Archive for May, 2008

When attempting to conceive a child, infertility issues are not always something that couples consider. However, around 10 to 15 percent of couples in the United States face infertility issues. Among these issues is poor quality egg production by the female and sperm abnormalities with males.

IVF ICSI procedures can be used for couples facing these issues to increase their chance of pregnancy. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection or ICSI is often considered the single most fundamental breakthrough in the field of reproductive medicine.

There are no set criteria in the field of medicine to determine which cases should receive IVF ICSI procedures and which should not. It depends on the physician or infertility specialist and the fertility clinic that is being used.

Some fertility clinics use ICSI procedures for cases that only involve severe problems of male infertility, while others use it for a larger array of infertility problems. While ICSI procedures have a solid success rate, the success can depend on a number of factors. It will depend on the severity of the infertility problem, but can also depend on the technique that is being used and how skillful the person performing the procedure is.

While fertility clinics vary, some recommend IVF ICSI procedures for specific situations. Some of the situations are when couples are faced with male infertility that is severe and are not looking to use a sperm donor and for couples who have used IVF and have had no luck with fertilization or a low percentage of their mature eggs were fertilized. It is also used when couples have had IVF in the past and have produced very few eggs during the retrieval process.

When ICSI is used in this instance, it is to attempt to produce a higher amount of eggs that will become fertilized. The success rate for in vitro fertilization methods that include intracytoplasmic sperm injection have shown, in several studies, to be higher than that of IVF used alone. The normal reason for this is that most times the women involved were young and considered fertile.

A low quality or volume of egg production is another reason that IVF ICSI procedures can be used. The success rate when dealing with this particular infertility issue is normally lower. The main determining factor in the case of IVF procedures is the viability and quality of the embryos that are transferred.

The viability and quality of these embryos depends on the quality of the eggs that are produced. Whether the infertility issue is the production of quality eggs or the quality of the sperm, IVF and ICSI techniques can increase the chances of a couple being able to conceive a child, in most cases.

Mike Selvon portal offers free articles on infertility. Find out more about ivf icsi at http://infertility.2dayinfotips.info/, and leave a comment at the blog at http://www.mynicheportal.com/health-beauty/.

Leave your Comment

Temporary erectile dysfunction problems are normally caused by either a psychological or environmental issue.

There are certain factors which are necessary in order to achieve and maintain an erection, if one of these factors is hindered or disrupted achieving an erection is more difficult.

Once an adjustment to these factors is made the problem will usually correct itself. Some common causes of temporary erectile dysfunction are:

Cold location: Your body automatically withdraws blood from the extremities into the core in order to conserve heat. Getting an erection in a cold environment can be difficult for any man. Warming up the room or your body is an easy way to eliminate this issue.

Alcohol: Alcohol widens the blood vessels in the body. This widening of the blood vessels makes it more difficult to maintain an erection as wide blood vessels allow the blood to drain from the penis. So contrary to popular belief, it is better to either not drink or to stop drinking before attempting to have sex. If you are still feeling the effects of alcohol, you may have a problem with your erection.

Drugs and medications: There are many over the counter and prescription drugs that can cause erectile dysfunction. You should ask your doctor about any medicine you are taking if you believe it could be having an effect on your performance. Also a large number of recreational drugs have shown to have a side effect of erectile dysfunction. These include but are not limited to heroin, cocaine, marijuana, nicotine, methadone, ecstasy, speed, LSD and barbiturates.

Number of recent orgasms: The more orgasms experienced in the past few hours or days will affect a male’s ability to achieve an erection. This problem is more common in men as they get older, but can have an effect on any male. If experienced, you should pace yourself by spreading out sexual encounters over a wider amount of time.

Performance anxiety or nervousness: Concern about being able to get an erection, maintain an erection or premature ejaculation can be the biggest factor in erectile dysfunction. Not being able to perform up to a desired standard can place a serious burden on any male and lead to erectile dysfunction. Staying calm, relaxed and confident are the best ways to overcome this issue. Being open with your partner about your concerns is another way to move past these issues.

Stress: This is the second largest contributor to erectile problems. Any type of stress is a negative for sexual performance. Stress causes a loss of concentration and a drain on physical energy, which is important for successful sexual encounters. These stresses can be from relationships, financial problems, work, family, or anything else. If stress is affecting other areas of your life, it can affect your ability to achieve an erection. Reduce the stress in your life and your will decrease your chances of erectile dysfunction.

A change in any one of these factors should show a reduction in the occurrence of temporary erectile dysfunction. If the problem does persist, a visit to your doctor is recommended.

