Scientists Continue to Test Safety and Long-Term Effects of Viagra

It's not often that a prescription drug actually impacts the culture at large, but it's virtually impossible to overstate the significance of the prescription drug Viagra. Designed to combat male impotence and erectile dysfunction and help enhance male sexual performance, Viagra was introduced by pharmaceutical industry giant Pfizer in 1999.

Within months, Viagra would go on to break all known sales records, pulling in total revenue of over $1 billion in the period from 1999-2001. With the help of the drug, vast swaths of the male population that had previously been barred from intimacy due to age or health problems were reintroduced to physical intimacy. This trend had a number of unforeseen consequences, including a resurgence of sexually transmitted diseases among elderly populations that public health officials are still grappling with.

Despite its widespread usage, some concerns still linger about the safety of Viagra. Because many of the drug?s users are already facing other health challenges, some scientists have cautioned that the long-term effects of the drug should be scrutinized more closely. This week, we?ll survey the results of several recent studies that have taken a second look at Viagra and its possible side effects.

Viagra May Suppress Male Fertility, Study Shows

Millions of men have credited Viagra with reinvigorating their sex lives. But according to the results of a recent study, this renewed intimacy may come at a steep price.

A team of researchers working at Queen?s University in Belfast has found preliminary indications that ongoing Viagra use may impede male fertility. In a study designed to assess the impact of Viagra on sperm motility and behavior, it was found that sperm that have come in contact with the drug behave in unexpected ways.

In general, Viagra-treated sperm were found to be more active and mobile than sperm that have not been exposed to the drug. However, this increased mobility does not appear to have an equal impact in the sperm?s ability to fertilize eggs.

In addition, it was found that sperm exposed to Viagra over a period of time exhibited a number of characteristics signs of damage. In particular, these sperm tended to have signs of damage in the acrosome area, which is a unique structure that produces enzymes that help sperm penetrate eggs.

In a simultaneous study, it was found that mice that had been treated with Viagra produced, on average, 40% fewer viable embryos than did their counterparts that had not received the drug. Although all of these results were described as preliminary and unconfirmed, the researchers urged further investigation into the effects of Viagra upon male fertility.

British Study Confirms General Safety of Viagra Use

Some critics of Viagra have argued that the drug?s sudden popularity surge outpaced the pharmaceutical industry?s ability to thoroughly vet its safety. To counter these concerns, researchers all over the world have recently begun to focus their efforts on second-line studies testing the safety and effectiveness of the well-known treatment for male erectile dysfunction.

In one such study, scientists at the Lister Hospital in Stevenage, England sought to assess the overall safety and efficacy of sildenafil, which is the basic compound used in Viagra. The study tested the drug and measured its impact in a population of 147 men with previously confirmed cases of erectile dysfunction.

According to the results, 91% of the men in the study reported that the treatment satisfactorily addressed their erectile dysfunction, and 80% expressed a desire to continue the drug after the conclusion of the study. No major side effects were observed, but common complaints of symptoms such as headaches, flushing, and vision abnormalities. However, the researchers concluded that the drug was safe for the general population.

Major Study of Viagra?s Safety Yields Few Problems

Researchers at the Changi General Hospital in Singapore recently undertook a major meta-analysis of the safety and side effects of long-term Viagra usage. According to the study, the most significant risk associated with the drug is in patients with preexisting cardiac problems.

The researchers found that the undesirable side effects associated with Viagra usage were largely related to the drug?s unique action on the vascular system, and were not dangerous in the majority of cases. The researchers concluded that if properly prescribed and monitored, Viagra was safe for most otherwise healthy patients.

If you or your partner are looking for help with male erectile dysfunction or other sexual performance issues, talk to your doctor for a full assessment of your options. Please check back each week for more breaking health science news!

Scientists Study Causes, Impact of Breast Cancer Recurrence

Although a number of significant strides have been made in the detection and treatment of breast cancer in recent years, the disease remains a serious threat to women's health. Among female populations worldwide, breast cancer rates second only to lung cancer in terms of prevalence, morbidity, and mortality.

