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Erectile Dysfunction As Men Age

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 17:38:05 GMT

Erectile Dysfunction As Men Age

Gifts of Aging

There are many gifts of aging. Increased self-awareness, wisdom, and understanding of what really matters in our lives are some of the best parts of getting older. There are harder parts, too. Our physical condition may be harder to maintain, or it may be difficult to achieve the vitality and vigor we once had. There may even be difficulties in our sex lives. Both men and women experience changes in their sexual drive and function as they mature. Men may even experience ED, or erectile dysfunction.

What Is ED?

Erectile dysfunction is a common issue that affects men, particularly as they grow older. It is characterized by the inability to achieve or sustain an erection suitable for sexual activity, and can have a significant impact on a man’s quality of life. While occasional difficulties are normal, persistent problems may indicate an underlying health condition.

Aging plays a substantial role in the prevalence of ED. Studies show that approximately 40% of men at age 40 and nearly 70% of men at age 70 experience some form of erectile dysfunction. Although it was previously thought that ED was primarily psychological, that’s no longer the case. As our understanding of health and aging has increased, we understand that there are numerous physical causes for ED. Some of them are:

Hormonal changes such as decreasing testosterone
Diabetes
Heart disease
High blood pressure
Obesity
Chronic kidney disease
Some autoimmune diseases including multiple sclerosis
Nerve damage due to illness or injury

Lifestyle factors may also play a role in erectile dysfunction. Unmanaged stress or mental health concerns can impact erectile function. It’s also been found that a sedentary lifestyle contributes significantly to ED while even moderate exercise leads to improved outcomes . However, many men experiencing ED still need some kind of medical treatment to continue having a fulfilling sex life.

Treatment Options

Erectile dysfunction is a treatable condition, and many men can regain satisfactory sexual function with the right approach. The first step is to identify and address underlying health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or hormonal imbalances. Integrating healthy practices including:

Regular exercise
Eating a healthy diet
Losing weight if needed
Quitting smoking
Managing stress

can improve overall health, which often translates into better sexual performance.

Summit Lifestyle Medicine

We know that talking to a medical professional about erectile dysfunction can be uncomfortable. If you’re in Maryville, IL or the surrounding areas, Summit Lifestyle Medicine is here to help you find solutions to revitalize your sexual function. We will help you address any underlying health conditions that may impair your function. We will also determine whether testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) might help.

If managing medical conditions and/or TRT aren’t a complete solution, we may also suggest:

Medications including Viagra
Tri-Mix injections
PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) therapy using your body’s plasma

Our medical team, including Phil Dudak , family nurse practitioner and chiropractic physician, will do a comprehensive examination of you and your medical history, allowing us to present the most effective options for you. Our goal is to help you regain the vigor and vitality you had as a younger man so you can continue to enjoy the richness of your life now.

Disclaimer: The information contained here was not written by a medical doctor and is intended for informational purposes only. This is not a substitute for medical advice.

Erectile Dysfunction: What It Is And How To Treat It

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 17:34:46 GMT

Erectile Dysfunction: What It Is And How To Treat It

Some experiences lend themselves to awkwardness, embarrassment, and discomfort, especially when they’re related to the ways in which our bodies work or don’t work. Any experience related to one’s libido or sexual health is notably uncomfortable. Talking about it, even with a health practitioner, can be just as distressing as the experience itself. We may feel as though we’ve had a personal failure when, realistically, sexual health and performance is often rooted in a medical issue. For men, erectile dysfunction can feel isolating, but it’s very prevalent .

What Is Erectile Dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction, or ED, was once commonly known as impotence. It’s defined as not being able to achieve or maintain an erection firm enough to engage in sex or not long enough to have sex. ED is also diagnosed when a man can experience an erection but can’t experience it every time he wants to engage in sexual activity.

Having ED can be frustrating for both the man experiencing it and his partner. A healthy sex life is important to having a great quality of life and loving relationships. Fortunately, ED is treatable and there are multiple ways to help treat it.

