Quite possibly every males’ worst nightmare is to find out that in the heat of the moment they are not able to perform, unable to get an erection. Fortunately we are in the 21st century where all of the medical research is really starting to pay off as there are a number of different remedies available for erectile dysfunction and even some quick fixes as a temporary solution.

One such solution was introduced in March of 1998 in the form of a pill called Viagra; a drug that claimed to be somewhere between 70 and 80% effective in helping men suffering from impotence. It was predicted that it may just become the number one seller in the pharmaceuticals industry, predicting as much as $3 billion dollars a year in sales.

Even though only about half of all men between 40 and 70 years old state they have trouble getting or keeping an erection the rush for this drug does indeed suggest that it is probably a higher percentage citing that impotence is a fragile subject for most men so it is very likely that it is under reported.

It didn’t take long for men to start heading to their doctor’s office for this pill; as a matter of fact as quickly as the middle of April 1998 they were already approximately 40,000 prescriptions being written every day; topped only by Prozac (the best selling antidepressant in the world) which boasts about 70,000 prescriptions a day. Of course when you consider some of the other treatments available prior to this pill, like implant surgery, injections of different drugs and genital suppositories, it is no wonder that there was a huge rush for this wonder drug.

You can thank the men participating in clinical trials for angina and chest pain treatments as this is what the drug was originally intended to treat. While those results were disappointing they did notice some rather interesting side effects which included prolonged and increased erections. Yep, rather than sending more blood to the heart it increased the blood flowing to the penis. Thank you clinical trials!

When you talk about exercise and workout programs with a personal trainer most agree that the best ones include a muscle confusion technique which is exactly what this program does; any time that you change something often enough the more of a workout it gets and the better the results will be. To follow are some pro’s and con’s on the program as stated by some “regular” people:

Pros

Most agree that Tony’s P90X program’s energy level is both motivating and fun; while the music may seem a little repetitive (not something you are likely to want on your iPod) it is still fairly good since it is designed for working out rather than listening pleasure. The workout goes along at a good pace, moving from one to another routine which has its advantages since you are busy concentrating on the moves and not the fatigue or pain that you are feeling.

The workout program is well organized so that you will know exactly what to do when; it tells you when to rest, when to exercise and even when it is time for a water break. While some people really do not like the stretching exercises they do admit that when you warm-up or cool down with them it does help to minimize any potential soreness and they are motivating enough to get you to want to do them. The video routine is strict but they are enjoyable enough that you want to continue using it.

Cons

Some people with specific injuries may not be able to do some of the routines and the videos are pretty fast paced so at times it can be difficult to keep up. Tony has a very outgoing personality and he does tend to talk quite a bit during the video which can be rather annoying. Since you do quite a bit of jumping if you live upstairs you may find your downstairs neighbors a little less than pleased when you exercise.

You will also have to purchase extra equipment such as dumbbells, resistance bands and a push-up bar. Many also feel that the book that comes with the program could have been put together a little better.

There has been a question about whether people that play sports or are in training should have a diet that is higher in protein or the higher starch carbohydrates. While carbohydrates act as fuel for the body you also need a moderate amount of protein in your body to maintain your health by helping with growing and repairing your muscles. Food that is high in carbohydrates is also good because carbs actually fuel your muscles and are and energy source for your central nervous system and brain. This is needed is sports where you use dexterity, coordination and rely on fast decision making.

Most experts agree that after you have eaten you should let anywhere from one to four hours to elapse before exercising or playing sports depending upon the amount of food that you have consumed. If it was an average size meal then waiting two hours before exercising or playing should be an adequate amount of time. If it was a larger portion then you will want to wait longer in order not to jeopardize your health.

It is also important to remember to keep yourself hydrated during sports; allowing your water content to fall below the normal level can have a detrimental effect on your health. It is always a good idea to make sure that your body is well hydrated before starting any type of exercise session which you can do by drinking juice or water prior to exercise and several times throughout the day. A good rule of thumb is that for every thirty minutes of activity you should take in some fluid; obviously the more that the body sweats due to the exercise then the more you will need to increase your fluid intake.

Is Beer Healthy?

Good news for all of you beer drinkers – it has been proven that beer can give you the same benefits, health wise, that wine does. Yep, no matter which ale you prefer studies have shown that in moderation (up to 2 a day) will reduce your chances of heart disease and strokes.

Originally considered the French Paradox, the correlation between the French’s low heart disease rate and the daily intake of red wine, it has now been shown to also exist in beer. Beer is made from water, yeast and grains (wheat and barley) which have a variety of vitamins that actually survive through the filtering and fermentation processes. The value of the vitamins contained in the yeast stays in all of the unfiltered beers, both in bottles and on tap, that are available today.

Actually back in 1999 The New England Journal of Medicine did claim that moderate amounts of beer would decrease the chance of having a stroke by about 20%. But they also said that it produces no significant different whether you drink one beer a week or one a day, so you can’t use that excuse to have a few every day.

