Effects of Sex on the Heart of the Aged

Having sex frequently - and enjoying it - puts older men at higher risk for heart attacks and other cardiovascular problems.

For older women, however, good sex may actually lower the risk of hypertension.

That's according to the first large-scale study of how sex affects heart health in later life.

The federally funded research, led by a Michigan State University scholar, is slated to be published online Sept. 6 in the Journal of Health and Social Behavior.

"These findings challenge the widely held assumption that sex brings uniform health benefits to everyone," said Hui Liu, MSU associate professor of sociology.

Liu and colleagues analyzed survey data from 2,204 people in the National Social Life, Health and Aging Project. Participants were aged 57-85 when the first wave of data was collected in 2005-06; another round of data was collected five years later.

Cardiovascular risk was measured as hypertension, rapid heart rate, elevated C-reactive protein and general cardiovascular events: heart attack, heart failure and stroke.

Older men who had sex once a week or more were much more likely to experience cardiovascular events five years later than men who were sexually inactive, the study found. This risk was not found among older women.

"Strikingly, we find that having sex once a week or more puts older men at a risk for experiencing cardiovascular events that is almost two times greater than older men who are sexually inactive," said Liu.

"Moreover, older men who found sex with their partner extremely pleasurable or satisfying had higher risk of cardiovascular events than men who did not feel so."

She said the findings suggest the strain and demands from a sexual relationship may be more relevant for men as they get older, become increasingly frail and suffer more sexual problems.

"Because older men have more difficulties reaching orgasm for medical or emotional reasons than do their younger counterparts, they may exert themselves to a greater degree of exhaustion and create more stress on their cardiovascular system in order to achieve climax."

Testosterone levels and the use of medication to improve sexual function may also play a role. "Although scientific evidence is still rare," Liu said, "it is likely that such sexual medication or supplements have negative effects on older men's cardiovascular health."

Ultimately, while moderate amounts of sex may promote health among older men, having sex too frequently or too enjoyably may be a risk factor for cardiovascular problems, Liu said.

"Physicians should talk to older male patients about potential risks of high levels of sexual activity and perhaps screen those who frequently have sex for cardiovascular issues."

For women, it was a different story. Female participants who found sex to be extremely pleasurable or satisfying had lower risk of hypertension five years later than female participants who did not feel so.

"For women, we have good news: Good sexual quality may protect older women from cardiovascular risk in later life," Liu said.

Previous studies suggest that strong, deep and close relationship is an important source of social and emotional support, which may reduce stress and promote psychological well-being and, in turn, cardiovascular health.

"This may be more relevant to women than to men," Liu said, "because men in all relationships, regardless of quality, are more likely to receive support from their partner than are women. However, only women in good quality relationships may acquire such benefits from their partner."

Moreover, the female sexual hormone released during orgasm may also promote women's health, she said.

Article source: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20160907/Study-reveals-how-sex-affects-heart-health-in-later-life.aspx

Getting Back In Shape

Let us talk a little about how we can get back into shape. How many people have done this? How many people have let themselves go so long without exercise that they don't know how to start? I have had to overcome this problem before and I would have liked a guide like I am going to provide for you.

How to start getting in shape after no exercise for a long time isn't easy. If it was easy everyone would be doing it. It's going to take dedication, hard work, giving up some of your favorite foods or drinks.

NOT ALL AT ONCE THOUGH.

Don't be an over eager beaver as I like to call them. An over eager beaver in the gym is someone that decides they are going to get in shape and they go gung ho over it. They say they are going to wake up at 6 a.m. run 5 miles then go to the gym after work, workout for 2 hours. Then there going to only eat healthy foods and drink nothing but water. You get my point. If you tried to do that all at once you are setting yourself up for failure.

Start with little goals.

Examples of 2 small goals you can set for yourself to help you start getting into shape!

Walk for 10 minutes a day for a few days then up it to 15 minutes. Keep raising your goal and eventually you'll be running five miles, and thinking How the HELL am I running five miles a day I remember when I couldn't / didn't want to walk five minutes a day.

