Men's Health Discussions

[Princess08]

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Erection problems, or erectile dysfunction, refer to a man's inability to achieve or maintain an erection that is sufficient to have satisfactory ***. Erection problems do not indicate a lack of sexual interest or desire, and the man may or may not be able to have orgasms or to ejaculate.



Erection problems can occur at any age but are more common as men age. Occasional episodes are considered normal and often do not indicate a serious problem.
The cause of erection problems may be physical (such as injury to the nerves or blood flow going to the *****) or psychological (such as anxiety or depression). Erection problems also can be caused by medications, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, or drug abuse.
Several treatments are available, including oral medications, a vacuum device, medications injected into the *****, and penile implant surgery. Counseling can help improve psychological factors.


What are erection problems?

A man has erection problems if he cannot get or keep an erection that is firm enough for him to have ***. Erection problems are also called erectile dysfunction or impotence.



Erection problems can occur at any age. But they are more common in older men, who often have other health problems. Treatment can help both older and younger men.

What are the symptoms?

The only symptom of an erection problem is being unable to get and keep an erection that is firm enough to have ***. But even with an erection problem, a man may still have sexual desire and be able to have an orgasm and to ejaculate.
How are erection problems diagnosed?

Your doctor can find out if you have an erection problem by asking questions about your health and doing a physical exam. Your doctor will want to know if the problem happens all the time or just from time to time. The exam, lab tests, and sometimes mental health tests can help find out the cause of the problem.
How are they treated?

There are a number of treatments for erection problems. Doctors usually start with lifestyle changes and medicines. They usually don't advise surgery or other treatments unless those first steps don't help.
Treatment can include:

• Making lifestyle changes, such as avoiding tobacco, drugs, and alcohol. It may also help to talk about the issue with your partner, do sensual exercises, and get counseling.
• Finding and then stopping medicines that may be causing the problem. In some cases you can take a different medicine that does not cause erection problems.
• Taking prescription medicine that can help you get erections. These include pills such as ******, Levitra, and ******. Check with your doctor to see if it is safe for you to take ******, Levitra, or ****** with your other medicines. These can be dangerous if you have heart disease that requires you to take nitroglycerin or other medicines that contain nitrates.
• Taking medicines and getting counseling for depression or anxiety.
• Using vacuum devices or getting shots of medicine into the *****.
• Having surgery to place an implant in the *****.

Can you prevent erection problems?

Because erection problems are most often caused by a physical problem, it’s important to eat healthy foods and get enough exercise to help you stay in good health.
To reduce your risk of having an erection problem, do not smoke, drink too much alcohol, or use illegal drugs.
You may be able to avoid erection problems related to anxiety and stress by talking with your partner about your concerns. This may help you relax.







-princess-

[Princess08]

Many men occasionally ejaculate sooner during sexual intercourse than they or their partner would like. As long as it happens infrequently, it's probably not cause for concern. However, if you regularly ejaculate sooner than you and your partner wish — such as before intercourse begins or shortly afterward — you may have a condition known as premature ejaculation.

Premature ejaculation is a common sexual disorder. Estimates vary, but some experts think it affects as many as one out of three men. Even though it's a common problem that can be treated, many men feel embarrassed to talk to their doctors about it or seek treatment.
Once thought to be purely psychological, experts now know that biological factors also play an important role in premature ejaculation. In some men, premature ejaculation is related to erectile dysfunction.
You don't have to live with premature ejaculation — treatments including medications, psychological counseling and learning sexual techniques to delay ejaculation can improve *** for you and your partner. For many men, a combination of treatments works best.

Symptoms


There's no medical standard for how long it should take a man to ejaculate. The primary sign of premature ejaculation is ejaculation that occurs before both partners wish in the majority of sexual encounters, causing concern or distress. The problem may occur in all sexual situations, including during masturbation — or it may only occur during sexual encounters with another person.
Doctors often classify premature ejaculation as either primary or secondary:

• You have primary premature ejaculation if you've had the problem for as long as you've been sexually active.
• You have secondary premature ejaculation if you developed the condition after having had previous, satisfying sexual relationships without ejaculatory problems.

