Some parts of your body are inherently sensitive. So, it is understandable if the idea of using something called "low-intensity shockwave therapy (LISWT)" to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) makes you squirm. However, research has shown that this method is emerging as a potential treatment for ED, targeting the root cause of vascular issues that impede blood flow to the penis. It is pertinent to note that although this therapy is promising, it is not yet FDA-approved and remains experimental.

Here's How LISWT Works

Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses sound waves to help heal damaged tissues. In the case of ED, this therapy stimulates and strengthens blood vessels in the penis, improving blood flow and supporting erections. Initially developed to treat kidney stones and chronic wounds, LISWT’s use in ED is relatively new but has shown positive results in treating vascular ED.

This treatment is effective ...

• For individuals with mild to moderate vascular ED.
• For patients who respond well to ED medications like sildenafil (Viagra)
• It is not suitable for ED caused by nerve damage or psychological factors.

Around 75% of patients report satisfactory improvements. This procedure involves multiple 15-minute sessions over a month and results last one to two years, and the treatment is pain-free for most patients. However, this treatment is costly, averaging over $3,000, and is often not covered by insurance due to its experimental status. At-home devices are not effective, as they typically use radial wave therapy, which lacks the energy needed to address ED.

What Is Erectile Dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction, also named impotency or impotence, is a penile disorder that affects an individual’s ability to get or hold an erection during sexual intercourse. During intimate moments, one's feelings share a pivotal role in getting and keeping an erection firm.

For this, one may feel confident, relaxed and aroused. While problems with erection are normal sometimes, they can occur due to causes such as psychological conditions, prescription drugs, and underlying health conditions. Excessive smoking or drinking can also trigger the condition.

Symptoms of Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

Occasional Erections: Difficulty achieving an erection consistently before sexual intercourse.

Erection Maintenance Issues: Ability to achieve an erection but difficulty maintaining it during intercourse.

Complete Inability: Inability to achieve an erection at all.

Dependence on Stimulation: Constant need for external stimulation to maintain an erection.

Reduced Libido: Decreased sexual desire experienced by some individuals with ED.

Can ED Be Prevented?

Yes, ED is preventable. Adopting a healthy lifestyle can help to prevent erectile dysfunction. Additionally, changes such as quitting smoking, limiting alcohol intake, engaging in cardiovascular exercises (jogging, running, swimming or bicycling), consuming a low saturated fat diet (fruits, whole grains and vegetables), maintaining a healthy weight and getting quality sleep can be immensely beneficial in the prevention journey.

Long winters are here, and Nordic countries are the most familiar with it. The winters there are long as dark. With little to no daylight and coldest temperature, people in the northern Europe and above the Arctic Circle have now learned to cope mentally and physically with the long winter blues. It begins as early as October and lasts till April for some.

The winter solstice on December 21 signals the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. Even though daylight gradually begins to return after that, winter’s darkness continues to linger. Experts in Norway, Sweden and Finland say this is exactly the time when people need to be intentional about protecting their mood and energy. Here is how they suggest staying balanced, both physically and mentally, during the darkest months.

Keep Your Sleep and Social Rhythms Steady

Dr Timo Partonen, a research professor at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, says that long, dark winters can disrupt the circadian rhythm. With limited daylight, the body struggles to reset its internal clock, which leads to restless nights and sluggish mornings. People may sleep more during winter but still wake up tired.

Partonen recommends using a dawn simulator, often called a sunrise alarm clock, which gradually brightens the bedroom and helps the brain ease into waking up. He also notes that people tend to withdraw socially during the winter and may become more irritable. Staying connected to friends and maintaining relationships can soften the impact of the winter blues. Pairing social time with exercise, such as going for a walk or a workout together, can also help maintain energy and mood.

Winter cravings for carbohydrates are common, especially in the evenings. These cravings can lead to weight gain of two to five kilograms a year, Partonen says, so regular activity becomes even more important.