Do you have questions about erectile dysfunction? The most frequently asked questions about erectile dysfunction are all answered at one site. Learn causes and treatment options at http://www.ErectileDisfunctionCausesAndTreatment.com

Leave your Comment

Tendons themselves are cords of tough, fibrous connective tissue that attach muscles to bones. Tendinitis is an inflammation of the tendon. The condition may also involve the tendon sheath, usually close to where the tendon goes into the muscle.

Tendons are generally healthy structures that appear glistening white to the naked eye. If you’ve ever carved a turkey, the tendons are the tough bands you cut through to get the drumsticks apart.

The most common cause of tendinitis is overuse and repetitive motion from recreational, athletic, or occupational activities.

These are some of the more common forms of tendinitis. Medial epicondylitis (also known as golfers elbow, baseball elbow, suitcase elbow) is caused by forceful wrist flexion and pronation injuring the tendons that attach to the medial epicondyle of the humerus. Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) is caused by continued stress on grasping muscles of the hand on rotation so the forearm faces upward or forward

Rotator cuff tendinitis (swimmer’s shoulder, tennis shoulder, pitcher’s shoulder) – Caused by sports that require movement of the arm over the head repeatedly causing inflammation on the rotator cuff a group of muscles that control shoulder rotation. Peripatellar tendinitis (jumper’s knee) – Caused by repetitive jumping, running, or cutting.

Popliteus tendinitis is caused by downhill running or walking. Achilles tendinitis is caused by downhill running. Trauma or thermal injury to the tendon. Evidence of a strong association between the fluoroquinolone antibiotics and tendinitis

Tendinitis causes pain over the affected tendon close to where it is inserted into the muscle. The pain is usually worsened with repetitive motion, but it can also be present at rest. There can also be mild swelling over the tendon.

Medial epicondylitis causes pain in the flexor pronator tendons and medial aspect of elbow when the wrist is flexed or rotated outward against resistance. Lateral epicondylitis – Pain in the lateral epicondyle of the elbow when the wrist is extended against resistance. Rotator cuff tendinitis – Pain initially when the arm is brought forward over the head, severe pain when bringing the arm across the chest.

Peripatellar tendinitis causes pain in the region of the kneecap during or after physical activity. Popliteus tendinitis causes pain in the side of the knee with downhill running. Achilles tendinitis, the pain with dorsiflexion of foot usually while running

If you have symptoms of tendinitis, see your doctor to rule out other causes of pain such as a torn tendon, infectious versus degenerative arthritis, bursitis, infectious tenosynovitis. Go to an emergency department for evaluation if you experience fever, increased redness, or worsening symptoms without relief with treatment at home.

To help yourself at home, we suggest you rest, immobilization of affected extremity, ice to affected area, elevation of affected extremity, and use over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (such as Advil or Aleve).

Recommendations, Ice the affected area 20 minutes at a time every several hours for at least the first 24-48 hours. Wrap ice in a towel to protect your skin. Change to heat treatments for the next several days. Elevate and immobilize the affected extremity. Use slings and splints to keep the injured area of shoulders and arms from moving.

For other parts of the body, use compression with Ace bandages to reduce swelling. Crutches may be helpful. Begin an exercise program to build muscle strength and range of motion with a physical therapist after the acute phase.

The doctor may recommend pain control with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs you can buy over-the-counter, such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil). If pain is severe, the doctor may give you an injection with steroids. This may help by decreasing pain and inflammation but should not be done more than a few times because steroids weaken the tendon, leaving it vulnerable to rupture (see ruptured tendon).

Furthermore, Extracorporeal shock wave therapy has been shown to have good results in calcific tendinitis or other forms of tendinitis. Currently, it is still being studied. Also, ultrasound therapy is used in some cases, but its effect has not been proven. Its greatest usefulness may be in calcific tendinitis.

Diagnosis is usually made based on the way the affected tendon and movement of the associated muscle feels. The doctor may have you do these movements to check for pain and tenderness. Medial epicondylitis: The forearm is placed in supine position, and the fist is flexed against resistance while the forearm is held down.

Tenderness is felt in the area of the medial epicondyle and flexor pronator tendons. Lateral epicondylitis: The forearm is placed in prone position on the table, while the forearm is held in place. You try to extend your wrist against resistance. Tenderness is felt along extensor area.

Rotator cuff tendinitis; Supraspinatus: Bend the arm to 90 and place it forward 30 with the thumb pointed down. Pain or weakness against resistance can be felt if there is involvement of this tendon. Infraspinatus and teres minor: With your arm against your body with elbow bent at 90, the doctor will stabilize the elbow against your waist and have you externally rotate against resistance, which will bring on pain if these tendons are involved.

Subscapularis: With your arm against your body and the elbow bent at 90, while stabilizing the elbow, the doctor will have you internally rotate your arm inward around the front of your body against resistance, which will cause pain if this tendon is involved.

