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Medical Male Articles
A COLLECTION OF
MEDICAL ARTICLES FOR MEN.
AS APPEARED IN MAKSIMAN AND WRITTEN BY DR. MICHAEL MOL.
Prostrate over your Prostate.
Prostate cancer is the most
common malignancy detected in males, second only to Lung cancer.,
and in South Africa it will affect one in seven men over the age
of forty.
The prostate is a 3cm glandular organ that lies at the neck of the
bladder, and produces a thin, milky fluid that is added to the sperm
at the time of ejaculation. It is a male phenomenon that’s
usefulness seems far outweighed by it’s disadvantages –
but before you complain, a reminder that men don’t have to
ovulate every 28 days!
The exact cause of prostate cancer has eluded scientists to date,
but certain risk factors play a definite role. Age tops the list,
with an increased incidence correlating with increasing maturity,
and 80% of this cancer is diagnosed in men over the age of 65. Genetically,
a family history of prostate cancer triples your risk profile especially
if it’s a father or brother. There’s thus little you’re
able to do in the name of prevention, which is why the emphasis
has fallen to early detection.
The presence of symptoms which include - difficulty in starting
and stopping the urinary stream, an increase in the frequency of
- and pain during urination, are an indication of advanced disease
and put a man in the high risk category, requiring an urgent consultation.
There are however, usually no signs or symptoms in early prostate
cancer, and as a result most cases are discovered incidentally.
It’s because of the incidental nature of the diagnosis, that
screening tests are vital. Men over the age of 50 (or 40, if you
have a positive family history) should undergo an annual rectal
examination (the importance of which far outweighs the awkwardness
between doctor and patient!) and blood testing for PSA (Prostate
Specific Antigen) an enzyme that’s elevated with prostate
disease.
Treatment (and prognosis) escalates in conjunction with the severity
of the cancer - whether it is localized, or has spread beyond the
prostate. Early detection can be treated with the simple surgical
removal of the entire prostate. If the cancer is allowed to spread
unchecked though, you’ll need to consider radiation therapy,
cryotherapy and ultimately hormonal therapy, of which the yardstick
is castration – ouch! No shock tactics are being employed
here - the hard facts serve as a realistic reminder to once again
be pro-active about your health, or you may be saying “goodbye
to those gonads” prematurely.
Copyright © Carpe Diem Media
Snotklap
Sindroom.
A blocked nose, puffy eyes, wheezing
cough, low energy… all the symptoms of that cold or flu that
frequently comes back to haunt you? Instead of stocking up on tissues
and sweating it out, consider this… what if it isn’t a
cold - but Allergic Rhinitis?
Gustatory Rhinitis is the medical term for the snotklap reaction you
experience when you bite into a fiery chili, and moments later your
nose is running and your eyes start watering. Allergic Rhinitis (or
Hay fever) has a similar effect on your nose, only it’s caused
by allergens, such as pollen, dust mite and mold. These offending
agents cause a stimulation of your immune system and trigger a series
of reactions when they come into contact with nasal membranes of people
who are sensitive to them. These reactions lead to the release of
histamine and other substances that cause swelling of nasal passages
and eye tissues, secretion of mucus (runny nose), itching, and sneezing.
The inflammatory process also causes fatigue and sleepiness, and in
some cases, histamine stimulates contraction of the breathing passages
leading to wheezing and feeling of chest tightness and congestion.
One in five people are affected, men and women alike, and while allergic
Rhinitis is not life threatening, it can greatly impair quality of
life. US statisticians estimate the cost of hay fever to be over 5
billion dollars a year – nothing to sneeze at!
Though AR and a cold or flu are symptomatically similar, the disparity
is vast. Here are some guidelines on how to differentiate between
the two:
Allergic Rhinitis usually has a family history – a father or
mother who suffered from hay fever, colds are not hereditary. Flu
tends to occur in epidemics, “there’s a bug going around
affecting everyone”, whereas AR shows seasonal symptoms associated
with specific locations, and is not infectious. AR sufferers often
have typical facial features – allergic shiners (dark circles
beneath the eyes caused by repeated rubbing of itchy eyes), and a
transverse crease across lower third of nose caused by years of upward
rubbing. Fever can be present in both conditions, but its far more
prevalent with a cold or flu, as are generalized body aches which
aren’t commonplace with Hay fever.
By far the most important difference is the fact that the common cold
has no cure, whereas Allergic Rhinitis can be treated effectively.
A simple antihistamine or steroid nasal spray could mean the difference
between a few moments of melancholy or two weeks in tissues!! Ask
your physician…
Copyright © Carpe Diem Media
Scratch
where it Itches - it could save your life.
