Erectile dysfunction is a condition where a man cannot maintain an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. The disorder can hamper a man’s self-confidence, cause stress, and disrupt their relationships. The problem in maintaining or keeping an erection may be a sign of an underlying health disorder, which needs treatment. In this article, let us discuss the causes and symptoms of erectile dysfunction. Causes Several factors can lead to erectile dysfunction. Here, we list only the most common ones: 1. Depression Our brain is an ignored erogenous territory. Sexual excitement usually emerges in the head and works all the way down. In a person with depression, the desire to get intimate is dampened, causing erectile dysfunction. Unfortunately, when the patient takes drugs to cure depression, it lowers their sex drive further and makes it more difficult for them to get an erection. Consequently, the delay in getting an orgasm also increases. 2. Medications Some medications directly hamper a person’s bedroom performance. The list of such medications is long and usually includes antidepressants and pain medications. However, before avoiding the medication, one needs to speak to a doctor. Drugs like cocaine and amphetamines might also result in sexual problems. 3. Alcohol Excessive alcohol consumption can intervene with a man’s ability to get an erection.

Sleep apnea is a condition wherein your breathing repeatedly pauses in the middle of your sleep. During this time, your body will wake you up from slumber to continue breathing. These multiple interruptions do not let you sleep well. Consequently, you feel extra tired throughout the day. The effects of sleep apnea on the body go beyond making you feel sleepy. If left untreated, it can result in severe conditions.  1. High blood pressure Sleep apnea will aggravate high blood pressure (BP). If sleep apnea is waking you up multiple times in a day, your body is stressed. It can put the hormone system into overdrive. This can heighten your blood pressure levels. Consequently, the oxygen in the blood goes down, making it hard for you to breathe, aggravating the condition.  In this case, treatment can make a considerable difference. At times, people with high BP who seek help for sleep apnea will see an improvement in their blood pressure levels. The doctor may even cut back on BP medications. However, do not make any changes in the dosage without consulting the doctor.  2. Daytime fatigue The frequent waking up caused by sleep apnea can make standard, restorative sleep challenging. This may result in fatigue, drowsiness, and irritability. It might even make it hard for you to concentrate and make you feel drowsy during work while driving or watching your TV show.

Who does not love a good cup of coffee? Regular coffee drinkers cannot start their day until they have had a cup first thing in the morning. However, they are also worried about its negative effects on their health. Drinking an adequate amount of coffee can be good for you. To learn more, let us take a look at the top five reasons to drink coffee: 1. Boosts Short-term Memory Austrian researchers ran a test where a group of volunteers was provided with 100 milligrams of caffeine, which is the average amount found in one cup of coffee. The results indicated that there was an increase in these volunteers’ brain activity when they were given a memory task. It is recorded that the memory skills of these volunteers were much better as compared to those who received a placebo. 2. Improves Heart Health Reports that compiled analyzed data of more than 37,000 individuals over a tenure of 13 long years state that people who drank coffee at moderate levels (two to four cups daily) had shown a lower risk of suffering from heart diseases. This was when compared to those who did not drink coffee. Reports state that coffee helps in protecting arterial damage caused due to inflammation.

Air quality in the country has seen a fluctuation over the last decade or so. It was improving between 2009-2016. However, this trend turned upside down in the year 2016. As per the National Bureau of Economic Research, there have been almost 10,000 deaths because of air pollution alone. Here, we will discuss some of the most air-polluted cities in the US. 1. Fresno-Madera in California This part of California is among the most air-polluted cities in the US. It experiences constant lingering and persistent air pollution because of warm and stable weather fronts and valley walls. It is often ranked high as far as high ozone days are concerned out of 220 metropolitan areas. 2. Newark and Jersey City in New Jersey These cities in New Jersey have a median and max AQI of 53 and 210, respectively. It has at least three days in a year which are hazardous or very unhealthy for the population. Apart from that, it has almost 206 days in a year, which are either unhealthy or just moderate for sensitive groups. 3. Fairbanks, Alaska It was ranked as number one on the list of most air-polluted cities in the US in 2018. The highest contributors to pollution over here are wood heaters and wood stoves that residents utilize to keep their homes warm.

Are you sweating more than usual? If you sweat profusely, even with very little physical activity, there are chances that you are going through a medical condition. Perversely, at times, people fail to understand the difference between regular and excessive sweating. Nonetheless, there can be many different reasons for heavy sweating.  Here we will address a few reasons. 1. Primary focal hyperhidrosis It is one of the most prevalent reasons for heavy sweating, and this type of hyperhidrosis affects around one to three percent of people. Focal hyperhidrosis starts during adolescence or childhood. It is a chronic skin disorder, which is hereditary and is an outcome of changes in the genes. Usually, people who complain of excessive sweating have focal hyperhidrosis. Primarily, focal hyperhidrosis affects your hands, feet, head, and armpits. It starts early on in life, mainly before twenty-five.   2. Generalized hyperhidrosis When you are sweating a lot because of any other medical condition, it may be known as general hyperhidrosis. Also known as secondary hyperhidrosis, it is majorly seen in adults. Some of the key causes of generalized hyperhidrosis include Parkinson’s disease. At times, even zinc supplements may result in excessive sweating as a side effect.  Other reasons for heavy sweating:

