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February is American Heart Month, where focus is put on Heart Disease, which is the leading cause of death in the United States and worldwide according to the CDC. In honor of American Heart Month, we are kicking it off with a list of things you can do to increase heart health, and reduce your risk of heart disease. 

1. Reduce Your Sodium Intake

Sodium is necessary to carry out certain functions in your body like regulating the balance of fluids and the contraction of muscles. Despite this, too much of it can dehydrate you, harden your arteries, and raise your blood pressure. Most Americans, 90% of them in fact, consume too much salt. This means it is very likely that making your diet low sodium or at least making an effort to reduce your sodium intake is going to be beneficial to you. It is recommended that we consume less than 2,300 milligrams (about a teaspoon) of sodium daily, but on average Americans consume over 3,400 milligrams per day. The CDC estimates that over 70% of this sodium comes from processed food and food we eat at restaurants. Replacing these foods with more home cooked meals and replacing high sodium snacks with vegetables, fruits, or unsalted nuts can make all the difference. It may also be beneficial to check to see if a salt substitute is right for you, or turn to other ways to flavor your food like garlic or lemon juice. 

2. Eat more whole grains

Whole grains are an important staple of a heart healthy diet. They can help control many of the aspects that affect the risk of heart disease like blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure, and even your weight. One of the reasons for this is the high amount of fiber contained in many whole grain foods. Fiber is excellent at reducing the amount of bad cholesterol in the blood, and it helps prevent high blood pressure as well. Some easy ways to get more whole grains in your diet is to replace white bread with whole grain bread, white rice with brown rice, and cereal with oatmeal. 

3. Cut back on Sugar

You probably saw this one coming. High sugar consumption makes you much more likely to develop Type 2 Diabetes, and have other issues like obesity and high blood pressure. Reducing sugar intake can be one of the easiest areas to identify ways to improve, even if actually putting it into practice may not be as simple. Cutting out sugary beverages, snacks, and not having dessert as often will go a long way in decreasing your sugar intake, and have the added benefit of lowering your calorie count. Another option is to use alternative sweeteners, or replacing sugar with other natural sweeteners like pure maple syrup or honey, though you should still be careful and not consume too much of these either. 

4. Watch your portion sizes

Eating too much can make us lethargic and miserable in the short term, but the excess calories affect us in the long term as well once they are converted and stored as fat. Eating meals that are actually properly portioned is a good way to prevent this, and it can also help with cutting back on things like sodium. How many calories you need to consume daily can vary depending on many factors like your activity level, age, and whether or not you want to lose or maintain your weight. Generally, women that are moderately active should get around 2,000 calories and day, and men that are moderately active should get around 2,500. If you want to lose weight however, you need to decrease this amount by about 500 calories. Taking the guesswork out can be helpful, and there are many apps available that allow you to do just that by tracking the food you eat and telling you how many calories you are consuming.

5. Plan out your meals

The prior planning and even pre-preparing of meals can make it many times easier to actually accomplish the above points and maintain a healthier diet and lifestyle. Planning ahead allows you tailor your meals to fit what you need while cutting out the things you do not. It also makes it easier for you to stay on track, since you won’t have to make last minute decisions about what to do for dinner that ultimately lead to you going and getting a cheeseburger. 

6. Lose Weight

 Being overweight or obese is linked to every major risk factor for heart disease, and the risk increases as one becomes more overweight. Getting to a healthy weight and maintaining it can be difficult, especially for those that have tried time and time again with little success. Doing so can be one of, if not the most important thing you can do to prevent heart disease and lead a healthier life. We’ve already talked about how portion control and reduced calorie intake is a great way to start losing weight, but throwing in exercise will take it to the next level. Great ways to start are by making sure you hit a daily step goal with a step tracker (10,000 steps daily is considered active), or setting aside time every day to go on a 15-30 minute walk. 

7. Cardio

Walking is one of the many forms of aerobic exercise, all of which are great ways to lose weight. While walking is the easiest, other great cardio based exercises include running, swimming, biking, rowing, and boxing. These forms are more intense than walking, but they also will bring about even better results. Even if you just stick to walking, you will still get other benefits as well, like lower blood pressure, lowered cholesterol, improved blood and oxygen flow, and it will make your blood vessels and heart stronger. Try to get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise a week, or 75 minutes if you go for a more intense workout like running. 

