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Parkinsons risk

December 24, 2007

Results of a study suggest an association between erectile dysfunction and an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. The autonomic nervous system, which regulates involuntary bodily functions like heart rate and digestion, is often affected in Parkinson’s disease, and erectile function, which is controlled by the autonomic system, is commonly compromised, the study team notes in a report. “An important question,” according to Dr. Xiang Gao, of Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, and colleagues, “is whether erectile dysfunction precedes the onset of motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.” They examined the question using data from the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. A total of 32,616 men free of Parkinson’s disease in 1986 were included in the present study. In 2000, the men completed a questionnaire with questions on erectile dysfunction in different time periods. The relation between erectile dysfunction before 1986 and Parkinson’s disease risk from 1986 to 2002 was analyzed. During the 16 years’ follow-up, 200 men were diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

Compared to men who reported very good erectile function before 1986, those who reported erectile dysfunction had a significant 3.8-fold increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, the investigators report.

“We further explored possible interactions of erectile function with age, body mass index, cigarette smoking, caffeine intake, and the presence of diabetes during follow-up,” Gao’s team explains. “None of these interactions was significant.”

These findings, they conclude, support the hypothesis that the autonomic nervous system “may have been impaired years before Parkinson’s disease is clinically recognizable.”

American Journal of Epidemiology, December 2007.

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Blood Pressure drugs Alternate Use

December 16, 2007

Researchers have announced that a drug commonly used to treat high blood pressure may have an alternate use - it may help prevent strokes. This preliminary information is based on studies done on animals.
stetoskopeResearchers from Weill Cornell Medical College detailed their findings in a recent press release. The drug in question, telmisartan, is currently used to treat high blood pressure.
It is already known that there is a link between high blood pressure and the risk of having a stroke. Therefore, researchers wanted to see whether or not high blood pressure medications used in combination with each other provided better results at lowering blood pressure. Just by lowering the blood pressure, the risk of stroke is also lower.
Testing their theory on rats, researchers fed rats a diet that was bound to induce strokes. They discovered that even though these rats were being fed a special diet designed to induce strokes, these rats were totally protected from having strokes while they were taking telmisartan, whether they took this drug alone, or in combination with another high blood pressure medicine named ramipril. (more…)

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Recommendations from Kevin McVary

December 15, 2007

Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction should be evaluated by taking a careful medical history (with attention to cardiovascular disease, Kevin McVarydiabetes or other features of the metabolic syndrome, manifestations of hypogonadism, previous pelvic surgery or trauma, and medications) and physical examination, looking for evidence of underlying disorders such as hypogonadism and vascular disease. Limited laboratory testing is recommended, including the measurement of testosterone, glucose, and lipid levels. Switching from a medication that is associated with erectile dysfunction to an alternative that is not should be considered. In the case in the vignette, for example, the beta-blocker might be changed to an angiotensin-converting–enzyme inhibitor in order to assess whether the patient’s symptoms would improve in the absence of the beta-blocker. In addition, weight loss and exercise should be recommended, and smokers should be counseled to discontinue.

(more…)

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Attempt to control online drug sales

December 10, 2007

The British Medical Association (BMA) is to work with the UK government and the World Health Organisation to control internet sales of medicines. Concerns have been raised by the UN and the World Health Organisation that some drugs sold over the Internet are counterfeit and potentially harmful. Dr Hamish Meldrum, Chairman of BMA Council, said the doctors’ organisation will approach the UK government to encourage them to lead international action to deal with this issue. Drugs for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (such as Viagra) are among those most frequently purchased from internet sites.Dr Meldrum said: “We are particularly aware that men are still a little bit wary of going to see their doctor. They may self-diagnose and self-prescribe via the internet. One of the messages we are trying to get over to the public is of the dangers of doing that. (more…)

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Remembering To Take Them

December 7, 2007

Are you currently taking medicine for your blood pressure? Do you take other medication as well? Remembering to take any medicine can be a hassle to some people especially if you have to take more than one at a time. Here are a few things that might help you remember because it is very important you do not forget to take your blood pressure medication.

Some people purchase little pill boxes that help you organize your pills. You can purchase pill boxes that have one for every day of the week. You put all the pills you need to take into each box for each day. You can purchase these almost anywhere and they do come in handy for those that are forgetful.
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Viagra panacea

December 2, 2007

Parliamentary candidates in Thailand’s upcoming election are trying to buy the votes of elderly men by passing out free Viagra, Thai candidates accused of vote buying with Viagraa local government official said Friday. Thais head to the polls on December 23 for the first time since the military toppled the elected prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in a bloodless coup last year.Residents in Prathumthani, on the northern outskirts of Bangkok, reported some of the candidates were passing out doses of the anti-impotence drug in exchange for promised votes, said Sayan Nopkham, a local government official.  (more…)

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