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Monday, April 28, 2008

Những điều cần biết về bất lực ở nam giới


Khoảng 10-20% trường hợp liệt dương có nguyên nhân từ tâm lý. Lo lắng, mặc cảm tội lỗi, sợ thất bại khi quan hệ tình dục... đều có thể làm các quý ông "không lên được".

Tình trạng suy giảm chức năng tình dục ở nam giới được các bác sĩ đánh giá thông qua một số chỉ tiêu: Mức độ, khả năng thực hiện ham muốn tình dục; chất lượng và độ dài của một lần quan hệ; khoảng thời gian hồi phục để sẵn sàng cho lần tiếp theo.


Một số bác sĩ chia mức độ bất lực thành 4 nhóm:

- Bất lực hoàn toàn: Bệnh nhân vẫn còn khát khao chuyện ân ái nhưng khi vào cuộc, dù dùng mọi biện pháp kích thích thì “thần đèn” cũng không sao gượng dậy được.

- Suy yếu: Nhóm bệnh nhân này hằng tháng hoặc nửa năm vẫn không hề có hứng khởi về “chuyện ấy”. Đôi khi họ phải cố chiều bạn đời nhưng cũng chẳng gặt hái được thành công gì, ngược lại, còn gây mệt mỏi và sự chán nản.

- Trên bảo dưới không nghe: Lúc hứng khởi thì “thần đèn” lịm tắt, còn lúc không cần thì tự dưng trở dậy gây phiền toái.

- Chưa đi đến chợ đã tiêu hết tiền: Đôi khi, vừa mới lâm trận, chỉ cần tác động nhẹ cũng khiến “thần đèn” bùng cháy và rồi gục ngã tại chỗ.

Các nguyên nhân gây bất lực

Do tình trạng sức khỏe: Các bệnh về tim mạch như xơ vữa động mạch, tăng huyết áp, bệnh tim, cholesterol cao... là nguyên nhân chính dẫn đến liệt dương ở một nửa nam giới độ tuổi trên 50. Các bệnh mạn tính như thận, xơ gan... cũng liên quan đến bệnh này. Đặc biệt, khoảng 60% nam giới tiểu đường bị liệt dương.

Ngoài ra, các bệnh về hô hấp, nhiễm khuẩn và các bệnh thuộc cơ quan sinh dục ngoài cũng dẫn đến giảm khả năng hoạt động tình dục.

Do chấn thương, phẫu thuật: Những sang chấn ở khu vực tủy sống, tuyến tiền liệt, bàng quang, khung xương chậu hay chính dương vật sẽ làm tổn hại đến các dây thần kinh, làm mềm các cơ, mạch máu... và dẫn đến liệt dương. Việc phẫu thuật ổ bụng, tuyến tiền liệt, bàng quang... cũng có thể làm tê liệt một số dây thần kinh và mạch máu liên quan đến khả năng cương cứng của dương vật.

Do dùng thuốc chữa bệnh: Các thuốc chữa cao huyết áp, bệnh tim, chống dị ứng, an thần, trị co giật... có thể gây bất lực.

Do tuổi tác và tâm lý: Chứng liệt dương có thể xuất hiện ở mọi lứa tuổi, tuy nhiên tuổi càng cao tỷ lệ bệnh càng tăng. Các chuyên gia cho rằng tâm lý gây ra khoảng từ 10-20% các trường hợp liệt dương. Lo lắng, cảm giác tội lỗi là nguyên nhân chính, ngoài ra, hiện tượng chán chường, căng thẳng, thiếu tự tin, e sợ thất bại khi quan hệ tình dục cũng làm mất cảm hứng.

Do lạm dụng chất kích thích: Việc uống nhiều rượu ảnh hưởng tới khả năng sinh testosteron, hút thuốc lá làm giảm độ lưu thông máu, là tác nhân nguy hiểm gây chứng liệt dương.

Để điều trị chứng bất lực, cần ăn uống cân đối về thành phần dinh dưỡng, đảm bảo thời gian ngủ nghỉ hợp lý. Chế độ làm việc phù hợp, tránh môi trường độc hại và đặc biệt cần có sự động viên của người bạn đời. Việc dùng thuốc cần có sự thăm khám và hướng dẫn, theo dõi của bác sĩ.

source from skds

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Saturday, April 26, 2008

Cancer treatment for women: Possible sexual side effects

Sex might be the last thing on your mind as you start thinking about cancer treatment options and cope with the anxiety that comes with a cancer diagnosis. But as you start to feel more comfortable with yourself during cancer treatment and afterward, you'll want to get back to a "normal" life as much as you can. For many women, this includes resuming sexual intimacy with their partners.

An intimate connection with a partner can make you feel loved and supported as you go through your cancer treatment. But sexual side effects of cancer treatment can make resuming sex more difficult. Find out if you're at risk of sexual side effects after cancer treatment and which treatments can cause these side effects.