Causes


Experts are still trying to determine exactly what causes premature ejaculation. While it was once thought to be only psychological, we now know premature ejaculation is more complicated and involves a complex interaction of both psychological and biological factors.
Psychological causes
Some doctors believe that early sexual experiences may establish a pattern that can be difficult to change later in life such as:

• Situations in which you may have hurried to reach climax in order to avoid being discovered
• Guilty feelings that increase your tendency to rush through sexual encounters

Other factors that can play a role in causing premature ejaculation include:

• Erectile dysfunction. Men who are anxious about obtaining or maintaining their erection during sexual intercourse may form a pattern of rushing to ejaculate which can be difficult to change.
• Anxiety. Many men with premature ejaculation also have problems with anxiety — either specifically about sexual performance, or caused by other issues.

Rarely, premature ejaculation is caused by:

• Nervous system damage resulting from surgery or trauma
• Withdrawal from narcotics or a drug called trifluoperazine (Stelazine), used to treat anxiety and other mental health problems

Although both biological and psychological factors likely play a role in most cases of premature ejaculation, experts think a primarily biological cause is more likely if it has been a lifelong problem (primary premature ejaculation).

Risk factors


Various factors can increase your risk of premature ejaculation, including:

• Impotence. You may be at increased risk of premature ejaculation if you occasionally or consistently have trouble getting or maintaining an erection. Fear of losing your erection may cause you to rush through sexual encounters. As many as one in three men with premature ejaculation also have trouble maintaining an erection.
• Health problems. If you have a medical concern that causes you to feel anxious during ***, such as a heart problem, you may have an increased likelihood of hurrying to ejaculate.
• Stress. Emotional or mental strain in any area of your life can play a role in premature ejaculation, often limiting your ability to relax and focus during sexual encounters.
• Certain medications. Rarely, drugs that influence the action of chemical messengers in the brain (psychotropics) may cause premature ejaculation.

Complications


While premature ejaculation doesn't increase your risk of serious health problems, it can cause distress in your personal life, including:

• Relationship strains. The most common complication of premature ejaculation is relationship stress. If premature ejaculation is straining your relationship, ask your doctor about including couple's therapy in your treatment program.
• Fertility problems. Premature ejaculation can occasionally make fertilization difficult or impossible for couples who are trying to become pregnant. If premature ejaculation isn't effectively treated, you and your partner may need to consider infertility treatment.

Prevention


In some cases, premature ejaculation may be caused by poor communication between partners or a lack of understanding of the differences between male and female sexual functioning. Women typically require more prolonged stimulation than men do to reach orgasm, and this difference can cause sexual resentment between partners and add pressure to sexual encounters. For many men, feeling pressure during sexual intercourse increases the risk of premature ejaculation.
Open communication between sexual partners, as well as a willingness to try a variety of approaches to help both partners achieve satisfaction, can help reduce conflict and performance anxiety. If you're not satisfied with your sexual relationship, talk with your partner about your concerns. Try to approach the topic in a loving way and to avoid blaming your partner for your dissatisfaction.
If you're not able to resolve sexual problems on your own, talk with your doctor. He or she may recommend seeing a therapist who can help you and your partner achieve a fulfilling sexual relationship.

[Princess08]

No. 1 — Heart disease


According to the American Heart Association, in 2004, over 410,000 men died of cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in both sexes. Because men usually develop heart disease 10 to 15 years earlier than women do, they're more likely to die of it in the prime of life. About one-fourth of all heart-disease-related deaths occur in men ages 35 to 65.
You can reduce your risk of heart disease by making healthier lifestyle choices and getting appropriate treatment for other conditions that can increase your risk of coronary artery disease, such as high cholesterol, diabetes and high blood pressure. Some preventive measures you can take:

• Don't smoke or use other tobacco products.
• Eat a varied diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and avoid high-fat foods.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Get at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week.
• Have your cholesterol tested.
• If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar under control.
• Get regular blood pressure checks.
• Take a daily dose of aspirin, if your doctor OKs it.

