Health
Treating Weak Erection Naturally
Erectile dysfunction, also known as impotence, is a condition where a man cannot achieve or maintain an erection during intercourse. One in every five men have the problem of weak erection from the age of 40 and above. This problem affects nearly 30 million men in the United States and can be caused by both physical and psychological factors. There are many medications on the market for erectile dysfunction (ED), but a lot of guys prefer the natural route. Fortunately, there are several creative ways to tackle this challenge with low cost, naturally simple effort.
- Exercise the body
Bodily exercise is key in improving the mans, “mojo”. Exercise whether aerobic and strenuous one with weights boosts testosterone,- a key hormone for the “ other room”.
Kegels for instance, which is an exercise in form of squatting are not just for the ladies. Men can get in on the action! Doing Kegel exercises regularly will strengthen your pelvic floor and can improve the drive as well as sexual performance. The exercises are fairly simple and you can find instructions online or ask your doctor for details. The typical regimen is to tighten the muscles at the bottom of your pelvic area, hold for 3 seconds and then release. Do this 10-15 times, 3 times a day for tip-top sexual fitness.
Because arousal requires good blood flow, aerobic exercise is important to keep your cardiovascular system in shape. Maintaining a healthy weight can also be a key factor in reversing erectile dysfunction. Studies have shown that men with a waist measurement of 42 inches or higher have a 50 per cent greater chance of experiencing erectile dysfunction. - Limiting Alcohol
One drink might help loosen you up and put you in the mood, but too much alcohol can quickly dampen your spirits if you suffer from erectile dysfunction. Alcohol can dull the central nervous system and your sexual reflexes. The more you drink, the less your body will able to feel, respond and perform at its best. Plus, heavy use of alcohol over time can damage the liver which leads to increased estrogen production in men. Cutting back on your drinks can boost your enjoyment in the bedroom. - Quitting Smoking
Smoking is bad for your heart health and contributes to vascular disease, which ultimately affects blood flow to important areas like the genitals. To get maximum blood flow in all the right places, you’ll need to quit smoking tobacco of any kind. If your partner is a non-smoker, quitting might make you more appealing in the bedroom. And if your partner is a smoker, you can team up together to quit. - Ginseng
Ginseng has been called the “herbal Viagra” and several studies have revealed that taking 600-1000 milligrams, three times a day can be an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction. Make sure that you get “red ginseng” which is a steamed and dried version of the root. If you’re currently taking medication for ED or other conditions, check with your doctor before trying supplements so you can be sure there aren’t any negative drug interactions. - Try Ginger and Garlic Mix
These herbal mixture is an old aphrodisiac used by ancient Egyptians and Greeks. The herbs boost erectile function and stamina. For instance, garlic apart from being a natural antibiotic has phytonutrients that help clears the veins and arteries and improves blood flow to the male organ. It also helps to strengthen the heart, which is a major driver in the sex act. Once the heart and the veins are in good shape, then interest and passion are ignited. - Watermelon
Again, amino acids come to the rescue! The amino acid citrulline is found in heavy concentrations in watermelon and seems to enhance blood flow to the penis. One study reported that men who took a citrulline supplement showed a noticeable improvement in their erections and experienced greater satisfaction. At the very least, adding watermelon to your diet means you’ll be eating a little healthier.
By: Kevin Nengia
Two United States scientists who unraveled the human micro RNA have won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2024.
Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun won the coveted prize for their work on microRNA as their discoveries help explain how complex life emerged on earth and how the human body is made up of a wide variety of different tissues.
MicroRNAs influence how genes – the instructions for life – are controlled inside organisms, including humans.
Every cell in the human body contains the same raw genetic information, locked in our DNA.
However, despite starting with the identical genetic information, the cells of the human body are wildly different in form and function.
The electrical impulses of nerve cells are distinct from the rhythmic beating of heart cells. The metabolic powerhouse that is a liver cell is distinct to a kidney cell, which filters urea out of the blood.
The light-sensing abilities of cells in the retina are different in skillset to white blood cells that produce antibodies to fight infection.
So much variety can arise from the same starting material because of gene expression.
The US scientists were the first to discover microRNAs and how they exerted control on how genes are expressed differently in different tissues.
