Archive for the ‘Urology’ Category

Men’s Health: Living in Excellent Health

When men choose to eat for optimal health, they protect their prostate, heart, brain, and entire body. A high-nutrient (Nutritarian) diet floods the body with protective nutrients, and has you achieve a healthy weight. It not only normalizes risk factors for diabetes and heart disease, but also offers a substantial level of protection against common cancers.

The Connection Between Heart Disease and Erectile Dysfunction

Cardiovascular disease remains our nation’s biggest killer, responsible for about one-third of deaths in the U.S.;1 in men, erectile dysfunction (ED) is typically the first clinical manifestation of cardiovascular disease, making it a helpful early marker of men who are likely to die of heart attacks. There is a strong relationship between erectile dysfunction and high blood pressure, high cholesterol, angina, stroke, heart attack and a premature death.2,3

Erectile dysfunction affects around half of all men over the age of forty, but the patient often does not request treatment.4,5 The recent surge in Viagra and other medications to deal with erectile dysfunction is indicative of the rapid deterioration of the circulatory system in most men in this country.

This subject is fascinating because the science links an abnormality in the pro-erectile nitric oxide production system in the penis with oxidative stress that creates heart disease and risk of heart attacks.5 Erectile dysfunction is an accurate predictor of ischemic vascular events down the road, meaning heart attacks and strokes in the future. Surely, psychogenic components play a role in erectile dysfunction, but the most common and primary cause in most men is organic vascular insufficiency.

Erectile dysfunction usually occurs 1 to 5 years before a male manifests overt signs of cardiovascular disease. The first sign may be death.

Read the entire article here with Lifesaving Information to Reverse Erectile Dysfunction and Heart Disease.

References
1. Roger VL, Go AS, Lloyd-Jones DM, et al: Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics–2012 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association. Circulation 2012;125:e2-e220.
2. Solomon H, Man JW, Jackson G: Erectile dysfunction and the cardiovascular patient: endothelial dysfunction is the common denominator. Heart 2003;89:251-253.
3. Billups KL: Erectile dysfunction as an early sign of cardiovascular disease. Int J Impot Res 2005;17 Suppl 1:S19-24.
4. Feldman HA, Goldstein I, Hatzichristou DG, et al: Impotence and its medical and psychosocial correlates: results of the Massachusetts Male Aging Study. J Urol 1994;151:54-61.
5. Agarwal A, Nandipati KC, Sharma RK, et al: Role of oxidative stress in the pathophysiological mechanism of erectile dysfunction. J Androl 2006;27:335-347.

When to See A Doctor: Some of the Most Common Urology Conditions

Urology issues affect women and men equally, therefore both genders should pay attention to any related symptoms and get seen by a doctor in order to get diagnosed and treated. Urology is that branch of medicine that addresses everything that concerns the urinary function, from the kidneys to the bladder and the urethra. Urologists are also the specialists that address male genitals, just like gynecologists address the female reproductive system. Urology conditions may evolve very fast, therefore you should see a doctor at the first sign that something may be wrong with any of these organs.

One of the most frequent conditions urologists have to address is urinary incontinence. Incontinence is characterized by a weakening of the muscles surrounding the bladder. This leads to the inability to control the bladder, sufferers being prone to dripping or even leaks. The condition is more frequent in women, but men are also affected, especially at older age. Women may develop incontinence after giving birth, because of the changes that occur in the body during that time of intense stress and effort. The most common treatments for this condition include medication, a special diet or specific exercise routines aiming at strengthening the bladder muscles. Going to the bathroom at scheduled times may also help avoiding unpleasant incidents.

Urinary tract infections are also frequent urology conditions. They affect mostly women and their cause is the development of bacteria in the urinary tract. Such infections can be easily recognized because of the intense burning sensation that appears when urinating. Symptoms are usually annoying, therefore the sufferer tends to go to the doctor in the early stage of the disease. The infection is usually treated with antibiotics, but an increase in the fluids intake may also help it heal faster. By drinking more water, the volume of urine increases, thus flushing out the infection faster.

Erectile dysfunction is another quite common urology condition, especially among older men. This condition is characterized by the impossibility of attaining or maintaining an erection for the entire duration of a sexual intercourse. Medication can help, but sometimes it’s best to investigate and address the cause of the problem instead of treating the symptoms. Among the risk factors of erectile dysfunction there are smoking and low testosterone levels.

Sometimes, male infertility is also addressed by urology. Actually, the infertile couple would first address their family doctor, being referred to specialists only after some preliminary tests are done. The most usual test to start with is the sperm count, which can quickly show whether the male is fertile or not.

Robotic Surgery

Dr. Plawner performs Robotic Radical Prostatectomies, when indicated, offers radioactive seed implant or radiation to those who would not benefit from surgery or whose poor health puts them to unnecessary risk for surviving surgery.