8. Get quality sleep

Like most things related to your health, getting better sleep can have a positive impact on the health of your heart. One of the reasons for this is that your blood pressure naturally decreases when you sleep, and since high blood pressure is one of the biggest risk factors for heart disease, missing this blood pressure down time can be potentially dangerous. Sleep also helps control blood sugar, and even prevent unwanted weight gain. While everyone’s sleep needs are different, most adults should get 7-9 hours of sleep per night according to the National Sleep Foundation. If you have trouble sleeping try taking time to relax and destress before you go to bed with something like a bath or reading a book instead of watching TV or using your phone. Cutting back on caffeine can help as well, especially if you tend to have a caffeinated drink later in the day. 

9. Don’t Smoke

Smoking is bad for you in general, and along with the lung problems and increased risk of cancer, comes a negative impact on your heart. Smoking can cause a buildup of plaque in your arteries, increasing your blood pressure, and then at the same time cause damage to your blood vessels. The best solution to this is to never smoke in the first place, but the second best is to stop immediately and allow your cardiovascular system to begin healing. Quitting smoking can be difficult, but it’s worth it to pull out all the stops to quit if you need them. When a craving hits, going on a walk, chewing gum, or eating a healthy snack can help you fight off the urge to smoke, and help you hold out until you have overcome the addiction. 

10. Only Drink in Moderation

Drinking is also just bad for you in general, but heavy drinking can have a significant effect on your heart. One of the reasons for this is that drinking increases your heart rate even while you rest, which increases your risk of a cardiac event all by itself. It also can damage your heart muscle, which can in turn impede its ability to pump blood. When this happens your entire body is affected and it can lead to severe complications both in your heart and away from it. You don’t have to cut alcohol out completely, but sticking to only drinking in moderation is important to maintaining heart health. The CDC considers drinking in moderation to be 2 or less drinks a day for men, and 1 or less drinks a day for women, and less than that is even better.

The health of your heart is vital to your overall health, and these steps are a great start towards keeping your heart strong and preventing serious conditions like heart attack and stroke. Since heart disease is the leading killer, preventing it can be one the best ways to live healthier and live longer. 

Get Started on improving your heart health, and preventing chronic conditions now

During the winter, certain health problems can be more commonplace than they are during other times of the year. Some of these issues are minor and can be solved with relative ease, but others can actually be quite serious, and it is important to be aware of them. Today we will go through how we can prevent some of the challenges our bodies may face during the Winter.

Heart Attacks in the Winter

The most major problem is the increased rate of heart attacks during the Winter months. The cold itself is one of the causes for this. When it is cold, blood vessels can narrow, leading to an increase in blood pressure, and increasing the risk of a cardiac event. Keeping warm is the obvious solution to this, though you should avoid becoming overheated as that can also increase the risk of a heart attack.

You don’t have to live in a very cold area to have the increased risk of a heart attack. This is because even if you don’t face a tremendous blizzard every other week, the generally cooler weather and the lessened amount of sunlight can lead you to be less active and be more sedentary. This can lead to weight gain, higher cholesterol, and increased insulin resistance and a heightened risk of complications from diabetes. All of these can increase the likelihood of a heart attack, so it is important that we keep active during the winter. This might mean working out inside instead of outside, or moving the time that you exercise around so that you are doing so when it is light outside. 

Immune Health

A second winter problem is how much easier it is to get sick. Colds, flus, and other acute illnesses can thrive in the colder environment on top of the cold negatively impacting your immune system. Lack of activity comes into play here as well, as exercise tends to strengthen our immune systems. We also spend more time inside around other people, which can make it much easier to be exposed to a virus. Staying active, getting enough sleep, and eating right will help. Plus you can always consider an immune support supplement if you feel like you need a little extra help with getting all the necessary vitamins and minerals that your immune system needs to be at full strength.

Another way the immune system is affected is the decreased amount of Vitamin D that we get. This vitamin is important for a variety of reasons, and one of those is the support that provides for our immune responses. We get small amounts of Vitamin D through the food we eat, but we get most of it from sunlight. Since there is less sunlight in the winter, we can end up being left out in the cold when it comes to getting enough of the vital nutrient. The best solution once again is to get active during the daylight hours and do your best to get more of the vitamin in your diet. Since many Americans are deficient in Vitamin D even when it isn’t winter, taking a Vitamin D supplement might be necessary to ensure that you are getting all that you need. 