No. 2 — Cancer


In 2003, the CDC recorded nearly 288,000 men who died of cancer, the second-leading cause of death for both sexes. Lung cancer — 90 percent of it caused by cigarette smoking — is the most common cause of cancer death in both sexes. In 2003, 89,964 men died of lung cancer.
The CDC also notes that prostate cancer and colorectal cancer are the second- and third-leading causes of cancer death in men.
Some preventive measures you can take:

• Don't smoke or use other tobacco products.
• Eat a varied diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and avoid high-fat foods.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Get at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week.
• Limit your exposure to sun and use sunscreen.
• Drink alcohol only in moderation, if at all.
• Be aware of potential cancer-causing substances (carcinogens) in your home and workplace, and take steps to reduce your exposure to these substances.
• Have regular preventive health screenings.
• Know your family medical history and review it with your doctor.

No. 3 — Unintentional injuries


In 2003, accidents killed 70,532 men, according to the CDC. Motor vehicle crashes were the leading cause. More than twice as many men as women died in traffic accidents. Male drivers involved in such accidents were almost twice as likely as female drivers to be intoxicated. To reduce your chances of a fatal crash:

• Use your seat belt every time you drive.
• Don't exceed speed limits.
• Don't drive after drinking alcohol.
• Don't drive while sleepy or under the influence of drugs.

The CDC recorded poisoning as the second-leading cause of fatal unintentional injury to men in 2003 — 13,176 men died of it. In comparison, 6,281 women died of poisoning that year. To reduce your risk of poisoning:

• Place carbon monoxide and smoke detectors near bedrooms in your house.
• Have fuel-burning appliances inspected each year.
• Store household products in their original containers.
• Read and follow label instructions for household products.
• Turn on a light when giving or taking medicine and follow label instructions.
• Ventilate areas in which you use chemical products.
• Post the poison control number, 800-222-1222, by each telephone in your home.

Falls and drowning were the third- and fourth-leading causes of fatal unintentional injury to men. In 2003, falls caused 8,910 deaths among men, compared with 8,319 deaths among women. Drowning accounted for 2,632 deaths among men and 674 deaths among women.
Common-sense precautions such as using a safety ladder, placing nonskid mats in showers and tubs, and never swimming alone in a large or unfamiliar body of water can reduce the risks.
Workplace accidents — which include some vehicle crashes, poisonings, falls and drowning — are a significant cause of fatal injury to men, partly because men are concentrated in dangerous occupations such as agriculture, mining and construction.

No. 4 — Stroke


In 2004, over 58,000 men died of stroke, according to the American Heart Association. Although stroke affects equal proportions of men and women, men have better chances of surviving than women do. You can't control some stroke risk factors, such as family history, age and race, but you can control the leading cause — high blood pressure — as well as contributing factors such as smoking and diabetes.
Additional preventive measures:

• Lower your intake of cholesterol and saturated fat. Get your cholesterol checked.
• Get regular blood pressure checks, and if it's higher than normal, take measures to control it.
• Don't smoke.
• Control diabetes.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Get at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week.
• Manage stress.
• Limit alcohol consumption.
• Talk with your doctor about taking a daily dose of aspirin.

No. 5 — Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)


In 2003, according to the American Lung Association, 60,714 men died of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a group of chronic lung conditions that includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. It's strongly associated with lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer deaths among men. The main cause is smoking. Men who smoke are 12 times as likely to die of COPD as are men who've never smoked.
Some preventive measures you can take:

• Don't smoke.
• Avoid secondhand smoke.
• Minimize exposure to workplace chemicals.