In his acclaimed autobiography “It’s Not About The Bike,”
Lance Armstrong recounts how he went from being “the indestructible”
25-year-old world cycling champion to a gravely ill has-been, with
cancer in his testicles, lungs and brain. He underwent surgery and
chemotherapy, that left him fragile and in no shape to walk - let
alone ride. His story is not uncommon…
Testicular cancer is the most common malignancy of males aged 15 to
35 years and its incidence has increased four fold over the past five
decades. Though the cause of testicular cancer is unknown, definitive
risk factors have been identified: Men with undescended testicles
have a 5 to 10 times greater possibility of developing the disease,
as do, to a lesser degree, those with a previous history of testes
cancer, or a father or brother who’ve been positively diagnosed.
Trauma, mumps and infertility may play a role too. Within a given
race group individuals in the higher socio-economic classes have approximately
twice the incidence of those in the lower classes.
Most testicular tumours present with a painless lump or swelling of
the testis, sometimes associated will a dull ache in the scrotum or
lower abdomen. The cancer spreads via the lymphatic pathways to regional
glands around the aorta. Later, spread takes place to the lungs, liver,
bone and brain. Testicular cancers are fast growing, with doubling
times ranging from 10 to 30 days. Patients left untreated, and those
unfortunate enough to suffer treatment failure, demise rapidly, usually
within 2-3 years. Prognosis is improved with early detection, so “clutch
your crotch” regularly, and see your physician immediately with
any sign of a lump or hardness in the testicle, or unexplained pain
and enlargement of the scrotum.
The primary tumour is treated by surgical removal of the affected
testes, after which it is sent for staging analysis to determine the
follow-up treatment regime, be it with radio or chemotherapy. Unfortunately
most of the treatment options affect fertility, but if appropriate,
semen could be preserved for possible future assisted reproduction.
Thankfully, the results of the treatment of testes cancer are spectacular.
The vast majority of patients, including those with widespread disease,
are completely cured by modern day chemo and/or radiotherapy.
Lance Armstrong is living proof of that. Just five years after he
was diagnosed with testicular cancer he crossed the finish line first,
for his third Tour de France victory!
Now that takes balls … or does it?
Copyright © Carpe Diem Media
The Halls
are alive with the sound of Mucus.
Do not confuse the Flu (Influenza)
with the common cold. The latter is a mild infection caused by viruses
other than the influenza virus, whereas flu is a more severe infection
of the airway tract that can spread down into the lungs, and recurs
every year from late autumn to early winter.
Influenza is a highly contagious disease, and the virus is spread
when someone either inhales infected droplets in the air (spread when
an infected person coughs or sneezes) or when someone comes in direct
contact with an infected person’s secretions (kissing, or sharing
objects such as spoons or forks.) Touching smooth surfaces such as
doorknobs, handles, and telephones are other ways to transfer the
virus to the hands, which invariably make contact with the eyes, nose
or mouth where the virus gets absorbed. A person is contagious for
up to 3-5 days after the onset of the illness.
Symptoms come on suddenly: high fevers; aches & pains in joints
and muscles; generalized weakness; headaches; dry cough, sore throat
and a watery discharge from the nose. You simply look ill, with warm,
flushed skin and red, watery eyes.
You can effectively treat flu at home by way of bed rest and avoiding
physical exertion. Drink plenty of fluids such as water, fruit juices
and especially chicken soup … yes; that old wives tale is true!
Water alone doesn’t contain the adequate electrolytes that the
body requires for rehydration. Wash your hands often. Treat fevers
and aches with over the counter medications such as paracetamol, aspirin
and ibuprofen. (Caution: Aspirin is not recommended for children under
16 with flu symptoms, as it is associated with liver and brain damage.)
Consult your doctor in the following situations: a “cold”
lasting more than ten days; fevers above 38.8 C despite treatment
with medicines; shortness of breath; symptoms lasting longer than
5-7 days without relief. This is especially relevant for people in
high-risk groups – pregnant women, diabetics, the elderly, those
with chronic diseases of heart, lungs or kidneys and people who are
HIV positive.
Flu symptoms start to go away after 2-3 days, fevers may last for
about 5 days, and fatigue may set in for a few weeks. For uncomplicated
cases of flu, antibiotics are NOT useful.
The best means of preventing the flu is getting the flu shot –
an inactivated vaccine that contains only dead influenza viruses (therefore
you cannot contract flu form the injection!). It takes 2 weeks to
become immune and is effective in 70-90% of cases. It does cost, but
better to cough up the cash now than cough up your lungs later!
Copyright © Carpe Diem Media
The
Difference of a Deferens.
”I’m Pregnant!” is
a expression many married couples long to hear - except those who
already have three children in High School! Instead of looking to
our wives to take the snip, shouldn’t men have the …
courage … to lead by example?
Sperm are produced in a man's testis and stored in an adjacent structure
known as the epididymis. During sexual climax, the sperm move from
the epididymis through a tube called the vas deferens and mix with
other components of semen to form the ejaculate. A vasectomy involves
cutting or otherwise blocking both the left and right vas deferens,
so the man's ejaculate will no longer contain sperm, and he will
not be able to make a woman pregnant.
