Medical emergencies can happen at any time and require leadership and poise to address them. However, it is often difficult to decide if something is even an emergency, let alone figure out how to address it. As an EMT, I’m trained to recognize them, but most people are not. Being able to recognize a medical...Continue reading
Category: Boys
When it Comes to Minorities, Improving Men’s Health Improves the Health of the Whole Community
With the launch of President Obama’s “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative in 2014, many of the issues facing young African American men suddenly hit the front pages. However, there has been an unfortunate tendency to look at African American men’s health issues as narrowly affecting only that particular group. The reality is quite different. Health problems...Continue reading
Don’t Get Older If You Can Help It
It’s called “mutational load.” Doesn’t sound all that pleasant does it? And, it’s ascribed mainly to men. Now, in addition to mid-life crises and retirement, it’s something new to think about as you age. Boning up for my keynote speech on “The Reproductive Genetics of the Aging Male” for the American Society of Andrology this weekend,...Continue reading
7 Reasons Your PSA May Be Elevated
Prostate cancer An elevated PSA could indicate prostate cancer. If you have an elevated PSA, your doctor will also do a digital rectal exam to see if there are any suspicious lumps present on the prostate gland. If they suspect prostate cancer, a prostate biopsy will be recommended. It’s also important to monitor any changes...Continue reading
Want Some Bio-Identical Testosterone?
So, you’re thinking of taking testosterone supplements because of all of the good things you’ve heard. Why not take “bio-identical testosterone” instead of the usual, pharmaceutical grade stuff, otherwise known as “patentable pseudo-testosterone?” Gees, I dunno. I thought that testosterone was testosterone, a simple pile of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen molecules arranged in 4 rings...Continue reading
UTIs in men
A UTI, or urinary tract infection, is an infection in any part of your urinary tract. A UTI can infect your kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. However, most UTIs affect the bladder and the urethra. It’s important to know the facts about UTIs because if left untreated, you can suffer from serious complications if the...Continue reading
Sperm Archaeology
“I heard that that you can get sperm from a rock,” said the patient. Eyebrows raised, I responded: “Actually, I’ve never tried.” But his statement did get me thinking: I am a sperm archaeologist of sorts. Sands of Time Growing up, who hasn’t thought about being archeologist at some point? Sifting through sand in exotic...Continue reading
Critical Health Care Issues and Obamacare
The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, is a federal law that has an impact on every American citizen. The bill requires all of us to either have insurance or pay a penalty. If you already have health insurance, Obamacare may substantially change the type of coverage you have, the benefits you receive, and...Continue reading
Top Health Conditions Men Are At Risk For
Men are more likely to die from most of the leading causes of death in the United States than women. It is unclear exactly why this is, but it is partially due to biological factors and partially due to personal lifestyle choices. On average, men die five years earlier than women. It’s important for men...Continue reading
The Role of Sperm DNA Fragmentation in the Evaluation of the Male Fertility Patient
DNA is the genetic information contained in all cells, including sperm. Intact sperm DNA is necessary for normal egg fertilization (1, 2). Sperm that has DNA with breaks in the strands is abnormal, and is called “DNA fragmentation” This may cause sperm to function poorly and is not measured by the standard semen analysis. There...