No. 6 — Diabetes


The American Heart Association reports that in 2004, 35,000 men died of diabetes, a disease that affects the way the body uses blood sugar (glucose). Excess body fat, especially around the middle, is an important risk factor for diabetes. About 80 percent of people who have the disease are overweight or obese.
The diabetes complications most likely to be fatal are heart disease and stroke, which occur at two to four times the average rate in people with diabetes. Men with diabetes haven't benefited as much from recent advances in heart disease treatment as have men without diabetes.
An estimated one-third of men with the most common form of diabetes don't know they have it. Many are unaware of the disease until they develop complications such as impotence (erectile dysfunction), nerve damage causing pain or loss of sensation in the hands or feet, vision loss, or kidney disease.
Some preventive measures you can take:

• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Eat a varied diet, rich in fruits, vegetables and low-fat foods.
• Get at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week.
• Get your fasting blood sugar level checked periodically.
• Know your family's diabetes history and discuss it with your doctor.

No. 7 — Influenza and pneumonia


In 2003, 28,778 men died of pneumonia and influenza, according to the CDC. These lung infections are especially life-threatening to people whose lungs have already been damaged by COPD, asthma or smoking. The risk of death from pneumonia or influenza is also higher among people with heart disease, diabetes or a weakened immune system due to AIDS or immunosuppressive drugs.
You can reduce your risk of complications and death from pneumonia and influenza by getting immunized. A yearly flu shot is up to 90 percent effective in preventing influenza in healthy adults. The pneumococcal vaccine can reduce the risk of getting pneumonia by more than half.

No. 8 — Suicide


In 2003, the CDC noted 25,203 men committed suicide. Men commit suicide four times as often as women do, partly because they're more likely to use deadlier means — such as firearms — when they set out to take their own lives. Depression — which is estimated to affect 7 percent of men in any given year — is an important risk factor for suicide. But male depression is underdiagnosed, partly because men are less likely than women are to seek treatment for it. In addition, men don't always develop standard symptoms such as sadness, worthlessness and excessive guilt. Instead, they may be more likely to complain of fatigue, irritability, sleep disturbances and loss of interest in work or hobbies. Alcohol or drug abuse — which is more common in men — can mask depression and make it more difficult to diagnose.
People at risk of suicide may:

• Be depressed, moody, socially withdrawn or aggressive
• Have suffered a recent life crisis
• Show changes in personality
• Feel worthless
• Abuse alcohol or drugs
• Have frequent thoughts about death
• Talk about death and self-destruction

If you find yourself avoiding others, feeling hostile and worthless, thinking about death and using alcohol and drugs to numb your pain, talk with your doctor. In an urgent situation, an emergency room or crisis center can help. Friends or family members may be the first to notice your uncharacteristic behavior. Take their advice and seek help. If you or someone you love is depressed, remove any access to firearms in the home. Don't expect to be able to overcome the feelings of depression without medical help. This is a disease, not something you can "snap out of."

No. 9 — Kidney disease


Kidney failure, most often a complication of diabetes or high blood pressure, took the lives of 20,481 men in 2003 says the CDC. Control of diabetes and high blood pressure can prevent or slow the progression of kidney disease. Another cause of kidney failure is overuse of medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) that are toxic to the kidneys.
Some preventive measures you can take:

• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Exercise regularly.
• Maintain your proper weight.
• Don't smoke.
• Get checked regularly for diabetes and high blood pressure.
• Limit your use of over-the-counter pain relievers.
• Take all medications only as directed.

No. 10 — Alzheimer's disease


About 4.5 million older Americans — both men and women — have Alzheimer's disease. In 2003, 18,335 men died of Alzheimer's, which usually develops in people age 65 or older. But statistically there are more women who have the disease, because women live longer than men — and the older you are, the more likely you are to have Alzheimer's. The American population has more and more older adults each year. Consequently, the number of people with Alzheimer's has more than doubled since 1980 and continues to increase. As men live longer because of improved treatments for other conditions, they are more likely to die of Alzheimer's.
Although experts are doing promising research into preventing Alzheimer's, currently there's no proven way to prevent the onset of the disease. Taking steps to improve your cardiovascular health may help:

• Lose weight if you're overweight.
• Exercise regularly.
• Control your blood pressure.
• Keep your cholesterol levels in normal ranges.