Why Light Therapy Matters

Seasonal depression affects millions worldwide. Many people experience symptoms in the fall and winter that ease once spring arrives. Researchers have discovered that certain cells in the eye respond to blue wavelengths of light, triggering alertness and affecting mood. Sunlight is naturally rich in blue light, so shorter winter days can have a significant impact.

A University of Pittsburgh study found that people with seasonal depression were less sensitive to blue light during winter. This suggests a link between light exposure and mood. For severe symptoms, clinical care and antidepressants may be necessary, but Swedish pharmacology professor Christian Benedict says that light therapy is helpful for both diagnosed seasonal depression and mild winter blues.

Morning sessions with a light therapy box that emits around 10,000 lux can help reset the circadian rhythm and boost serotonin. Devices can range from seventy to four hundred dollars, and insurance may help cover costs for people diagnosed with seasonal affective disorder. Experts advise using a sunrise simulator along with a light therapy lamp before noon.

Embracing Winter as a Mindset

Ida Solhaug, a psychology professor at the University of Tromsø, says that mindset plays a huge role in handling the long winter. Instead of dreading the season, she encourages embracing it. This positive, practical approach is deeply rooted in Nordic culture.

She recommends enjoying indoor coziness with blankets and warm drinks, but also getting outside regularly. Even on cloudy days, a short walk can lift energy levels. Traditional winter activities like a Swedish fika outdoors, or even a cold plunge, can help people feel refreshed. Solhaug swims in the icy waters near Tromsø once a week and says it gives her a renewed sense of vitality.

Nordic culture also emphasizes dressing well for the weather. As locals often say, there is no bad weather, only bad clothing.

Finland’s President Alexander Stubb also shared his own winter survival advice: take an ice bath, follow it with a sauna, then repeat the cycle before heading out into the day.

If winter feels heavy, the experts’ message is clear. Look for light wherever you can find it, take care of your body clock and stay connected. Even in the darkest months, small daily habits can bring warmth and balance.

Scromiting is taking up the space in headlines now. Before 2025 comes to an end, this single symptom caused by a deadly cannabis condition has got everyone talking about it.

The deadly cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), is now formally designated by the World Health Organization (WHO), and the unique and unusual symptom is scromiting: a mix of screaming and vomiting. Thanks to social media, this word is making a buzz and have distorted what people should actually know about the condition.

The WHO has formally named CHS in October, which was after a decision adopted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that will help doctors track the prevalence of the condition and get a better picture of adverse events.

Scromiting and CHS: How Did It Make A Big News?

The conversation reignited after a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in late November reported that CHS cases remain elevated. The study noted that cyclic vomiting is a related symptom and confirmed that emergency department visits tied to CHS saw a notable rise between 2016 and 2022, particularly in 2020 and 2021. During those two years, researchers identified 188 million emergency department visits among adults aged 18 to 35, with CHS appearing more frequently among heavy cannabis users.

The Origin Of CHS

CHS was first identified in Australia in 2004, yet nearly two decades later it remains poorly understood. It typically affects people who use marijuana daily or near daily for more than a year, leading to episodes of severe nausea, repeated vomiting, abdominal pain and a compulsive desire to take extremely hot showers or baths. Many patients report that heat temporarily eases their symptoms, although doctors say the relief is often short-lived.

What Are The Doctors Saying?

Dr Sam Wang, a pediatric emergency medicine specialist and toxicologist at Children’s Hospital Colorado, described treating patients who arrive exhausted and doubled over in pain after hours of vomiting, as reported by CNN. Many tell doctors they tried taking a scalding hot shower before coming to the hospital but found it offered little relief. The National Institutes of Health has said this hot water reliance appears to be a learned behavior that can become a compulsion.