Who Experiences ED?

Approximately thirty million men in the US experience ED. The common assumption is that ED develops because of age. That can be true. As we age our hormone levels decrease, including testosterone, which is so important to male sexual function, but it’s not the only cause. ED can develop because of a variety of illnesses, including:

Diabetes
High blood pressure
Cardiac disease
Multiple sclerosis
Vascular disease
Chronic kidney disease
Age
Injury
Cancer

Some medications can cause ED, too:

Some ulcer medications
High blood pressure medications
Antidepressants or tranquilizers
Antiandrogens (used to treat prostate cancer)
Appetite suppressants

Other causes of ED might be:

Stress
Fear of failure during sex
An anxiety disorder
Depression
Being overweight and/or sedentary
Smoking
Excessive alcohol and illegal drug use

There are numerous possible causes of erectile dysfunction. Your health practitioner can help you figure out what’s causing yours and how to treat it.

Diagnosing and Treating Erectile Dysfunction

Talking about ED isn’t easy and may be uncomfortable regardless of how comfortable you are with your medical provider. The only way to obtain treatment, though, is to get a diagnosis. To diagnose ED, your provider might:

Do a physical examination
Ask questions about your sexual history
Ask questions about your current sexual function
Order lab tests, including evaluating your hormone levels
Ask about your lifestyle, including stressors and relationship status

Although these tests are the most common, your provider may order additional testing like an ultrasound. Once ED is diagnosed, you and your provider can discuss treatment options. There are many treatment options available, including testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and oral medications among others.

The most important thing you can do is talk to your provider. They can’t help if they don’t know you’re experiencing a problem with sexual health.

Summit Lifestyle Medicine

If you’re in Maryville, IL or the surrounding areas, Summit Lifestyle Medicine can determine the cause of and treatment for ED. Our practitioner, Phil Dudak , is both a family nurse practitioner and a chiropractic physician whose training allows him to treat you with both traditional and complementary medicine. Call today for an appointment so you can begin to enjoy your sex life again.

Disclaimer: The information contained here was not written by a medical doctor and is intended for informational purposes only. This is not a substitute for medical advice.

Benefits of GLP-1s: Semaglutide and Tirzepatide for Weight Loss

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 17:33:00 GMT

Benefits of GLP-1s: Semaglutide and Tirzepatide for Weight Loss

Fasts, calorie counting, and an endless number of apps and programs “guaranteed” to help bring that number on the scale down….with limited or no results. Sound familiar? It’s easy to get caught up in a cycle of hope and attempts of losing weight, only to once again see that little to no progress has been made on reducing your weight or clothing size.

Thanks to science, this doesn’t need to be the story that continues to repeat in your life. As GLP-1s (Glucagon-like peptide 1) have made their appearance into the medical weight loss world, a new approach is proving to be a game-changer in how people are losing those unwanted pounds.

What are GLP-1s?

These medications work by imitating the hormone which normally regulates appetite and blood sugar levels. Common GLP-1s include Semaglutide and Tirzapeatide. These medications are resulting in significantly reduced body weight for those people that take the medications.

The benefits of these weight loss medications go beyond just weight loss, however. Since obesity is linked to so many other diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease, it just makes common sense that reducing weight will have an impact on improving overall health, as well.

Additional Benefits of GLP-1s

Effective Weight Loss : Both Semaglutide and Tirzepatide have demonstrated significant weight loss outcomes compared to other treatments. Patients typically experience a substantial reduction in body weight, which can lead to improved overall health.
Minimal Side Effects : One of the biggest advantages of GLP-1 medications is their tolerability. Most users report minimal side effects, making them a viable long-term option for weight management.
Improved Metabolic Health : These medications not only aid in weight loss but also improve blood sugar control, reducing the risk of diabetes and other metabolic disorders.
Cardiovascular Benefits : Recent studies have shown that the incidence of cardiovascular events are reduced when people take these medications..
Sustained Results : When combined with a healthy diet and exercise plan, GLP-1s can help maintain long-term weight loss, promoting a healthier lifestyle overall.