Arthritis

Many people experience heightened pain and discomfort from arthritis during the winter. There are a number of possible reasons for this, including the effect colder temperatures and change in pressure can have on blood circulation and on the contraction of muscles. Another is the reduced amount of Vitamin D, which helps your body absorb calcium as one of its prime functions. The less Vitamin D you are getting, the harder it is for your body to maintain strong bones. Lack of activity rears its ugly head once again here, as not being active enough can actually make stiffness or pain in the joints worse.

Staying active and making sure that you are getting proper nutrients is obviously going to be very important, but you may still need some extra help. At Ways2Well we can help with our pain relief gel, Cryogel. Cryogel is a CBD based cold therapy gel that is great for aches, pains, soreness, and even minor injuries. If you struggle with putting a stop to 

Dry Skin

It may not be as serious as arthritis or heart disease, but the cold isn’t kind to your skin either. The dry air and low humidity can wreak havoc on the moisture in your skin, leaving your skin dry and rough. The easiest way to combat this is simply by using a moisturizer or other skincare products that will help you fight the dryness and flakiness. 

Mental Health

What affects your physical health can also affect your mental health, and it is no different in this case. The lack of sun, activity, and the changes that can happen to your diet or sleep schedule can lead to a case of winter blues. Luckily, the solutions are mostly the same. Maintaining your normal lifestyle of getting active, eating right, and maintaining a normal sleep schedule can make a world of difference. As always, if you feel like you need to talk to someone, please do so, whether it is somebody close to you or a professional. 

Even though we may be tempted to hibernate during the winter, and take time off from our normal activities. It is important to remember that our health never takes time off, and that we always need to be mindful of it, especially when it becomes more difficult to do so. Whether you need help with preventing serious health conditions like heart disease, or just reducing the odds that you get a cold, Ways2Well can help you be as healthy as you can be, all year long.

At the beginning of every year an uncountable number of people tell themselves that they are going to eat better, start working out, and enact a number of positive changes that will improve their life. Most of the time people keep this up for a month at most, if they start at all. One of the biggest reasons for this is that people are often unprepared, they don’t have a plan aside from “I’m going to start hitting the gym” or they may not really know how to begin living healthier at all. Today we will talk about how to actually start that “new you” that so many attempt to become every year, as well as some ways to actually help you keep that commitment. 

Exercise

One of, if not the most common, New Year’s resolution is to get active and start working out. Obviously, this is a great change to make, but for many it can be the hardest to stick to. Enthusiasm quickly can give way to excuses and apathy, and then before you know it you’ve stopped exercising completely. 

There are a few strategies that can help you maintain your commitment to getting in shape. One is to remember that you don’t have to start doing intense workouts everyday of the week, it is ok to pace yourself. Start by working to exercise consistently, until it becomes a regular part of your routine, and then start to increase the intensity and scale of your workouts. A similar approach can be taken to setting goals for yourself. One reason many people get discouraged and quit is because they don’t see results as quickly as they would like. It is important to remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day, and your ideal body won’t be either. Set smaller goals for yourself that you can use as milestones on your way to your main goal. This will make it easier for you to keep your confidence and motivation up while also helping you track your progress. 

Nutrition

Attempting to start a diet is also a very common trend at the beginning of the year. Many people end up carrying at least a few extra pounds into the new year after overindulging on food during the holidays, so this can be a good way to get back on track. Like exercise, it can be easy to get off track and let that completely derail your attempts to be healthier. 

One of the keys of eating healthier is to get right back on the wagon after you decide to have a greasy double cheeseburger instead of a well balanced dinner. You don’t want a cheat day, which is totally fine to have occasionally, to turn into a cheat week. Taking small steps can be helpful with eating healthier too. Start by eating more fruits, vegetables, and other whole foods will help you round out your diet. The next step is limiting or cutting out sugary beverages and processed foods, which can understandably be one of the most difficult changes for many people. Finding out what works best for you is also important. For example, you may not be able to cut out snacking completely, but limiting it and switching to healthier snacks can be an effective way to maintain a proper diet. 

