NJ Cops March19 | Page 84

HEALTH & WELLNESS Finally, an alternative to ED drugs Twenty years ago, Pfizer introduced Viagra to the American market as the first medical treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED), and it was a big hit. Viagra works by blocking an enzyme and allowing increase blood flow to the penis, thus improving the quality of the erection. Although effective, the treatment only lasts for several hours and does not permanently correct the underlying cause of DR. DANIEL the problem: diminished blood flow. Similar med- RICE ications such as Cialis and Levitra soon followed, and work in a similar manner. They all “get the job done” and have similar adverse side effects: head- ache, facial flushing and severe gastric reflux. Some heart pa- tients are advised not to take these medications because of the risk of a severe drop in blood pressure. Several years ago, researchers in Europe found a method to correct the root cause of ED in most men. This treatment is called acoustic shockwave therapy, sometimes referred to as low-intensity shockwave therapy. It involves focusing low-in- tensity sound waves into the penis. This process breaks up mi- crocalcifications in small vessels, allowing better blood flow and actually stimulating the growth of new vessels — a process known as vascular neurogenesis. As we age, a condition called atherosclerosis occurs. Most of us have heard this term but probably associated it with heart disease. Atherosclerosis is a process causing vessels to narrow, not only in the heart but in other organs as well, including the penis. Low-intensity shockwave therapy seems to reverse the ef- fects of atherosclerosis in the penis. Shockwave therapy for ED is an office-based procedure but is not approved by the FDA, hence not covered by health in- surance. The treatment takes about 20 minutes and does not involve surgery or the use of any drugs or needles. It is totally painless, and there is no downtime post-treatment. In a 10-year medical follow-up study, no side effects have been reported. This treatment is safe and appears to be totally noninvasive. Usually, a series of treatments are needed to reverse the ef- fects of atherosclerosis in the penis. I recommend that patients have two treatments per week for three weeks. Most men see an improvement after six sessions. Men who were using Viagra before found that they no longer needed any medication after shockwave treatment. Shockwave therapy seems to be effective in about 75 percent of men with ED, and the effectiveness of this therapy can last up to several years. This data has been docu- mented in published medical studies, both in Europe and the U.S. Dr. Daniel Rice has been practicing urology in Clifton for 25 years. Trained in urological surgery at the State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, Dr. Rice now focuses his practice on all aspects of men’s healthcare issues. Through proper nutrition, exercise and prudent hormonal replacement therapy, Dr. Rice be- lieves the goal of every man should be to obtain an optimal state of health. His office can be reached at 973-779-7231. You Worked Hard to Advance Your Career. Don’t Lose It All in Divorce. Our Attorneys specialize in: • Divorce Planning • Prenuptial Agreements • Alimony • Custody • Child Support • Pension Distribution • QDROs Find Out What You Can Do to Protect Your Pension and Your Right to Retire. We are a Full-Service Divorce and Family Law Firm providing legal representation, consulting, and mediation. Call us for a free consultation, whether you are planning the wedding or just thinking about a divorce. We can help you devise a plan to protect your future. The best time to protect your pension is before the wedding! Our legal team is ready to help you formulate a plan to protect your rights and interests. Schedule your initial consultation today! NJ Divorce Solutions – Previte Nachlinger, P.C. 120 Wood Ave South, Suite 602, Iselin, NJ 08830 732-384-1707 www.CentralJerseyFamilyLaw.com 84 NEW JERSEY COPS ■ MARCH 2019