Do-It-Yourself diagnosis is usually a pretty bad idea; that is, unless you just so happen to have the letters M.D. that appear at the end of your signature. But for those of us without years of medical school under our belt, assuming that a particular pain, dysfunction, or even blotchy patch of skin is nothing to be concerned about can sometimes be a highly problematic for our health.

The British edition of Men's Health addresses the self-diagnosis problem in the article "7 Deadly Signs," describing how minor symptoms may actually signal major health hazards. Over the next seven days, we will provide a daily summary of one of the various aches and pains that may be indicative of a greater problem, illustrating the importance of maintaining open lines of communication with your physician and why DIY diagnosis can sometimes be dangerous.

Health Sign #5: Erectile Dysfunction

Could Possibly Be: Parkinson's Disease

More than just a shot at your manhood, erectile dysfunction (ED) makes a man four times as likely to develop Parkinson's disease later in life, according to a study at Harvard. But the Men's Health article offers some solace for men with ED, stating that impotence is more likely to be caused by stress, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, or injury than health matters related to Parkinson's.

Links to:
Health Sign #1: Pain in Your Foot
Health Sign #2: Back Pain
Health Sign #3: Leg Pain
Health Sign #4: Diarrhea