Your Health Questions
Answered by Professionals

Cinnamon may offer an indirect boost for erectile function by improving blood sugar and cholesterol, lowering inflammation, and possibly supporting nitric oxide, but there are no definitive human trials proving it treats ED. If you try it, choose Ceylon and keep to about 1 teaspoon daily, limit Cassia to 1/2 teaspoon, and pair it with healthy lifestyle steps; key safety tips, supplement cautions, and when to see a clinician for persistent symptoms are explained below.

Cold showers are not a proven fix for ED after 65 and can spike heart rate and blood pressure, so heart safety comes first. There are several factors to consider; see below for who should avoid cold exposure, how to try it more safely if you choose, why ED can signal cardiovascular disease, and the more effective next steps like medical evaluation, lifestyle changes, pelvic floor work, and medications to discuss with your doctor.

Cold showers are mostly bro science for ED: there is no good evidence they improve erections, penile blood flow, or testosterone levels. They can briefly lift mood and lower stress, which may help psychogenic ED, but they also raise heart rate and blood pressure and are not in treatment guidelines; see below for proven options, risks, and the right next steps to discuss with a clinician.

Plain Mucinex that contains only guaifenesin is non-sedating and typically does not make you sleepy. There are several factors to consider. Some versions like Mucinex DM or multi-symptom PM products can cause drowsiness, while Mucinex D is more likely to cause jitteriness or insomnia, and interactions with other medicines, alcohol, dehydration, and the illness itself can play a role, so see the full details below to help choose the right product and next steps.

Most Robitussin formulas with dextromethorphan and/or guaifenesin are not sedating, but Nighttime or PM versions with diphenhydramine can make you drowsy, and products with pseudoephedrine may even feel stimulating. There are several factors to consider, including age, other sedating medicines, alcohol, dose, and health conditions; see below for which ingredients to choose or avoid, tips to prevent drowsiness, and when to seek medical care.

Sudafed can keep you awake; pseudoephedrine has stimulant effects that can raise heart rate and make it harder to fall or stay asleep, especially at higher doses, with extended-release products, or when taken later in the day, though people vary in sensitivity. There are several factors to consider; see below for timing and dosing tips, who should be cautious or avoid it, signs to stop and call a clinician, and effective alternatives that may be gentler on sleep.

Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) is unlikely to make you drowsy; as a stimulant decongestant it more often causes insomnia, nervousness, or a faster heartbeat. If you feel sleepy, it is usually due to sedating antihistamines in combination products or individual sensitivity, and people with high blood pressure, heart disease, thyroid issues, or certain medications should be cautious; there are several factors to consider, so see below for complete details and next steps.

Pelvic floor training can improve erections without pills by strengthening the muscles that trap blood in the penis and reducing venous leakage; clinical studies show meaningful gains, often within 6 to 12 weeks for men with mild to moderate ED. There are several factors to consider, including which exercises to do and how to progress, how to avoid using the wrong muscles, added benefits like better continence, and when to combine with other treatments or seek medical advice; see the complete guidance below to choose the right next steps.

The most common medical causes are sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea, narcolepsy, restless legs or periodic limb movements, and insomnia; too little or irregular sleep and circadian rhythm problems; sedating medications or alcohol; depression and anxiety; and systemic illnesses like hypothyroidism, anemia, diabetes, kidney or liver disease, and heart or lung disease. There are several factors to consider. See below for important details on warning signs, when to seek care, and how evaluation and treatments like sleep studies, medication review, and targeted therapies can guide your next steps.

Sudden weakness or collapse with excitement is usually caused by a vasovagal response, orthostatic blood pressure drops, heart rhythm problems, hyperventilation, or metabolic issues like dehydration or low blood sugar, and it can be worsened by underlying conditions such as anemia or liver disease. Seek urgent care for fainting, chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, one-sided weakness, vision or speech changes, or confusion especially with known liver disease, and discuss recurrent episodes with a clinician since tests like an ECG, blood work, or a tilt table test may be needed. There are several factors to consider. See below for important details that can guide your next steps.

Garlic may modestly support erections in men over 65 by improving blood flow, but it is not a proven ED treatment and should be used only after discussing it with your doctor. Because garlic thins the blood, it can raise bleeding risk and interact with warfarin, DOACs, aspirin or clopidogrel, and can also add effects with nitrates, blood pressure drugs, diabetes medicines, and certain antivirals; see the important details below on who should avoid it, signs of bleeding, and when dietary garlic may be safer than supplements.

