioning. The hypothalamus regulates the testosterone levels. High level of LH with low level of testosterones indicates primary testicular (Leydig cell) failure. Contrary to this, low testosterone level indicates a central defect.
  • Thyroid function tests
    Hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism can cause erectile dysfunction. It’s important to determine that TSH is normal.
  • Urine analysis
    After collecting the urine, it is judged on the basis of its physical, microscopic and chemical appearance.

    • Physical appearance -This includes the color, clarity and its appearance to the naked eye.
    • Microscopic appearance – The urine is examined under a microscope to check the appearance of cells, foreign body, urine? crystals, mucus and presence of other microorganisms.
    • Chemical appearance – determined by a dipstick, this test determines the different substances present in the urine.

    This analysis helps to determine if there is kidney infection, diabetes mellitus and hypertension as presence of any of these diseases may lead to erectile dysfunction.? Post the completion if these lab tests, the physician should have a better picture about the status of the disorder, treatments and can suggest further tests, if required.

4. Other Test:
These tests are performed if the physician feels the need to study penile or pelvic blood flow, nocturnal erections and other blood tests.

  • Imaging Studies– this test is preformed in the case of trauma, accident or surgery, where there can be potential nerve and blood vessel injuries.
    • Angiography – This is performed in patients who have undergone vascular surgeries that have caused injury to some arteries or veins. These patients may require vascular reconstruction.
    • Dynamic Infusion Cavernosometry and Cavernosography -? This test helps to determine the penile vascular status in impotent patients. This test ascertains the arterial and/or venous insufficiency in the male sexual organ.
    • Duplex ultrasound – This test is used to evaluate the circulation of blood in the male sexual organ, venous leak, artherosclerosis and scarring or calcification of erectile tissues. Patients are injected with prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) to induce erection. A measurement of caversonal arteries within the corpora is taken. Through ultrasound, the vascular dilation is observed and the penile blood pressure measured. This is compared to the measurement of the male sexual organ in the flaccid state.
    • Penile nerve function – The bubocavernosus reflex test is used to determine the nerve sensation in the male sexual organ. The head of the male sexual organ is squeezed which results in the orifice of female sexual organ contracting under normal conditions. The latency between the squeezes is measured by inserting a gloved, lubricated finger in the orifice of female sexual organ.
    • Ultrasonography – This test helps to find any abnormalities in the testes and epididymides. Abnormalities in the prostate and the pelvis can be determined by transrectal unltrasonography.
    • Penile brachial index -This process involves measuring the blood pressure in the male sexual organ and that of the arm and comparing the two. This can help to detect obstruction in the arterial blood flow.

5. Erectile function test:

  • Vasoactive injections – Injecting certain chemical in the male reproductive organ can cause erection by vasodilatation (dilating the blood vessels). These injections can produce an erection that can last for 20 minutes. A special dye is injected in the blood stream and penile pressure and x-ray is measured.
  • Nocturnal penile tumescence – This test involves covering a special elastic band around the male sexual organmale reproductive organ for two three consecutive nights. This is especially useful in finding out if the cause is psychogenic or organic. If the male reproductive organ gets erect during rapid eye movement, the force and duration are noted on a graph. If the erection is absent or inadequate, it indicates an underlying physiological cause while presence of an erection suggests psychogenic cause.
  • Penile tumescence monitor – This is a special monitor that is used to measure the size of the erection. This monitor is placed near the base and at the corona of the male reproductive organ. Another device is connected that monitors the graph recording the force and duration of erections occurring during the sleep. This monitor is trapped to the leg. The patient has to undergo this test for several nights to get an accurate reading of the erections.
  • Biothesiometry – The vibration sensitivity of the male reproductive organ is detected by the means of biothesiometry. A small electromagnetic test probe is placed on the right and left sides of the shaft and the glans. The amplitude of the vibration is adjusted until the subjective sensory threshold is reached, which is indicated by the patient. The vibrational sensory threshold is determined on each location. This test helps to detect sensory failures which can lead to erectile dysfunction.
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Reduce Fat from Hips and Thighs

Last Updated on: January 19, 2024
Edited By: Alfred

Losing weight from any part of the body is not an easy task. It is difficult and frustrating, more so when you are trying to lose weight from trouble spots like the thighs and hips. It is like going mad trying to perform hours of exercise for these parts of the body and then not seeing results at times. For women, losing weight on the hips and thighs is like a dream come true. This same issue has intrigued most weight loss physicians since many methods that are used often don’t show results in these problem areas. Many people opt for spot reduction in the form of gels, mechanical gadgets, soaps etc. The gels and soaps are the most non-result oriented while the mechanical devices prove to be more fruitful though not much, so the eternal question is what really works on those bulky hips and thighs? To lose weight and inches from your hips and thighs, you will need to attack the issue on two fronts: it should be combination of exercise and diet. There are different mode of exercises that work for different people which have proven benefits, they are: Reduce or cut fat intake