No doubt, a credit card enhances your purchasing power. However, you need to be cautious while using it. Here are some of the most serious credit card mistakes that spenders make. It would be best if you avoided these errors at all costs. 1. Carrying a balance from month to month Carrying a balance from month to month is one of the most serious credit card mistakes as it damages your credit score and costs you financially. When you carry a balance forward, your credit utilization increases, and you have to incur interest charges as well. 2. Spending through the card on daily items When you use your credit card on daily items, you pay more than the actual amount, especially if you fail to pay the monthly credit card bill because there is also an interest charge. So it is advisable not to use your credit card for everyday items like groceries. 3. Falling behind on payments If you fall behind your credit card payment for 30 days, your credit score takes a hit. And, if you delay the payment for 60 days, your credit card provider may increase your interest rate as a measure of penalty. To prevent yourself from getting a bad credit score or being penalized, always set a reminder for credit card payments.

One of the biggest challenges with pet care is dealing with a flea and tick infestation. These pests end up feeding on your furry friends, causing them to fall ill. The best way to deal with such pest problems is to avoid toxic chemical products and use natural remedies at home. Here are the top five effective and time-tested natural remedies for fleas and ticks. 1. Citrus rubs The best product for repelling fleas and ticks is freshly squeezed citrus juice. Simply rub the extract onto your pet’s coat, and that will help keep these pests at bay and prevent their infestation. You can also use citrus-based oil extracts around the house in the form of surface sprays or home cleaners to avoid the pests from settling in the nooks and crannies. However, use them with caution, as direct contact with the oils can severely harm your pet’s health. 2. Apple cider vinegar (ACV) You can easily make this solution at home. The inherent acidic pH levels in ACV work to keep away fleas and ticks. All you need to do is mix apple cider vinegar with water in the ratio of 6:4 and add in a pinch of salt. Then apply this over your pet’s coat and underbelly region.

Cold sores are blisters that develop on or around the mouth, and they are also known as fever blisters. The Herpes Simplex Virus-1 is a prevalent strain of the herpes simplex virus, contracting which can cause cold sores. The virus stays dormant in between attacks once contracted, so one should avoid common trigger factors to prevent recurrences. This article discusses what causes cold sores and the common triggers associated with the condition. 1. Causes of cold sores Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) HSV is the primary cause of cold sores. There are two types of this virus: type 1 causes cold sores, and type 2 is responsible for genital herpes. The sores look more or less the same in infections caused by both forms of the virus. Cold sores are contagious and can spread through direct contact. The virus can also be transmitted through shared utensils, food, cosmetics, or towels. Reinfection Contracting an HSV infection means one can experience multiple cold sore outbreaks. The virus stays dormant in the body after the sores heal, and new sores can show any time it relapses. People with weak immunity face a higher risk of experiencing frequent outbreaks, particularly during times of stress, illnesses, fever, other viral infections, injuries, and extreme weather conditions.

The cocktails you drink can be seasonally based on what the crowd likes and dislikes at a given point. While there may be some new drinks coming up, there are some that just never go out of fashion and remain a classic in most drinks menus out there. Here is a list of those five basic cocktails that you can enjoy any time and even make at home without much hassle: 1. The Tom Collins This is one classic drink that is built on ice and served in a tall glass specifically known as the Collins glass. The flavor is sweet and bubbly and built on gin. All that you need additionally is a simple sugar syrup that you can make at home with equal parts sugar and water, soda water, and juice of half a lemon. Just shake in the ingredients: gin, ½ lemon juice, and ½ oz of sugar syrup together and you can drain it into the Collins glass. Finish it with a top-up of soda water, and just garnish with an orange or cherry. 2. The Moscow Mule This is one name that never gets old, and even if you may not have tried it personally, you would have come across this at someplace or the other.

Intrauterine devices, commonly known as IUDs, are placed inside the uterus for a considerable time, ranging from 3 to 12 years. The duration is decided based on the type of device you choose. It’s extremely popular, as it is highly effective, removes the fear of pregnancy, allows women the freedom of spontaneous sex, and also saves from the embarrassment of frequent removal, cleaning, and insertion. 1. What are IUDs They are small plastic devices shaped like the alphabet “T,” which may or may not contain hormones. In a hormonal IUD, small quantities of hormone progestin are released into the body. The duration of such a release will depend on the type of device you choose. These are short-term and temporary contraceptive devices. Once you reverse your decision, you can get it removed by a health care worker, and your reproductive system will begin to function normally, increasing the chances of pregnancy. While hormonal IUDs contain hormones, non-hormonal IUDs use copper to prevent pregnancy. 2. Hormonal IUDs When a man’s sperm enters the eggs released by the ovaries, it is called fertilization, leading to a woman’s pregnancy. Hormonal IUDs interfere with this process. Hormones stop ovulation, and the ovaries stop releasing eggs.