Run up bone density

High impact sports such as running appear to improve bone mineral density more than cycling, swimming, or rowing, according to a study conducted by the University of Missouri.

“Only the skeletal sites that experience increased stress from exercise will become stronger,” said Pam Hinton, associate professor in the Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology at the university’s College of Human Environmental Sciences.

Although previous studies on the effects of resistance training on men had produced varied results, the latest study revealed that such sports as running might have a greater positive effect on bone density.

The researchers, therefore, advise multi-directional activities, including structured jump-training and playing basketball, volleyball, or soccer.

Revenge bad for health

Revenge may be sweet, but it could damage your health and make you unhappier than most other people, according to a study by German and Belgian researchers.

The study, conducted among 20,000 people by the universities of Bonn and Maastricht, also revealed that people who like to pay back perceived injustices also have fewer friends and are less satisfied with life.

The study also revealed that positively inclined people were more willing to work longer hours but only if they perceived their wages as being fair.

Painful sign of polymyalgia

When elderly people suffer pain and stiffness in the upper body and arms, it could be caused by polymyalgia rheumatica, a disorder that affects people over the age of 50.

A sign of the disorder is when people cross their arms in order to rub their upper arms with their hands, said Prof Bernhard Manger of Erlangen, Germany, in an article in a German magazine for physicians.

Steroids are suitable in the treatment of the disorder. The anti-inflammatory drug is taken daily, and patients must reckon with long-term treatment lasting years because recurrence of the disorder is relatively high.

The disorder also is often accompanied by arterial inflammation, for example of the temporal artery, making it more problematic. When the temporal artery is affected, it causes pain when chewing, and it also must be treated.

What is Vaginal atrophy?

Vaginal atrophy refers to the thinning and inflammation of the vaginal walls, which can happen when there is a decline in estrogen levels.

Although most common after menopause, it can also affect peri-menopause women and those who are breast-feeding. Symptoms of vaginal atrophy include vaginal ‘burning’ and dryness, urinary tract infection and incontinence, as well as discomfort and bleeding after intercourse.

If you do not experience discomfort, treatment may not be necessary. Alternatively, your doctor may suggest treatments eg, vaginal estrogen creams.

Human sperm from stem cells?

LONDON: A team of British scientists claimed yesterday to have created human sperm using embryonic stem cells, in a medical first that they say will lead to a better understanding of fertility.

Researchers led by Professor Karim Nayernia at Newcastle University and the NorthEast England Stem Cell Institute (NESCI) developed a new technique that allows the creation of human sperm in the laboratory. Continue Reading >>

Signs of Erectile Dysfunction!

During sleep, you do not attain full erections at times (when the mind and psychological issues, if any, are less present). Do not be alarmed though, since a lack of nocturnal erections does not imply the opposite as men do not have frequent wet dreams.

Experiencing lazy erection or one which is more rapid than would be expected (often before or during penetration), can be a sign of a failure of the mechanism which keeps blood held in the penis, and may signify an underlying clinical condition, often cardiovascular in origin.

Other factors leading to erectile dysfunction are decreased testosterone levels due to disease affecting the testicles or the pituitary gland.

Anxiety
As mentioned before, the male organ signifies masculinity and success in most cultures. Fear of not performing might cause one to feel emasculated. Due to this “perfectionist” mentality; one feel tremendous pressure, thus lacking concentration.

Perfectionists are likely to feel depressed because they expect a certain standard in themselves and if they are unable to cope, expect society to view him in a certain way.

Depression
We go through depression every now and then. Long term depression, though, make us feel inadequate and we slump into a comfort zone where it feels great to be depressed.

Lifestyle
Excessive smoking, drinking and drug abuse are also the major contributor to ED as well.

Physiology

• Hormonal disorders (low levels of testosterone or tumor in the pituitary gland.
• Neurological disorders (brain or spinal cord injury, nerve disorders such as Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis).
• Arterial disorders (reduced blood flow to the penis).
• Cavernosal disorders (Peyronie’s disease: penis disorder: local fibrous scarring causing the erect penis to be bent to such a degree that it interferes with sexual intercourse).
• Surgery (surgery in rectum, prostate, colon, and even radiation therapy may damage the nerves and blood vessels involved in erection.)