With early intervention and effective care, many cases of breast cancer are treatable and survivable. However, the odds for breast cancer survival decrease considerably when the disease recurs after an initial round of treatment. Often, physicians regard a recurrence of breast cancer as a failure of the primary treatment. In some cases, this can mean that the cancer turned out to be stronger or more widespread than originally believed.

Because of the much higher risk of complications and death associated with breast cancer recurrence, scientists around the world have focused a great deal of research attention on this problem. This week, we?ll take a look at the results of recent breast cancer research that focused specifically on breast cancer recurrence.

New Cancer Classification Method May Help Treat Recurrent Breast Cancers

In the process of treating recurrences of breast cancer and other types of cancer, it is important that doctors be able to determine whether a tumor is a newly-developed growth, or a lasting growth that survived the initial round of treatment. This is because different treatment methods are necessary based on the ?age? and durability of the tumor. However, traditional classification methods often made these variables difficult to determine.

Marc Bollet, M.D., a researcher at the Institut Curie in Paris, France, recently discovered a new method that might solve this longstanding problem. According to an article published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Bollet?s team devised a method that uses an analysis of DNA breakpoints to test the age of tumors. In the experiment, the DNA breakpoint method was shown to be much more accurate than existing techniques. The researchers asserted that these findings could usher in more effective diagnosis and treatment of recurrent cancers.

Additional Radiation May Prevent Breast Cancer Recurrence in Young Women

Women under the age of 30 who have been diagnosed with breast cancer often face a difficult battle, because they are often fighting a particularly aggressive strain of the disease that is most common amongst this age group. As a result, incidences of cancer recurrence among young women with breast cancer often do not have a good long-term prognosis.

However, according to the results of a recent study that was presented at the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology's 49th Annual Meeting in Los Angeles, delivering an added dose of radiation therapy may significant boost young women?s chances of surviving recurrent breast cancer.

In the large European study, young female patients with recurrent breast cancer who received an additional dose of radiation following a lumpectomy were twice as likely to remain cancer-free for ten years as the women who did not receive the extra radiation. While additional research is needed, the authors suggested that this procedure could mark an important step forward for the treatment protocols for recurrent cancers of the breast.

Innovative Combination Treatment May Help Prevent Recurrences of Breast Cancer

Current methods of breast cancer treatment focus primarily on halting cancer growth. However, a new treatment investigated by researchers at the Danish Cancer Society in Copenhagen may also help reduce the risk of future instances of cancer recurrence.

The study, which was published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, describes the unique dual action of a combination cancer treatment that pairs two types of treatments ? chemotherapy and the prescription drug tamoxifen. Women treated with both of these methods enjoyed improved survival rates of five to ten years longer than standard, individual forms of the treatment.

While more research will be necessary to determine the best combination of these treatments, the early results are promising, the researchers say.

If you?re concerned about breast cancer and breast cancer recurrence, please talk to your doctor to develop a personalized risk assessment or treatment plan that will work best with your health history. Please check back each week for more of the breaking health science news you need!

Asbestos and Lung Cancer: Research Findings Shed Light on a Deadly Disease

Asbestos is the name used to refer to a naturally-occurring group of minerals that were long prized for their unique insulating properties. For decades, a synthesized form of asbestos was used in much of the commercial and residential construction in the United States and around the world. In fact, the vast majority of the public and private structures that were built in the twentieth century contain elements that contained some form of asbestos.

By the mid-twentieth century, however, questions about the long-term safety of these materials began to circulate. Workers who were constantly exposed to asbestos as part of their job duties began to suffer from a number of specific lung and respiratory disorders. Accusations flew on both sides of the controversy, but it was not until the late 1970s that federal regulations officially banned the use of the substance in the United States.

Today, decades later, we are still dealing with the public health fallout of the asbestos debacle. Cases of asbestos-related disease are at an all-time high, and governments around the world are still determining the best way to deal with the problem.

Scientists are doing their part by continuing research efforts into asbestos-related disorders. This week, we?ll take a look at some of the recent findings that have emerged from investigations into asbestos-related lung cancer and mesothelioma.

