Research has show that there is a link between type II diabetes, heart disease and ED. Type 2 diabetes is a growing problem in America and has serious adverse affects. However, among men, there are currently 12 million with type 2 diabetes. Some could be in store for a particularly alarming health condition, erectile dysfunction (ED).
According to recent research, the factors that come along with ED are potentially harmful if not deadly—cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease is a disease that affects the heart and blood vessels. A person living with the disease is at risk for developing atherosclerosis which restricts blood flow because of plaque buildup. This is the number one cause of the health problem ED because there is poor/restricted blood flow. This happens because the vessels in the penile area are very small so when the plaque buildup occurs, which is a result of atherosclerosis, there is pretty much decreased blood circulating causing difficulties to obtain an erection.
Research and studies showed that 90 percent of men with ED problems were thought to be psychological while the remaining 10 percent were said to be physical. Today’s research and findings says the opposite is true. Most ED cases are physical blood vessel complications. The age for ED is typically seen in men age 65+, however those men with type 2 diabetes see ED about 10-15 years earlier. Currently there are 300 million men around the world that suffer with ED between the ages of 40-70.
Research has begun to solve the underlying problems. Once something has been discovered, men can receive proper treatment to correct their health condition. Many times men are placed on medications orally and by injections such as the drug/hormone testosterone. After all, there is a worse outcome that occurs, not just having ED. The danger of atherosclerosis—hardening of the arteries can be life threatening.
References:
Methodist Hospital, Houston. “Erectile dysfunction: A possible warning sign of serious disease.” ScienceDaily, 6 Feb. 2012. Web. 5 Aug. 2013.
“What is Cardiovascular Disease (Heart Disease)?.” American Heart Association. 2 May. 2013. 5 Aug. 2013. <http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Caregiver/Resources/WhatisCardiovascularDisease/What-is-Cardiovascular-Disease_UCM_301852_Article.jsp>.