In surgical terms the vasectomy is almost a non-event. It’s
usually performed by a specialist urologist under local anaesthetic
– so no need to spend the night in hospital wearing a gown
that exposes your derriere to sniggering orderlies. The “nip
& pluck” involves a small incision in the scrotal sac,
the vas deferens is then fished out and a portion of the tube removed
and closed off at either end with a dissolvable stitch. Half an
hour later, you’ll walk out – or rather swagger out
- a little like John Wayne for the next two days, until the inflammation
subsides.
For those with a phobia for blades and blood, a relatively new technique
called the no-scalpel vasectomy involves a tiny puncture in place
of the cut. No stitches, less pain and fewer complications overall.
You can resume sexual activities a few days after the procedure,
but be warned that there is remnant sperm in the ducts. It usually
requires about 15 to 20 ejaculations post vasectomy to flush out
the tubes, and then it’s best to confirm sterility via a semen
analysis.
With a failure rate (pregnancy!) of 0.1%, the biggest advantage
of a Vasectomy – its permanence - is also its biggest disadvantage.
Reversal (Vasovasostomy) is difficult, expensive and often unsuccessful,
with success rates of only 75% after 3 yrs down to 30% after 15
years, so you need to carefully consider the ramifications of never
being able to father another child again.
To put to rest a nasty Rumour, a Vasectomy does not affect the production
or release of testosterone, the hormone responsible for a man's
sex drive, beard, deep voice, and other masculine traits. It also
has no effect on sexuality, erections, climaxes, and the amount
of ejaculate remains the same.
So with no high-pitched voices, no sprouting breasts and no mood
swings every 28 days – you won’t notice the deferens!
Copyright © Carpe Diem Media
Avoiding the
Flu is no Fluke.
Autumn is here, and the circle of life
amazes me. Each year at the same time that leaves start turning
a deep red, so do our noses – thanks to the recurring flu.
You’d be wise not to insult this highly contagious disease
(officially called influenza), by mistaking it for something as
benign as the common cold… different virus, different disease.
The flu virus is spread through inhaled infected droplets in the
air, sourced from an infected person (contagious for up to 3 to
5 days after the onset of the illness) who coughs or sneezes without
their hands in front of their mouths … our mothers were right
about being considerate! When someone comes into contact with an
infected person’s secretions, either directly through kissing,
or sharing objects such as spoons or forks – or indirectly
via touching the same doorknobs, telephones or even gym equipment,
they’re also inline for infection. The “infected”
hand invariably makes contact with your eyes, nose or mouth and
that’s how the virus’ gains entry, which means regular
hand washing, is a definite deterrent for getting the flu.
The best deterrent however, is getting the flu shot – an inactivated
vaccine that contains only dead influenza viruses, which means you
cannot contract flu from the injection, no matter what your colleagues
past experience has been! It takes 2 weeks to become immune, so
best to get it now - before flu season starts (late autumn to early
winter). Influenza viruses continually change their structure, so
it’s a myth that you only need the vaccination once in your
life… you need a new jab every year. Who should get it? Anyone
over the age of 50; diabetics and those with immune disorders; people
with chronic diseases of the heart, lungs or kidneys; health care
workers (I’m preaching to the choir!); people living in close
quarters (camps, dormitories) and anyone keen to reduce their risk
of contracting the flu. On the downside, there is still a chance
of contracting the flu despite having the injection, since it’s
only effective in 70-90% of cases, and the cost of course. Better
to cough up the cash now though than cough up your lungs later!
What about antibiotics? An expensive safety net. Antibiotics are
only effective against bacteria, whilst flu is a viral disease –
so all you’re achieving by taking the antibiotics is preventing
a possible secondary infection. You can treat flu at home by way
of bed rest and avoiding physical exertion – runners take
note! Don’t underestimate the fatal power of that little bug
if it infects your heart… tax your clicker too much and it
will stop on you! Drink plenty of fluids such as water, fruit juices
and chicken soup … yup, that old wives tale is true! Water
alone doesn’t contain the adequate electrolytes that the body
requires for rehydration. Treat fevers and aches with over the counter
medications such as paracetamol, aspirin and ibuprofen.
Flu symptoms (generalized weakness; headaches; dry cough, sore throat
and a watery discharge from the nose) start to go away after 2-3
days, fevers may last for about 5 days, but fatigue may set in for
a few weeks. Consult your doctor in the following situations: a
“cold” lasting more than ten days; fevers above 38.8
C despite treatment with medicines; shortness of breath; symptoms
lasting longer than 5-7 days without relief. This is especially
relevant for people in high-risk groups mentioned above.
Obviously, if you’ve bargained on taking 2 weeks sick leaves
this winter – then simply ignore everything you’ve just
read!
Copyright ©
Carpe Diem Media
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