While there is some controversy about whether it's effective, some research indicates doing intellectually challenging activities may help delay the onset of dementia. It certainly can't hurt — and it may help maintain your mental fitness.

[Princess08]

Can you fracture your *****?



A ***** fracture can occur when there is trauma to the erect *****, resulting in rupture of the lining of the cylinder (corpus cavernosum) in the ***** that becomes engorged with blood during an erection. This very painful injury is often accompanied by an audible cracking sound, followed immediately by dark bruising of the ***** due to blood escaping the cylinder. In 10 percent to 30 percent of ***** fractures, the urethra is damaged and blood may be visible at the urinary opening of the *****.
A fractured ***** requires urgent medical attention. Prompt surgical repair of a ***** fracture is usually successful. If untreated, the injury may result in deformity of the ***** or the inability to have or maintain an erection (erectile dysfunction).

There are three types of diuretics: thiazide, loop and potassium-sparing. Each works by affecting a different part of your kidneys, and each may have different uses, side effects and precautions. Which diuretic is best for you depends on your health and the condition being treated.

[Princess08]

The testicles are very sensitive, and even a minor injury can cause pain or discomfort. Pain may originate in the testicles themselves, in the scrotum or in the tube at the back of the testicle that stores sperm (the epididymis). Pain in the groin or lower abdomen may also radiate to the testicles. Pinpointing the location of the pain can help determine its cause.



Causes of testicle pain may include:

• Infection or inflammation of the epididymis (epididymitis) or testicle (orchitis). Epididymitis is the most common cause of testicle pain in adult men.
• Minor injuries, such as a blow to the scrotum. Such injuries are usually very painful, but temporary.
• A stone in the lower ureter, which can cause pain in the testicle on the same side as the stone.
• Enlargement of the veins within the scrotum (varicocele).
• Fluid in the testicles, such as due to a spermatocele or hydrocele.
• Rarely, abdominal infections or bleeding.

A more serious cause of testicle pain is testicular torsion, a condition that occurs when the testicles and spermatic cord, a structure that runs from the abdomen to the testicles, twist inside the scrotum. Because testicular torsion can block the flow of blood to the testicles, it requires immediate medical attention. Testicular cancer also may, rarely, cause testicle pain.
Sudden, severe testicle pain requires prompt medical attention — especially if the pain is accompanied by nausea, fever, chills or blood in the urine. Your husband should also see his doctor if he experiences:

• Mild testicle pain lasting longer than a few days
• A lump or swelling in or around a testicle

[Princess08]

Less interested in *** lately? Tired? Grumpier than usual? Is this a midlife crisis brewing? Or are you feeling the normal hormone changes associated with aging? Hormone changes are a natural part of aging for men. But male menopause is not an accurate description. Unlike the more dramatic hormone plunge that occurs in women during menopause, hormone changes in men occur gradually, over a period of many years, the effects of which are often subtle and not noticed until much later in life. Some men are never affected by lower hormone levels at all — while some have physical and psychological symptoms that can include changes in sexual function, energy levels or mood.
While the term "male menopause" is sometimes used to describe decreasing testosterone levels related to aging, Todd Nippoldt, M.D., an endocrinologist at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., prefers the term "andropause." "There needs to be a distinction because we're dealing with two different situations," he says. "In women, ovulation ceases and female hormone production plummets over a relatively short time frame. In men, there's a gradual decline in the production of male hormones." Age-related decline in testosterone levels are also called testosterone deficiency, androgen decline in the aging male (ADAM) or late onset hypogonadism (LOH).
Male hormones over time


In general, older men have lower testosterone levels than do younger men. After age 40, testosterone levels in the blood begin to decline gradually — at a rate of about 1 percent a year. While there's a steep drop between the ages of 45 and 50, reduction in testosterone levels are rarely significant enough to be noticeable in men younger than 60. By the time men reach their 80s, about half have low testosterone. But testosterone levels vary greatly among men — and some men maintain normal testosterone levels into old age. Other men who have low testosterone levels don't have bothersome signs or symptoms.

