Medi-Info.COM

Do You Know What You’re Up Against?

admin — Sat, 14 May 2011 21:24:16 +0000

The differences between women and men can be seen in their different biological makeup and character traits. Although men are usually physically stronger than women, they tend to neglect their health and bodies more, as well. And, since the life expectancy gap between both genders has decreased, men have to pay more heed to men’s health overall – especially since they are at a disadvantage when it comes to certain health problems. Men drinks and smoke more than women, for example, and are more prone to stress at work.

Men’s health problems affect the entire world now and with a female to male ratio of 10:1, men are definitely lagging behind nowadays. Problems like heart diseases, erectile dysfunction, STDs, obesity, colon and prostate cancer and diabetes are actually all rising in men because they neglect their health and refuse to seek medical help for them most of the time.

Men’s health problems regarding STDs are especially becoming a prime concern with the percentage of HIV/AIDs afflictions rising in today’s day and age. Erectile dysfunction and obesity are other big problems for men, in general. Usually, men who are too busy with work and otherwise lead a sedentary lifestyle full of drinking and smoking are those prone to this disease. Since obesity eventually leads to other health problems like diabetes and heart diseases, as well, this health problem shouldn’t just be neglected. Obesity also puts men at higher risk for heart failures, so combative and preventive means need to be looked into as soon as possible.

As for erectile dysfunction, or impotence, it can cause a lot of frustration on men’s sexual performances, as well as in procreation. As a men’s health problem, erectile dysfunction might be blamed on psychology or physiology or even a mere manifestation of another health problem like diabetes. It doesn’t help that the cultural and social expectations of men are that of masculine breadwinners who are responsible for their families. In fact, this might make men more stressed more often and send them down the road to unhealthy lifestyles. Because of this, male health problems should be looked into as soon as possible in order to be treated faster, as well.

With such a significant imbalance on the female to male ratio nowadays, it is clear that men’s health problems are becoming more of a concern that need to be addressed as soon as possible. In fact, it would be vital to do so in order to keep the male population alive and kicking. Think about it.

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How to Keep and Maintain an Erection

admin — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 10:52:40 +0000

As a field, men’s health is going strong. Erections happen to play a huge part in this because harder erections showcase healthier men – did you know that? This is why you should take the health of your penis very seriously, too. Think about it: do you wake up every day with an erection under the sheets? If so, then that’s a good thing. This means that you have been taking proper care of it so far and the only thing you have to do from now on to maintain your good health is to keep and obtain stronger erections.

The first thing you should know is that obesity, diabetes and smoking can all bring about changes in men’s health, particularly in erections. The same goes for work stress, relationship problems, alcohol, physical injuries, depression and medication. If you are part of the latter, make sure you check what the side effects of your medication are first.

Other erection problems could lead to prostate infections, too, so make sure you ask your doctor what’s wrong if you experience the following symptoms: an urge to urinate that doesn’t actually lead to urination; a burning sensation during urination; anus or lower back pain; blood mixed in semen; or pain during sexual climaxes. Usually, these men’s health problems can just be treated with antibiotics, though.

The only thing you really need to remember is that keeping a healthy prostate will always help you get better erections. Eating right, exercise and less caffeine will help greatly, too, and may even lead to a better physique, better self-esteem and better blood circulation in the penis.

In general, healthy men can get and maintain erections without any problems whatsoever. All you have to do is make sure your sexual health remains great by taking your time during sex and foreplay. Remember: slow things down and good things will come to you. You can also look into penis exercises to make your penis stronger and to avoid prostate problems in the future.

By taking good care of your private parts, you will also be able to enjoy a happier sex life, no matter how old you might be. Although some people say that your erections will decrease as you get older, this doesn’t have to be the case with proper penis care. Plus, there are a lot of products available nowadays that can help improve your erections anyway. So, get proactive when it comes to men’s health and you will have a much healthier penis for much longer.

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Corneal Ulcer

admin — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 09:23:21 +0000

- A local necrosis of corneal tissue that ultimately leads to scarring and reduced visual acuity.

Causes and Incidence The most common cause is infection following trauma or contact lens overwear. Other causes include herpes simplex infection, chronic blepharitis, conjunctivitis, gonorrhea, trachoma, chemical burns, prolonged exposure to air in the absence of a blink reflex, and severe vitamin A or protein depletion resulting from malnutrition.

Disease Process The cornea usually becomes infected or inflamed through an outside agent or chronic irritant, and a dull, grayish lesion forms and then necroses and suppurates, creating an ulcer. The ulcer may or may not infiltrate deeper layers of tissue. The deeper the penetration, the more severe the signs, symptoms, and complications. As the ulcer heals, it is replaced by fibrous tissue, which causes opaque scarring and reduced vision.

Symptoms Pain, tearing, and photophobia are the most common manifestations. Bloodshot eyes and pus in the anterior chamber behind the cornea may be present in chronic cases.

Potential Complications Perforation of the cornea, with a prolapse of the iris and eventual destruction of the eye, is the major complication.

Diagnostic Tests A fluorescein stain turns green and readily delineates the ulcerated area. A slitlamp examination allows inspection of the eye’s surface and the deeper layers of the cornea to determine the extent of ulceration. Cultures identify the infectious organism.

Treatments

Surgery
Repair of any laceration or removal of foreign object; removal of prolapsed tissue; corneal transplantation for severe scarring or perforation.

Drugs
Topical anesthetics for pain; topical and systemic antibiotics, antifungals, and antivirals to treat infection; topical steroids to treat inflammation; mydriatics to dilate pupil with increased intraocular pressure; cycloplegics to restrict eye movement and reduce pain.