New Technology Boosts Early Detection of Asbestos-Linked Lung Growths

As is the case with most types of cancer, the prognosis for patients diagnosed with asbestos-related lung cancers is improved significantly when the disease is detected early. However, conventional diagnostic imaging methods have often had trouble detecting lung cancer growths early enough to significant impact treatment outcomes.

Recent research conducted by scientists at University Hospitals of Cleveland may change all that. According to a recent statement released by the institution, researchers there have been putting the finishing touches on a new imaging technology that is expected to significant improve the effectiveness of efforts to detect early-stage lung cancer. The new technology is also believed to be particularly useful for detecting asbestos plural disease, another potentially deadly respiratory condition caused by asbestos exposure. The researchers emphasized the importance of early detection with every type of lung disease, and expressed confidence that this technological advance would facilitate more effective early diagnosis.

Genetic Inflammation Risk May Increase Chances of Developing Lung Cancer

Although environmental factors such as asbestos exposure have been shown to play a role in causing several different types of lung cancer, researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and the National Cancer Institute may have pinpointed another important variable. According to the results of a recent study, people with a gene that causes lung inflammation may be at higher risk of developing lung cancer after exposure to environmental hazards, such as tobacco smoke or asbestos particles.

The researchers found that long-term inflammation of the lung tissue can be exacerbated by exposure to environmental hazards. Over time, the combination of these two factors can lead to cell abnormalities and aberrant growth patterns, including cancer. The study participants with the inflammation-prone gene IL1B were several times more likely to develop environmentally-related lung cancers than were their counterparts without the gene. The scientists argued that these results may benefit early detection efforts.

Women with Lung Cancer Often Fare Better than Men, Study Shows

Lung cancer is a devastating and debilitating disease, regardless of your age, gender, or health status. However, according to the results of a recent study conducted by researchers at the Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center, female patients diagnosed with the disease often have an easier experience than do their male counterparts.

Whether their lung cancer was the result of tobacco use, asbestos exposure, or unknown causes, women with the disease typically experienced less severe symptoms and reported less pain, respiratory difficulty, and discomfort than male patients. The researchers argued that these findings may indicate that early detection of lung cancer is more difficult in females than in males. They proposed the development of a new set of early-detection protocols that might help identify early-stage lung cancer in female patients.

If you?re concerned that you might be at risk for developing asbestos-related lung cancer or mesothelioma, talk to your doctor for a personalized health assessment. Don?t forget to check this site each week for more of the breaking science news you need!

Hair Loss Can Affect Your Mood: Tips to Prevent Hair Loss

Hair loss, even later in life, can be a traumatic experience. Hair loss can affect both men and women and can be emotionally devastating to some. Many people who struggle with hair loss explain their desire to re-grow their hair as an obsession. Morale can be affected, even to the point of depression. While overcoming depression or preventing pattern baldness isn't quick or easy, there are things that can be done to help alleviate the condition.

Tips to Prevent Hair Loss

• Shampooing your hair too often is a common cause for dry hair. But it can also cause breakage. Wet hair is more fragile than dry hair, and brushing your wet hair can cause damage. Dry your hair before brushing, or be very careful when brushing wet hair so as not to damage hair.
• Chemically treated hair can be more fragile than normal hair. Do not use hot-oil treatments on hair that has had a recent chemical treatment, such as permanents or chemical strengtheners. The hot-oil treatment can cause inflammation of the hair follicle, which could lead to hair loss.
• Take care when styling your hair. Do not put hair in an overly tight hair-style. Rubber bands can damage hair, so for those that like to put their hair in a pony tail, be sure to use a soft hair scrunchie.
• Extreme or physical stress can trigger hair loss, and intense stress can stop hair growth altogether. It is recommended that people with stress issues eat well; get plenty of sleep and exercise. It is essential to minimize or cope with stress in every day life.
• Genetics plays a very big role in hair loss. Pattern baldness affects people that have a history of it on either side of a family history. Medicines, such as Rogaine, can slow or prevent balding.