Sleep

One area that shouldn’t be overlooked when trying to be healthier is sleep. Making an effort to get more sleep can improve almost all areas of your life, from your work life to your mood. Getting good quality sleep will allow your body to recover better from workouts and help with muscle growth. You will also feel more energized and be able to get a better workout in, and also be less likely to skip out on exercising in the first place. It can also help you control your weight better, and even help manage blood sugar levels. More sleep will boost your immune system as well, so you will spend less time feeling under the weather. You will also find that you are not as stressed out when you get a healthy amount of sleep, and that’s something we all could benefit from after 2020.

There are a number of strategies that can be used to improve your sleep. Consistently going to bed and waking up at the same times will help your body understand when it is time to shut down for the night. Adding to this, taking time to relax and unwind before you go to sleep can be crucial to improving sleep quality. Instead of using a computer or tv screen, try reading, taking a shower or bath, or another activity that will help you destress. 

At Ways2Well, we can help you on your path to better health. With blood testing, we can determine the areas that most need improvement, and devise a treatment plan and strategy for you. With this insight you will be able to make more informed and efficient changes to your lifestyle, get better results, and hopefully have a much easier time staying on course to achieving your resolution for the new year, and make 2021 your healthiest year yet. 

Check out our blog section to learn more

Staying Healthy During Flu Season

As we all know, we are in the middle of a global pandemic, and as we are now entering flu season, there is a good chance things are going to get even more confusing. The two viruses are alike in many ways, and numerous people are going to end up in a situation where they are unsure if they have Covid-19, or just the flu. On top of that, our immune systems are going to need as much help as they get. Today we are going to talk more about strengthening our immune systems, ways to help ourselves avoid getting sick, and some of the similarities and differences between the flu and coronavirus that you may need to know.

The Flu and Covid-19

As respiratory illnesses, it’s no surprise that the two viruses share many similarities. It all begins with how they are transmitted, and unfortunately, they are both pretty easy to catch. Both diseases are caught through respiratory droplets that are released into the air or onto surfaces by an infected person. From there, the diseases share several symptoms, which is the main reason that it can be so difficult to discern between the two. The symptoms for both often include fever, fatigue or weakness, chills, and a dry cough, but they both may cause less common symptoms like diarrhea, sore throat, and a runny or stuffy nose. The flu comes with aches and pains more often, especially body and headaches. Symptoms like shortness of breath and loss of taste and/or smell are associated with Covid-19, but are rarely, if ever, associated with the flu. 

Severe complications like pneumonia, myocarditis, brain damage, and damage to other organs is also possible with both diseases, especially among the elderly or individuals with chronic conditions like asthma or diabetes. Children are also at a higher risk for a severe case of the flu, but seem to be much less likely to experience a severe case of Covid. A major difference between coronavirus and the flu is when the symptoms appear. With the flu, you will usually begin to experience symptoms within a few days of exposure, while it can take up to two weeks for coronavirus symptoms to show themselves, and sometimes symptoms may not occur at all. 

Currently, the biggest difference is probably how we are able to combat each of them, mostly due to how new Covid-19 is. We are very experienced at handling the flu, with vaccines and treatments that we have developed over the years that greatly reduce the impact of the flu to the point that we barely worry about it. We are still learning about how coronavirus operates, and are figuring out the best way to treat it, all while attempting to develop a vaccine. 

Don’t Get Sick

The good news is that the same precautions will help prevent both diseases. Wearing masks, thoroughly washing your hands, disinfecting surfaces, and maintaining distance from others will reduce the likelihood of contracting either virus. If symptoms do surface, you should proceed with isolating until you are able to seek testing and medical attention. 

Inevitably, not everyone is going to be successful in avoiding contact with either virus, making it a very good idea to help your immune system be as strong as possible. An easy start to strengthening your immune system is to practice healthy habits like frequent exercise, staying hydrated, and getting an adequate amount of good quality sleep. Sleep is one of the best things we can do to help our immune systems, so if sleep is something you struggle with it may be a good idea to read our blog on sleep hygiene. Stress is another factor for our immune systems, and trying to reduce the stress we endure can work wonders for preventing sickness.

