It’s amazing the way an erect penis can make a man feel. With a solidly firm erect penis around, a guy feels like a million bucks, as if nothing could stop him now. Granted, he feels many other things as well, but it’s true that an erection can really lift a guy’s spirits. That’s one reason men are perhaps more likely to pay attention to specific penis health issues than to more general health issues. But when they do so, men forget that the body is all of one piece, and an ailment in one body part can often have an impact on another body part that is nowhere near it. And such can be the case with gout, which though not located near the penis can nonetheless affect it in a big way.
About gout
Gout is one of those conditions that people have heard of but – unless they have been afflicted with it – don’t necessarily know a lot about. As a matter of fact, a lot of people think gout doesn’t exist anymore. It is often thought of as a disease that people got hundreds of years ago. And even back then, the people that got it tended to be gluttons who ate way too much rich food and then for some reason had to spend time with their foot in a bandage, however that might have helped them.
In fact, gout is still very much present nowadays. A 2011 survey found that more than 8 million Americans – about 4% of the population – suffered from gout, and that the number had increased significantly over the last two decades or so.
So what is gout anyway?
Many may be surprised to learn that gout is actually a form of arthritis. This form attacks one joint at a time, and most often (but not always) the joint is in the big toe. (Other toes, ankles and knees can also sometimes be affected.) When one has a flare-up of gout, there is intense pain in the joint, accompanied by swelling, redness and heat.
Cause
Gout is caused when the body accumulates too much uric acid. When there is too much uric acid, it can form crystals, which then get lodged in the joints.
Some people have a genetic predisposition to gout, but there are also some readily identifiable risk factors, including:
– Obesity
– High blood pressure
– Diabetes and insulin resistance
– Metabolic syndrome
– Poor kidney function
– Drinking too much alcohol
– Diets rich in the compound prurine, which includes red meat, organ meat, and some kinds of seafood.
Erect penis connection
So how does arthritis in the big toe impact an erect penis? High levels of uric acid have been shown to damage the endothelium, which is the tissue that lines blood vessels, including penile blood vessels. Penile blood vessels need to be strong and in good working order, as it is the influx of blood to these vessels that creates and maintains an erection. When the endothelium is damaged, the erectile process does not operate as efficiently as it needs to.
Thus, men with gout are at increased risk of erectile dysfunction. And some studies indicate that the dysfunction may actually precede the arrival of gout; as the uric acid levels increase, the erect penis may start to develop problems, giving a warning that gout is on the way.
Gout cannot be cured but it can be treated with medication and lifestyle changes that reduce uric acid levels. A doctor should be consulted for treatment options.
Treating gout can help an erect penis, as can keeping the penis healthy; daily application of a first class penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) is also a good idea. The chosen crème should include L-arginine and L-carnitine. The former is an amino acid that helps maintain penile blood vessels. The latter is a neuroprotective ingredient that protects the penis from loss of sensitivity.