Not that you need any, but if a few other reasons to drink beer include the fact that it has been shown that in moderation it may lower your chance of coronary heart problems by as much as 40% when compared to someone who does not drink it at all; something to do with the great antioxidants found in it. Also, alcohol has been found to increase the good cholesterol amounts in the bloodstream which decreases blood clots.

It also contains good ole vitamin B6 which helps to prevent the build up of an amino acid called homocysteine which has been linked with heart disease. Those with higher levels of this amino acid are much more likely to develop early onset of vascular and heart disease. The amount of vitamin B6 in the blood plasma is increased by as much as 30% when you consume beer, something that liquor and wine can’t do.

And one last reason, if one is needed, to drink beer is that it is both cholesterol and fat free.

There have been times where men have suffered from mild strokes without even knowing it so it is important to be able to recognize the signs that one might be on the way:

• Severe and sudden headaches
• Decrease of loss of vision
• Numbness or weakness on one side of the body, or on the face, leg or arm
• Difficulty understanding speech or difficult to speak
• Sudden or unexplained dizziness

If you begin to experience any of these symptoms you should see a doctor or head to an emergency room immediately. Immediate medical attention is required when you have a stroke as the first hours after the symptoms appear are the most important time in which to get treatment in order to obtain the best possibility of recovery.

A stroke is considered a brain attack which is usually caused by some kind of disturbance, usually suddenly, of the blood flow to your brain. Sometimes this can be due to a narrowing of the vessels or even the result of a blood clot; or it can also be caused by bleeding (hemorrhage) from an artery.

There are three basic kinds of strokes:

Embolic stroke – this is caused by a clot breaking loose from some other area of your body which goes through your bloodstream and then blocks an artery which in turn stops the flow of nutrients and oxygen to your brain.

Hemorrhagic stroke – this happens when one of the arteries that supplies blood bleeds into your brain; this broken artery prevents those required nutrients and oxygen from getting to your brain cells. Often times this is caused by an aneurysm which is an artery that becomes weak over time and then will suddenly bulge and break.

Thrombotic stroke – this one is usually due to fatty deposits building up in the arteries that carry blood to your brain, slowing the flow until it becomes completely blocked.

Many men are under the mistaken impression that having a stroke is just a one time damage to their body; however, a stroke actually develops over time depending upon your particular habits and lifestyle. The conditions that may lead to having a stroke include high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and smoking. Reduce your risk by controlling your blood pressure, watching your weight, quitting smoking and following a regular exercise routine.

Roshan P. Parikh, DDS MBA Olympia Fields, IL August 1, 2009

Numbers from a recent American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) survey show that whitening treatments have increased more than 300% since 1996. With so many individuals brightening their smile, the AACD has a few easy maintenance tips for consumers to consider after whitening.

“While daily home care and regular professional cleanings are essential for maintaining healthy teeth and gums, certain foods can help remove stains from your teeth,” said local AACD member, cosmetic dentist Dr. Roshan P. Parikh.  “Foods such as apples, pears, celery, carrots, cauliflower and cucumbers produce saliva which combines with the foods’ natural fibers to naturally clean teeth and remove bacteria.”

More White Smile Diet Foods and Tips:

• Strawberries will naturally whiten your teeth.

• Avoid drinking coffee, dark syrup sodas, red wine and blueberries. All stain teeth quickly.

• Drink from a straw whenever possible this allows food dyes to bypass teeth altogether.
• Baking soda will help remove stains and build up. Brush it on your teeth twice a month, just as you would toothpaste, and rinse.
• Raw veggies are not only healthy to eat, but they will clean your teeth and remove topical stains.

• The mechanical action of chewing sugarless gum can also stimulate saliva and clean teeth surfaces, though not recommended for patients with TMJ.

Keeping up with these healthy smile tips will have you (and your wife) smiling for a long time to come!

2555 Lincoln Highway, Suite 107 • Olympia Fields, IL 60461 • Phone: 708.481.1818 • Fax: 708.481.1233

Roshan P. Parikh, DDS MBA Olympia Fields, IL August 1, 2009

Have you ever taken a bite into a juicy porterhouse and come up with a piece of tooth falling onto your plate?  Believe it or not, it is a very common thing that happens to men (sorry guys) far more often than it happens to women.  The reason: Men are more afraid of going to the dentist than women, so they go less often.  Because of that, problems that can be fixed with a conventional filling are not problems that involve a root canal and crown.

It will hit your wallet hard too, the difference between a conventional filling and a root canal and crown is over $1000, that’s over 150 6-packs of Miller Lite!  Rule of thumb: If you feel that a tooth in your mouth is more sensitive to hot or cold things, see your dentist.  If you feel that when you bite into that bag of Doritos, a tooth hurts and stays hurting, see your dentist.  If you don’t have a dentist, ask your wife and go see her dentist.

Moral of the story, go to see your dentist regularly.