Who's at risk of sexual side effects?

Women being treated for breast or gynecologic cancers are most likely to experience side effects that make having sex painful or difficult. But cancers anywhere in the pelvic region can cause these effects. Pelvic cancers include:

* Bladder cancer
* Cervical cancer
* Colon cancer
* Ovarian cancer
* Rectal cancer
* Uterine cancer
* Vaginal cancer

Treatment for each of these cancers carries the risk of causing physical changes to your body. But having cancer also affects your emotions, no matter what type of cancer you have. For instance, you may feel anxious and worn out about your diagnosis, your treatment or your prognosis. These emotions can also affect your attitude toward sex and intimacy with your partner.
What sexual side effects are most common?

The treatment you receive and your type and stage of cancer will determine whether you experience sexual side effects. The most commonly reported side effects among women include:

* Difficulty reaching climax
* Loss of desire for sex
* Pain during penetration
* Reduced size of the vagina
* Vaginal dryness


Not all women will experience these side effects. Your doctor can give you an idea of whether your specific treatment will cause any of these.
How does cancer treatment cause sexual side effects?

Cancer treatments that are more likely to cause sexual side effects include:

Chemotherapy
Many women experience a loss of libido during and after chemotherapy. Often the side effects of the treatment, such as fatigue, nausea, hair loss, and weight loss or gain, can make you feel unattractive. Side effects usually fade soon after treatment ends. But it may take time to rebuild your self-confidence to bring back your desire for sex.

Chemotherapy can cause a sudden loss of estrogen production in your ovaries. This can lead to symptoms of menopause, such as a thinning vagina (vaginal atrophy) and vaginal dryness, both of which can cause pain during penetration. Ask your doctor about what you can expect from your chemotherapy drugs, as some can cause permanent ovary damage. Depending on your cancer type, your doctor may prescribe estrogen replacement therapy — also called hormone therapy for menopause — to reduce the sexual side effects you experience. However, women with breast or ovarian cancer should discuss this carefully with their doctors, as some cancers are hormone sensitive. For these women, hormone replacement therapy should be avoided if possible.

Radiation therapy

Sexual side effects related to radiation therapy are most common in women receiving treatment to their pelvic area. Radiation to the pelvis causes:

* Damage to the ovaries. The amount of damage and whether it's permanent depends on the strength of your radiation treatments. Damaged ovaries don't produce estrogen. This causes symptoms of menopause, such as vaginal dryness or hot flashes. If you've already been through menopause, you likely won't experience such symptoms.
* Changes in the vaginal lining. Radiation therapy can irritate healthy tissue in its path. This can cause the lining of your vagina to become inflamed and tender. Penetration during sex may be uncomfortable during treatment and for a few weeks afterward. As the lining of your vagina heals, it may become thickened and scarred, causing your vagina to tighten and resist stretching during penetration. Your doctor might recommend using a vaginal dilator to prevent scar tissue from forming after radiation.

Talk to your doctor about what you can expect from your specific radiation treatments. Some side effects may be preventable. For instance, surgery to relocate your ovaries to another part of your body might spare them from the damage of radiation and preserve your fertility. Ask your doctor about your options.

Surgery

Whether surgery affects your ability to have sex will depend on your type of cancer, where it's located and its size. Surgical procedures that are likely to cause sexual side effects include:

* Radical hysterectomy. Women with cervical cancer may opt for a radical hysterectomy to remove their uterus and related ligaments, as well as their cervix and part of their vagina. A shortened vagina usually doesn't change your ability to have sex, though it may take some adjustment. Women over 40 may also have their ovaries removed during this procedure. If you're premenopausal when your ovaries are removed, you'll experience menopause.
* Radical cystectomy. In this operation for bladder cancer, the surgeon removes your bladder, uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix, the front wall of your vagina and your urethra. Your surgeon reconstructs your vagina, though it may be shorter or narrower than it was before surgery. This can make sex painful. If you haven't been through menopause, removal of your ovaries will cause early menopause.
* Abdominoperineal (AP) resection. AP resection is used if you have colon or rectal cancer. Your surgeon removes your lower colon and rectum. Without the cushion of the rectum, you might experience pain in your vagina during penetration. Some women who have an AP resection also have their ovaries removed. If you're premenopausal, this will cause premature menopause.
* Vulvectomy. You may undergo vulvectomy if you have cancer of the vulva. Your surgeon removes the entire vulva, including the inner and outer lips, as well as the clitoris. These play a major part in sexual arousal in women. Removing the vulva and the clitoris can make the area less sensitive and make it harder for you to reach orgasm.

There isn't a clear link between breast cancer surgery and decreased sexual function, though women who undergo surgery to remove one or both breasts (mastectomy) may lose sensation in the breast region. Women who undergo breast-saving surgery (lumpectomy), rather than mastectomy, are more likely to enjoy breast caressing. You may also be self-conscious of your scars after surgery, which can cause a loss of libido.