Garlic may help erectile function by improving blood vessel health, but there are several factors to consider; see below for how it affects nitric oxide, inflammation, cholesterol, and blood pressure, and what the research actually shows, including that human ED evidence is still limited and benefits are likely modest as part of a broader lifestyle plan. It is generally safe but can increase bleeding risk and interact with anticoagulants, some statins, and HIV drugs, and may cause stomach upset, so talk to your clinician, especially if you have liver disease or take prescriptions; see below for dosing, who might benefit, and when to seek care.

Garlic may modestly help erectile dysfunction by improving blood vessel function and lowering blood pressure, with the strongest data for aged garlic extract alongside standard ED treatments. Typical doses are 1,200 to 2,400 mg per day of aged garlic extract or 1 to 2 crushed cloves, but benefits take 8 to 12 weeks and there are risks like stomach upset and increased bleeding, especially with blood thinners, BP or diabetes drugs; there are several factors to consider, so see the complete guidance below, including who should avoid garlic and when to see a doctor.

Ginger for ED after 65 can offer modest circulation and anti inflammatory support, but evidence is limited and it may lower blood pressure and increase bleeding risk, especially if you take antihypertensives or blood thinners. Start low, monitor blood pressure and any bruising or bleeding, and talk with your doctor; key details on safe dosing, product quality, interactions, and red flags are outlined below.

Ginger for ED may support erections by promoting nitric oxide related blood flow, reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, and possibly boosting testosterone, but human evidence is still limited. There are several factors to consider. See below for practical dosing and forms, timing, side effects and interactions such as with blood thinners, and guidance on when persistent ED warrants medical evaluation for heart or metabolic disease.

Pneumonia can be contagious, but it depends on the cause. Viral pneumonia often spreads through droplets from 1 to 2 days before symptoms to about a week after, some bacteria like Mycoplasma spread readily while Streptococcus is less likely to pass person to person, and fungal pneumonias typically do not spread between people. There are several factors to consider, including age and immune status; antibiotics quickly reduce bacterial contagiousness, and hygiene, masks, ventilation, and vaccination lower risk, with complete details below to guide next steps.

Earlobe piercings typically heal in 6 to 8 weeks, while cartilage piercings usually take 3 to 6 months and may need up to a year to fully strengthen. There are several factors to consider, including aftercare, jewelry material, technique, your health, and irritation. See below for detailed timelines, aftercare guidance, warning signs, and when to seek medical care so you can choose the right next steps.

There are several factors to consider when it comes to how long pneumonia is contagious; see below to understand more and to learn about isolation and next steps. Viral pneumonia is typically contagious from 1 to 2 days before symptoms through about days 5 to 7 after they start, sometimes up to 10 days in young, elderly, or immunocompromised people; bacterial pneumonia is usually no longer contagious 24 to 48 hours after effective antibiotics begin but can remain contagious 10 to 14 days or longer if untreated, and aspiration or most fungal pneumonias are not contagious.

Hip dips are normal, anatomy-driven curves that you cannot change in bone shape, but you can soften their appearance with targeted glute and hip exercises, supportive nutrition, posture and mobility work, and strategic clothing, often showing results in 8 to 12 weeks. For quicker or more dramatic change, cosmetic options like fat grafting, fillers, or implants exist but involve risks, costs, and recovery, so consult a board-certified specialist and seek medical advice if you have pain or health conditions. There are several factors to consider; see the complete guidance below to understand options, safety, and the right next steps.

Hypersomnia and narcolepsy both cause excessive daytime sleepiness and cognitive fog, and even overlap on sleep studies with SOREMs. The clearest separators are cataplexy and often low hypocretin in narcolepsy type 1, versus severe sleep inertia and longer total sleep with fewer SOREMs in idiopathic hypersomnia. Because the boundary is blurry but treatment choices differ, a careful evaluation with sleep history, PSG and MSLT matters; there are several factors to consider, so see the complete details below to guide your next steps.

