Is erectile dysfunction a problem with the veins?

A: Erectile dysfunction (ED) has many causes. Because male sexual arousal involves a complex coordination between the brain, peripheral nervous system, blood vessels (veins and arteries), muscles, hormones, as well as one's emotional state, anything that goes wrong with any of these components could contribute to ED. When it comes to blood vessels it's more common for arterial problems to cause ED, rather than venous problems. The most common arterial problem which contributes to ED is atherosclerosis – the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to plaques which build up inside them. Yes, this is the same atherosclerosis that can lead to heart disease. Atherosclerosis reduces the amount of blood that arteries can deliver to the heart and penis which, over time, can lead to heart disease and ED. As a matter of fact, because the arteries supplying the penis are much smaller than those supplying the heart, symptoms of atherosclerosis may first manifest as ED. Some even say that ED can be an early sign of heart disease. In this case, part of the treatment for ED is the same as for atherosclerotic heart disease – lifestyle changes, including weight loss, stopping smoking, and healthy dieting. More serious cases may warrant further investigation and treatment.

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Can Generic and Mail Order Drugs Save Us Billions?

The 2010 Drug Trend Report, a study on medication usage in the U.S., suggests that most patients prefer generic drugs and mail-order pharmacies. According to the report, sponsored by Express Scripts, 82% of patients who use brand name medications actually prefer generics. As well, 70% of patients who use retail pharmacies to fill medications for chronic conditions prefer to use a home delivery pharmacy because of discounts offered by their insurance companies. The study suggests that if physicians were to heed patient preferences in this manner, it could eliminate up to 33% of wasteful dollars spent on pharmacy-related costs annually. This amounts to a total of $134 billion dollars. Express Scripts is a publicly traded American company with a revenue of $25 billion and net income of over $800 million in 2009.

 

Sudden Cardiac Death Among Student Athletes More Common Than Previously Thought

A new study from the University of Washington suggests that the rate of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in college athletes is higher than previously thought. SCD is the leading medical cause of death and death during exercise in NCAA student-athletes. However, there is currently no formal measurement of SCD numbers. In fact, recent estimates of SCD have been based on questionable data sources, such as public media reports, and are believed to be underestimated. The current study attempts to more accurately identify cases of SCD by use of insurance claims databases, media reports, as well as NCAA information databases. Data from these sources between the years 2004 to 2008 showed there were 273 deaths among NCAA athletes, with 45 of them dying from SCD. Public media sources alone only identified 25 of these. Because of this, the study authors are emphasizing the importance of accurate data and its role in prevention of death from SCD. "Accurate assessment of SCD incidence is necessary to shape appropriate health policy decisions and develop effective strategies for prevention," they said.

 

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Heart Disease Plagued Ancient Egyptians Too

New research presented this week at the annual scientific session of the American College of Cardiology show that coronary artery disease (CAD), also known as coronary heart disease, is not an ailment of modernity. Coronary artery disease refers to the hardening and narrowing of blood vessels of the heart due to atherosclerosis, a process whereby plaques made of cholesterol, fat, calcium and minerals deposit and harden in the arteries. This can eventually lead to heart attacks and strokes. The scientists used CT scans to view the coronary arteries of 52 mummies and found that 20 of them had definite plaques and 8 of them had plaques in locations where they expected arteries to be. Each CT scan was read and confirmed by eight different cardiologists. The researchers say this is the earliest evidence we have of CAD in humans, putting into question the notion that CAD is due to our modern diet and sedentary lifestyle. One of the mummies was a princess that lived over 3,500 years ago. Perhaps she, too, led a pretty tame and glutinous life.

 

 

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U.S. Birth Rate Declines

The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) recently released their latest numbers on the U.S. national birth rate, which demonstrated a 4% decline between 2007 and 2009 – the highest rate of decline in any two-year period during the past 30 years. The sharpest rate of decline (9%) was among women aged 20 to 24. By region, Western and Southeastern states saw the greatest decline. The cause of the trend is likely multifactorial. Some researchers attribute the decline to the current recession, while new research from Stanford University suggest that more college students are reporting that they are virgins. Iowa State University sociologist Teresa Downing-Matibag theorizes that technology may also play a role, suggesting that virtual sex may be competing with the real thing. "They can go to those websites and have sexual relationships watching a webcam. They can still be a virgin and have 100 different partners online through chat rooms or webcams," she says. And what about younger children? Data from the NCHS shows that for women between 15-19 years old, the birth rate fell 8%, to 39.1 babies per 1,000 women