Something that we cannot overlook is diet. It’s no secret that people with unhealthy diets get sick more often, both from chronic conditions and everyday diseases, so cutting out unhealthy fats and high amounts of sugar is a good start on improving immune health. From there, eating more fruits and vegetables will boost your immune system even. Making sure you get the proper nutrients like Vitamin C, Vitamin D, and Zinc will not only help stop you from getting sick, they can also make it easier to recover if you do get sick. It’s a good idea to consider immune support supplements if you want to make sure you are getting enough of those key nutrients. One example of the effects they can have come from studies that have shown that taking 200mg of Vitamin C a day can reduce the duration of cold symptoms by 8%. 

It’s important to remember that while physical distancing and face coverings are important in the midst of a pandemic, we shouldn’t rely on those things alone and make sure that our bodies are as prepared as possible for anything that comes our way. After all, castles were built with moats and high walls, but they also had soldiers within fighting for them as well. 

If you are interested in reading more about immune health, or learning about the immune support supplements that we offer, check out our page on immune health

Low Testosterone

We can’t talk about men’s health without covering one of the most important components of it: testosterone. Testosterone is important not just as the primary sex hormone in men, but for also affecting almost all the important functions of men’s bodies, from cognitive functions, to our bones and muscles, to our metabolism. It’s no wonder why having low testosterone can have such a large impact on a man’s overall health. 

Causes

Low T, or hypogonadism, can occur for a number of reasons. Many of these can be internal, like problems with the thyroid or pituitary gland, kidney or liver issues, inflammatory conditions, illnesses, metabolic disorders, birth defects, and excess estrogen levels. External forces and habits also have an effect on testosterone levels; things like overuse of alcohol, drug usage, and injuries, especially to the head or testicles, are all possible contributing factors to Low T. Medical treatments like chemotherapy or certain medications may also lead to decreased testosterone production.

Testosterone levels naturally decrease by about 1% per year starting at the age of 30, so age is usually the most important factor. Low T is more common the older you get, with about 40% of men over 45 suffering from it, but younger men can suffer from it as well, with about 25% of men over 30 being affected by low T. The condition isn’t common in men under 30, but that doesn’t mean that it cannot occur at that age. 

Low T and Chronic Conditions

Chronic conditions in men have a close relationship with low testosterone. In fact, having low T is one of the top risk factors for many chronic illnesses like type 2 diabetes, arthritis, cardiovascular disease, depression, and high blood pressure. Obesity is not only another risk factor for these chronic conditions, it is also a common culprit behind low testosterone. This is in part because of the typical lifestyle choices like inactivity and poor diet that are part of the risks associated with both conditions, but also because fat is able to metabolize testosterone into estrogen, which obviously means that higher amounts of fat in the body will lead to more testosterone being converted and create a recipe for disaster for a man’s health. Most of the time the obvious answer is to eat better and workout more to shed weight, but this becomes more difficult with low testosterone, sometimes making it almost impossible to turn our health around without testosterone treatment. 

Symptoms of Hypogonadism

Many of the well known symptoms are of course related to sex. Low T can lead to problems like low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, and even infertility, but the bedroom isn’t the only place symptoms can appear. Decrease in muscle and bone mass is possible, as well as hair loss, fatigue, and sometimes more serious issues like anemia. These symptoms can also occur on the mental side, and those with low T may experience reduced confidence, moodiness, irritability, depression, worsened memory, and reduced cognitive sharpness. 

Symptoms aren’t always severe, and it’s actually common for them to be mild enough that you may not even know you have them. This leads to many men ignoring the problems or attributing them to old age or just difficult times in their life. This mindset can be dangerous, especially if a man is already at risk for the chronic conditions that can be related to low testosterone. This is why it is so important to understand the causes and signs of low T, and to understand that it is always best to be safe and get your testosterone levels checked out instead of ignoring the problems. 

Treatment

There are ways to naturally boost testosterone, like exercising (especially lifting weights), getting plenty of good quality sleep, avoiding stress as much as possible, and eating a healthy diet with all the necessary nutrients. These methods often aren’t enough, especially in older men, and testosterone replacement therapy is necessary to correct the problem. Luckily, modern testosterone treatment comes in many forms, so there are many options to choose from when figuring out the best one for you. Some forms of testosterone treatment are designed to coax your body into producing more testosterone on its own, while others just directly replace the testosterone that your body isn’t producing. There are also a variety of delivery methods, from injections to implanted pellets, and even creams or oral medications. 