Despite the surge in awareness, the term “scromiting,” a blend of screaming and vomiting, has sparked its own controversy. Some social media users argue the sudden buzz is exaggerated or anti-cannabis fearmongering. Others say the phenomenon has been known for years. Natashia Swalve, a neuroscience professor at Grand Valley State University, told Axios that “scromiting” is not a clinical term, just a catchy label that gains traction every few years. She warned that sensational language fuels confusion at a time when misinformation about CHS is already widespread.

Health experts say CHS episodes can last for days and recovery may take weeks or even months, depending on overall health, eating habits and whether the person stops using marijuana. Continuing to use cannabis can quickly trigger symptoms again. A study from George Washington University found that nearly half of surveyed patients had been hospitalized at least once because of CHS, and many reported using marijuana more than five times a day before symptoms began. Starting cannabis at an early age was linked to a higher likelihood of developing the condition.

The renewed scrutiny of CHS comes as the United States faces rising infections from norovirus, sometimes called “winter vomiting disease,” another illness known for causing sudden, intense vomiting. While unrelated, the overlapping symptoms have added to public confusion around what exactly is driving widespread reports of stomach distress.

Researchers emphasize that CHS is real, although many questions remain unanswered, including why hot showers feel soothing and how much cannabis use puts someone at risk. They say more clinical awareness is urgently needed. Better screening for cannabis use and recognizing symptom patterns could help reduce misdiagnosis and guide patients toward the only proven treatment: stopping marijuana use.

For years, people have joked about how women seem to enjoy showers that could probably cook noodles. If you are someone who loves cranking up the water temperature until the bathroom looks like a steam room, you may have wondered whether there is an actual reason behind it. According to UK surgeon and content creator Dr Karan Rajan, the answer lies in biology. Women are not simply choosing scalding showers for fun. Their bodies are wired differently, and that affects how they experience temperature.

Higher Core Body Temperature

Dr Rajan explains that, on average, women have a slightly higher core body temperature than men. It might sound like this would keep them warmer, but in reality, it does the opposite. When the core is warm but the surrounding environment is cool, that contrast makes cold air feel even colder. So a mildly chilly room may feel more uncomfortable for women, leading them to turn to hotter showers to compensate.

This idea has gone viral online. In a popular TikTok clip, creator couple Micah and Sarah joked about preparing for a shared shower. Micah pretended to train for the extreme heat by dipping his hand in boiling water. The internet quickly chimed in with comments like “My husband says I am training for hell” and “He calls it lobster time”. The jokes were relatable because many couples experience this temperature divide, but not many knew the science behind it until now.

Hormones Add to the Chill

Hormones play a major role too. Estrogen affects blood flow to the extremities, which includes hands, feet and even earlobes. Research shows that women’s extremities can be up to three degrees colder than men’s. Dr Rajan points out that this becomes more noticeable during ovulation when estrogen levels peak. Women on hormonal birth control may also experience increased sensitivity because estrogen stays higher for longer periods.

So even when the core stays warm, the toes and fingers may feel unusually cold. A very warm shower becomes a quick and comforting fix for this temperature imbalance.

Lower Metabolic Rates

Another biological factor is metabolic rate. Women generally have a lower resting metabolic rate than men, meaning they produce less body heat throughout the day. This naturally makes them feel colder and more drawn to hotter water while bathing. Women also tend to have more body fat and less muscle mass, which influences how the body responds to temperature changes.

What Doctors Say

Australian GP Dr Jasmina Dedic Hagan supports these findings, as reported in Body and Soul. She explains that women typically have warmer cores, cooler skin, and a higher layer of insulating fat around the body. On top of that, they have reduced circulation in the extremities because the body prioritises keeping reproductive organs warm. With less muscle mass, the body’s heat-producing brown fat does not function in quite the same way as it does in men.

So Is It Just Preference?

Not entirely. While some women truly enjoy the sensation of a very hot shower, much of it is tied to biology. From hormones to metabolism to circulation, several factors work together to make warmer showers feel soothing and sometimes even necessary. So the next time someone teases you about loving lava-level water, you can tell them it is simply science at work.