Botox for Migraine Headaches-May Help More Than Your Wrinkles

The FDA has just approved the use of Botox for the prevention of migraine headaches.  Botox is given every three months as multiple injections around the head and neck to try to decrease future headache symptoms.  Unfortunately, the most common adverse reactions are neck pain and headaches!  Hard to imagine a treatment that causes the problem you are trying to cure!  But I know people with chronic migraine headaches and they are willing to try almost anything.  If you have this problem, you might want to ask your doctor about these injections.

 

The Colon and the Prostate Just Got Closer-Treatment for Prostate Cancer Increases the Risk for Colon Cancer

There are hundreds of thousands of men with prostate cancer who are receiving therapy that decreases their testosterone levels either by taking injections (Eligard, Lupron, Zolodex, or Trelstar) that decrease the production of testosterone by the testicles or by having the testicles surgically removed.   These treatment options have several side effects including osteoporosis, diabetes, and heart problems.  Added to that list is the slightly increased risk of colon cancer.

A recent report from the Journal of the National Cancer Institute reported a small increase in colon cancer of 2.2% for men who have been treated with drugs to lower the testosterone level or who have had castration for the treatment of their prostate cancer compared to 1.8% of colon cancer in men who did not receive hormone deprivation treatment.

With this new revelation, men on hormone deprivation should obtain routine screening for colorectal cancer and adopting a healthy lifestyle, complete with plenty of exercise.

Bottom line: Men with prostate cancer receiving hormone deprivation need to be aware of the risks associated with this treatment which now includes a slight increase in colon cancer.

 

Safe Sex May Be Just A Spray Away!-Spray On Condoms

Good news for men whose penises are either so large or so small that they can’t find a condom to fit them: A German inventor has come up with a sprayed-to-measure system that should ensure a snug fit for even the most unusual sizes.

A German condom expert has developed a “spray-on condom” system in the form of a pump that squirts out liquid latex that cover the erect penis with a latex sheath.  If you go into a drug store to buy condoms, the ones they sell are mainly suited to men with the average penis length of 5.5 inches, but a lot of people have penises that are smaller or larger than that. Jan Krause, director of the Institute for Condom Consultancy, thought developing a condom that fits the man rather than the man fitting the condom.

The system works a bit like a car wash. The man put his penis in a chamber and presses a button to start the jets of liquid latex. A puff of latex is delivered to the penis forming a condom around the penis that is form-fitting and customized exactly for the man.  The rubber dries in seconds and is later rolled off and discarded like a conventional condom.

The spray-on condom will be more expensive than conventional ones. The cost is around €1 or $1.39 per condom, compared with around 50 cents per conventional sheath.

The condoms will be available in red, green, yellow and transparent, but they won’t come in different flavors!

Bottom Line: The spray on condom gives new meaning to “Puff the Magic Dragon”!

 

An Apple May Keep The Doctor Away-Proscar\Avodart May Keep Prostate Cancer At Bay

Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin malignancy in men and is responsible for more deaths than any other cancer, except for lung cancer. However, microscopic evidence of prostate cancer is found at autopsy in many if not most men. The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimated that about 218,890 new cases of prostate cancer were diagnosed in the United States during 2007. About 1 man in 6 will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime, but only 1 man in 34 will die of it. More than 1.8 million men in the United States are survivors of prostate cancer.

There is some evidence that links exercise to better prostate health.  Exercise improves overall physical and mental health, so most medical professionals recommend at least a half an hour of exercise per week. Some studies indicate that regular exercise increases oxygen flow to the soft tissues of the body and helps to control glucose levels in the bloodstream. High levels of glucose may help fuel prostate cancer cells.

A healthy prostate diet is worth considering. High-fat and low-fiber diets and obesity seem to contribute to a higher risk of prostate cancer.  Some researchers believe that cancerous prostate cells can feed on fat, especially fats found in red meat and dairy products. Omega 3 fatty acids, found in fish, soy, and flaxseed is known as the “heart-healthy” fats. Now we believe that the Omega-3 fatty acids are prostate healthy as well. Countries, like China and Japan, whose diets are based on fish proteins rather than red meat have much lower rates of prostate cancer. Soy products include tofu, soymilk, soy creamers, soy yogurts, soy ice creams, and tofu burgers.  Red grapes, grape juice, green teas, and red wine contain anti-oxidants that can neutralize cancer-causing agents within the body. Lycopene found in tomatoes, and beta-carotene may be beneficial in helping to protect the body from the risk of prostate cancer.  Eating a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables may help boost the body’s cancer-fighting abilities.

Supplements such as vitamin E and selenium have been linked to a drastically decreased risk of prostate cancer. Studies of vitamin E and selenium seem to benefit those who were deficient in either Vitamin E or selenium, or who were ex-smokers. Studies have also noted that a daily regimen of aspirin or ibuprofen lowers risks of prostate cancer.

A few years ago a long-term study using the 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, Proscar or Avodart, lowers the risk of prostate cancer.  This study as well as others has shown a 25% reduction in prostate cancer.  However, the risk of developing a high-grade cancer or a more aggressive cancer was greater in those men taking finasteride as compared to a placebo or sugar pill.

So what is a man to do?  If you are at risk for prostate cancer, i.e., you have a relative such as a father, brother, uncle with prostate cancer, are Afro-American, or are obese and consume a high fat and meat diet, then you should talk to your doctor about prostate cancer prevention using one of the agents like Proscar or Avodart.  For the rest of the men: get an annual digital rectal exam and a PSA blood test once a year after age 50 or after age 40 if you are at high risk for prostate cancer.

Bottom Line: Knowledge is your best weapon for good prostate health and avoiding prostate cancer. Some lifestyles, eating habits, and dietary supplements are thought to lead to lower levels of prostate cancer, as well as other cancers. Nobody can guarantee prostate cancer prevention through behavior, diet, treatment, or medicine, but there are things you can do to improve your odds.

 

 

Pie In the Sky Supplements to Make the Penis Larger

Many men are receiving unsolicited mailings offering to treat impotence and make their penis inches longer.  One of the most common advertisers is “Smiling Bob” who is hawking Enzyte. Early ads promised that Enzyte would add as much as three inches to the length of the user’s penis.   Web site testimonials also claim such benefits as allowing stronger, firmer, and easier-to-achieve erections, assisting in maintaining a fully hard erection, providing full and satisfying erections, and reversing the normal erectile problems of aging.  Enzyte contains many ingredients, NONE of which is FDA-proven to be safe or effective in accomplishing its advertised purposes. These ingredients include niacin, zinc, copper, Korean red ginseng root, ginkgo, pine bark, Tribulus terrestris, arginine, Avena sativa, horny goat weed, maca root, muira puama, saw palmetto, and Swedish flower pollen.

Lack of evidence about the safety and efficacy of dietary supplements exposes the consumer to unknown health hazards, as these products use ingredients that are of unknown therapeutic benefit. Enzyte, Berkeley Nutraceuticals, was reported in 2004 by a Cincinnati newspaper to be the subject of over 3,700 consumer complaints. The U.S. Department of Justice indicted Enzyte for bilking Americans of at least $100 million.

Bottom Line:  Men, be happy with what you have.  The size of the penis is rarely associated with increased intensity of sexual satisfaction for either you or your partner.  I strongly recommend you toss these unsolicited offerings where they belong….in the trash!