Crashing at work is often not just stress; common medical causes include sleep disorders, anemia or B12 deficiency, thyroid or diabetes related issues, medication side effects, mental health conditions, and even liver problems like hepatic encephalopathy. There are several factors to consider. For red flags, how to tell stress from a medical issue, and practical next steps like tracking symptoms and getting the right tests, see the complete details below.

Track the date and exact sleep and wake times, the type of hallucination, how long it lasts, your emotions, potential triggers like sleep loss, stress, medications, alcohol or drugs, your sleep environment, any accompanying symptoms like sleep paralysis or confusion, and your medical history including sleep disorders or liver disease. There are several factors to consider; causes can include normal hypnopompic phenomena, narcolepsy, sleep apnea, medication or substance effects, psychiatric or neurological conditions, and liver-related issues like hepatic encephalopathy. Key red flags, self-care steps, and when to seek urgent care are outlined below.

Sudden, irresistible daytime sleep episodes can be more than ordinary tiredness and may signal narcolepsy or idiopathic hypersomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, medication effects, or liver-related problems like hepatic encephalopathy, with red flags such as cataplexy, loud snoring with gasping, confusion, or jaundice guiding urgency. There are several factors to consider; see below for the full list of warning signs, when to seek emergency care, and step-by-step next actions including sleep tracking, diagnostic tests, and treatment options that could change your next move.

Microsleeps are the most important warning sign to watch for, since these brief involuntary mini naps mean your brain is already shutting down and your crash risk is extremely high. There are several factors to consider. See below to understand more, including how to recognize microsleep cues, what to do immediately such as pulling over or switching drivers, and when to seek care for underlying issues like sleep apnea, sedating medications, or liver disease.

There are several factors to consider. Unrefreshing sleep often means your brain is not completing deep and REM sleep tasks like waste clearance, repair, and memory consolidation, which can be disrupted by fragmented sleep, circadian misalignment, stress, certain medications or substances, sleep apnea or restless legs, and medical issues including liver disease with encephalopathy, ascites, hyponatremia, thyroid problems, chronic pain, and some neurological conditions. Key warning signs and step by step fixes are outlined below and can shape your next steps, from sleep hygiene changes and a sleep study to urgent medical evaluation if there is severe daytime sleepiness, confusion, loud snoring with gasping, chest pain, or swelling.

Many forms of bacterial pneumonia are contagious, spreading mainly via respiratory droplets, close contact, and sometimes contaminated surfaces, especially with S. pneumoniae and M. pneumoniae; others like Legionella typically are not spread person to person. There are several factors to consider that influence your risk and next steps, including crowded settings, age or immune status, and prevention with vaccines, hygiene, and masking; see important details below, including when to seek care.

Contagiousness after starting antibiotics varies by cause: with typical bacterial pneumonia you are usually much less contagious after 24 to 48 hours of the right antibiotic, atypical bacteria may remain contagious for several days, and viral pneumonia is not reduced by antibiotics. There are several factors to consider, including whether the antibiotic choice is correct and started early, your illness severity and immune status, and specific precautions for isolation and masking, so see below for details that could change your next steps and when to seek care.

Pneumonia can be contagious, but it depends on the cause: viral and many bacterial pneumonias spread through respiratory droplets and close contact, while fungal, aspiration, and chemical pneumonias are not. There are several factors to consider. See below for details on how transmission happens, who is most at risk, prevention steps like vaccination, hand hygiene, distancing, and ventilation, plus when to seek care and what to do next.

Knees buckling with laughter can be cataplexy, a narcolepsy type 1 feature, especially if episodes are brief, you stay fully aware, and there is no pain; however, joint or ligament issues, muscle fatigue, blood pressure dips, electrolyte or thyroid problems, and certain neurologic conditions can also cause it. There are several factors to consider. See below for key ways to tell cataplexy from other causes, red flags that need urgent care, and the evaluations and treatments your clinician may recommend.

For men over 65, pelvic floor muscle training, especially Kegels, is a safe, effective, non-drug option for ED, with trials such as Dorey 2004 and Filocamo 2005 showing meaningful improvement, particularly with supervised programs. Start with 10 to 15 contractions held 3 to 5 seconds, three sets daily, and consider biofeedback, gentle electrical stimulation, pelvic health physiotherapy, supportive lifestyle changes, and when to seek medical evaluation for red flags. There are several factors to consider. See below to understand more.