Hormone therapy

If you have a hormone-sensitive cancer, you might receive hormone therapy through medications, such as tamoxifen, or through surgery, such as removal of your ovaries (oophorectomy). If your cancer is sensitive to hormones, these hormone-blocking therapies can be effective in shrinking or killing the cancer and can decrease the chance of a cancer recurrence.

Both medications and surgery for hormone therapy cause menopausal signs and symptoms, including vaginal atrophy and dryness. Removing your ovaries causes permanent menopause. Side effects of hormone therapy medications usually wear off after you stop taking them. Keep in mind though, that women taking hormone therapy for cancer usually take these drugs for five years or more.
What can you do to regain your sexual function?

Knowing what sexual side effects to expect before you begin your cancer treatment can help you be more prepared to deal with them as you go through treatment. If you experience sexual side effects, find out as much as you can about what's impeding your sexual function. This will help you feel more in control of the situation and help guide you to treatment options. You may also want to:

* Talk with your health care team. You might be embarrassed to talk about the sexual side effects you're experiencing, but don't be. Though talking about sex can be awkward, you'll never find a solution if you don't let someone know what you're experiencing. Write down your questions if it makes you feel more comfortable. In addition, your doctor may be embarrassed or hesitant to talk about sex. If this is the case, ask to be referred to a specialist or seek support from other members of your health care team, such as nurses and counselors.
* Talk with your partner. Let your partner know what you're experiencing and how he or she can help you cope. For instance, you might find that using a lubricant eases your vaginal dryness or changing positions helps you avoid genital pain during sex. Together you can find solutions to ease you back into a fulfilling sex life.
* Explore other ways of being intimate. Intercourse isn't the only option for closeness with your partner. Consider spending more time together talking, cuddling or caressing. Connecting in other ways might help make you feel more comfortable and less anxious about the sexual side effects you're experiencing.
* Talk with other cancer survivors. Your health care team might be able to steer you to a support group in your town. Otherwise, connect with other cancer survivors online. If you're embarrassed about discussing sex face to face with strangers, the online environment provides you anonymity. Start with the American Cancer Society's Cancer Survivors Network.

It may simply take time for you to regain your sexual function after cancer treatment. While that can be frustrating, remember that if you had a positive and satisfying sex life before cancer, you'll likely resume that after your treatment.
source from www.cnn.com

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Thursday, April 24, 2008

Sex education: Start discussions early


It's never too early to start talking to your children about sexual matters. Openness, even with young children, will show that sex is an acceptable topic of conversation. Teach your child that you are available to discuss sexual issues, and establish a comfort level — for both of you — with the topic.

Don't feel like you have to include everything in one big discussion. Instead, talk about questions and behaviors as they occur.

Toddlers explore themselves

Between the ages of 18 months to 3 years, children begin to learn about their own bodies. Teach your child the proper names for sex organs. Otherwise, he or she might get the idea that something is wrong with these parts of the body.

It's normal for a child to explore his or her body and to do what feels good. Self-stimulation is one way a child's natural sexual curiosity is manifested. Boys typically pull at their penis, and girls rub their external genitalia.

The concept of privacy


This may be a good time to teach your child about privacy. Masturbation is a normal, but private, activity. If your child suddenly starts masturbating in the middle of a play group, try to distract him or her. If that fails, take your child aside for a reminder about the importance of privacy.

Sometimes, frequent masturbation can indicate a problem in the child's life. Perhaps he or she is under a lot of stress, or isn't receiving enough attention at home. It can even be a sign of sexual abuse. Teach your child that the parts of the body covered by a bathing suit are private, and that no one should be allowed to touch them without permission.

Curiosity about others

By the age of 3 or 4, children are ready to know that boys and girls have different genitals. To satisfy their normal curiosity about each other's sex organs, children may play "doctor" or matter-of-factly take turns examining each other. This exploration is far removed from adult sexual activity, and it's harmless when only young children are involved. As a family matter, however, you may want to set limits on such exploration, discouraging it if you see it going on.

At this age, many children ask the dreaded question: "Where do babies come from?" Try to give a simple and direct response, such as: "Babies grow in a special place inside the mother." As your child matures, you can add more details.

Segregation of the sexes

Between the ages of 5 and 7, children become more aware of their gender. Boys may tend to associate only with boys, and girls only with girls. In fact, they may even say they hate children of the opposite sex.

At this age, questions about sex will become more complex, as your child tries to understand the connection between sexuality and making babies. He or she may turn to friends for some of these answers.

Because children can pick up faulty information about sex and reproduction, it may be best to ask what your child knows about a particular topic before you start explaining it.

Preteen angst


Children between the ages of 8 and 12 worry a lot about whether they are "normal." Penis size and breast size figure heavily in these worries. Children of the same age mature at wildly different rates. Reassure your child that he or she is well within the normal range of development.

