Understanding pulmonary hypertension

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Understanding pulmonary hypertension

Hypertension or high blood pressure is the common condition of when blood pressure, the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your blood vessels, is consistently high.   Most of us are familiar with and have a basic understanding of it.  But there is another type of hypertension we may have heard of but are not clear on exactly what is means.  This hypertension is called pulmonary hypertension or PH and is when a person has high blood pressure in the lungs.  It can also be referred to as pulmonary arterial hypertension or PAH. 

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An overview of Hashimoto’s disease

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An overview of Hashimoto’s disease

To understand Hashimoto’s disease, you need to understand the thyroid.  The thyroid is a 2-inch long butterfly-shaped gland located in front of the neck below the larynx or voice box.  It is one of the glands making up the endocrine system which produces and stores hormones releasing them into the bloodstream when needed.  Hashimoto’s disease, also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis or autoimmune thyroiditis, is a disorder affecting the thyroid gland and is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the United States. 

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Peyronie’s disease – when a man’s penis curves

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Peyronie’s disease – when a man’s penis curves

There is probably no other part of the male anatomy that men scrutinize the most than their penis.  If it is not perfectly straight when erect, a man may wonder is this normal or not.  To set the record, uh, straight, a slight curve or tendency to lean to the left or right when erect is considered normal.  But, if the penis has a significant bend that is more noticeable, then it could be a condition called Peyronie’s disease.

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Causes of a swollen kidney

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Causes of a swollen kidney

Many people may not realize this but our kidneys can swell and when they do it is a condition called hydronephrosis. If urine is unable to drain out from the kidney to the bladder, it can cause the kidneys to swell leading to a build-up of urine.  This condition can occur in either one or both kidneys and happens as the result of a disease.

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Exploring esophageal cancer

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Exploring esophageal cancer

Esophageal cancer is a disease in which malignant cancer cells form in the tissues of the esophagus. Even though esophageal cancer is an uncommon cancer, any signs or symptoms of it should not be ignored as only about 20 percent of patients survive at least 5 years after diagnosis.  Knowing what to look for and possible ways to prevent this cancer is a first step in avoiding it to begin with. 

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Causes and treatment of varicose veins

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Causes and treatment of varicose veins

Varicose veins can be an unsightly condition appearing like gnarled, enlarged veins usually found in the legs and feet.  These swollen, twisted veins can be seen just below the skin surface.  They can cause mild to moderate pain, blood clots, skin ulcers (sores), a heavy or aching feeling, a burning sensation or itching above the affected veins.

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6 ways to cut your risk of colorectal cancer in half

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6 ways to cut your risk of colorectal cancer in half

One of the most complex pieces of machinery found in our body is our colon.  More than just an inert tube attached to the tail end of our digestive system (our rectum), our colon dutifully performs what no other organ cares to deal with – our bowel movements.  But in addition to that thankless yet necessary job is the fact our colon also directs the balance of fluid and electrolytes in the body and plays host to a crucial ecosystem of bacteria playing a vital role in our health.  Until something goes wrong with this essential organ, many of us fail to appreciate just what our colon means to our health and well-being.

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Selenium in the Battle Against Alzheimer's

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Selenium in the Battle Against Alzheimer's

This is the space where we usually tell men about some lesser known mineral or D-list vitamin that, if taken regularly, will help them live longer, cure their erectile dysfunction, clear their head, or just make them happier and peppier.

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How Men Can Beat Osteoporosis

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How Men Can Beat Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a major public health threat affecting almost 44 million American men and women aged 50 and older. Most of those people are women; mainly because the “brittle bone disease” affects the elderly and women live longer, and men are more likely to have exercised, which builds up bone mass. The most common cause of osteoporosis in men is low testosterone.

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The Biomechanics of Pitcher's Elbow

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The Biomechanics of Pitcher's Elbow

Despite everything we know about and are developing in the area of sports medicine – not to mention the enormous financial investment that the Major League Baseball teams have in their pitchers – the elbow injuries for the horsehair hurlers continue to be on the rise. What is known about the actual variables that cause “pitcher's elbow?”

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To know your liver is to love your liver

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To know your liver is to love your liver

How well do you really know your liver?  This second largest organ and the largest internal organ (our skin is the largest organ of the human body), is a virtual factory performing more than 500 vital functions that have been identified some of which include the following:

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Understanding bladder stones

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Understanding bladder stones

Let’s face it – all of us have heard of kidney stones or maybe have even experienced them.  But bladder stones?  Yes, stones can form in the bladder. They are much more common in men past the age of 50 but are much less common than kidney stones.  If they are small enough they may cause no symptoms passing on out the body on their own without a person even knowing they had any. But, unfortunately, more often than not, they will make their appearance known causing pain or other problems on urination.

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Why kidney stones form and how to prevent them

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Why kidney stones form and how to prevent them

The pain of passing a kidney stone is often described as worse than giving childbirth.  Other descriptive terms range from excruciating, agonizing, miserable and just plain intolerable. 

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Double Jeopardy: IBD and Anxiety

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Double Jeopardy: IBD and Anxiety

If you suffer from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) – and you are a woman – you are particularly vulnerable to anxiety disorders.

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Important questions to ask after a cancer diagnosis

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Important questions to ask after a cancer diagnosis

Each year, more than a million Americans will receive a cancer diagnosis.  Whether it is a complete surprise or already expected, hearing the words “You have cancer” can leave anyone shell-shocked and unable to focus on the rest of what the doctor may be saying.

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Graves Disease

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Graves Disease

Although it can technically affect anyone, Graves’ disease is known as a young woman’s ailment, inasmuch as its favored prey are women under 40. The disease is an immune disorder that causes your body to create excess thyroid hormones.

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