Dealing with Erectile Dysfunctions
To know what treatment is correct depends on the cause of ED. For example, ED caused by psychological causes may require:

• Counseling
• Psychotherapy
• Relationship counseling

There are also mechanical aids available for ED such as:

• Vacuum Pumps – A cylinder is put over your male organ and the air is then pumped out. That should “suck” your male organ into an erection. But the “erected” organ would be a bit cold and blue-looking.
• Rings – A specially designed ring fit at the vase of male organ which is often used with vacuum pumps. The rings is designed to help stop blood from flowing out of the male organ.

Then there are the conventional drugs for ED such as:

• Viagra – Widens the blood vessels which give an erection.
• Injection into the penis prior to sexual intercourse.
• Pellets inserted down the urinary pipe prior to sexual intercourse.

Under drastic circumstances, the following surgery procedures are practiced for ED:

• Curing venous leak – Some men lose their erections because blood leaks out of the male organ. Sometimes, this only happens only in certain sex positions. A urologist may be able to operate if the leak is clearly pin-pointed by special X-rays.
• Internal splints – A skilled urologist can insert artificial splints into the male organ. There is the simple splint which is a firm rod whereby the man can lift his organ into position when he needs to.

Related Topic: About Erectile Dysfunction

About Erectile Dysfunction

Everyone knows what erectile dysfunction (ED) is, but no one seems to talk about it. To put it in layman’s terms, ED happens when the male reproduction organ is unable to perform sexually as it should.

Since we are living in an ‘appearance-conscious’ society, it inevitably forces one to be self-conscious, thus threatening one’s self-esteem and ultimate happiness. ED is, however, not incurable as most people think because medical treatment and advancement in the medical field enable ED to be treated as long as one seeks help.

How does erection work?

There are two different mechanisms governing a penis to erect. The fist is the reflex system where your spine and peripheral nerves both react when touched directly in the penile shaft. The second is caused by emotional and erotic stimuli catalyzed by the limbic system of the brain.

During the stimulation of the penile shaft, your nervous system secretes nitric oxide which causes the relaxation of smooth muscles of the main erectile tissue of the penis known as corpora cavernosa. A healthy production of testosterone levels and pituitary gland also assist in a healthy erection. Impotence can be caused by hormonal deficiency, disorders of the neural system, lack of blood supply and psychological problems. Restriction of blood flow can arise from coronary artery disease.

Lets Sleep Better!

Even though humans sleep away about one-third of their lives, sleep science is relatively new. This was one of the many revelations at the annual convention of the German Sleep Society (DGSM) in Kassel, central Germany, where 1,500 scientists had gathered to discuss factors contributing to good and healthy sleep.

“Earlier, people thought that sleeping disorders were the result of other diseases. Today, we know that it’s the opposite and many diseases get worse or exist because the patient sleeps poorly,” says Geert Mayer, head of the DGSM. “Cardiological and circulatory problems are often precipitated by unsound sleep lasting for a longer period. Continue Reading >>

Lose weight happily

Metabolic balance sounds like a meditation programme or the latest health trend from the US. In fact, it is the name of a wellness programme developed by German nutritionist Wolfgang Funfack. “A well-balanced metabolism is the basis for the harmonic progression of all bodily functions,” says Funfack.

Few scientists dispute his statement, but the means of achieving it remains contentious. “A metabolic diet is in fact a synthetic term. Diets always have something to do with metabolism,” said nutrition scientist Achim Bub of the Max Rubner Institute in Karlsruhe, who adds it’s sufficient to gear dietary intake around simple rules.

To begin with, a diet should be varied. It also should contain as little fat as possible and what fat there is should be plant based as opposed to animal fat. In addition to following these rules, people who remain active and drink enough liquids can lose weight without a special diet, according to Bub. Funfack sees things differently. “Every person requires different basic components to bring his or her metabolism into tune. Continue Reading >>

Gynaecological causes related to back pain in Women

Persistent or recurring back pain in women may have gynaecological causes, according to the Munich-based German Association of Gynaecologists (BVF).

This is particularly true, it said, in cases of lower-back pain around the lumbar vertebrae and sacrum. The pain sometimes extends to the groin and anterior abdominal walk.

Women experiencing such symptoms should see a gynaecologist, the BVF advised. If the source of the pain lies in the reproductive organs, other problems often occur as well, including a sensation of pressure on the bladder, urinary urgency, and pain during urination, defection or sexual intercourse, BVF said.

Abdominal and back pain that occurs regularly or no the days preceding menstruation could be due to benign proliferations of tissue in the uterus.