What kids should know before they reach puberty


The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that before they reach puberty, children should have a basic understanding of:

* The names and functions of male and female sex organs
* What happens during puberty and what the physical changes of puberty mean — movement into young womanhood or young manhood
* The nature and purpose of the menstrual cycle
* What sexual intercourse is and how females become pregnant
* How to prevent pregnancy
* Same-sex relationships
* Masturbation
* Activities that spread sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), in particular AIDS
* Your expectations and values

Be honest, open and matter-of-fact

Talking about sexual matters with your child can make you both feel uncomfortable and embarrassed. Let your child guide the talk with his or her questions. Don't giggle or laugh, even if the question is cute. Try not to appear overly embarrassed or serious.

If you have been open with your child's questions since the beginning, it is more likely that your child will come to you with his or her questions in the future. The best place for your child to learn about relationships, love, commitment and respect is from you.
source from www.cnn.com

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Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Headaches and kids: More common — and complicated — than you think


Kids are always getting stomachaches and rashes. But headaches? Strictly for grown-ups, right?

Wrong. The majority of school-age children get headaches, and many have headaches on a recurrent basis. Even before entering school, roughly one-third of children experience a headache at some point.

You know the pain is real, but what can you do? Find out what's triggering your child's head pain and identify measures you can take to help.

What causes children's headaches?

A number of factors, singly or in combination, can make your child headache-prone. These factors include:

* Genetic predisposition. Headaches, particularly migraines, tend to run in families. If you have a family history of bad headaches, your child will have a higher risk of getting them too.
* Head trauma. Accidental bumps and bruises can cause headaches. Although most head injuries are minor, seek medical attention right away if your child falls hard on his or her head. Also contact a doctor if your child has a steadily worsening headache after a bang on the head.
* Illness and infection. Headache is a frequent symptom of many common childhood illnesses. Ear infections, sinus infections, colds and flu are often accompanied by headache.
* Environmental factors. Conditions in the environment, including weather changes, odors, loud noises and bright light all can cause headaches.
* Emotional factors. Peer pressure, school problems and parental expectations can lead to high levels of stress and anxiety. Children with depression may complain of headaches, particularly if they have trouble recognizing feelings of sadness and loneliness.
* Certain foods and beverages. The food additive monosodium glutamate (MSG), found in such foods as bacon, bologna and hot dogs, has been known to trigger headaches. Also, caffeine, which is in soda, chocolate, coffee and tea, can cause headaches.
* Sleep deprivation. Overtiredness may cause headaches in children.
* Inadequate hydration. Lack of fluids can also cause headaches.

What kind of headache does your child have?

Headaches are typically hard to describe, especially for children. Some headaches are related to stress, while others are the result of an illness or injury. All headaches, though, are classified into two main categories — primary and secondary.

Primary headaches

Primary headaches develop by themselves rather than as a result of illness or injury. Headaches in this category include:

* Tension-type headache. Often stress related, this type accounts for many children's headaches. If your child has this type of headache, he or she may complain of a tightening or pressure in the head, neck and skull muscles.
* Migraine. Approximately 10 percent of school-age children experience migraines. Before children reach puberty, migraines affect about the same number of boys as girls, but in the teen years, girls tend to have migraines more often than boys do. While a migraine lasts, it may be disabling, causing not just pain but nausea, vomiting and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Unlike tension-type headaches, migraines often occur during nonstressful or recreational times.
* Cluster headache. This is the least common type of headache in children. It's usually disabling and involves a sharp, stabbing pain on one side of the head.

Secondary headaches

Secondary headaches result from some underlying condition such as:

* Fever
* Head trauma
* Cold
* Sinus infection
* Strep throat
* Ear infection
* Meningitis
* Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ) and other jaw-related problems
* Medication side effects

Is your child's headache chronic?

Because children's headaches have many possible causes, each child needs a personal evaluation. As a rule of thumb, though, your child should see a doctor if he or she starts having headaches on a weekly basis or has any episode of head pain bad enough to keep him or her out of school or other activities. Children who are too young to tell you what's wrong may cry and hold their heads to indicate severe pain.

Two common types of chronic headache are:

* Transformed migraines. This happens when an occasional migraine occurrence turns into a daily occurrence.
* Rebound headaches. This can result from overusing certain over-the-counter and prescription medications for chronic tension-type headaches.

How do doctors diagnose chronic headaches?

Doctors diagnose most chronic headaches after taking a detailed medical history and performing a neurological exam.

Occasionally, this work-up suggests that an abnormality in the brain or skull may be responsible for a child's headaches. In these instances, imaging tests, usually performed in hospital radiology departments, can pinpoint the problem. The most common imaging techniques are:

* Computerized tomography (CT). A CT scan is a diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a series of computer-directed X-rays to provide a comprehensive view of the brain.
* Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An MRI doesn't use X-rays. Instead, it combines magnetism, radio waves and computer technology to produce detailed images of the brain.