  • Switch to olive oil or vegetable oil and cut out the consumption of butter, ghee, cheese, milk and whole milk curd. Check the amount of oil and fat in your diet every single meal.
  • Avoid eating too much paneer or cottage cheese. Avoid fried stuff like chips, fries, paratha, samosa, fried rice and fried foods.
  • Opt for fruits for breakfast or a vegetable stuffed toast. Toasted garlic bread with olive oil is also a healthy option.
  • Go high on the fiber in your diet for eating fruits with skin, multigrain flour, soy etc.
  • For people who love to non-vegetarian food, eat fish 4 times a week and chicken can also be consumed twice a week but go easy on the red meat.
  • Dinners should always be light and add 2 teaspoons of triphala (an ayurvedic herbal remedy) to detoxify the body. Combine it with ginger water for good liver function which will help in fat breakdown process.

Cut intake of carbohydrates

  • Change the quantity of carbohydrates and proteins in your diet to eat less carbs and more proteins.
  • Excess carbs add to the fat on hips and thighs so it is best to limit the intake of pasta, rice, potato and bread.
  • Eat more of wheat flour bread. Soya or multi-grain bread.
  • Non-vegetarians can consume all varieties of foods like fish and chicken and avoid the red meats.
  • Eat vegetables liberally and in plenty in the form of raw salad, soups or cooked vegetables. This helps to maintain the acid-alkali balance of protein diets.
  • Avoid fruit juices, this contains sugar; eat the whole fruit with the skin to consume fiber.
  • Drink plenty of water all through the day.

Exercise

  • All exercises do not necessarily help you lose weight on the hips and thighs. The stationery cycle and cross trainer helps you to tighten the muscles around the hips and thighs.
  • Brisk walking 4 kilometers per day will help you to lose weight from the hips and thighs. Walk as much as you can without feeling uncomfortable and tired.
  • For those of you who already walk and not getting the adequate results need to check up on your diet and increase your walking distance to another 3-4 kilometers. If you are bored, alternate the walking with swimming or calisthenics (calisthenics are floor exercises which stretches and tones the body muscles)

The combination of all three methods is very beneficial. You can tailor it to your needs by gradually lowering intake and increasing exercise. You will be more comfortable with time and habit. Make the effort and you will see the results soon. You can lose fat from your thighs and hips and look absolutely fabulous simultaneously, you just need to start. Finally set a goal for yourself, make sure you are realistic and give it time. It is bound to work!

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10 Ways to Help Your Child Lose Weight

Last Updated on: January 19, 2024
Edited By: Alfred

Children in their growing phase need to have balanced diet so that the body gets its daily dose of required nutrients. With both the spouses working, there is extra income in the house but less time to cook. The result is that children binge on junk food resulting in malnutrition and obesity. Making your child loose weight requires you to be determined, supportive and gentle with your children.  Here are a few tips to make your child loose weight the healthy way.

  1. Cut the junk– Reduce the junk diet that your child consumes and tutor him gently to avoid aerated drinks. Replace the cola with fresh juices and milk shakes. Cook up some tasty surprises at home to keep your child’s taste buds happy and body junk food free.
  2. Add some raw food– Encourage the consumption of fruits at home. Try fruit salads, custard and fresh fruit juices to add some variety. You can also dish out some tasty salads with their favorite dressings and store it in the fridge. Your children can snack on it whenever they are hungry.
  3. Exercise– Get you child to be active. Buy him/her a cycle and tell them to get outdoors and play. Sitting indoors watching TV and playing videogames lowers their BMR and weakens their bone and eyesight. Encourage them to play basketball, foot ball or rugby. Getting on the field and running around will help them shed off the puppy fat.
  4. Be a role model– Your children look up to you. Join them in their quest to loose weight and share their meals. This will ensure that they don’t feel left out and will also keep you in shape. It will also minimize their chances of cheating on their diet.
  5. Family health‘ The whole family switching to a healthy diet and exercising together can be fun and help to bond well together. Working out and eating right will benefit all your kids irrespective of them being thin or fat.
  6. Choose the right food– While dishing out recipes; choose foods that are high on nutrition but low on calories. Discourage the use of packaged food as they have preservatives that decrease the nutrient absorption in the body and lower the BMR.
  7. Encourage outdoor activities– With computer games and video games taking on the fancy of the children, they tend to get stuck indoors. Encourage them to go out, play in the garden. Take short walks with your children every day.
  8. Picnic with them– Go out on weekends instead of being stuck indoors. Play games like Frisbee and badminton while you are out. It can be a fun way to give your children a work out.
  9. Join classes– For children who are extremely obese and lethargic, make them join classes like karate, swimming, dancing or gymnastics. It’s the perfect way to make them learn something new and also loose weight.
  10. Avoid comfort food‘ Do not use junk food as treat or comfort food when they are low. It will only make them crave for them more, whenever they are low and increase their addiction to junk food.
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Daily activities that can burn calories

Last Updated on: January 19, 2024
Edited By: Alfred

Machines have become indispensable part of our lives, cutting down the time taken to get work done by half. But they have also helped to add a few inches to our waist and few pounds to our weight. A few changes in our daily activities can keep us in shape by increasing the amount of calories burnt. Just follow these tips and get slim.  