Summit Lifestyle Medicine and GLP-1’s

At Summit Lifestyle Medicine, we take a scientific approach to weight loss.We understand that stringent exercise or diet programs may have fallen short for your weight loss goals, and are here to create a plan that works for you. Some of the commonly used medications in our treatment may include GLP-1’s.

You may be a good candidate for medical weight loss options, such as Semaglutde or Tirzapeatide, if you have struggled to lose weight, have a BMI of 30 or higher, are developing or have hypertension, diabetes or other medical issues due to weight, or if you have a condition which makes it difficult to lose weight.

Our goal is to help you get healthy, as quickly as possible, but take a holistic approach to doing so. To do this, we assess your specific needs and develop a customized plan. This includes:

A detailed blood panel and assessment by our team
A customized weight loss plan
Monthly 3-D body composition scans
Continuous support

You don’t need to be on your own on your weight loss journey. The Summit Lifestyle Medicine team is your partner in helping you feel your best. We’ve seen how the impact of medical weight loss can be truly transformative in the lives of our patients.

Ready to get started? Get in touch with our team and take the next steps to achieving your goals.

Beyond the Scale: The Health Benefits of a Healthy Weight

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 17:30:41 GMT

Beyond the Scale: The Health Benefits of a Healthy Weight

Maintaining a healthy weight isn’t just about fitting into your favorite jeans or feeling confident in a swimsuit. It’s about nurturing your body from the inside out and setting yourself up for a lifetime of vitality. Let’s dive into some of the incredible benefits that come with achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.

Heart Health: Your Engine of Life

Your heart works tirelessly to pump blood and oxygen throughout your body. When you’re carrying excess weight, it places an additional strain on this vital organ, increasing your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke. By reaching and maintaining a healthy weight, you can lower your risk of these conditions and keep your heart happy and healthy.

Energy Boost: Unleash Your Inner Power

Have you ever noticed how carrying extra weight can leave you feeling sluggish and tired? Shedding those pounds can have a remarkable impact on your energy levels. You’ll find yourself with more stamina for daily activities, exercise, and even just having fun!

Joint Relief: Move with Ease

Your joints bear the brunt of your body’s weight. Excess weight can put extra pressure on your knees, hips, and back, leading to pain, stiffness, and even osteoarthritis. By maintaining a healthy weight, you can reduce this burden and enjoy a greater range of motion and less discomfort.

Mood Booster: Smile from Within

Research shows a strong link between obesity and mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. Losing weight can improve your mood, boost self-esteem, and enhance your overall sense of well-being. It’s not just about the physical changes – it’s about feeling good in your own skin.

Sleep Soundly: Recharge and Revitalize

Sleep is essential for our physical and mental health. Excess weight, especially around the abdomen, can increase the risk of sleep apnea, a condition that disrupts sleep and can have serious health consequences. Reaching a healthy weight can help you sleep better, wake up refreshed, and tackle the day with renewed energy.

Beyond the Basics

While these are some of the most well-known benefits, achieving a healthy weight also offers a myriad of other advantages:

Improved blood sugar control
Reduced risk of certain cancers
Enhanced fertility
Stronger immune system
Better skin health

Your Journey to Wellness Starts Here

Remember, achieving a healthy weight is a journey, not a destination. It’s about making sustainable lifestyle changes that prioritize your well-being. At Summit Lifestyle Medicine, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Whether you need guidance on nutrition, exercise, or stress management, our team is dedicated to helping you reach your goals and live your healthiest life.