Preventing children's headaches

A few simple measures will prevent all but the occasional headache in a child:

* Insist on adequate rest. Young children and adolescents need plenty of sleep — eight to 10 hours minimum. On the flip side, too much sleep can cause headaches, so don't let your child sleep the day away.
* Provide a healthy diet. Make sure your child eats breakfast, lunch and dinner and has healthy snacks to choose from throughout the day. Also, make sure your child drinks enough water, particularly in hot weather and after strenuous activity.
* Take steps at the first sign of a headache. If you think your child is developing a headache, encourage him or her to take a nap — if possible, in a dark, quiet room.
* Keep a headache diary. Note times and places that headaches occur. Also describe any thoughts, behaviors or events that occur with headaches. Use information from the diary to help your child avoid possible headache triggers. Wait for the child to volunteer that he or she has a headache rather than soliciting the symptom.
* Avoid stressors. Be alert for things that may be causing stress in your child's life, such as difficulty doing schoolwork or strained relationships with peers. If your child's headaches are linked to anxiety or depression, consider talking to a counselor.

Baseline prevention consists of a predictable daily routine, adequate rest, and healthy meals and snacks. Over time, the items you note in the headache diary should help you understand your child's symptoms and take specific preventive measures.

Treating children's headaches

Treatment depends on the type of headache. It may include:

* Behavior therapy. Stress- and anxiety-related headaches are often the culmination of several physical and emotional factors. If your child shows signs of stress — behavioral changes, eating and sleep disturbances, lack of interest in favorite activities — he or she may benefit from professional and peer counseling.
* Over-the-counter medications. Pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) relieve the immediate symptoms of mild headaches. Both ibuprofen and acetaminophen reduce fever too. Don't give aspirin to children under age 16 unless instructed to do so. Aspirin has been linked to Reye's syndrome, a rare but potentially life-threatening condition in children.
* Prescription medications. Ergotamine and the triptan medications, such as sumatriptan, zolmitriptan and rizatriptan, relieve migraines already in progress. Other prescription drugs, including tricyclic antidepressants, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers and anticonvulsants, are taken regularly to prevent frequent and disabling migraines.

Remember, the medication strategy differs from child to child. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions. Keep these points in mind:

* Read labels carefully. Use only the dosages recommended for children, not adults. Some products come in infant, child and adult strengths but may look the same.
* Don't give doses more frequently than recommended.
* Ask about possible side effects of any medication.

Bottom line: If your child has chronic headaches, you can do more than simply surrender to the condition. Get help to find out how you can make a difference.
source from www.cnn.com

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Monday, April 21, 2008

Tiếp theo những bài viết về hiện tượng thủ dâm


Trong hai bài viết trước mình đã nói khá kĩ thế nào là hiện tuợng thủ dâm, nó có phải là hiện tượng bất bình thường của sinh lý con người hay ko?
Bài này tôi sẽ giới thiệu tiếp về hoạt động thủ dâm diễn ra ở cả phụ nữ lẫn nam giới như thế nào?
1.Về nữ giới
Các kỹ thuật thủ dâm của nữ giới thường rất nhiều và có lẽ có nhiều kiểu hơn nam giới. Chúng thường bị ảnh hưởng bởi nhiều yếu tố và những sở thích cá nhân.Hiện tượng thủ dâm ở phái nữ thường được thấy gồm có các kỹ thuật gồm vuốt ve hay miết âm hộ, đặc biệt là âm vật, bằng ngón tay giữa hay ngón tay trỏ. Thỉnh thoảng một hay nhiều ngón có thể được nhét vào trong âm đạo và liên tục vuốt ve phần phía trước của âm hộ nơi có điểm G.Phụ nữ có thể thủ dâm trong bồn tắm, chỗ vòi tắm hoa sen, chậu tắm nóng, hay thỉnh thoảng gồm cả sử dụng nước ấm đang chảy để kích thích âm vật. Những vị trí thông thường là nằm ngửa hay sấp trên sàn, ngồi, ngồi xổm, hay thậm chí là đứng. Nằm sấp thì có thể dạng chân lên một cái gối, ở góc hay cạnh giường, một chân của đối tác hay một vài thứ quần áo quận lại và "cọ" âm hộ và âm vật vào đó. Khi đứng thẳng, góc một thứ gì đó hay một đồ đạc trong nhà, hay thậm chí là máy giặt, có thể sử dụng để kích thích âm vật thông qua môi âm hộ và quần áo.