  • Take the stairs– Start with giving elevators or lifts a miss and climbing the stairs. Just ensure that you have comfortable footwear and safe, well lit stairs. Initial few days you may pant your way up, but later you can try increasing the speed. Since you have to fight the gravity to go up, it proves to be a vigorous and effective exercise. You can burn around 8 calories in minute and also tone your legs and butts. Besides, it’s a good exercise for your knee and hip joints. It’s also the perfect exercise to perk up muscular stamina in the legs and increase cardiovascular endurance to excess strain. In fact, fitness equipment companies have taken the inspiration of the motion of climbing of stairs to design the stepper. While climbing down, slow the pace so your knee does not feel overloaded.
  • Scrub and clean your floors and kitchen shelves– Stop hiring help to clean the floor and keeping your kitchen clean. Go down on your knees and scrub the floor clean. This gives good complete body work out. It tones the muscles in your arms and legs, burns mores than 200 calories, tucks your tummy in and above all, gives you a spotlessly clean kitchen.
  • Hide that remote – This may initially seem annoying, but helps in a big way to burn those calories. Get up and switch channels, increase or decrease the volume and if it gets too annoying, just shut the TV and go for a walk.
  • Stop taking the car for short distances– Next time if you are heading for grocery shopping, leave the car behind and walk the distance. For all you know, you may enjoy the walk, reconnect with nature and lose some calories.
  • Fire the gardener– No one can beautify your garden as well as you do. So tend to your plants, mow the lawn and water your seeds by yourself. It can keep you active and you just might get a new hobby that you can enjoy. Besides, you save on the gardener’s salary.
  • Fetch your things yourself– Stop sending your kids to fetch things. Get up and fetch them for yourself. In time it can get you more active and less bossy.
  • Cut the stops– If you take the bus to work, get off a stop earlier and walk the rest of the way. Just learn to catch the bus early, so you are not late to work.
  • Play with your kids– Stop just watching them have fun, join them. It can get the kids happy; give you some work out, not to forget be equally fun for you too.
  • Do some crunches while watching TV– Don’t be a couch potato and sit and stare at the idiot box. So some crunches or finish cooking while watching TV. It can get you a flat tummy and stop you from putting on calories due to sitting idle.
  • Take walk breaks– Take a walk for a minute or two between work at office. It can refresh your mind and get your body active again.
  • Take the dog for a walk– In reality let your dog take you for the walk and burn the excess calories.
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1200 Calorie Diet for Weight Control

Last Updated on: January 19, 2024
Edited By: Alfred

Keeping a check on weight can be a hard task especially for people who love to eat. This breed of people is so habituated to pampering their taste buds that dieting their way to a good body sends them into depression. Such people are not able to keep away from food for long and after sometime, give in to their cravings and start digging into food sooner or later. 1200 diet calories is perfect for this breed of food lovers.

What is 1200 calorie diet?
This is diet plan that is perfect for people who want to loose weight while they are eating well. ??It involves counting the daily consumption of calorie intake and ensuring that it does not exceed 1200 per day.  
Advantages of the 1200 calorie diet plan

  • No need to go on diet pills
  • Eat all your favorite food
  • No need to crave for food
  • Fulfills the nutritional requirements
  • No need to starve

  While people are on the 1200 calorie diet plan they do not need to cringe away from their favorite food. From pastas to pizzas, all can be consumed, but in smaller portions. People who follow this plan need to keep a count on their calories. ??Also called as portion control, this diet allows you to indulge in your favorite food. ??While a person is on 1200 diet control he has to maintain a food diary, weight table and exercise table.  
How to go about with this plan?

  • Storage of food– while keeping left over food, separate them into small servings. Know the calorie account of the serving, either through cook books or by looking up the internet. By doing this, you automatically decrease the portion of food that you will be eating without the extra effort. It also helps to decrease the temptation of eating more food.
  • Eat more salad– this one of the most effective and healthy way to curb your appetite. It is also ensures that you avoid overeating and gives a faster sense of satiety. You can have your greens between meals and spice them up with some vinegar or lime juice. Fresh, raw vegetables are rich in fiber which helps in digestion and adds bulk to the food, thus avoids constipation.
  • Buy small packs- it’s important to buy small packs of snack food. This is because when we open a large pack of some snack, we tend to finish it all immediately. In order to avoid this, one can resort to smaller packs which mean automatically cutting down the calories.
  • Avoid second helpings- in order to ensure that you stick to your 1200 calorie count, avoid second helpings. For this, serve a portion of the food and immediately store away the left over. This helps to ensure that the person does not face the temptation of a second serving.
  • Drink water- this will not only keep you hydrated but also helps to burn calories and curbs your appetite.
  • Eat slowly- chewing your food slowly helps in digestion and ensures that you feel full faster so you can easily cut your calorie count.