‘Wonder drug’? How painless injections helped a Louisiana woman’s weight loss

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 17:28:49 GMT

‘Wonder drug’? How painless injections helped a Louisiana woman’s weight loss

“It’s simple. It’s painless, and it was a miracle. In three weeks, I lost 18 pounds, and by three months, I had lost 38 pounds…”
NEW ORLEANS
When it comes to processing calories, we are not all the same. If your metabolism and hormones don’t work well, it’s much harder to lose weight. Now there’s a medication that is helping to change that, but it might be hard for you to get.
Ramsey Hare says she was always the overweight child, then the heavy girl in high school, college and nursing school. By her 20s, her weight surged to 380 pounds. But at age 30, a birthday trip to the beach changed everything.
“I came back, and I looked at the pictures and I was devastated. I had no idea that I looked like that,” said Ramsey Hare, 42.
She could no longer deal with the emotional pain.
A WONDER DRUG? “I have not ever been hungry since surgery. It was amazing,”
“Traveling on an airplane having to ask for a seatbelt extender, just little things like that that emotionally was traumatizing,” she remembers.
So, 10 years ago she turned to Surgical Specialists of Louisiana for bariatric surgery called the sleeve. With her post-surgical stomach smaller, which also puts those dysregulated hunger hormones more in balance, Ramsey got down to the 150s in 15 months.
“I have not ever been hungry since surgery. It was amazing,” said Hare.
The weight stayed off for that decade. At 40 she became a newlywed and wanted to become a mom. But a year and a half of fertility treatments of injections of hormones, along with steroids, reversed a lot of the gains she had made in maintaining her weight loss.
“In the first six months, I was up already 40 pounds, and I was terrified. None of my clothes fit. My scrubs did not fit for work. Brought back so many painful, you know, depression memories and just the anxiety,” said Hare.
But all those painful emotions went away fast with the FDA approval of Wegovy.
“A wonder drug is new to the market, and so I was like, ‘Sign me up,’” Hare remembers telling the drug sales rep when he was demonstrating the once-a-week injection at her work clinic.
“It’s simple. It’s painless, and it was a miracle. In three weeks, I lost 18 pounds, and by three months, I had lost 38 pounds, and so by six months, I was up to 47 pounds,” she said of her rapid weight loss numbers
For several years Ozempic has been on the market to treat type 2 diabetes. It improves the way the body handles excesses of the hormone insulin. A side effect was that patients lost 15 percent of their body weight. So last year, in June of 2021, it was reformulated and approved for weight loss for patients, who are not diabetics, under the name Wegovy.
“This drug is not a stimulant. It simply makes you feel full. We know that it affects your brain. It mimics a hormone that affects the satiety centers in your brain,” explained Bariatric Surgeon Dr. Matthew French.
Dr. French of Surgical Specialists of Louisiana says about 20 of the clinic’s patients have used Wegovy.
“And they say they just don’t get hungry. They don’t want the food. They don’t have the craving. And that’s a powerful tool for losing weight,” explained Dr. French.
“And I wasn’t hungry, which was great. The best thing about this drug is it made alcohol taste horrible,” said Hare who noted she packed on part of her weight from the sugary calories in beer and wine.
But after six months, Ramsey is no longer on Wegovy. Most Louisiana insurance companies don’t pay for weight-loss medication like hers. Despite the long-term cost savings when people maintain ideal weight, companies don’t include it in their coverage. The other problem is the drug is in high demand and can be difficult to get.
When asked if insurance would cover it would a lot more patients be on Wegovy, Dr. French replied, “Definitely. Now it doesn’t take the place of surgery. Surgery is still about twice as effective as this medication for weight loss, but compared to diet and exercise alone, it’s a no brainer. Complete game changer.
Wegovy is for people very overweight or obese. LSU Health exercise and obesity expert, Dr. Melinda Sothern, says too much insulin in the blood causes fat storage in the belly. “The reason insulin is secreted is because you’ve ingested either sugar or starchy carb. That triggers it. So, it’s not just calories in and calories out. It’s the qualities of your diet,” explained Dr. Melinda Sothern, Professor Emerita at LSU Health Sciences Center.
The other natural way, of course, is exercise.
“Interestingly, exercise, a combination of strength training and moderate aerobic exercise, will do the same thing, but it does it through the muscle action. It helps the muscles use the insulin more effectively,” said Dr. Sothern.
Ramsey does not exercise but knows now that while Wegovy helped her through the hardest part, she will have to exercise to maintain her weight without the injections. And yes, she knows that includes cutting the sugary carbs.
“If I can get through Mardi Gras, you know. I only had one piece of king cake. Only one, and I didn’t even eat the whole thing,” said Hare.
The injection can push your weight loss from 2 percent to 15 percent, over diet and exercise.
Side effects can be nausea and digestive problems in one to three percent of patients. Serious side effects are very rare.

