Scientists Study Viagra's Bonus Benefits

Since its introduction to the pharmaceutical market in 1998, Viagra has become one of the greatest prescription drug success stories of all time. Within a decade of its release, sales of the drug had topped the $1 billion mark, breaking many records that were long held by medications for more life-threatening illnesses.

Viagra was the first drug that was approved for prescription use as a treatment for male erectile dysfunction. The drug works by initiating relaxation and dilation in key areas of the male sexual organs. This, in turn, increases the free movement of blood toward the genitals, allowing for an erection.

Experts credit the popularity of Viagra with bringing the problem of male erectile dysfunction to the forefront. Before advertisements for Viagra became a staple of the mainstream print and broadcast media, erectile dysfunction was rarely discussed in public, in spite of the fact that as many as one in ten men experience some level of impotence throughout their lives. After the advent of Viagra, reports indicate that millions of men began discussing this once-shameful secret and seeking medical advice for the problem.

It's well known that Viagra is effective for helping men overcome sexual problems such as erectile dysfunction. However, in recent years, researchers have been studying "off-label" uses for the drug, as well.

Because of its proven ability to improve circulation and blood flow, some of the main areas of interest for off-label use of Viagra have been cardiovascular and circulatory problems. This week, we'll look at the results of three recent studies that have explored non-sexual applications for the drug.

Viagra May be a Lifesaver for Patients with Heart Problems

Viagra's already known for reviving love lives that have been marred by male erectile dysfunction, but according to researchers at the University of Alberta, it may be a literal lifesaver for patients with a unique type of heart failure.

Because of the drug's unique ability to boost blood flow and circulation in targeted areas, the scientists have posited that it may be effective in helping patients with a failure of the right ventricle of the heart. This rare condition can be fatal, and at the current time, there is no known treatment for the disorder.

The same team of researchers was responsible for uncovering Viagra' s effectiveness as a treatment for pulmonary hypertension. Now, they are focusing their efforts on uncovering a new formulation of the drug that can bolster the performance of the right ventricle of the heart. Although much more experimentation will be necessary before a commercial version of the final product is likely to be released, the researchers report that they already have several promising leads.

Viagra Could Help Patients with Pulmonary Fibrosis

Millions of people around the world suffer from pulmonary fibrosis, an incurable that is characterized by scarring and hardening of the lung tissue. Although lung transplants can help some patients who are suffering from pulmonary fibrosis, there is no known treatment that can slow the course of the disease or treat its painful symptoms.

According to a study conducted by researchers at UCLA, however, Viagra's unique ability to relax smooth tissue and improve circulation could mean that the drug is an effective treatment for pulmonary fibrosis. The findings indicate that patients taking Viagra had improved long capacity and were able to engage in active exertion for up to 20% longer than the control group. More testing is needed, but the researchers are encouraged by the preliminary findings.

Researchers Uncover Many Heretofore Unknown Applications for Viagra

A recent literature review conducted by scientists at Harvard Medical School has identified a number of possible uses for the drug Viagra -- none of which have anything to do with erectile dysfunction. It was found that the most popular non-sexual use for the drug is the treatment of pulmonary hypertension, which is a concentration of high blog pressure in the lung's vascular system. In fact, Viagra is now marketed under the name Revatio for this purpose.

Viagra has also been found to help overcome the altitude sickness that can occur in high-elevation locales by relieving pressure on the pulmonary arteries. This application may be especially beneficial for athletes or outdoor enthusiasts who regularly exercise at high altitudes.

In addition, several major studies are now being conducted to determine whether Viagra may be a helpful treatment for patients with heart disease, heart failure, or diastolic dysfunction.

If you think that you or a loved one may be able to benefit from Viagra, talk to your doctor for a personalized assessment of the risks and benefits. Check back here each week for more of the health science news you need!

What Types of Housing Materials Can Contain Asbestos?