What are the symptoms of andropause?


Lower than normal testosterone levels do not cause symptoms in all men — and signs and symptoms of low testosterone vary from person to person. Some of these signs and symptoms are a normal part of aging. The only sure way to know whether you have low testosterone levels is through blood tests.
Signs and symptoms of low testosterone can include:

• Reduced sexual desire
• Infertility
• A decrease in spontaneous erections (such as during sleep)
• Swollen or tender breasts (gynecomastia)
• Loss of body and pubic hair
• Small or shrinking testes
• Height loss and thinning bones
• Reduced muscle bulk and strength
• Hot flushes and sweats

Other signs and symptoms can include:

• Decreased energy, motivation and self-confidence
• Feeling sad or depressed
• Poor concentration and memory
• Sleep apnea or other sleep problems
• A low red blood cell count (mild anemia)
• Increased body fat
• Diminished physical or work performance

Herbal supplements: Do they work?


Although many herbal supplements are widely marketed with the claim that they can relieve symptoms, none has been proved safe and effective for aging-related low testosterone. One of the most common supplements marketed to treat this condition, DHEA, may increase the risk of prostate cancer. More studies are needed to evaluate possible health benefits — and dangers — of taking DHEA or other supplements. Talk with your doctor before taking any herbal supplements, as some can cause side effects or cause problems with medications.

Is it low testosterone — or is it something else?


Symptoms caused by testosterone deficiency are similar to symptoms caused by other things. Signs and symptoms can include:

• A number of other health problems such as liver disease, kidney failure, or an overactive or underactive thyroid
• Side effects of medications
• Lifestyle choices such as excessive alcohol use or use of illegal drugs
• Psychological conditions, such as depression or emotional distress related to life changes that come with middle age (the so-called midlife crisis)

Steps that may help


While there's no way to avoid lower testosterone levels caused by aging, there are a few things you can do to help prevent or improve symptoms caused by the condition:

• Eat right and stay active. Regular exercise and a healthy diet can help you maintain your strength, energy and lean muscle mass. It can also improve your mood and help you stay sharp as you get older.
• Talk to your doctor about sexual problems. Erectile dysfunction and other sexual issues are common as men get older. Your doctor can help you find the best way to cope. Medical treatment, lifestyle changes or changes to the dose or types of medications you take may help.
• Seek help if you feel down. Many older men suffer from depression. It often goes undiagnosed — but treatment can make a big difference in how you feel. Depression in men doesn't always mean having the blues. You may have depression if you feel irritable, isolated and withdrawn. Other signs of depression common in men include working all the time, drinking too much alcohol, using street drugs or seeking thrills from risky activities.

If you are an older man and you have bothersome symptoms you think might be caused by low testosterone, see your doctor to get a firm diagnosis and find out your treatment options. While low testosterone does cause signs and symptoms in some men, your symptoms may be caused by normal aging or something else. Identifying and treating other health issues that can cause or worsen symptoms, making lifestyle changes, or changing the type or dose of medications you take may be enough.

[Princess08]

Q:

I often have dry orgasms with no discharge of semen. Should I be concerned?

A:

A dry orgasm — an orgasm with no discharge of semen — can have many causes. It is typically not a health concern, although it can impair fertility.



Causes of dry orgasm include:

• Retrograde ejaculation. In this condition, semen is forced back into the bladder instead of out through the *****. Causes of retrograde ejaculation include diabetes, damage or injury to the prostate such as due to prostate surgery, and certain medications, such as alpha blockers used to treat enlarged prostate.
• Surgical removal of the prostate (prostatectomy).
• Surgical removal of the bladder (cystectomy).
• Radiation therapy directed at the pelvic area, such as for prostate cancer.

