While we all know substance abuse is a social issue and learning that a loved one is affected by the problem can be nearly heart-breaking. It is definitely not something that can be easily accepted. At the same time, the affected individual needs all your love and attention and more importantly support to get through the situation. It is important to not show anger or frustration at the person but to empathize and help them get out of the situation.
Read on to know some of the ways in which you can play an active role in supporting your loved one under such circumstances. This involves both of you coping with the situation at hand, as well as helping the person come out of the abuse.
It is common belief that people are highly interested in sex. However, this is not true. There are a lot of reasons which can reduce this sexual drive, known as libido. The reasons and therefore the causes are slightly different in men and in women. Read on to know some of the most common causes of reduced arousal in men and women and how to deal with it.
Causes of reduced arousal in men:
• Physiologically, sex is greatly influenced by the sex hormones and with age, as there is a gradual decline in the amount of these hormones in circulation, the sex drive also takes a dip. This need not be the case though.
• Stressed relationships is extremely common and though hormones have a big role to play, the mind is equally if not more important. If the couples are not happy, there is going to be no sex. As plain as that!
• Excessive smoking can reduce a person’s sexual arousal and even affect performance.
• Prescription medicines, lack of exercise, anxiety and depression are other causes that also reduce sexual desire.
Management measures:
• Testosterone replacement therapy in males is often used to boost sexual drive.
• Lifestyle changes including regular exercise, quitting or controlled smoking, stress management, healthy relationships can go a long way in improving sexual performance.
• If there are medications that are affecting the sexual drive, talk to your doctor and switch to an alternative.
• Counselling where the partner is also involved also is very important.
Women: The causes for low sexual drive in females is very different from men.
• Cultural differences: The cultural background and upbringing contribute in a big way to how responsive a person is. When it comes to sex, we as a country are still not very frank and open, and so there could be a perceived lack of desire. This is of course in the initial stages of a relationship and given some time, things would change.
• Relationship issues: Stressed relationships are definitely a big no-no for a physical relationship. Happy relationships definitely invite a lot more intimacy between the couple.
• Hormones: Testosterone which is present in both males and females affects sexual drive in women also. This hormone also gradually reduces over age, and causes some loss of libido.
• Medical problems: Depression, anxiety, endometriosis, fibroids, thyroid issues also affect a woman’s drive.
In managing this issue in women, psychology takes over a bigger role. Talking to the woman first and if required the partner helps in solving the issues in most women. Medical conditions, if present, should be corrected to address this issue. Hormone replacement and medication substitution also may be helpful if required.
Stress is the physical or emotional response of the body to an internal or external stimulus that upsets the equilibrium of the body. The contemporary lifestyle causes a lot of stress which may have adverse impacts on your health. The stress hormones which are secreted in animals only during starvation, childbirth or torture are secreted in human beings all the time.
Natural remedies like homeopathy can be used to combat stress without harmful side effects. Since stress is responsible for several health problems and homeopathy aims at eliminating the root cause of said disorders, these remedies can cure a lot of stress-related problems too. The common homeopathic medicines used to deal with stress are:
1. Arsenicum album is beneficial for people who are anxious, fastidious, nervous or excessively critical. It is also used for patients who exhibit tendencies of paranoia, such as arriving hours early for an appointment out of an irrational fear of being late.
2. Calcarea carbonica is the appropriate remedy for work-related stress or burnout. Often, people feel an intense amount of pressure at their workplaces because they feel they are constantly being watched and evaluated, are afraid of making even minor mistakes or have strict deadlines to meet.
3. Gelsemium is an immediate solution to anxiety and apprehension caused by an upcoming event such as a performance, an interview or a test. Gelsemium can relieve symptoms like short-term paralysis, increased pulse rate, dizziness, nausea and indigestion.
4. Argenticum nitrum is useful for nervous fits and impulses caused by suggestibility and extreme mental exertion.
5. Ignatia amara is used to deal with depression caused by stress factors like humiliation, fear, guilt and loss. People who go into shock can also be treated with ignatia.
6. Kali phosphoricum can provide relief from exhaustion due to over work or prolonged illness. The patient becomes over-sensitive, anxious and feels unable to cope with stress.
7. Natrum muriaticum is the treatment for symptoms like insomnia, claustrophobia, frequent headaches and pain around the eyes. It is also used to treat stress caused by isolation and dejection.
8. Pulsatillais is the remedy for mild or violent mood swings caused by stress. The patient may alternate between over-excitement and depression within a very short period of time.
9. Sepia is the homeopathic medicine that is used to treat patients of stress who have developed cognitive defects and memory problems.
Eating fat for weight management and weight loss is becoming very popular these days. Many nutritionists are suggesting to eat high-fat foods to curb the hunger, keep fuller for a longer time, and regulating the metabolism. Bodybuilders and athletes are put to a high-fat diet so that they have better weight management and to fill them with good fats for energy.
Benefits of Dietary Fat -
When a person is on a diet, he/she avoid fat as much as possible. One may keep all the fatty foods away and keep the diet less fatty and nutritious. However, avoiding almonds, ghee, and walnuts are not always the best for health. One needs dietary fats for better performance of the body. They provide energy and help a person to grow the body.
As per the latest studies and research, dietary fat is essential for the growth of new cells and to supply energy to the body for daily work. If people avoid fats for all and do not workout, the sedentary lifestyle can cause more diseases in the body. Not all types of fats are bad for your health. Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are necessary for the growth of the hormone in the body and to protect vital organs. Whereas, trans and saturated fats are bad for cholesterol and may lead to a heart attack. However, if trans fats are consumed with care and in a moderate amount, they can be useful in supplying essential energy to the body.
How Fat Helps in Losing Weight?
The dietary fats are enriched with important nutrients. They help to regulate hunger and fat metabolism. They help a person to lose weight by keeping him/her full for a longer time. People do not feel hungry after eating high-fat foods, which will prevent him/her from eating an unnecessary snack and junk foods. Include high fibre foods in the daily diet so that the tummy is full for a longer time. Fruits and dry fruits are rich in fibre and dietary fats, which also provide essential oils and nutrients to the body. The dietary fats help in muscle building and tissue growth, which is essential for a strong body. However, consumption in a high amount can lead to the risk of heart attack and deposits of fats in the body.
Which Dietary Fat Foods to Include in Diet?
The fat fuels the body with power and energy. With dietary fatty foods, one can gain muscle power, which is essential for losing weight by working out. One converts the idle energy to working power, which is also helpful while exercising.
One should include foods like:
Try avoiding junk foods like chips and cookies which contain trans fats and saturated fats that are dangerous for health. Keep a healthy lifestyle paired with regular exercise and a balanced diet. Also, remember that avoiding important nutrients for a long time can lead to diseases and weaker body.
Take Away -
One should also consult a Dietitian/Nutritionist before following any diet plan. This will help a person to maintain a healthy and fit body.
We live in an age where every single individual, more or less, is exposed to the risk of cancer. It is probably an unfavorable lifestyle we lead that deprives us of good health. This might alarm many but considerable changes in lifestyle can help you realize cancer as a preventable disease. Cancer does not only make you undergo severe suffering but it also affects your friends and family. The pallor of misery spreads wider than you think.