Western Notions of Obesity Globalizing

A new study in the April, 2011 issue of the journal Current Anthropology suggests that the stigma associated with obesity often encountered in Western cultures has spread rapidly to countries that have traditionally valued large bodies. Researchers from Arizona State University surveyed adults in 10 countries around the world, including Argentina, Iceland, Mexico, Paraguay, New Zealand, the UK and the US, on their attitudes toward obesity. The results were compared with respondents in countries which traditionally had positive attitudes toward fatness, including American Samoa, Puerto Rico and Tanzania. The researchers found that negative attitudes toward large bodies in were present in every country they surveyed. In fact, they said that overweight individuals are increasingly regarded as lazy, ugly, undesirable, or lacking in self control. The study didn't investigate the cause of this rapid shift in attitude. However, they speculate that one contributing factor may actually be our anti-obesity public health messages. It remains to be seen what kind of societal impacts these negative notions of obesity will have on these cultures. [via Medical News Today]

 

 

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FDA Issues Warning Against Soladek Vitamin Solution

FDA Issues Warning Against Soladek Vitamin Solution

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a consumer warning against the use of Soladek, an over-the-counter vitamin supplement produced by Indo Pharma, S.A., of the Dominican Republic because the product may contain dangerously high levels of vitamins A and D. Soladek claims to treat "hypo and avitaminosis, rickets, growth, dentition, lactation, fractures, infection, convalescence, protection and regeneration of certain epithelium (bronchial, glandular, ocular, cutaneous), corticotherapy, aging and pregnancy." The product is sold in a box labeled in Spanish and contains a vial of the solution. The FDA has, so far, received seven reports of serious health problems caused by the product. Symptoms of vitamin A toxicity include anemia, anorexia, alopecia, joint pain, bone weakness, bulging eyes, liver abnormalities, and birth defects. Symptoms of vitamin D toxicity include weakness, fatigue, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, changes in mental status, increased blood pressure, abnormal heart rate or rhythm, kidney damage, and coma. [via FDA]

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EPA: Radiation From Japan Is Safe

EPA: Radiation From Japan Is Safe

Today the states of Colorado and Oregon joined Washington, Hawaii and California in detecting radioactive particles that have drifted over from Japan. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) trace amounts of radioactive iodine, cesium, and tellurium consistent with the Japanese nuclear incident have been captured by monitors in states along the West coast. However, the doses detected are hundreds of thousands to millions of times below the level of concern. "In a typical day, Americans receive doses of radiation from natural sources like rocks, bricks and the sun that are about 100,000 times higher than what we have detected coming from Japan. For example, the levels we're seeing coming from Japan are 100,000 times lower than what you get from taking a roundtrip international flight," said the EPA. Therefore, there is no need for people to start taking potassium iodide, a medication used for radiation poisoning. [via EPA]

Renewed Interest In Primary Care Among Medical Students

Renewed Interest In Primary Care Among Medical Students

The U.S. is in dire need of primary care physicians. If the current shortage of doctors continues, it is estimated that by the year 2020 the U.S. health care system will be 40,000 primary care doctors short. However, with the recent health care reform efforts that have taken place, there may be some sliver of hope. This year, family medicine residency programs attracted 1,317 students (133 more than in 2010), which contributed to a record 94% enrollment rate. Furthermore, an additional 100 slots were added nationwide in order to accommodate the increased demand. The reason? Provisions in recent health care reform laws include measures to increase pay for primary care physicians caring for Medicaid patients, as well as those who choose to work in underserved areas. This shortage has been occurring over the past 30 years, largely because students are attracted to specialist jobs which earn higher salaries. "You can't blame students for not opting for primary care when they carry about $160,000 in debt after they leave school," said Dr. Roland Goertz, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians. [via CNN]

First Born Children Have More Hay Fever and Food Allergies

First Born Children Have More Hay Fever and Food Allergies

A Japanese study presented this week at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, held in San Francisco, suggests that birth order can impact the risk of specific allergies in children. The researchers surveyed the parents of over 13,000 children and found that firstborn children are more likely to have hay fever (allergic rhinitis) and food allergies. In fact, the investigators found that the prevalence of food allergy was 4% among firstborn children, 3.5% among second-born children and 2.6% in children born subsequently. However, they noted that birth order did not affect the prevalence of diseases such as asthma and eczema