At Ways2Well, we will help you determine if low testosterone is affecting you, and also help you with a customized treatment plan that is best for you. With virtual appointments and home delivery of treatment, we make it easier than ever to combat the negative impact of low testosterone, so you can get back to being the best version of yourself.

Many men accept the side effects of low T as reality of life, but you don’t have to be one of them.

Staying Healthy During the Holidays

The holiday’s are a chaotic time. Between all the shopping, traveling, food, and time with family and friends, it can be easy for us to forget about taking care of our health. Since we know how difficult it can be during the holiday season, we have put together a few tips to help keep you healthy and safe for the rest of 2020.

Food

One of the biggest holiday challenges we face is with food. The large feasts where we gorge ourselves on everything from mac and cheese to pecan pie may get the most attention, but they aren’t the only temptations we face. Those cookies piled with frosting and the pretzels that we pick up at the mall while Christmas shopping add to the problem, and don’t count out a few servings of holiday nog! Limiting treats can go a long way if you want to avoid adding a few holiday pounds, but being mindful of portion sizes and overdoing it on sugar during the holiday season can make all the difference. The best thing you can do is make sure to maintain a healthy diet year round, and enjoy the spoils of holiday cooking and family feasts in moderation!

Immune Health

In the midst of a pandemic, flu season, and being around more people, it is incredibly important to make sure our immune systems are firing on all cylinders. The stress, lack of sleep, and general diet changes that come with the season can all put a damper on your immune health. Take steps to avoid getting sick by washing your hands often, social distancing and wearing your mask. Prioritizing rest is key to keeping your immune system healthy, as is reducing stress. While indulging in your favorite treats, make sure you still get the proper nutrients to maintain a strong immune system, whether it is through food or supplements-Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Zinc & Magnesium; just to name a few. 

If you need more help with your immune health, we have your back. Check our page on immune health for information 

Sleep

Obviously sleep is important year round, but it is another thing that we don’t get enough of during the holidays. It’s understandable, as there are a lot of things to do and even more things on our minds. Making a conscious effort to get enough high quality sleep will not only help us get all things on our list accomplished, it will also help us have a more enjoyable holiday, all while helping to maintain our mental and physical health. Giving your body the time to recover through sleep keeps you healthier and engaged – so you can enjoy the holiday season.

We can help you sleep better too. Check out our sleep hygiene blog to learn more 

Exercise

The holiday season can interrupt the daily workout grind in the best of ways; but keeping up with your workouts is key to staying on top of your health – even if you have to modify your exercise schedule. Exercising will help you negate the effects of those extra calories you consume, help with your sleep quality, alleviate stress, and give a boost to your immune system as well. Plus, it will help you maintain the habit of exercising into the new year without the discomfort of having to get back on track after a prolonged period of holiday movies and festive events.

Stress

What many call “the most wonderful time of the year” can also be called the most stressful. Worrying about travel, gifts, food, money, jobs, and dealing with family members can exacerbate stress levels and your overall mental health. Taking time to relax may be challenging, but doing so is key to maintaining our mental health, and will help our bodies stay healthy too. 

It may seem easier to put a focus on your health after the holidays are over, but trust us, it’s worth it to stay healthy all year. Give yourself the gift of better health this year – check out our Getting Started page to begin your journey to staying healthier, longer.

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Visit our blogs section and learn more about the things that could be affecting your health

Physical and mental health is very important, but did you know sexual health is also a key part of our overall health? Good sexual health can help us with our confidence, self-esteem, and can provide a good cardio workout, but just like with our mental and physical health, there are conditions that can create hurdles for us. In men, especially older men, one of the most common hurdles can be caused by Erectile Dysfunction, or ED. 

Erectile Dysfunction and it’s Signs

Erectile Dysfunction is when a man has difficulty or is unable to achieve or maintain an erection that is firm enough for sex. This definition is broad, but the signs of ED are obvious, and it’s easy to tell when they fit under the umbrella of erectile dysfunction. These signs include having a softer erection, one that doesn’t last as long as needed, and difficulty even getting one in the first place. These symptoms can be incredibly frustrating, and negatively impact other areas of our lives, like our mental health and our relationships with our partners. 