Any house constructed prior to 1980 could contain asbestos - a material which has been directly associated with the cancer mesothelioma. It is important that samples be taken from the house to be tested and analyzed by a qualified lab prior to demolition or remodeling.

There are many materials in a home built prior to 1980 that can contain asbestos. Both plaster and drywall can contain asbestos. Sprayed on texturing may also contain asbestos. Many flooring materials can contain asbestos, and in some cases in older homes, there could be many layers of flooring materials - each layer possibly containing asbestos. Older boilers can be insulated with asbestos. Seams and medal ducting can be covered with asbestos tape. Roofing materials can contain asbestos. For the safety of everyone involved, it is important that older homes be surveyed for asbestos prior to the beginning of any work.

Any asbestos containing materials must be removed by workers who are trained in asbestos removal and wear protective clothing and a respirator. The safe removal of asbestos should be considered prior to remodeling or demolition of any structure.

Remodeling an Older Home

In recent years, many factors have led to the increase in home renovation projects. In some cases, the dream of owning a luxury home can be obtained less expensively by remodeling or salvaging an older home. There are, however, many factors that should be considered before making this decision. One very important subject that should be investigated is the possibility of asbestos within existing materials of the older home.

Why Should Housing Contractors Be Aware of Asbestos?

Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that is very tough. If asbestos is disturbed during renovations or demolitions, workers could breathe in asbestos fibers. If workers breathe in asbestos fibers, their lungs can suffer permanent damage and they can get lung cancer. This lung cancer is commonly referred to as mesothelioma.

More Information About Mesothelioma

Although very rare, the lung cancer, mesothelioma, is a very serious disease. Mesothelioma affects the inside lining of the chest cavity and is directly associated with asbestos exposure. Please refer to the brief history or mesothelioma for more information. There are many breakthroughs in the treatment of mesothelioma, such as the drug Altima and a new drug Vinflunine (pronounced VIN-floo-neen), that was recently tested in Europe for the treatment of mesothelioma.

For more information, please refer to the National Cancer Institute website - Mesothelioma: Questions and Answers.

Consult a Professional

If you are a loved one suspect any asbestos exposure, it is important that a health care professional be consulted immediately.

Scientists Explore Causes, Cures of Acne and Related Skin Conditions

The term "acne" is often used to refer to common skin blemishes that nearly everybody develops from time to time. However, these two types of skin conditions are actually distinct from one another.

Whereas a simple "pimple" or "zit" is a temporary infection that occurs as the result of a pore being temporarily blocked by dirt, makeup, or another type of residue, acne is actually a disease of the skin that has little to do with a person's diet, cleanliness, grooming, or hygiene.

Although acne can afflict post-pubescent people in any age group, it is most commonly seen in adolescents and young adults. Researchers believe that the hormonal upheavals that take place during this transitional phase may be responsible for the high incidence of acne among this group, but the exact reasons remain unclear. In addition, the fact that adults also suffer from acne indicates that hormonal changes are not the only culprit behind the disease.

Indeed, much about the causes and risks for acne remains unclear. Researchers around the world are dedicating substantial investigative resources to the effort to better understand this skin disease that afflicts as many as 85% of all adolescents at some point. This week, we'll take a look at a few key findings culled from recent acne studies.

New Drug Represents Major Breakthrough in Acne Treatments

Over the past several decades, scientists have developed a number of acne treatments that have proven to be quite effective. The most well-known treatment is a drug known as Roaccutane, which can significantly reduce the amount of sebum in the skin, which is the substance that is believed to be largely responsible for acne flare-ups.

However, despite its efficacy as an acne treatment, Roaccutane is associated with a number of unpleasant side effects, ranging in seriousness from depression to birth defects. Although unsubstantiated, past studies have uncovered a possible link between Roaccutane and an increased risk of suicide among teenage acne patients.

For obvious reasons, the development of alternative treatments that offer the efficacy of Roaccutane without the deleterious side effects has long been a goal of acne researchers. The results of an ongoing study conducted by scientists at a private research firm in England seem to indicate that this long-held goal may soon be realized.

