Hormone replacement therapy for osteoporosis
Wed,26 October 2011
The combination of estrogen and progestin is commonly called hormone replacement therapy (HRT). For information on estrogen replacement therapy (estrogen without progestin), see estrogen for osteoporosis.
How It Works
Taking estrogen brings a woman's estrogen levels back to premenopausal levels. This slows bone thinning and causes some increase in bone thickness. Progestin works like the naturally occurring hormone progesterone and prevents endometrial cancer from developing in women who have a uterus.
The Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study showed that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can lower the risk
Prostate problems.Complications
Wed,26 October 2011
Prostate gland enlargement becomes a serious health threat only if it interferes with your ability to empty your bladder. A bladder that's continuously full can interfere with your sleep, cause recurrent bladder infection or result in kidney damage. Men who have an enlarged prostate are at increased risk of:
* Acute urinary retention (AUR). AUR is a sudden painful inability to urinate. To empty the bladder, a catheter must be inserted into the bladder through the penis. Some men with BPH require surgery to treat AUR.
* Urinary tract infections (UTIs). Some men with BPH end up having surgery to
Hair loss
Wed,26 October 2011
Some people choose to treat hair loss with medications or surgery, such as hair transplantation. Others choose to wear hairpieces (wigs or toupees) or use different methods of hair styling (dyeing or combing). The approach you use depends on the cause of your hair loss. Some people feel they need treatment, while others are not as concerned about thinning hair or baldness.
If a disease, medication, or stress is the underlying cause, treating the disease, changing medications, or eliminating or learning to manage the stress may stop the hair loss.
Treatment for hair loss may boost self-esteem and overall well-being,
Improve your sexual function
Wed,26 October 2011
Erectile dysfunction is a common disorder, especially in older men. Treatment options include oral medications such as Viagra, Cialis and Levitra, medications inserted into the urethra, medications given by injection directly into the penis, and penile implants. Another good option for some men is a penis pump, also known as a vacuum constriction device (VCD). These pumps are available by prescription.
Penis pumps can be a good treatment choice if medications for erectile dysfunction don't work or penile implant surgery isn't a good option. Penis pumps can also be used along with other treatments for erectile dysfunction. Unlike some oth
Kidney transplant
Wed,26 October 2011
A kidney transplant is surgery to replace your own diseased kidneys with a healthy (donor) kidney. See a picture of a kidney transplant. There are two types of donors:
* Living donors. A living donor may be a family member, a friend, a coworker, or any person who is willing to give a kidney to someone in need. A person only needs one healthy kidney to live.
* Cadaver donors. A cadaver donor is someone who has recently died. Most donor kidneys come from this source.
In both cases, the key to success is having the closest possible blood and tissue matches. A famil
Urethral bulking for urinary incontinence
Wed,26 October 2011
Urethral bulking to treat urinary incontinence involves injecting material around the urethra. This may be done to:
* Close a hole in the urethra through which urine leaks out.
* Build up the thickness of the wall of the urethra so it seals tightly when you hold back urine.
Most bulking materials are injected around the urethra just outside the muscle of the urethra at the bladder outlet. Injecting the bulking material may be done through the skin, through the urethra or, in women, through the vagina. Needle placement is guided by the use of a cystoscope inserted
Scrotal masses
Wed,26 October 2011
The relatively exposed location of the testicles and scrotum makes them prone to injuries, but it also makes them easy to examine for the presence of scrotal masses.
Have your doctor check out any unusual lumps or swelling in, on or around your testicles. Treatment of scrotal masses depends on the cause.
Symptoms
The testicles (testes) are located inside the scrotum, a loose bag of skin below your penis. They produce male hormones and sperm. Signs and symptoms of scrotal masses include:
* A lump or swelling in the scrotum
* Local pain or tenderness<
Infertility testing
Wed,26 October 2011
If you and your partner have been having trouble getting pregnant, it's possible that one or both of you has a medically treatable fertility problem. As you decide whether to look for a cause, you will have various medical and personal questions to consider. It offers basic facts about infertility, testing, and when testing is appropriate. You can also use it to define your personal goals, feelings, and values about infertility testing and treatment.
Consider the following when making your decision:
* If you are younger than 30 and trying
What is Blisters
Wed,26 October 2011
Blisters are fluid-filled bumps that look like bubbles on the skin. You may develop a blister on your foot when you wear new shoes that rub against your skin or on your hand when you work in the garden without wearing gloves. Home treatment is often all that is needed for this type of blister.
Other types of injuries to the skin that may cause a blister include:
* Burns from exposure to heat, electricity, chemicals, radiation from the sun, or friction.
* Cold injuries from being exposed to cold or freezi
The specific causes of urinary incontinence
Wed,26 October 2011
The specific causes of incontinence are numerous. Though many cases do not fit a clear-cut classification, they generally fall into one of three main categories:
Stress incontinence is the most common type among women. Its hallmark is the involuntary loss of urine during physical activity, sneezing, or coughing. The disorder may have its roots in the unique stress that pregnancy places on the urinary tract. However, symptoms may not be noticed until menopause, when the bladder tissues start to sag due to a drop in estrogen levels. Estrogen supplements often improve the condition. Other remedies include Kegel exercises (rhyth