Hair Loss More Prevalent in Men than Women

Men account for almost 95% of hair loss cases. However, women are prone to this condition as well.

Questions About Hair Loss? Consult a Dermatologist

Confused about hair products? Many people are. If you have questions or concerns about pattern baldness, it is recommended that you consult a dermatologist.

Signs of Depression?

If you or a loved one is dealing with depression, it is recommended that you speak to a mental health professional.

Recent Studies Assess Risks and Benefits of Laser Eye Surgery

Even a few short decades ago, the notion that many vision problems could be permanently corrected with a short outpatient procedure would have been rejected as too far-fetched and futuristic. Today, significant advances in medical technology have made this once-outlandish proposition a reality for millions of people.

The procedure known as Laser-Assisted in situ Keratomileusis -- LASIK, for short -- has revolutionized vision treatment. To date, over one million patients have undergone LASIK surgery in the United States alone. Although the long-term efficacy of the procedure is still a controversial question -- many critics claim that repeated rounds of LASIK could be inevitable for patients with progressively worsening vision -- the popularity of laser eye surgery is unquestionable.

However, because LASIK is still a relatively recent development, some scientists have argued that we still don't know all there is to know about the safety and risks of laser eye surgery. This week, we'll take a look at some of the research results from recent studies that have weighed the risks and benefits of LASIK and other laser eye surgery procedures.

Study of Extremely Nearsighted Patients Proves Effectiveness of LASIK

Although several forms of laser eye surgery have been developed since the 1990s, LASIK is the procedure that is commonly used to treat patients with a severe level of myopia - the vision problem that is commonly referred to as nearsightedness.

An international research team that paired scientists at institutions in Spain and Turkey recently undertook a large-scale study of highly myopic patients who underwent the LASIK procedure. 98 patients whose severe myopia required the strongest form of LASIK treatment were assessed ten years after they had undergone the procedure.

According to the study's findings, even the strongest form of LASIK proved to be safe and effective for the vast majority of patients. Although 27% of the patients studied eventually had to submit to a second round of LASIK to correct further vision changes, only six patients experienced long-term complications. The researchers concluded that these results affirmed the long-term safety and effectiveness of even the strongest applications of LASIK technology.

LASIK Safe for Most Middle-Aged and Elderly Patient, Research Shows

The growing popularity of LASIK has increased demand for the procedure among patients in all age groups. However, the unique vision and health problems that face patients in the 40-69 age group requires special consideration before the procedure can be undertaken.

Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago recently conducted a study that focused on assessing the risks and benefits of LASIK treatment for individuals in the 40-69 age group. The scientists analyzed the pre- and post-procedure health records of 424 patients who underwent treatment for nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.

According to the findings, the general results of the treatment were positive amongst all patients in this age group. Although the corneas of older patients take longer to heal and the final outcome of corrected vision is not as uniformly positive as is typical in younger age groups, the general safety of the procedure was still confirmed.

The scientists urged that patients in the 40-69 age group should be briefed about their unique risks and challenges before undergoing the LASIK procedure. In particular, the researchers cautioned that older patients should be informed that the possibility of reclaiming perfect vision is unlikely, due to the inevitable vision changes that come with advancing age.

Bacterial Infections after LASIK Surgery a Growing Concern

The troubling trend of Staph infections have been in the news lately, as researchers trace the rise of a drug-resistant strain of the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. In a recent issue of the American Journal of Ophthalmology, a group of clinicians reported on the growing number of post-LASIK patients who are presenting with Staph infections of the surgical site.

The authors note that LASIK patients who work in or around the healthcare industry are at particular risk of contracting the infection. They cite the case of a male nurse whose LASIK-corrected vision was returned to pre-surgery levels of acuity as the result of a serious bout of drug-resistant Staph infection.

The authors recommend that LASIK patients be warned to report any sign of post-surgery infection or complications. They also suggest that health care workers who undergo LASIK treatment should be particularly vigilant for signs of Staph infection.

If you're considering LASIK surgery, your doctor will be able to help you determine if the procedure is right for you. He or she will be able to refer you to a reputable LASIK specialist in your area.