Một số chạm tới bộ phận sinh dục đơn giản bằng cách bắt chéo chân thật chặt và ghì chặt các cơ ở chân, nó tạo ra lực ép vào bộ phận sinh dục. Nó có thể được tiến hành ở nơi công cộng mà không sợ bị phát hiện. Một số người chỉ thích sử dụng lực ép, áp vào âm vật mà không tiếp xúc trực tiếp, ví dụ ép lòng bàn bay hay quả bóng vào đồ lót hay một thứ quần áo khác.
2.Về nam giới
Các kỹ thuật thủ dâm của nam giới cũng bị ảnh hưởng bởi một số yếu tố và những ý thích cá nhân. Các kỹ thuật có thể khác biệt tùy theo đàn ông có cắt bao quy đầu hay không, và một số kỹ thuật có thể thích hợp với người này nhưng lại tỏ ra khá đau đớn đối với người khác.

Kỹ thuật thông thường nhất là đơn giản nắm lấy dương vật nhẹ nhàng và sau đó đưa tay lên xuống dọc thân dương vật đến khi đạt tới cực khoái. Khi không cắt bao quy đầu, kích thích dương vật có thể bằng cách đưa bao quy đầu lên xuống. Động tác trượt này của bao quy đầu làm giảm sự chà sát. Khi đã cắt bao quy đầu sự kích thích thỉnh thoảng là tiếp xúc trực tiếp với tay.Một kỹ thuật khác là đặt ngón trỏ và ngón cái quanh dương vật ở khoảng giữa và làm làm cho da chuyển động lên xuống. Một biến thể của kiểu này là đặt các ngón và ngón cái quanh dương vật giống như đang thổi sáo và sau đó đưa chúng lên xuống.Một kiểu ít thông dụng hơn là nằm úp mặt xuống một bề mặt dễ chịu như đệm hay gối và cọ sát dương vật vào nó đến khi đạt cực khoái. Một số người cho rằng kiểu thủ dâm này có thể gây đau đớn, kích thích quá mức hay trầy xước nếu thực hiện quá mạnh. Các kỹ thuật khác gồm sử dụng âm đạo giả vật thay thế để thủ dâm. Nhiều người mơn trớn tinh hoàn, đầu vú hay một số phần khác trên người bằng tay còn lại trong khi thủ dâm. Đến khi nào bắt đầu đạt đến cực khoái thì xuất hiện sự bắn tinh.Có nguồn thông tin cho rằng thủ dâm đã làm cho đàn ông biết tự kiêm chế hiện tượng xuất tinh vì vậy mà co thể kéo dài được thời gian hoạt động tình dục sau này.

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Sunday, April 20, 2008

Teen weight loss: Safe steps to a healthy weight


Teenage obesity is a dangerous — and growing — problem. But what can you do about it? Plenty. Turn your concern about your teenager's weight into action.

There's no magic bullet for teen weight loss. The key to success is adopting healthy habits that can last a lifetime.

Start with a heart-to-heart

If your teen is overweight, he or she is probably concerned about the excess weight, too. Aside from lifelong health risks such as high blood pressure and diabetes, the social and emotional fallout of being overweight can be devastating for a teenager. Offer support and gentle understanding — and a willingness to help your teen take control of the problem.

You might say, "I can't change your weight. That's up to you. But I can help you make the right decisions."

Dispute unrealistic images

Weight and body image can be delicate issues — especially for teenage girls. When it comes to teen weight loss, remind your teen that there's no single ideal and no perfect body. The right weight for one person might not be the right weight for another.

Rather than talking about "fat" and "thin," encourage your teen to focus on practicing the behaviors that promote a healthy weight. Your family doctor can help set realistic goals for body mass index and weight based on your teen's age, height and general health.

Resist quick fixes

Help your teen understand that losing weight — and keeping it off — is a lifetime commitment. Fad diets may rob your growing teen of iron, calcium and other essential nutrients. Weight-loss pills and other quick fixes don't address the root of the problem. And the effects are often short-lived. Without a permanent change in habits, any lost weight is likely to return — and then some.

Promote activity

Like adults, teens need about 60 minutes of physical activity a day. But that doesn't mean 60 solid minutes at a stretch. Shorter, repeated bursts of activity during the day can help burn calories, too.

Team sports through school or community programs are great ways to get active. If your teen isn't an athlete or is hesitant to participate in certain sports, that's OK. Encourage him or her to walk, bike or in-line skate to school, or to walk a few laps through the halls before class. Suggest trading one hour of after-school channel surfing for shooting baskets in the driveway, jumping rope or walking the dog. Even household chores such as vacuuming and washing the car have aerobic benefits.

Eat breakfast

If your teen fights the alarm clock the way it is, getting up even earlier to eat breakfast may be a tough sell. But it's important. A nutritious breakfast will jump-start your teen's metabolism and give him or her energy to face the day ahead. Even better, it may keep your teen from eating too much during the rest of the day.

If your teen resists high-fiber cereal or whole-wheat toast, suggest last night's leftovers. Even a piece of string cheese or a small handful of nuts and a piece of fruit can do the job.