If you're concerned about having dry orgasms or if you are experiencing pain associated with dry orgasms, consult a urologist for an evaluation. When possible, treatment is directed at the underlying cause. If the cause of dry orgasm is retrograde ejaculation and infertility is an issue, it may be possible to retrieve sperm from the urine following orgasm for use in artificial insemination.

Direct contact
An easy way to catch most infectious diseases is by coming in contact with someone who has one. This "someone" can be a person, an animal or, for an unborn baby, its mother. Three different ways infectious disease can be spread through direct contact are:

• Person to person. The most common way for infectious disease to spread is through the direct transfer of bacteria, viruses or other germs from one person to another. This can occur when an individual with the bacterium or virus touches, coughs on or kisses someone who isn't infected. These germs can also spread through the exchange of body fluids from sexual contact or a blood transfusion.
• Animal to person. Your household pet might seem harmless, but pets can carry many germs. Being bitten or scratched by an infected animal can make you sick and, in extreme circumstances, could even cause death. Handling animal waste can be hazardous, too. For example, you can acquire a toxoplasmosis infection by scooping your cat's litter box, particularly if you're pregnant.
• Mother to unborn child. A pregnant woman may pass germs that cause infectious diseases to her unborn baby. Germs can pass through the placenta, as is the case of the AIDS virus and the toxoplasmosis parasite. Or germs could spread during labor and delivery, as is the case for a mother infected with group B streptococcus.

Indirect contact
Disease-causing organisms can also be passed along by indirect contact. Many germs can linger on an inanimate object, such as a tabletop, doorknob or faucet handle. When you touch the same doorknob grasped by someone ill with the flu or a cold, for example, you can pick up the germs he or she left behind. If you then touch your eyes, mouth or nose before washing your hands, you may become infected. Some infections occur from organisms that naturally live in the environment but are not passed from person to person. Examples include fungal infections like histoplasmosis or blastomycosis, as well as bacterial infections such as anthrax.

Droplet transmission
When you cough or sneeze, you expel droplets into the air around you. When you're sick with a cold or the flu — or any number of other illnesses — these droplets contain the germ that caused your illness. Spread of infectious disease in this manner is called droplet spread or droplet transmission.
Droplets travel only about three feet because they're usually too large to stay suspended in the air for a long time. However, if a droplet from an infected person comes in contact with your eyes, nose or mouth, you may soon experience symptoms of the illness. Crowded, indoor environments may promote the chances of droplet transmission — which may explain the increase in respiratory infections in the winter months.
Particle transmission
Some disease-causing germs travel through the air in particles considerably smaller than droplets. These tiny particles remain suspended in the air for extended periods of time and can travel in air currents. If you breathe in an airborne virus, bacterium or other germ, you may become infected and show signs and symptoms of the disease. Colds caused by viruses, influenza and tuberculosis are a few types of infectious diseases usually spread through the air, in both particle and droplet forms.

[Princess08]

The largest study ever conducted of male breast cancer concludes that the disease is on the rise and is usually detected when the tumors are bigger, have spread and may be more aggressive, compared to diagnosis of the disease in women.



The findings, published recently in the journal CANCER, suggest that breast cancer in men may have some important biological differences from female disease, and that men are seemingly less aware than they should be that they can develop breast cancer.
According to lead investigator Sharon Giordano, M.D., assistant professor in the Department of Breast Medical Oncology at M. D. Anderson, the incidence of the disease has increased significantly in the last 25 years, from .86 to 1.08 per 100,000 men.
"Male breast cancer is rare, accounting for less than one percent of all breast cancer, or about 1,600 new cases in the United States in 2004. While it's not as high of an increase in cases as that in women, men should be alert to the possibility that the disease could affect them," Giordano says.