Peripatellar tendinitis; Tenderness can be felt over the quadriceps tendon at the upper part of the kneecap. Popliteus tendinitis: Sit with the side of your injured heel resting on the knee of the opposite leg.

Tenderness can be felt just in front of the fibular collateral ligament. Achilles tendinitis: Tenderness is felt when the Achilles tendon is squeezed between the fingers. Ultrasound evaluation of the tendon with real time machines can give an accurate diagnosis. A CT scan and MRI can be used. The MRI is better able to identify tears, partial tears, inflammation, or a tumor.

Jigfo.com is a global platform for sharing and learning knowledge. For more information on this article topics visit:

http://www.jigfo.com

http://achillestendinitis.jigfo.com/

http://achillestendon.jigfo.com/

http://sinew.jigfo.com/

http://tendonreflex.jigfo.com/

Leave your Comment

Along with various treatment options that are available for erectile dysfunction, it is also important to pay attention to diet and food which help cure erectile dysfunction.

It is pertinent to include vitamins and minerals in one’s diet, as these help improve erectile dysfunction. Your diet should be rich in whole, unrefined, fresh and unprocessed foods.

You should add fruits vegetables, soy, whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, olive oil, and cold-water fish like tuna, salmon, sardines, mackerel and halibut. It is better to avoid dairy foods, sugar, refined foods, junk foods, fried foods and caffeine. Drink plenty of water.

It has been said by many American medical experts that men who consume certain type of food regularly exhibit low risk of developing erectile dysfunction. Though there are some foods which are helpful in curing erectile dysfunction, but they must be taken as a whole and not as a single food. Some of these are:

Snails: Snails can deliver a full day’s quota of antioxidant mineral zinc. Zinc helps in producing DNA and repairing cells, and it enhances sexual functioning of male reproductive system which includes increased sperm counts. One can also get daily dose of 11 milligrams of zinc by consuming oysters and shellfish, lean pork, lean beef and legumes for eg. green beans.

Bananas: Bananas are rich source of quick energy and potassium, which helps in regulating nerves, heartbeat and blood pressure. Other options for potassium intake are orange juice, tomato products, milk and beans.

Fatty Fish: One among the most important of superfoods is healthy fat, fatty acids and omega-3. They are beneficial for the heart, circulation, immune system. They reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Fatty fish like salmon, tuna, sardines, mackerel and herring are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s are also present in walnut, soyabean, flaxseed, canola oil, as well as fortified products like eggs.

Cabbage: Vegetables like cabbage help in preventing heart disease and cancer. They are rich in vitamin C, potassium, beta-carotene and a phytochemical called sulphoraphane, which helps in cure of prostate and colon cancer.

Acai Berries: These berries from Brazil which are favorite of beach boys and girls, is seen as the best anti-aging food which helps in erectile dysfunction. It contains antioxidant anthocyanins which is know to protect brain, prevent arteries from getting blocked and help with arthritis.

The berries contain abundant heart-protecting fatty acids as well as cholesterol-lowering phytosterols. The large amount of antioxidants helps in protecting skin from aging. The berries contain combination of high concentrations of Vitamin E and C, which can enhance and tone the skin. These help in increased libido too.

Acerola Cherries: Acerola has an increased dosage of vitamin C and 150 super nutrients. These berries are traditionally used as a supplement for total health care as well as to treat erectile dysfunction.

Goji Berries: The Goji berry which can be found only in the remotest regions of Western Asia, are acknowledged for their health and sex enhancing properties over the centuries by the Chinese. They can be eaten in whole or drunk as juice. They contain 500 times more vitamin C than present in oranges and more beta-carotene than in carrots.

If you suffer from impotence it’s important to do something about it before it damages your relationship for good.

Do you have questions about erectile dysfunction? The most frequently asked questions about erectile dysfunction are all answered at one site. Learn causes and treatment options at http://www.ErectileDisfunctionCausesAndTreatment.com

Leave your Comment

Erectile dysfunction, better known as ED, refers to a man’s inability to either attain or maintain an erection in which to satisfactory perform sexual intercourse. This condition has been shown to affect over 20 million men in the United States. While there are many causes for this condition, there are also many treatment options which are available.

There are several surgical options which can be tried to correct this condition, however most doctors will only recommend surgery after all attempts at non-surgical treatments have failed to treat the physical possibilities and that the patient has tried counseling to deal with possible psychological factors which could be causing an effect.

Surgery is almost never recommended for patients under the age of 40. The only exception would be for the small number of men who have experienced some kind of traumatic injury which is having a negative effect on the flow of blood to the penis. This surgery corrects the blood vessels, increases the flow of blood to the penis and thus allows the patient to obtain and maintain an erection.

There are two major types of surgery which can be performed to treat erectile dysfunction problems. These are penile implants and as mentioned above surgery to correct penile blood vessels.

