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Exercise regularly to reduce risk of erectile dysfunction – Dr Nyarkotey
Men have been urged to cut down on eating processed foods and maintain a regular exercise routine to help reduce the risk of erectile dysfunction.
According to Dr Raphael Nyarkotey Obu, Honorary Professor of Holistic Medicine, erectile dysfunction is common in patients with cardiovascular disease but much of it has to do with lifestyle.
He told The Spectator that frequent and regular erections were a sign of good cardiovascular health however erectile dysfunction was not always a sign of a heart problem, as it could also be caused by anxiety, fear, discomfort, or other psychological challenges.
“If psychological issues are not your problem, and you have gone three months without an erection, then I would advise you take a look at your lifestyle,” he said.
He noted that sexual function was important for the quality of life of men, however, erectile dysfunction could be “a sign of a more deadly problem.”
Dr Nyarkotey maintained that men must always check their lifestyle, try to change their diet, exercise regularly, and take useful dietary supplements, adding that lifestyle changes and some medical treatment could help improve sexual function.
“The inability to function sexually can be embarrassing to a man, there are many stigmas tied to a man’s manliness and his ability to rise to the occasion.
“Because of the strong links between erectile dysfunction and cardiovascular problems, and perhaps the stronger links between cardiovascular health, diet, and exercise, I see the penis as a barometer to a man’s health,” he said.
The renowned Researcher and Holistic Medicine Advocate, citing a review article in the European Heart Journal, indicated that more than half of men over 50 years and more than two-thirds of those over age 70 had erectile dysfunction, and that the condition had strong connection to heart disease.
He explained that a chemical known as Nitric Oxide is “mainly responsible for widening the arteries during physical activity, but it also helps bring blood flow to the male organ during sexual intercourse.”
He, however, said that when the arteries became hard and clogged by an unhealthy lifestyle, “the arteries in the penis take a hit just as much as the arteries in the heart and erections do not happen.”
He further asserted that the inability to get an erection is a common problem, but “it is not normal.”
Dr] Nyarkotey believes that a healthy man should experience three to four-morning erections a week but there’s no need to panic when the ‘organ does not want to cooperate’ as that could happen as result of stress.
He, therefore, called for the consumption of water melon and Hibiscus tea, for a “great and healthy penis”.
Source: Ghanaian Times
Troubled and anxious citizens in Damongo of the Savannah Region have expressed concerns about the number of young people, believed to be under the age of 18, involved in ‘shisha’ smoking in pubs and drinking spots within the township.
Eyewitnesses say the minors were seen patronising nightlife venues, where Shisha smoking happen in the open.
The situation has sparked renewed public concern over the enforcement of child protection laws and regulations governing the operations of entertainment centres in the municipality and country as a whole.
An eyewitness, who spoke to The Spectator on conditions of anonymity for security reasons, noted that the situation was becoming increasingly common.
“This is not a one-off incident. It is becoming very common, but residents like us cannot openly report or speak about it because our lives will be at risk,” he said.
Under Ghanaian law, minors were prohibited from patronising Shisha.
Public health experts have consistently warned that shisha use exposes users to harmful substances that can negatively affect brain development, respiratory health, and overall well-being, particularly among young people.
The residents believe the alleged incidents point to broader challenges relating to youth supervision, substance abuse, and weak enforcement of existing regulations and have called on municipal authorities, security agencies, and regulatory bodies to intensify monitoring of pubs and entertainment centres to ensure compliance with the law.
In an effort to address the menace, Mr Salisu Be-Awurbi, the Savannah Regional Minister, has led public education campaigns, engaged security agencies, and supported enforcement actions to address the rising use of illicit substances in the region.
Wura Kelly Seidu Boresah I, the Chief of Damongo, has also called on all stakeholders including parents, community leaders, institutions, and young people to actively support efforts to curb drug abuse, warning that the rising consumption of hard drugs poses a serious health threat to the future of the youth in the Savannah Region.
He also cautioned individuals involved in the sale and distribution of illicit drugs to immediately desist from the practice, stressing that offenders will face arrest and prosecution in accordance with the law.
From Geoffrey Buta, Damongo, Savannah Region
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Dr Theresa Baffour, an advocate for ending violence and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SAHM SAHW Foundation, has said that society plays a critical and pivotal role in breaking the cycle of domestic violence.
According to her, domestic violence is a major contributor of making women, who are mostly the victims, mentally derailed and unable to engage in economic activities.
She said this when the foundation called on the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, to solicit support for the initiative by the “Strong and Healthy Minds, Strong and Healthy Women” (SAHM SAHW) to combat domestic violence within the Ga State.
The visit was occasioned by the fact that domestic violence cases have become quite prevalent in the Ga communities and is retarding growth.
According to her, the canker was an impediment to national development because the victims were usually tortured and would have to go through series of therapies to return to the right state of mind.
Dr Baffour mentioned that Gender-Based Violence (GBV) places a mental toll on women, and was, therefore, important to break the cycle through comprehensive mental health support, crisis intervention and empowerment programmes in communities with high rates of GBV.
This intervention, she underscored, would help in empowering the denigrated victim of domestic violence to soundly heal, build and thrive.
Dr Baffour added that the initiative would provide holistic, trauma-informed mental health care and advocacy for young women affected by domestic violence.
According to her, the above statement would create safe spaces for healing and equipping them with entrepreneurial skills for renewed hope and empowered life.
The Ga Mantse pledged his support for the laudable initiative to combat domestic violence and also acknowledged the need to address it in the Ga State.
Further endorsement came from Justice Julia Naa-Yarley Adjei Amoah, Chief of Staff at the Office of the Ga Mantse, as she commended the team of SAHM SAHW Foundation for taking a bold step to end the canker in the Greater Accra.
She added that it was a step in the right direction to save vulnerable women from torture, stress and emotional abuse.
By Alfred Nii Arday Ankrah
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