Looking for dissimilarities
Because male breast cancer is rare, little is known about how it differs from breast cancer in women and how best to treat it. To assess this dissimilarity, Giordano and colleagues used information from a National Cancer Institute database called SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results), which is the authoritative source of information on cancer incidence and survival in the United States.
They analyzed SEER data from 1973 through 1998 on 2,524 cases of male breast cancer and 380,856 cases of female breast cancer. Compared to female patients, investigators found that male patients were significantly older when diagnosed - 67 years versus 62 years of age. They also were more likely to have later-stage disease and had more metastasis (spread of the cancer) to their lymph nodes.
"It's perhaps ironic that tumors in men are easier to feel than they are in women, yet the disease is being discovered at a later stage in men than in women," Giordano says.
One possible reason may be that men assume they are experiencing a benign condition called gynecomastia, or atypical growth of breast tissue that affects about one-third of males at some point in their lives, Giordano says. The condition, common in adolescent boys, can come and go over a man's lifetime and "men may think new growth of breast tissue is just another occurrence of this condition," she explains.


Most common breast cancers
Furthermore, Giordano and the researchers found that the most common types of breast cancers in men were invasive ductal carcinoma, found in 93.4% of patients, and papillary carcinoma, which accounted for 2.6% of the cases.
Yet despite these differences, five-year, 10-year and median survival rates were the same in men and women, investigators say.
Also of interest to the researchers was the finding that male patients are more likely than female patients to have estrogen receptor-positive tumors.
"We are not sure why this is so, but it may indicate some important differences in tumor biology," she says. "In addition, this implies that use of tamoxifen in men may be as beneficial as it is to many women."
"Now that we have a clearer understanding of the biology of breast cancer in men, further research is needed to determine the optimal treatment for men," she says.

[Princess08]

Are you irritable, isolated and withdrawn? Do you find yourself working all the time, drinking too much alcohol, using street drugs or seeking thrills from risky activities?
If so, perhaps you're being chased by what Winston Churchill called his "black dog" — male depression. Churchill attempted to ward off his black dog with compulsive overwork and large amounts of brandy. For male depression, the coping strategy may be reckless driving, risky *** or shutting yourself off from the world.
But none of these can keep male depression at bay for long. Even worse: Men with depression are at an increased risk of suicide.

Symptoms of male depression


In both men and women, common signs and symptoms of depression include feeling down in the dumps, sleeping poorly, and feeling sad, guilty and worthless. Men with depression, however, have bouts of crying less often than do women with depression.
Other symptoms of male depression often include:

• Anger and frustration
• Violent behavior
• Losing weight without trying
• Taking risks, such as reckless driving and extramarital ***
• Loss of concentration
• Isolation from family and friends
• Avoiding pleasurable activities
• Fatigue
• Loss of interest in work, hobbies and ***
• Alcohol or substance abuse
• Misuse of prescription medication
• Thoughts of suicide

In addition, men often aren't aware that physical symptoms, such as headaches, digestive disorders and chronic pain, can be symptoms of male depression.



Treatment
If you or someone close to you is considering suicide, seek help immediately from your doctor, the nearest hospital emergency room or emergency services (911).
If you suspect you have depression, schedule a physical examination with your family doctor or primary health care professional. Conditions such as a viral infection, thyroid disorder and low testosterone levels can produce symptoms similar to male depression. If your doctor rules out such conditions as a cause of your symptoms, the next step may be a depression screening. Treatment for male depression may include antidepressant medications, psychotherapy or both.
Self-care strategies also may help. These include:

• Setting realistic goals and prioritizing tasks
• Spending time with supportive family and friends
• Engaging in activities you enjoy, such as exercise, movies, ball games or fishing
• Delaying important decisions, such as changing jobs or getting married or divorced, until your depression symptoms improve

[Bahalina-boy]

kung ma sobraan doot2x si manoy basig ma fracture. hehe