Ways Drinking Smoothies Can Help You Lose Weight, Say Dietitians

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 17:26:20 GMT

Ways Drinking Smoothies Can Help You Lose Weight, Say Dietitians

These easy additions to your regular routine can help you shed those extra pounds in a hurry, experts say.

Whether you’re trying to look your best for an upcoming event or just want to fit back into your favorite jeans after some pandemic-related weight gain, everyone has their own personal reasons for wanting to slim down. Unfortunately, there often seems to be little overlap in the Venn diagram of foods that are quick and easy to make and those that are good for aiding in your weight loss efforts. However, there is one notable exception: smoothies. When they’re made with the right ingredients, smoothies can be your secret weapon for losing weight and keeping it off. So, how exactly does drinking something that tastes like a dessert help you rid your body of those extra pounds? Read on to discover how smoothies help you lose weight, according to dietitians.
Their high liquid and air content keeps you full.

While chewing your food may be satisfying, the liquid content of smoothies can play a significant role in keeping you physically satiated, thus aiding your long-term weight loss efforts. “Being naturally high in water, fruits and vegetables are, by default, low in energy density, which is the number of calories divided by the weight in grams,” explains Elizabeth Brown, MS, RDN, CPT,
The Kitchen Vixen, a registered dietitian and certified holistic chef based in Santa Monica, California. “Not only do smoothies add water to these already water-rich foods, by way of blending, you also incorporate more air into the volume of your soon-to-be weight loss smoothie.”
When combined with protein, they help aid muscle development.

While the thought of eating steak after steak may sound laborious, drinking smoothies is a delicious and easy way to increase your protein intake and help build muscle along the way. “Smoothies containing whey protein aid in muscle building. Muscles burn more energy, even when you are sitting and sleeping,” thus helping you shed pounds more easily, explains Marie Ruggles, MS, RD, CN, CDE, creator of The Whole Foods Quick Start Guide with Tracker.
Their fiber and protein content can keep you full for longer.

Want to say goodbye to those hunger pangs telling you to snack between meals? A smoothie might just be the easiest way to bid them adieu once and for all. “Making a smoothie with mostly veggies, one to two fruits, and a protein source can aid in weight loss. It’s full of fiber and protein, which can help you feel full longer,” explains Stacy Roberts-Davis, RD, LDN, of Flavorful Nutrition LLC.
They can help stabilize your hunger hormones.

Adding some protein to your favorite smoothie recipe can not only keep you feeling full for longer, but it may also help suppress your hunger hormones and kick those cravings to the curb. “Whether you use a protein powder, cow’s milk, Greek yogurt, or tofu, you can bolster the protein content which will help you have a satisfying smoothie that also fills you up with supportive calories, rather than empty calories that are lacking nutrients. In fact, higher protein intake increases levels of the appetite-reducing hormones GLP-1, peptide YY, and cholecystokinin, while reducing your levels of the hunger hormone ghrelin. This can help lead to a reduction in calories throughout the day,” explains Lisa Bruno, MS, RDN, founder of Well Done Nutrition.
They can help stabilize your hunger hormones.

The easiest way to eat fewer junk foods isn’t necessarily to prohibit them—sometimes, it’s easier to crowd them out with a greater proportion of nutrient-dense, low-calorie foods instead. “Smoothies allow you to easily increase your fruit and vegetable intake,” says Bruno. “On average, only 14 percent of American adults consume at least two servings of fruit and at least three servings of vegetables daily. A diet high in fruits and vegetables is optimal for weight management. We should aim to eat two to three cups per day of both fruits and veggies.”

