Erectile dysfunction risk may be indicated by the big toe in men

Erectile dysfunction is an issue which affects a large number of men across the world with age as stress and anxiety also contribute to the growing disorder in many cases. But there can be many factors to look out for that may indicate if a person may face difficulties getting an erection.

A study has revealed that the big toe may be able to predict chances of erectile dysfunction in men. The research conducted over thousands of men for 10 years showed that men with a painful form of arthritis that affected the toe have a 31 percent higher chance of erectile problems.

In a large number of cases patients having gout may get erectile dysfunction even before joint pain starts. A condition called hyperuricemia where excess uric acid builds up in the body is responsible for this form of arthritis affecting men.

The pain can be sharp enough to wake people up from their sleep and the toe can get warm to touch apart from turning red. The finding may be accurate since excess uric acid which causes gout can also affect blood vessels and cause build up of plaque, which hinders blood flow that is crucial for getting and maintaining an erection.