Dt. Vandana Gupta

Peyronie's disease is a type of Erectile Dysfunction. For men with this condition, an erection can be quite painful. This is caused by scar tissue or plaque that collects inside the penis and makes the penis bend upwards or to one side when erect. In most cases men with this disease can still have intercourse though it may be painful.

The exact cause for scar tissue to collect in the penis is not known. Researchers believe that it may be triggered by a traumatic accident that causes bleeding within the penis. You may not realize the extent of injury at the time of the accident. Genes have also been held responsible in some cases. Peyronie's disease is more common in middle aged men than young men but this condition is not a normal part of the aging process.

Symptoms of this disease may appear gradually or appear suddenly. Some of the common symptoms associated with it are:

1. Scar tissue: This can be felt under the skin of the penis as a band of hard tissue or hard patches.
2. A bend in the penis: A significant bend in the penis is a characteristic symptom of Peyronie's disease. With time this bend may stabilize or get worse.
3. Pain: There may be pain in the penis with or without an erection.
4. Erectile Dysfunction: The disease can make it difficult for a man to get or maintain an erection. This is mainly due to the pain.
5. Shortened penis: The disease can make the penis appear shorter than before.

Mild cases of this disease rarely need treatment and it rectifies itself on its own. For more severe cases of the disease, a doctor may prescribe medication or suggest surgery. Medication is used to break down the plaque in the penis causing the bend. It works by addressing the buildup of collagen in the plaque. This medication is usually given via injections into the area of the penis affected.

If medication does not work, surgery is the next option. Surgery is usually prescribed only for men who cannot have sex because of the disease. There are two types of surgeries that can be performed.

1. Removal of plaque and inserting a tissue graft in its place
2. The tissue of the penis on the opposite side of the scarring is removed. This may make the penis smaller.

In rare cases where a man has Peyronie's disease and Erectile Dysfunction, the doctor may also suggest a penile prosthesis.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Obesity is the condition of being fat or overweight. Being obese poses a lot of difficulty for an individual in his/her daily life. Apart from heightened health conditions, being obese can lead to a lack of mobility, excessive eating, and lower self-esteem. Obesity is mostly caused due to the presence of fats in the body. Lack of physical activities and excessive fat in your diet are found to be the leading causes of obesity.

What are visible and invisible facts actually?

Weight gain happens when the number of calories consumed exceeds the number of calories burnt. Fats contain a huge amount of calories and although reducing the intake of visible fats is possible, avoiding invisible fats could be a challenge. Visible fats are the ones which one is able to see in foods such as margarine, butter, cooking oils, steaks, bacon and other such. On the other hand, invisible or hidden fats are those which are not visible, but present in a wide variety of foods. Mono and poly-saturated fats present in nuts, seeds, cheese, chocolates, hamburgers, French fries are some common examples of hidden or invisible fats.

How visible and invisible fats affect your health?

The presence of fats makes it possible for various culinary functions to occur. For example, the preparation of cakes requires fats which make it soft and light. Similarly, adding fats during the process of cooking tenderizes foods and also improve its appearance. When consumed, fats provide the necessary energy to the body and help in the absorption of vitamins A, D, E, and K.

Limiting the intake of both visible and invisible fats is very crucial as it can prevent serious health issues in the long run. Apart from obesity, excessive fats can lead to diabetes, heart diseases, and stroke. Selecting low-fat foods or cooking food with little fats can help in reducing their intake. A conscious person should read food labels and choose foods with low calories.

In conclusion, visible fats are easy to spot and avoid, but invisible fats are not. So, one may be at an increased risk of obesity from hidden fats.

Related Tip: 5 Practical Ways to Prevent Obesity in Children