Although the new treatment remained unnamed at press time, the study has shown that the drug holds significant promise as a safe, effective acne treatment. The first release of the product will likely be in a topical cream form, and according to company officials, it represents an entirely new class of anti-acne treatments. Following further testing and government approval, the new product may be available for prescription use within two years.

Women More Likely to Develop Adult Acne, Study Shows

A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Alabama in Birmingham has indicated that women run a much greater risk of developing acne as adults than do their male counterparts. Although rates of adult acne declined significantly during each decade of life, women consistently reported higher rates of acne than men.

The largest differences between the two groups were seen in the 40-50 and 50-60 age groups. In these categories, women acne sufferers outnumbered males nearly 2 to 1.

The researchers indicated that hormonal differences between men and women may be responsible for the discrepancy in reported cases of acne. However, they cautioned that further research would be needed in order to pinpoint the source of the differences between male and female acne sufferers with better accuracy.

Researchers Show that Stress Does Impact Acne

The debate over the role of stress in acne has raged for decades in the medical community. The conventional wisdom has long held that stress can cause acne, while scientists have long countered that stress does not play a precipitating role in the skin disease.

This decades-long controversy may finally be put to rest with the release of the results of a study conducted by scientists at the University of Miami?s Miller School of Medicine. According to the investigation, stress doesn't cause acne -- but it can worsen and aggravate the skin condition.

Although more research will be needed to further explain the role of stress in acne, the scientists suggested that patients should incorporate stress-relief measures such as yoga, meditation, and deep-breathing exercises into their skin-care routine.

If you're struggling with acne, talk to your doctor to find out how you can use the latest research to fine-tune your treatment regimen. And don't forget to check back each week for more of the health science news you need!

Researchers Probe Asbestos-Related Illnesses and Emerging Treatments

The chemical and mineral compound known as asbestos has been recognized for its unique insulating properties for hundreds of years. By the late nineteenth century, asbestos began to be used widely to improve the insulation of homes, business, and other structures, a practice that continued until the mid-1980s.

Over the course of the twentieth century, troubling signs that asbestos may cause health problems began to amass. However, several of the most prominent manufacturers of asbestos building products undertook a campaign of deception and obfuscation, seeking to hide evidence of the health dangers of asbestos exposure.

By the 1980s, overwhelming evidence of the ill effects of asbestos prompted many governments to ban the substance. The medical literature proved beyond a reasonable doubt that asbestos exposure could be linked to conditions such as mesothelioma, tumors, cancers, asbestos warts, and abestosis. Less conclusive links have been found connecting asbestos exposure to respiratory conditions such as pleural plaque and diffuse pleural thickening.

The massive medical fallout from the widespread use of asbestos as a building material continues even today. Meanwhile, in developing nations such as India and China, asbestos is still commonly used to insulate buildings and electrical wiring. Scientists around the world are engaged in the pursuit of more answers about asbestos and its negative health impacts. This week, we'll review the findings of three recent studies from the front lines of asbestos research.

Researchers Uncover Link between Asbestos Exposure and Autoimmune Disorders

While the connection between asbestos exposure and cancer, mesothelioma, and other diseases has been recognized since the 1980s, scientists are now beginning to explore other health problems that can arise through exposure to the long-banned insulating material. One recent study conducted by researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle suggested that a link may exist between occupation exposure to asbestos and an increased risk for autoimmune disorders.

Specifically, the authors found that individuals who had been engaged in professions that placed them in close proximity to asbestos stood a much greater chance of dying of systemic autoimmune disorders, such as lupus, than did their counterparts who had little or no occupation risk of asbestos exposure.

The study also found a similar risk between other environmental contaminants that are often present in some workplaces, such as pesticides, solvents, and benzene. In order to confirm these findings, the authors suggested that future studies be carried out that involve detailed occupational risk analyses among autoimmune disease sufferers.