Snack wisely

It can be tough to make healthy choices when school halls are lined with vending machines, but it's possible. Encourage your teen to replace even one bag of chips a day with a healthier grab-and-go option from home:

* Frozen grapes
* Oranges, strawberries or other fresh fruit
* Sliced red, orange or yellow peppers
* Cherry tomatoes
* Baby carrots
* Low-fat yogurt or pudding
* Pretzels
* Graham crackers
* String cheese


Watch portion sizes


When it comes to portions, size matters. Encourage your teen to scale back and stop eating when he or she is full. It might take just one slice of pizza or half the pasta on the plate to feel full — and there's no shame in sharing a meal, ordering a smaller portion or taking home leftovers.

Count liquid calories

The average 12-ounce can of soda has 150 calories and 10 teaspoons of sugar. The calories and sugar in fruit juice, specialty coffees and other drinks can add up quickly as well. Drinking water instead of soda and other sugary drinks may spare your teen hundreds of calories and a day's worth of sugar — or even more. For variety, suggest flavored water, seltzer water or unsalted club soda.

Allow occasional treats


Late-night pizza with friends or nachos at the mall don't need to derail your teen's healthy-eating plan. Suggest a breadstick and marinara sauce instead of garlic bread dripping in butter and cheese, or a shared snack rather than a full-size order. Let your teen know that he or she is in control — and an occasional indulgence is OK. A trend toward healthier habits is what really matters.

Make it a family affair

Rather than singling out your teen, adopt healthier habits as a family. After all, eating healthier foods and getting more exercise is good for everybody.

* Encourage the entire family to eat more fruits, veggies and whole grains. Be sure to set a good example yourself.
* Leave junk food at the grocery store. Healthy foods sometimes cost more, but it's an important investment.
* Try new recipes or healthier alternatives to family favorites.
* Banish food from the couch to curb mindless munching.
* Plan active family outings, such as evening walks or weekend visits to a local recreation center.

Be positive

Being overweight doesn't inevitably lead to a lifetime of low self-esteem. But your acceptance is critical. Listen to your teen's concerns. Comment on his or her efforts, skills and accomplishments. Make it clear that your love is unconditional — not dependent on weight loss. Help your teen learn healthy ways to express his or her feelings, such as writing in a journal.

If your teen is struggling with low self-esteem or isn't able to cope with his or her weight in a healthy manner, consider a support group, formal weight-control program or professional counseling. Additional support may give your teen the tools to counter social pressure, cultivate more positive self-esteem and take control of his or her weight. The benefits will last a lifetime.
source from www.cnn.com

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Saturday, April 19, 2008

Asthma sidelining your child? Playing sports safely


Physical activity is a common trigger of asthma symptoms in people with asthma. If you have a child with asthma, you are understandably concerned about preventing flare-ups when you can — but does this mean that you should keep your child from participating in sports? No. In fact, regular exercise can benefit asthmatic lungs by conditioning them to work more efficiently. You can take steps to protect your child during physical activity — even if you can't be there for every practice.

Control the asthma first

Before your child participates in sports, be sure that his or her asthma is under control. Controlled asthma means that your child isn't having regular symptoms and flare-ups are rare.

Each child's asthma control will be different based on symptoms and triggers, but typically a treatment plan involves a combination of long-acting medications to control the asthma over time, and short-acting inhalers for quick relief of symptoms. Many children will benefit from using a short-acting bronchodilator such as albuterol about 15 minutes before exercise.

If your child is on medication but continues to have symptoms or regular flare-ups, check with your child's doctor for possible changes to medications or dosages.

Choose activities wisely

Certain physical activities are more likely to cause asthma attacks, particularly those that are aerobic, high intensity and high endurance, such as:

* Basketball
* Cross-country skiing
* Cycling
* Ice hockey
* Long-distance running
* Rugby
* Soccer

Although some activities are more likely to cause symptoms, your child may be able to participate in any sport he or she chooses with the right medications and asthma control.

If your child is especially sensitive to exercise as a trigger, you may want to consider activities that are less likely to trigger asthma, such as:

* Baseball
* Golf
* Sprinting
* Swimming
* Weightlifting

While sprinting and swimming are aerobic activities, they are less likely to cause symptoms. Sprinting is high intensity, but doesn't require endurance. Swimming can be high intensity and high endurance, but the warm, humid environment usually protects those with asthma from having attacks. Golf usually requires less intense exercise; however, the outdoor exposure may trigger asthma for kids who also have allergies.

It's also important to consider your child's competitiveness. Younger children tend to slow down their activity level when they feel discomfort. Older children are more likely to push themselves to perform even when having asthma symptoms. This is usually because they want recognition or find satisfaction in competing on the same level as their peers. A combination of high-endurance sports and a high level of competitiveness can be dangerous for children with asthma. If you notice growing competitiveness in your child, be sure to continue to involve him or her in maintaining the asthma treatment plan. Better control of asthma may result in better athletic performance. Involving your child in the decision-making process makes it more likely that he or she will follow the plan.