Replace one snack with a healthy snack that is full of protein and good nutrients. Replace one snack a week for as long as it takes to replace them all your snacks with healthy ones and eventually you'll be snacking on nothing but foods that are good for you.

Examples of exercises to start with when you haven't been exercising in a long time.

Start by doing 2 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

This isn't an exercise but it is very important and I feel I should mention this again set small attainable goals.

Don't set unrealistic goals.

Start by doing push-ups in your living room or at a gym. This is an example of using your own bodyweight to help get in shape.

Next to sit ups again this can be done in your living room or in a gym.

Finish it up with some bodyweight squats. This is a great way to building your lower body and hit your core at the same time.

Where do I start once I get to the gym?

When you walk into the gym for the first time it could be a little overwhelming at first. You don't know where to begin in order to start getting in shape. An easy way to get started is to start with compound movements or total body workouts.

Start with straight barbell squats. This is the same thing you were doing before only now you are using a little weight. This will help build your lower body and your core.

Flat bench press. This is going to help build your pectoral muscles and your triceps and shoulders.

You can also do everything you were doing above just at the gym now. Eventually, you will work your way up into doing more and more.

Now at least you have a starting point. Now all you have to do is decide to start and start now. Have someone that will hold you accountable or you need to be extremely disciplined. Set little goals and once you reach them set another goal eventually you're going to be 55 lbs lighter like me and wonder how it happened. It took me 5 months but I gained a lot of muscle too so I actually have lost a lot more than 55 lbs.

I feel great and so can you.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9512008

Zika Virus and Safe Sex Practice

If you or your sexual partner are traveling to an area where Zika is circulating, you should abstain or carefully use safe sex measures for a full six months after you return, the World Health Organization announced today, even if Zika is not present in your home community.

The new recommendations apply to both men and women, and should be followed even if neither of the partners have shown symptoms of Zika and regardless of whether they are trying to conceive or not.

Common symptoms of a Zika infection include rash, fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, and on occasion red eyes that appear similar to conjunctivitis.

This is a huge change to the WHO's prior guidance in June, which only applied to men who were not showing symptoms, and suggested abstaining or practicing safe sex for a mere eight weeks after travel to an area where Zika is currently circulating.

The WHO said the change in counsel comes because of additional studies that have documented the presence of Zika virus in semen for much longer than previously known.
Until June 7, "the maximum documented time was 62 days" said the WHO, but Zika virus particles have "now been found in semen for 188 days."

Since the studies only found viral particles, not the infectious virus itself, the WHO believes its "calculation for six months is conservative" and does not intend to extend the guidance past six months at this time.

The WHO said it also took into consideration new studies that have documented the transmission of Zika between sexual partners who had no symptoms of the disease. At least 80% of people infected with Zika do not show symptoms, and may never know they have the disease and could be contagious

Another concern, according to the WHO, centered around a case report that showed the virus might hide in a woman's genital tract. In June, researchers announced that Zika RNA had been found in a woman's vaginal fluids and cervical mucous after the virus had left her bloodstream.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is still counseling couples to abstain or practice safe sex for eight weeks after returning from an area of active Zika transmission. Women with Zika-like symptoms should do so for a full eight weeks after symptoms started, but men should wait for a full six months after symptoms appear.

What about Pregnancy?

However, according to CDC spokesperson Tom Skinner, the agency "is currently reviewing all the available evidence and is in the process of updating its interim guidance related to pregnancy planning and the timing of pregnancy after possible exposure to Zika virus and prevention of sexual transmission of Zika virus."

The CDC defines safe sex as the use of either male or female condoms, and says it applies to oral, anal and vaginal sex acts, including the use of sex toys.
According to the WHO, safe sexual practices include "correct and consistent use of male or female condoms, non-penetrative sex, reducing the number of sexual partners, and postponing sexual debut."

Article source: http://edition.cnn.com/2016/09/06/health/zika-sexual-guidance-who-changes/index.html?iid=ob_lockedrail_bottomlist