Current Estimations of Asbestos-Related Disease May be Too Low, Study Shows

Researchers in Australia conducted a long-term epidemiological study of asbestos-related disease as a means of developing a model for future disease projections. Based on the results of the study, which was recently presented at a lecture hosted by the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, past attempts to predict asbestos-related diseases have fallen far short of the mark.

According to the findings, future cases of asbestos-related diseases such as respiratory problems, cancer, and mesothelioma may far exceed currently-accepted projections. In some cases, the rate of asbestos-related illnesses may prove to be as much as 35% higher than currently predicted.

The main difference between the new model and past projections of asbestos-related disease is that it was once believed that the year 2010 would be the peak for such health problems. According to new information, it is now believed that the peak of asbestos-related diseases may occur much later, perhaps as late as 2060. Based on this information, the researchers urged public health officials and health advocacy groups to adjust their asbestos prevention and intervention strategies accordingly.

New Chemotherapy Treatment Boosts Survival Rates in Cases of Mesothelioma

The primary form of asbestos-related cancer, mesothelioma, is notoriously resistant to most forms of treatment. However, the findings of a new study conducted by scientists at the Clatterbridge Center for Oncology in England may offer new hope for patients afflicted with this disease.

An innovative chemotherapy formula that combines the drugs pemetrexed and cisplatin was shown to be far more effective in the treatment of mesothelioma than the current protocol. Not only did the combination drug lengthen the lives of patients with the disease, but it also significantly reduced pain and improved quality of life, according to the study participants. Although more research will be necessary to affirm the safety of the drug, this breakthrough may be a promising first step for mesothelioma patients.

If you're concern about the risk of asbestos-related health problems, talk to your doctor to develop a personalized risk and prevention plan. Please check back here each week for more of the latest medical research news.

Global Warming and Its Impact on Health

Researchers probe the link between global warming and the increase of people experiencing kidney disease, heart disease, as well as mental illnesses.

A recent study in Australia compared the number of hospital admissions, ambulance trips and deaths during heat waves and normal weather temperatures. The researchers discovered a 7% increase in admissions to the hospital and a 4% increase in ambulance trips during the hotter periods of time.

According to researchers who conducted the study, it is theorized that as the planet continues to warm, there will be more heat-related illnesses.

Heat Wave

A heat wave is described as a period of five or more days in which the temperature exceeds five degrees above the normal temperature. Severe heat waves have been responsible for catastrophic crop failures, deaths from hyperthermia and power outages.

How Can People Protect Themselves from the Heat?

Hyperthermia is an acute condition in which the body absorbs more heat than it can dissipate. In its advanced state, hyperthermia is commonly referred to as heat stroke. It is a real medical emergency that people should be aware of.

Exertion heatstroke can occur when a person physically exerts himself through exercise or physical labor during hot times of the day. When the temperature outside reaches eighty-five degrees, it is recommended that people do not exercise outside unless they are already accustomed to the hot weather. The treatment for heat stroke is intravenous fluids and methods at which the body temperature is cooled.

Non-exertion heat stroke can happen when people, particularly older people, live in a house with no air-conditioning during a time at which temperatures escalate. Researchers recommend getting out of the house that lacks air-conditioning for a couple of hours in order to reduce the risk of heat stroke. For example, going to a movie theater or the shopping mall could cut down on the risk of heatstroke.

Heatstroke can happen very quickly. Call 911 for emergency care and work to lower the person's body temperature by moving him/her to a cool, air-conditioned location indoors or under a shady tree.

At Highest Risk

Those at the highest risk of heat-induced illnesses include infants, children under four years of age and people over sixty-five years of age. Also included in the high-risk category are those that are overweight, or people that are ill or on certain medications.

Ask Your Doctor

If you are uncertain as to whether or not you or a loved one is at a high risk of heat-induced illnesses, it is highly recommended that you speak to a health-care professional.

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