Penile implants come in three main types of cylinders, rigid, semi-rigid and inflatable. These cylinders are inserted into the penis and replace the spongy tissue that fills with blood that causes the erection to occur. These implants come in many different lengths and diameters to match the physical make up of the man.

The rigid and semi-rigid implants always remain firm; the semi-rigid cylinders allow the penis to be bent depending on the needs of the man at the time; it can be bent back towards the body when clothed to conceal the implant or outward if preparing for sex. The inflatable implant contains cylinders which are hollow and remain empty during normal activities.

In order for a male to achieve an erection, these cylinders need to be pumped full of a saline solution which is stored in a reservoir which is implanted in the lower abdomen. A release valve, usually implanted into the scrotum, is used to drain the saline solution from the cylinders and back into the reservoir.

Implant surgery is usually done using a general anesthesia, although some doctors now use only a regional anesthesia. For inflatable implants, incisions are made into the penis, the lower abdomen and the scrotum.

There are two main types a two chamber, which is a cylinder in the penis and the reservoir and release valve in the scrotum, and the three-chamber, which has the reservoir in the abdomen and the release valve in the scrotum. The three-chamber has been proven to be more reliable implant, however the surgery is slightly more complicated and recovery could be longer.

Surgery can also be used to repair the blood vessels for men with erection problems. There are two main types of surgical procedures; venous ligation and penile revascularization.

Venous ligation is selected when it can be identified which veins are not working properly. This surgery is performed when it is determined that the veins in the penis are not properly constricting, thus allowing the blood to drain out too quickly. These veins are tied off, reducing the rate of flow and allowing an erection to be maintained.

Penile revascularization is usually done on younger men that have experienced an injury that is having a negative affect on the blood flow into and out of the penis. A transplant of blood vessel, usually from the abdomen, is used to bypass the damaged portions of the artery, thus returning blood flow to normal.

Do you have questions about erectile dysfunction? The most frequently asked questions about erectile dysfunction are all answered at one site. Learn causes and treatment options at http://www.ErectileDisfunctionCausesAndTreatment.com

Leave your Comment

Smoking can lead to erectile dysfunction and the risk of developing arteriosclerosis. Not only does smoking increase the risk of heart disease but also it can make you nearly twice as likely to develop eretile dysfunction.

The more cigarettes you smoke the more likely the risk of being impotent later on in life. Smoking causes blood vessel constriction, which bears upon the vascular system that leads to the blockage of your arteries.

A man’s penis cannot get sufficient blood pumped and arteries get clogged and the result is not being able to have an erection. It is a big cause of erectile dysfunction. The bottom line is that smoking doubles the risk of erectile dysfunction in men.

Studies show links that there is relevance between smoking and erectilie dysfunction, which is a good motivator for young men, who smoke, to stop now. Medical experts believe that smoking may induce risks of erectile dysfunction more men between the ages of 30 to 50 years old by 50 percent.

Smoking does considerable damage to a man with erectile dysfunction, along with low sperm count increased sperm mortality and loss of sex drive. When erectile dysfunction and smoking are related, they cannot be completely cured with medications like Viagra.

The only way is to quit smoking to help you have a sexier happy love life in the bedroom. It might seem like the end of the world to most men who smoke but it is the lesser of two evils if you want to improve your sex life and control erectile dysfunction.

Lifestyle choices, smoking, being overweight, and avoiding exercise are possible causes of erectile dysfunction. Smoking contains nicotine that causes restriction to the blood vessels.

If this happens, the chemical released occurs when you become excited and your brain cannot properly send the right signals to ask you penis muscle to relax. Instead there is a restriction of blood flow into the penile area.

When nicotine travels through the blood stream it impairs the body to trap the blood flow to the penile tissue and makes it difficult to keep an erection long enough for sexual intercourse. One of the best ways to treat erectile dysfunction is to prevent it in the first place. No matter what age you smoke, quit! Smoking increases the risk of erectile dysfunction at any age.

To reduce possibilities of developing erectile dysfunction find ways to stop smoking.

1. Quit smoking. Nicotene is an addiction There are numerous aids readily available to help you stop smoking.
2. See your doctor. Talk to your doctor about the problems you are having.
3. Talk to a therapist. They are there to help and support you to achieve your goal of giving up cigarette and have more fun in the bedroom!

Even through erectile dysfunction is not a life-threatening condition it can compromise well-being and quality of life. Adults can maintain an active enjoyable sex life by taking an active role in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and to avoid or stop smoking all together.

Do you have questions about erectile dysfunction? The most frequently asked questions about erectile dysfunction are all answered at one site. Learn causes and treatment options at http://www.ErectileDisfunctionCausesAndTreatment.com

Leave your Comment