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Male menopause can cause many problems EYESIGHT Health Notes
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Male menopause can cause many problems Andropause was conceptually described in medical literature about seventy years earlier but realisation seems to be coming now. Longevity of life has increased, life style is changing fast and the desire to live better and happier in all aspects has drawn the attention of medical personnel to look into this aspect of aging male population. By the age of 50 to 55 years, a male person may start feeling the first sign to suggest the onset of andropause; of course, neither all get it nor all start at the same age, and obviously the severity and perception also varies in individuals. In contrast to females where cessation of menstruation is the obvious signal for this physiological change, in males there is no definite signpost and that defies easy recognition. The physiological (natural) reason for this transformation is the decreased levels of sex hormone, oestrogen in females and testosterone (He — hormone) in males. The decrease in sex hormones can also be due to diseases — pathological causes — but here we shall restrict ourselves to normal aging process. As the man reaches the age of 50 years (it can vary a lot, can be less or more), his testosterone level starts declining; again the degree of decline is not the same in all men population. This decline is gradual and may take years together to manifest its full effect. This decrease in testosterone level and its manifestation resulting in andropause varies with the physiological and psychological state of the person, presence of any disease or infection, intake of alcohol or medicines, physical stress due to injury or any major operation. Andropause may cause a number of problems, the main ones being: 1. Decreased libido resulting in lack of interest in sexual activities. 2. Loss of muscle mass leading to decreased muscle power. 3. Obesity, commonly resulting in paunch, is seen after the middle age and it is not only due to lack of activity but also because of deficient hormone also. 4. Psychological and behavioural changes so that the interpersonal and social relations change. Loss of memory and concentration, delayed reflexes, lack of alertness; nervousness and irritability, sleep disturbances, indecisiveness, loss of interest and self-confidence all are supposed to be aging problems and these to some extent are due to decreased levels of hormone. In short, it may be said that an active person goes into a shell. 5. Low testosterone level results in decreased bone density , 15 to 20 per cent, and this gives rise to osteoporosis or weakness of bones. This results in low back pain, fractures after trivial injuries like hip fracture after a fall. 6. Circulation problems — preliminary research has shown that like women, men are also prone to developing atherosclerosis due to diminished testosterone levels, but it requires to be clearly documented. Ignorance and lack of awareness about andropause results in nondiagnosis of the condition in a significant number of cases. The awareness for andropause is very poor both among common people and physicians; resulting in poor and delayed diagnosis. The symptoms are very vague. Diagnosis As already mentioned earlier, andropause is not a newly discovered problem but its impact has been recognised recently. New and more sensitive blood testing methods are available now for the estimation of bioavailable testosterone resulting in accurate diagnosis of the condition. Treatment The treatment is HRT — hormone replacement and this is done by prescribing testosterone, usually in the dose of 40 mgs per day. The drug is available in the form of oral capsules, injections or skin patches. The effect is usually noticed after three to four weeks and the replacement therapy should be continued for very long time. The medicine should be started only after a careful medical check-up to rule out the presence of any other medical problem. Blood testosterone level should be also determined and the medicine is only given if the level is on the lower side. Testosterone should not be used by the persons who have or had breast cancer or prostatic cancer. It is also not prescribed to the persons who want to father a child as testosterone may cause infertility. Similarly, the presence of any of the following conditions should caution a person and the medical specialist would take decision after evaluating the details of the ailment with the help of investigations:
Effects of andropause 1. Declining interest in sexual activities 2. Loss of muscle mass and muscle power 3. Trunkal obesity 4. Psycho-social behavioural changes 5. Sleep disturbances 6. Decreased bone density resulting in backache and fractures 7. Decreased circulation in the extremities The writer is a retired Professor and Head of the Department of Surgery, PGI, Chandigarh.
