Erectile Dysfunction Disproportionately Affects Black Men, Is Linked To Heart Disease

By Lauren Williams, BlackVoices.com

Commercials for drugs like Cialis and Viagra are mainstays on television these days, but the condition they treat -- erectile dysfunction -- is hardly something that comes up in casual conversation. In fact, despite the mainstream popularity of the medications, erectile dysfunction, which is characterized by an inability to maintain an erection long enough to have sex, still causes great embarrassment and shame for men who suffer from it.

Things are no different in the black community, even though research has suggested that black men are up to 20 times more likely to have ED than whites. There might be less of a stigma surrounding the condition if more men knew what caused it, and, most importantly, what other health issues it can predict, Dr. Ridwan Shabsigh, urologist and author of 'Sensational Sex In Seven Easy Steps,' told Black Voices.

Studies have conclusively shown that ED is a very strong predictor of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, two diseases that disproportionately affect the black community.

"If we raise the awareness that ED is an early warning sign of cardiovascular disease," Shabsigh said, "It would help remove the stigma and help improve men's health."

The College Survival Guide

A Fridge
Regardless of whether you have a wonderful sized meal plan, your fridge may come in handy with leftovers or when you feel like stocking it with bottled drinks.

Computer
The convenience of a computer is essential when sending your kids off to college. Forget the hike to the computer lab across campus students need a computer in the comfort of their room. A printer comes in handy as well. Depending on whether your child plans to carry his laptop around campus, you might opt for a desk top since they're lighter on the pockets.

Snacks
You will surely survive with off of a meal plan but it doesn't hurt to stock up on snacks when you don't feel like leaving your dorm room. Bottled water, pop corn, cereal and Ramen noodles are all low budget snacks to stock up on. Just be weary of the freshman 15.

Things from home
Some college students suffer from homesickness the first year. It's best to surround yourself with things like photos of the family, pillows or even stuffed animals. Anything that reminds your child of home.

MP3 Player
With all the stress that comes from school and exams, sometimes it's nice to block out the chaos in your life and even your roommate with music. It's nearly impossible to find students walking to class who aren't jamming to tunes.

Budget
Students who enter college often come in at the ripening age of 18. A great time for credit cards. Parents beware, your child may end up ruining their credit at a young age

Alarm Clock
When you're in college you don't have the luxury of getting awaken by your parents. It's now your responsibility to get to class on time so alarm clocks are a must. But keep your roommate in mind. You shouldn't wake him up ever morning with a blow horn alarm.

Cleaning supplies
Now you don't necessarily need to bring in the rubber gloves, mop and gas mask but it doesn't hurt to bring along Clorox all purpose wipes for spills or dust. Vacuums and brooms come in handy too depending if you have a carpeted dorm.

Bedding
What most parents aren't aware of is that most college beds are twin sized but extra long and require special sheets. When shopping keep your eye open for sheets that clearly state 'extra long' or else your child may come up short.

Shower shoes
You really don't know what some people do in the shower these days. College showers are known to be creeping with germs so spare yourself the fungus and purchase flip flops for the shower. You'll thank us later!

There are some psychological causes of ED, like depression, anxiety, and relationship stress, but those sometimes show up in conjunction with other physical causes, like obesity, lack of exercise, smoking, alcohol abuse, high cholesterol and high blood pressure, Shabsigh said. Making lifestyle changes -- exercising, eating right, laying off cigarettes and alcohol -- will improve a patient's ED and potentially save him from a future problem with heart disease. Instead of an embarrassing sexual issue, ED should be seen as a first sign that a man needs to change his bad habits.

This knowledge is especially important in the black community, where heart disease is the No. 1 killer and the stigma of ED might prevent a man from seeking medical attention.

"The African-American community is really in major need in raising awareness because African-Americans have high instances of cardiovascular disease and that high instance is also related to ED, therefore ED becoming an early warning sign becomes very vital," Shabsigh said.

"We have to keep in mind that cardiovascular disease progresses silently over the years. The day you are wheeled to the ER with a heart attack or stroke, the disease started happening 20 years ago due to the process of someone overeating, smoking, not exercising and smoking -- a silent process."

African-American women, often the "health czars" in the black family, are vital in spreading the word and encouraging their husbands and boyfriends to seek treatment for ED. Treatment involves prescribing pills like Cialis, said Shabsigh, but medicine should be administered in conjuction with a total health makeover.

"If you are sexy you are healthy," he said. "And if you are healthy you are sexy."

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