ED is very common, and men of all ages can occasionally experience its effects, especially during times of high stress. The occasional occurrence isn’t usually a cause for concern, but about 30 million American men experience it frequently enough for it to be considered a medical issue.

Causes

Many men that start having ED will blame their age, and while many of them are correct, there are many other possible causes, like the stress and anxiety. One cause of stress and anxiety can be relationship problems, meaning that while relationship difficulties are often a symptom of ED, they can also be a cause of it. Other culprits can be smoking, alcohol or drug use, low testosterone, injuries and surgeries, lack of sleep, or even prescription medications. 

Chronic conditions and erectile dysfunction may not seem like they would be related at first glance, but many chronic diseases absolutely can contribute to ED. Men with conditions like obesity, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and high cholesterol are much more likely to have difficulties sexually as well. A major reason for this is that anytime blood flow to the penis is reduced, it can lead to ED. A good example is high cholesterol, which can cause buildups and blockages in arteries, affecting the flow of blood to different parts of the body. Medications that are used to treat high blood pressure, or hypertension, often cause the blood flow to the penis to be decreased, which obviously can then cause difficulty with getting or maintaining an erection. 

While erectile dysfunction is never an enjoyable experience, it can actually be a life saving one. Some serious chronic conditions like heart disease, insulin resistance, and high blood pressure have little or no noticeable symptoms the majority of the time. When ED is being caused by one of these conditions, it may be the only warning sign that is being presented to you, and is a good indicator that changes may need to be made to not only improve your sexual health, but your overall physical health as well. A disruption to your sex life is, afterall, a much better outcome than an unexpected heart attack.

Treatment

With age being a major factor for ED, prevention isn’t always going to be 100% effective, but it is still a good idea to make sure you are making an effort to live well by eating healthy, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and checking for the warning signs of serious health risks. It’s also important to take care of the mental aspect of your health, by trying to reduce stress, and seeking assistance for things like anxiety or depression if you need it. Taking care of these things will naturally help you maintain a healthy sex life as well.

Prevention isn’t always going to be enough, and when it’s not, ED is actually very easily treatable, with very effective and often used treatments that are widely available. At Ways2Well we carry all the major treatments, like Tadalifil and Sildenafil, that make the treatment of erectile dysfunction simple and effective. The best part is we can ship it discreetly and directly to your home, so you can get back on your game faster than ever.

Check out our Getting Started page now and set up a free consultation with our medical provider. 

As hard as he tried, Brigham Buhler couldn’t achieve the weight-loss and fitness goals he’d set in his mid-20s. Plus, he constantly felt tired and stressed out. On top of that, Brigham’s entire immediate family has diabetes, and he was exhibiting the warning signs.

Buhler’s nutritionist recommended he get his hormones checked. It wound up taking three months to get an initial appointment with a urologist, who then recommended a comprehensive blood test.
The blood work revealed that he did, indeed, have a hormone deficiency. Subsequent hormone treatment, in addition to taking vitamins and supplements to combat various risk factors, got Buhler’s endocrine system back on track.

Born out of that frustrating situation and spurred by his more than 15 years in the medical-device industry, Buhler launched Houston-based Ways2Well in 2018. Propelled by a virtual health care platform, the company envisions a better way to treat patients by challenging the traditional health care model.

Click here to read the full article on InnovationMap.

Ways2Well, founded in 2018 by Heights resident Brigham Buhler, is a virtual preventative health care provider that uses blood lab analysis to provide data on patients’ health states.

Buhler said the company’s origin was inspired by his personal journey.

Read the full article on The Leader News.

Sometimes, it’s just too hard to find the answers you seek in health care. The waiting rooms, the parking, the forms — it’s all a bit much only to leave empty handed. This was Brigham Buhler’s experience, and finally, after months, he learned he had a hormone deficiency. Now, Buhler’s company, Ways2Well, allows patients to quickly do a blood test at a lab and receive their results digitally.

“While most virtual health care providers focus on sick care — treating patients experiencing symptoms that indicate sickness — Ways2Well is focused on preventative health care,” says Buhler.

Click to read the full feature on InnovationMap.