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EYESIGHT Did you notice the blue eyes of Aishwarya Rai in “Umrao Jan”? How has it turned from green to blue? Colour contact lenses do wonders for those in acting profession. Contact lenses have been known for years by all. Now they are available as coloured contact lenses as well. They are available with and without power so that they can correct all refractive errors like myopia, hypermetropia, astigmatism and presbyopia. Coloured contact lenses are mainly worn for cosmetic purposes, but they can also hide the ugly white opacity (scars) on the cornea. The cosmetic contact lenses, previously used only by actors, are now known by people and are used on different occasions to match the costume. So, they are known as costume contact lenses. In horror movies you must have noticed the ugly or unusual eyes which create horror. These are because of the coloured contact lenses only. These are crazy lenses or Halloween lenses, which glow in dark. These lenses have different shapes painted on the contact lenses. The cosmetic contact lenses are available as enhancer lenses and opaque ones. The enhances lenses have shades which highlight the colour of the eyes and work on light coloured eyes. The opaque ones can be fitted on dark eyes, which is common in our Indian set-up. They are available in different shades. The lenses, which are used to hide the opacities, are called prosthetic lenses. They are designed to match the colour of the other eye. They are also used in other conditions like aniridia, albinism and traumatic scarred corneas. In the case of the coloured contact lenses, whether they are used for cosmetic purpose or as prosthesis, the care remains same. Hygiene is most critical all the time. One should avoid sharing contact lenses. The contact lenses should be worn only after an eye check-up by an eye-care
professional. The US FDA had issued a warning in an advisory that novelty contact lenses pose serious risks if not prescribed and given proper fitting by a licensed eye-care professional. The contact lens is a medical device which impacts the normal physiology of the cornea. It should be used under medical supervision. These lenses pose a significant risk of infection and other eye problems if they are distributed without a prescription or without a proper fitting by a qualified professional. One should buy coloured contact lenses manufactured by an established company. The main source of trouble is sharing of contact lenses which should be avoided. As one wears coloured contact lenses to get a different look on different occasions, there is always the curiosity whether they will suit you or not, but such sharing is not advisable. Any lack of cleanliness on the part of users can lead to conjunctivitis, corneal abrasions or corneal opacity formation. The infection in the eye, if not treated in time has a risk of leading to blindness. Enjoy your colored contact lenses but with care AND NO SHARING. Tips for happy contact lens wear
The writer is Chairman and Medical Director, Centre for Sight, New Delhi. Email:
msachdev@bol.net.in
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Health Notes Washington:
John Hopkins heart specialists have devised a new, fast test for low blood flow in dogs, raising hope for early detection of heart trouble. They used the latest imaging software and machinery, also known as a 64-slice CT scanner for the purpose, and claim that the whole process took them less than half the time spent on exercise stress tests and echocardiograms, which are currently used for detecting risk heat attack. The researchers presented their initial findings at the American Heart Association’s annual Scientific Sessions in Chicago. The technique, in which patients are given a drug to stress their hearts during the scan, is undergoing clinical tests involving 60 patients, and its results are expected within a year.
— ANI
Alternative medicine making waves in the West Washington:
The use of complementary or alternative medicine (CAM) has increased tremendously in the West with more and more people believing in its benefits. Alternative medicine includes the use of herbals, vitamins and other supplements, acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), homoeopathy, naturopathy, chiropractic medicine, massage therapy, and Ayurveda. Often included into this mix are energy therapies such as Qi gong and bioelectromagnetic treatments, as well as mind-body practices that encompass prayer, meditation or even dance. — ANI
Key role of genetics in
knee osteoarthritis Washington:
Both knee radiographic osteoarthritis (OA) and knee alignment are heritable traits in females, but may not be under common genetic control, suggests a new research that UK researchers presented at the American College of Rhematology Annual Scientific Meeting in Washington, DC. Clinical studies conducted previously have well-documented the influence of heredity on the development of hand and hip osteoarthritis, but similar influences on the progression of knee osteoarthritis or on knee malalignment as a risk factor for progression were never studied. In the new study, the researchers studied 228 identical and 390 fraternal female twins with an average age of 62 years. Each of them was examined for radiographic knee osteoarthritis as well as knee alignment, as compared to their knee x-rays obtained seven years before.
— ANI
Acupuncture helps in
rheumatoid arthritis Washington:
Traditional acupuncture may reduce joint tenderness in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, according to a research by the American College of Rheumatology. Rheumatoid arthritis, the most common form of inflammatory arthritis, dramatically limits movement and function as well as causing damage to cartilage and bone. For the 60 million individuals around the world (1 per cent of the population) with this immune system disease, the inflammation causes pain, stiffness, swelling and damage of the joints.
— ANI |
It may come as a surprise and may be as a rude shock to the male chauvinists that like their female counterparts, males also attain menopause. In males it is actually not menopause, which literally means pause or cessation of menstruation; it is known as andropause or viropause or male climacteric and this physiological state is similar to menopause in females.