Secret benefits of weight loss

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 17:21:54 GMT

Secret benefits of weight loss

You already know weight loss can help you live a longer healthier life but do you know how it benefits your body and mind?
Weight loss is about more than fitting into smaller jeans. By maintaining a healthy weight, you could improve your mobility and mood, and you will also lower your risk for serious illnesses.
“If you control your weight better, you have a lower risk of cancer,”
says Jeffrey McDaniel, M.D., a Piedmont obesity medicine physician. Weight loss can also reduce chronic pain and ward off diabetes.
What is more, shedding even a few pounds can improve your health. Though many people fixate on a “goal weight,” Dr. McDaniel encourages patients to take small steps toward a healthier overall outlook.
“Don’t have a dieting mentality,” he explains. “Have a lifestyle-change mentality.”
How weight loss improves your health
When Dr. McDaniel sees new patients, he asks what motivates them to get in shape. People may want to manage back pain, fight prediabetes or look better for a big event.
But, Dr. McDaniel says, the benefits don’t stop there.
Other benefits of weight loss can include:
• Lower blood pressure
• Lower levels of triglycerides
• Less risk of heart disease
• Improved mobility and reduced pain
• Better sex and less erectile dysfunction
• Improved mood
• Better sleep
• Higher self-esteem
• Improved insulin resistance
• Lower risk for multiple cancers
Though a better mood and sleep are not always simple to track, there is no doubt that weight loss can have a quantifiable impact.
“These are direct, measurable effects,” Dr. McDaniel says.
Why is weight loss so hard?
Even given the many benefits, most people struggle to lose pounds and keep them off. The difficulties they encounter have almost nothing to do with willpower or motivation, Dr. McDaniel says.
“Obesity or being overweight is a chronic relapsing disease,” he explains. “It’s not the patient’s fault.”
Factors that may influence a person’s weight include:
• Genetics
• Medications
• Hormones
• Metabolism
If you do lose weight, you may be surprised by how easy it is to regain it all. Your body is hardwired to protect you, and it may perceive prolonged dieting as a kind of starvation.
“A common response to weight loss is your body fights it,” Dr. McDaniel says.
How to lose weight and keep it off
Despite its challenges, weight loss still offers invaluable health and lifestyle benefits. Getting started can be intimidating, but Dr. McDaniel advises patients to take it slow, be honest with themselves and avoid fixating on a single number.
“It doesn’t mean you’re a success or a failure,” he says.
Ask yourself what inspires you to lose weight and create a realistic plan for dropping pounds slowly. (Sorry, but there is no healthy way to lose 20 pounds in a single month.)
Small, measurable goals are key, Dr. McDaniel says. If you want to eventually lose 20 pounds, you might aim to drop just a pound or so each week. That way, you can enjoy frequent successes that keep you motivated, and better diet and exercise habits will take center stage in the meantime.
Dr. McDaniel encourages his patients to try a version of the keto diet, which focuses on more healthy fats and fewer carbohydrates, but he recommends talking with a doctor or nutritionist about meal plans that may work for you.
Remember your weight is not your value
Dr. McDaniel also recognizes the psychological baggage these topics can carry. Many people have battled weight and societal stigmas for years, and they may struggle with body image and self-esteem. Here are his tips for people who have emotional issues around weight loss:
• Do not pay too much attention to the body mass index (BMI) chart. It is just one indicator, not the ultimate measure of fitness.
• Weigh yourself less often.
• Use a scale that can display your weight in kilograms or stones, which can help remove any mental stigmas you have around pounds.
• Work with a friend to keep yourself accountable and make the weight loss experience more pleasant.
At the end of the day, Dr. McDaniel says, weight loss should lead to fuller, healthier days—not a constant battle with the scale.
“Success, in my mind, is losing weight that’s predominantly fat mass, not losing your muscle, and having better quality of life,” he says.