Author Archives: jpope1

Sep
26
2013

Erectile Dysfunction and Warning Signs

Posted by

Research has show that there is a link between type II diabetes, heart disease and ED. Type 2 diabetes is a growing problem in America and has serious adverse affects. However, among men, there are currently 12 million with type 2 diabetes. Some could be in store for a particularly alarming health condition, erectile dysfunction (ED).

According to recent research, the factors that come along with ED are potentially harmful if not deadly—cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease is a disease that affects the heart and blood vessels. A person living with the disease is at risk for developing atherosclerosis which restricts blood flow because of plaque buildup. This is the number one cause of the health problem ED because there is poor/restricted blood flow. This happens because the vessels in the penile area are very small so when the plaque buildup occurs, which is a result of atherosclerosis, there is pretty much decreased blood circulating causing difficulties to obtain an erection.

Research and studies showed that 90 percent of men with ED problems were thought to be psychological while the remaining 10 percent were said to be physical. Today’s research and findings says the opposite is true. Most ED cases are physical blood vessel complications.              The age for ED is typically seen in men age 65+, however those men with type 2 diabetes see ED about 10-15 years earlier. Currently there are 300 million men around the world that suffer with ED between the ages of 40-70.

Research has begun to solve the underlying problems. Once something has been discovered, men can receive proper treatment to correct their health condition. Many times men are placed on medications orally and by injections such as the drug/hormone testosterone. After all, there is a worse outcome that occurs, not just having ED. The danger of atherosclerosis—hardening of the arteries can be life threatening.

References:

Methodist Hospital, Houston. “Erectile dysfunction: A possible warning sign of serious disease.” ScienceDaily, 6 Feb. 2012. Web. 5 Aug. 2013.

“What is Cardiovascular Disease (Heart Disease)?.” American Heart Association. 2 May. 2013. 5 Aug. 2013. <http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Caregiver/Resources/WhatisCardiovascularDisease/What-is-Cardiovascular-Disease_UCM_301852_Article.jsp>.

Aug
05
2013

Have Asthma? You Likely Have an Allergy as Well

Posted by

Epidemics in the United States are typically thought to be something very detrimental such as flues and viruses, but have you thought about asthma as being an epidemic? The number of patients that are diagnosed with asthma is on the rise every year. Researchers say that there is a correlation between having asthma and allergies. Currently in America, it is estimated that there are 26 million cases of asthma and 50 million cases of allergies. They are both serious diseases that can occur at any age in life.

The link between the people with asthma and allergies is being studied. Currently, the results show that 75% of asthmatic individuals between 20-40 years of age and 65% of individuals over the age of 55 have been diagnosed with asthma and have at least one allergy.

In the study there were 2,573 adults who were tested against a panel of 19 allergens that were popular to determine an allergy in an asthmatic individual. The number of children with asthma is higher than that of adults because the adult cases usually are undiagnosed. Normally the adult’s condition is a result of something else that typically occurs with elderly people, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema.

Further research suggested that poor hygiene increases the chance of infections, climate such as the change in temperature and promoting the growth of various weeds and plants that releases pollen, and under education of the severity and symptoms of asthma can be factors leading to the new epidemic—asthma.

References:

American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI). “Have asthma? You likely have an allergy as well.” ScienceDaily, 2 Apr. 2013. Web. 30 Jul. 2013.

“Asthma and Allergies.” Allergies Health Center. 30 Jul. 2013. <http://www.webmd.com/allergies/guide/asthma-allergies>.

Aug
05
2013

Listening to Blood Cells

Posted by

Given today’s excelling technology and the never-ending advances, it is no surprise that medical findings and research have come up with new ways to detect diseases that are related to blood.

Researchers and studies have shown that simple blood conditions can be detected by sound waves. These waves are produced within the body when they are struck by laser lights. With this advancement there is now a way to find out the shapes and also the sizes of blood cells. This new finding could be carried out by healthcare professionals to diagnosis patients with conditions in the blood because this new way takes only seconds for feedback.

Researchers in the article stated that their plan is to produce instruments that will allow these detections and make fast diagnosis and therefore provide faster treatment. Studies and results shown in the article concluded that shapes other than that bi-concave shape has a list of reasons why the abnormal shape occurs.

Researchers that carried out the study used the instrument called a photoacoustic microscope to detect sound. They carried out this experiment using a minimal amount of blood cells of about 20. This was just enough to give back readings that they were expecting—different sounds!

In closing, they leave with saying that their next big technological advancement is to eventually use a microfluidic device. They will continue to use the current ways of lasers, but will now incorporate the use of probes. With this simple incorporation, healthcare providers can test thousands instead of testing just blood samples. Their hope is to eventually get this method working effectively and then broaden this and check individual’s white blood cells.

Cell Press. “Listening to blood cells: Simple test could use sound waves for diagnosing blood-related diseases.” ScienceDaily, 2 Jul. 2013. Web. 18 Jul. 2013.

“Listening to Blood Cells.” Photonics. 18 Jul. 2013. <http://www.photonics.com/Article.aspx?AID=54334>.

Aug
01
2013

Hyperthyroidism Linked to Heart Failure

Posted by

Hyperthyroidism is caused when the thyroid is overactive—producing too much of the hormone thyroxine, causing normal body functions, such as metabolism to speed up. Recent research suggests that hyperthyroidism may have a tremendous affect on the most important organs in your body, your heart. In recent studies, researchers have found a correlation between hyperthyroidism and atrial fibrillation. They put together that atrial fibrillation is a common outcome of hyperthyroidism. Atrial fibrillation, commonly called “A fib” is characterized by uncoordinated contractions of the atria in the heart and can result in a fast and irregular heart rhythm. Hypothyroidism and the affect on the heart is still to be researched further.

Previous research has shown that hyperthyroidism is more prevalent in the female population than the male population, and age is not a risk factor. More recently, a team of researchers carried out a study in Denmark where they collected thyroid function blood tests from 586,460 patients with hyperthyroidism that consulted their practitioners. They followed these patients for a span of 10 years. After five years, the data suggested that, out of 586,460 participants, over half of the women in the study had developed A fib.

Researchers suggested that there should be a higher watch on this topic to make this situation more publicized so people can become more aware of hyperthyroidism and the underlying threat of developing A fib. People can take better control over major health conditions by regular physician check-ups, eating and maintaining a healthy diet, exercise, and most importantly avoid smoking and alcohol. These simple tasks will keep you, your heart and body healthy longer, for a better you!

References:

BMJ-British Medical Journal. “Thyroid problems linked to irregular heart rhythm.” ScienceDaily, 27 Nov. 2012. Web. 10 Jul. 2013.

“Could it be my thyroid?.” Harvard Health Publications. 24 Jul. 2012. 10 Jul. 2013. <http://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/could-it-be-my-thyroid>.

“atrial fibrillation.” Merriam-Webster. 2013. 10 Jul. 2013. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/atrial%20fibrillation>.