General
Warm compresses for lid swelling; irrigation to cleanse eye; bilateral pressure dressings to aid reepithelialization; dark glasses for photophobia.

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Coronary Artery Disease (See also Angina and Myocardial Infarction)

admin — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 09:21:08 +0000

- A disorder that impedes the bloodflow in the arteries serving the myocardium of the heart.

Causes and Incidence The primary causes of coronary artery disease (CAD) are arteriosclerotic and atherosclerotic processes, which narrow and occlude the vessel lumen and thicken the arterial walls. Risk factors associated with the development of CAD include underlying disease (e.g., hypertension or diabetes); use of tobacco products; familial hyperlipidemia, high-fat diet; sedentary life-style; stress; estrogen use in women under 50 years of age; and obesity.
Vascular disease (CAD and CVA) is the leading cause of death in the United States. The incidence of CAD increases with age, and men seem more susceptible than women, particularly premenopausal women. The death rate among white men 55 to 64 years of age is about 1 in 100. CAD is much more prevalent in Western societies than in other areas of the world.

Disease Process The exact pathologic mechanisms that induce atherosclerosis are not well understood. Current hypotheses are (1) the lipid hypothesis, in which an elevation of plasma low-density lipoprotein penetrates the arterial wall and causes a lipid buildup in the smooth muscle cells, and (2) the endothelial injury hypothesis, which suggests that a mechanical or chemical injury to the endothelial barrier sets up a tissue response, with platelet adhesion and aggregation. In either case, atherosclerosis is marked by changes in and thickening of the intimal lining of the arterial vessel. Lipids, smooth muscle cells, and connective tissue form a plaquelike substance on the lining. This process is slow and may occur over a lifetime. Arteriosclerosis causes hypertrophy and subintimal fibrosis, resulting in intimal thickening and loss of elasticity of the vessel wall, which widens the pulse pressure and increases the systolic pressure. This loss of elasticity is reinforced by atherosclerotic processes. Arterial lumens become increasingly narrow and may become obstructed, causing ischemia of the myocardium. The plaque may harden, calcify, and undergo fissure or rupture, simulating a thrombosis or embolus rapidly occluding a lumen.

Symptoms CAD is asymptomatic until myocardial ischemia occurs. The two major manifestations of ischemia are chest pain (angina) and myocardial infarction. See Angina and Myocardial Infarction for diagnosis and treatment options.

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Crohn’s Disease (Regional Enteritis)

admin — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 09:19:21 +0000

- A nonspecific chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal system most commonly affecting the distal ileum and the colon.

Causes and Incidence The etiology is unknown, and research examining the causal role of immune factors, infectious agents, and dietary factors has proved fruitless. There are an estimated 30 to 50 cases per 100,000 population, and the incidence is rising in underdeveloped countries, among blacks and Hispanics, and in Western and Northern European and Anglo-Saxon populations. The disease is equally distributed across gender lines, is most common among Jews, and occurs primarily between 15 and 30 years of age.

Disease Process Crohn’s disease begins with lymphedema in the GI submucosa and microscopic focal ulcerations of the mucosa. The inflammation spreads slowly and progressively, involving all layers of the intestinal wall, which thicken with extensive fibrosis and granulomas as patchy ulcerations form on the mucosa. This process creates a characteristic cobblestone appearance of the mucosa. As the disease progresses, the mesentery becomes edematous and thickens, and mesenteric fat extends onto the serosal surface of the bowel, causing serositis with adhesion of bowel loops to one another. Mesenteric lymph nodes enlarge, and abscess and deep sinus tracts and fissures are formed. Eventually the lumen of the intestine severely narrows or becomes obstructed. This process very often affects one segment of the intestine, skips over normal tissue, then repeats the obstructive process in another segment (iskip lesionsi).

Symptoms Symptoms may be abrupt or insidious in onset and are characterized by exacerbations and remissions. The most common presenting features are chronic diarrhea with urgency and incontinence; abdominal pain and cramping, often in the lower right quadrant; fever; anorexia; and weight loss. However, some individuals have acute abdominal pain resembling that caused by appendicitis.

Potential Complications Complications of Crohn’s disease can be either intestinal or systemic. An anal fistula or perianal abscess caused by chronic diarrhea is the most common complication. Other fistulas may form to the bladder, vagina, or skin. Malabsorption, obstruction, perforation, and cancer of the colon are other intestinal complications. Systemic complications include arthritis, episcleritis, stomatitis, erythema nodosum, pyoderma gangrenosum, ankylosing spondylitis, sacroiliitis, uveitis, and sclerosing cholangitis.

Diagnostic Tests

Barium series
Linear ulcerations, skip lesions, thickening of wall, narrowing of lumen

Colonoscopy
Cobblestone mucosa

Biopsy
To aid in differentiation of disease

Laboratory studies
Nonspecific; may include decreased hemoglobin and hematocrit, serum albumin, and folic acid; elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate

Treatments

Surgery
Bowel resection with failure to respond to conservative therapy; colectomy with ileostomy when disease is limited to colon; strictureplasty to open obstructions.

Drugs
Sulfasalazine, corticosteroids, and metronidazole to treat inflammation and ulceration; anticholinergics for diarrhea;

fat-soluble vitamins, folic acid, iron, calcium magnesium, and zinc for replacement; immunosuppressive agents for retractive disease.

General
Adequate rest; nutrition: NPO in acute phase to rest bowel, followed by total parenteral nutrition or restricted diet low in fiber; emotional support for anxiety and depression; referral to source of information and support group.

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