When a part of the small or large intestine (the bowels) becomes blocked, either totally or partially so that stools cannot get through, this is known as a bowel obstruction; and it can happen to anybody.

Blockages can occur for a number of reasons. Some of these include hernia, gallstones, tumors, abnormal growth of tissue, a twisted intestine or foreign body (by swallowing a non-food item).

Bowel Obstruction

A blocked bowel is usually a serious condition that requires medical attention. Sometimes, the intestine may have to be decompressed which is achieved by the insertion of a (nasogastric) tube into the stomach. If this doesn’t manage to resolve the blockage then surgery may be required.

There are some complications associated with bowel obstructions. If not treated, for example, a part of the bowel tissue could die resulting in infection and even in some cases, gangrene. There is also the possibility of the intestine becoming perforated, and this is a medical emergency should it happen.

The symptoms of a blocked bowel can include the total lack of stools as none can get through, or diarrhea as only liquid stools can get through. Pain, bloating and cramps also point to a blocked bowel, as do bad breath and vomiting. Diagnosis of a bowel obstruction is carried out be a physical examination in combination with diagnostic tests.

Erectile Dysfunction, or impotence as it is otherwise known, is the inability in males to achieve or sustain an erection so that sexual intercourse (or other sexual activity) can take place. It is said to affect one in every ten men and the causes can be either physical or psychological.

Erectile dysfunction is a very common sexual problem and nearly half of all males over forty years of age will experience the condition at some stage of their lives. It usually becomes more common in both occurrences and severity as a person gets older. There are many causes for impotence and it is estimated that in three quarters of the cases it is a physical problem affecting the blood supply.

Some physical conditions that may cause erectile dysfunction include diabetes, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, hormone imbalances, or surgery in the pelvic area. Psychological issues that could have an effect include feelings of anxiety, guilt or depression, stress or issues with a partner.

In almost 95% of impotence cases, a suitable treatment is found to cure the problem. These can include therapy as well as medicinal. There are also many “self-help” treatments that can help with the issue. Quitting smoking, taking moderate exercise regularly, eating a balanced diet, drinking alcohol in moderation and reducing stress are all methods of combating the issue.

Understanding Erectile Dysfunction

A headache involves having mild to severe pain in a specific, or many, areas of the head or back of the neck. Countless “types” of headache exist, all caused by a variety of reasons, and although they can be painful and rather annoying, they are, for the most part, not a sign of a serious disorder and in most non-chronic situations can be treated and relieved by medicines.

Although there is no single cause of a headache, several causes have so far been identified by the medical community and these can fall into two main categories – tension headaches and migraine headaches. Tension headaches are the result of contraction of the neck and head muscles and are the most common type of headache, accounting for nearly seventy percent of cases. Some causes of muscle contraction linked with tension headaches include stress, fatigue, eye strain, poor posture, hormonal changes, and alcohol or tobacco use.

Migraine headaches occur when blood vessels located in the neck and head constrict, which therefore leads to decreased blood flow in them. Symptoms of migraine include a throbbing pain usually on one particular side of the head, along with a feeling of nausea and sensitivity to sound or light. Migraines are usually chronic and affect more women than men

Headache

Although for the most part headaches are not a sign of anything sinister, as mentioned above, there are certain symptoms that need to be looked at by a doctor or physician immediately. These include a sudden onset of headache accompanied by vomiting or nausea; recurring headaches which are accompanied by memory issues, tiredness and difficulty in concentrating; neck stiffness accompanied by high fever; fits; vision irregularities, i.e. light flashes; trouble controlling, or loss of feeling in, the limbs; and difficulty in communicating while being tired and apathetic.