The medicine and physiology prize winners are selected by the Nobel Assembly of Sweden’s Karolinska Institute.
They said: “Their groundbreaking discovery revealed a completely new principle of gene regulation that turned out to be essential for multicellular organisms, including humans.
“It is now known that the human genome codes for over 1,000 microRNAs.”
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has begun acting to curb effects of antibiotic pollution.
The new guidance on wastewater and solid waste management for antibiotic manufacturing sheds light on this important but neglected challenge ahead of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High-Level Meeting on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) taking place on 26 September 2024.
The emergence and spread of AMR caused by antibiotic pollution could undermine the effectiveness of antibiotics globally, including the medicines produced at the manufacturing sites responsible for the pollution.
Despite high antibiotic pollution levels being widely documented, the issue is largely unregulated and quality assurance criteria typically do not address environmental emissions. In addition, once distributed, there is a lack of information provided to consumers on how to dispose of antibiotics when they are not used, for example, when they expire or when a course is finished but there is still antibiotic left over.
“Pharmaceutical waste from antibiotic manufacturing can facilitate the emergence of new drug-resistant bacteria, which can spread globally and threaten our health. Controlling pollution from antibiotic production contributes to keeping these life-saving medicines effective for everyone,” said Dr Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General for AMR ad interim.
Globally, there is a lack of accessible information on the environmental damage caused by manufacturing of medicines.
“The guidance provides an independent and impartial scientific basis for regulators, procurers, inspectors, and industry themselves to include robust antibiotic pollution control in their standards,” said Dr Maria Neira, Director, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health, WHO. “Critically, the strong focus on transparency will equip buyers, investors and the general public to make decisions that account for manufacturers’ efforts to control antibiotic pollution.”
In a concerted effort to curb brain drain, the Kebbi State Government has harmonised medical doctors’ salaries to be at par with their colleagues in the federal government’s tertiary health facilities.
Kebbi State Commissioner for Health, Musa Inusa-Isma’il, disclosed this at the handing over of ambulances to the state-owned health facilities at the Ministry of Health in Birnin Kebbi yesterday.
Inusa Isma’il, according to a statement by Ahmed Idris, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, said the essence of the harmonisation was to retain the existing medical doctors and attract more to the services of the state.
According to him, the doctors across the state had already started enjoying the new salaries from August 2024.
He said the release of the vehicles was in fulfilment of Governor Nasir Idris’ promise to uplift health care services in the state.
“His Excellency said I should inform you, the beneficiaries of this gesture, that the vehicle should be strictly used for the intended purpose. It should not be used for anything else.
“If there is no referral case, each of the vehicles must be parked at the hospital by 6 pm. The governor said you should warn your drivers against reckless driving as well as violating the instructions.
“We should also do everything possible to reciprocate the gesture by working according to the terms and conditions attached,” he advised.
The benefiting health facilities included Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital, Birnin Kebbi; State Teaching Hospital, Kalgo; General Hospital, Argungu; General Hospital, Yauri; General Hospital, Zuru; and General Hospital, Bunza.
In his speech, the permanent secretary of the ministry, Dr Shehu Koko, recalled that the ambulances were handed over to the ministry last Friday by the governor for the onward handover to the benefiting hospitals.
He observed that the ambulances would go a long way in improving the referral system in the state, adding that delays in reaching the secondary and tertiary facilities would be eliminated.
The permanent secretary attributed the high rate of maternal mortality in the country to delays in getting to the health facilities for proper medical care.
“We believe with the provision of these ambulances, part of the gaps we have in our referral system will be addressed, whereby patients who require secondary healthcare could be easily transported to secondary and tertiary health centres, where they can get such help,” he said.
In a goodwill message, Commissioner for Information and Culture Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed expressed gratitude to the governor for the support he has given to the ministry to excel.
While advising the beneficiaries to use the vehicles judiciously, the commissioner advised that services and maintenance of the vehicles must be prompt to derive the maximum benefits from the vehicles.
The commissioner also highlighted some achievements recorded by the government in the last year, including beautification of the state capital, completion of a multimillion-naira ultramodern state secretariat, road construction, construction and renovation of classrooms and upgrading of some health facilities, among others.