Keep preventive tips in mind

In addition to controlling symptoms with medication, be sure your child follows these practical tips to avoid flare-ups:

* Always warm up and cool down. Help your child make it a habit to spend 15 minutes warming up before more intense physical activity, and to do another 15 minutes of cool-down after exercise. While it's a good recommendation for all athletes, warm-ups and cool-downs are especially important for those with asthma.
* Pay attention to environmental conditions. Cold temperatures, poor air quality and high concentrations of pollen in the air make conditions right for an asthma attack. If possible, encourage your child to stay indoors during these times. When the weather is cold, your child may be able to control symptoms by wearing a scarf or mask to warm the air before it enters his or her lungs.
* Exercise only when healthy. Asthma attacks are more likely during or immediately after a cold or other respiratory infection. Wait a few days after cold symptoms subside before resuming physical activity.
* Use a peak flow meter to monitor airflow. A peak flow meter is a hand-held tool that monitors how well your child's lungs are working from day to day. With the help of your child's doctor, you first determine your child's average peak flow reading. A drop in the reading may indicate an increase in airway inflammation, even when your child feels fine. An abnormal peak flow reading prompts you and your child to take extra precautions that day to prevent an attack.

Communicate your child's asthma action plan

Every child with asthma should have an asthma action plan, which is a step-by-step guide for preventing, recognizing and treating an asthma attack. This important tool helps ensure that you, your child and other caregivers all follow the same plan if action needs to be taken.

Typical asthma action plans include a list of medications and dosages, symptoms and average peak flow readings, signs of an attack, when to seek emergency care, and contact numbers. Because teachers, coaches and other caregivers may have different levels of education on asthma, it's important that they know exactly what to do if your child needs help.

Make copies of your child's asthma action plan and give them to your child's school nurse, teachers and coaches, and be sure to regularly communicate the importance of knowing the plan and having it accessible in case of an attack.

With the help of your child's doctor, revise the plan regularly based on changing needs in different seasons, sports or ages as your child grows and treatments or symptoms change.

Asthma and sports can be a winning combination

Children with asthma can participate in sports; in fact, your child's condition may improve with regular physical activity. First, have an asthma action plan in place, and communicate regularly with your child's teachers and coaches. These and other practical steps allow your child to enjoy sports in an environment that keeps him or her safe.
source from www.cnn.com

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Friday, April 18, 2008

Các bạn đã biết gì về hiện tượng thủ dâm?



Rất nhiều người trong chúng ta đã nghe nói đến hai từ "thủ dâm" nhưng thực sự ta biết quá ít về vấn đề này. Đó là sự ngượng ngập khi chúng ta nhắc đến hai từ đó.Các nhà khoa học đã chứng minh rằng hầu hết loài người kể cả nam và nữ đều có thủ dâm.Và nếu ai nói tôi không thủ dâm thì đó là nói dối.Cho nên ta không nên quá thụ động trong việc nắm bắt thông tin đầy đủ về vấn đề này.Sau đây tôi sẽ giới thiệu cho các bạn biết một số thông tin về hiên tượng này

Thủ dâm là hình thức kích thích bằng tay vào các cơ quan sinh dục, thường là vào điểm cực khoái. Nó có thể là sự kích thích tự thực hiện hay bởi một người khác (xem thủ dâm lẫn nhau), nhưng thường thì thuật ngữ này để chỉ những hành động được thực hiện một mình. Thủ dâm là một trong nhiều hành động được gọi là tự thỏa mãn tình dục (tiếng Anh: autoeroticism), bao gồm cả việc sử dụng những dụng cụ hỗ trợ tình dục (sex toy) và kích thích ngoài bộ phận sinh dục. Thủ dâmgiao hợp là hai hình thức thực hiện tình dục phổ biến nhất của con người, nhưng chúng không loại trừ lẫn nhau (ví dụ, nhiều người thấy việc đối tác của mình thủ dâm là một hành động rất gợi tình). Một số người chỉ có thể đạt cực khoái thông qua thủ dâm chứ không phải giao hợp.
THỦ DÂM CÓ THỰC SỰ TAI HẠI NHƯ MỘT SỐ NGƯỜI LẦM TƯỞNG HAY KHÔNG ?

Thực sự, cho đến giờ phút này, chưa có báo cáo khoa học nào đưa ra được một chứng cớ rằng thủ dâm là có hại trên bất cứ phương diện nào. Thủ dâm có hại hay không ?

Ðó là một câu hỏi được đặt ra cho tất cả. Kể cả những người nói dối. Câu hỏi này cũng giống như: Ăn có hại hay không ? Ăn hay thủ dâm vốn nó không có hại, đó chỉ là vấn đề điều độ và chừng mực mà thôi. Ăn nhiều qúa, cái gì cũng ngốn thì ta gọi đó là "người tham ăn" hay "người háu ăn" hoặc gọi là tật tham ăn, tật háu ăn … Thủ dâm cũng thế, nó dể trở nên một thói quen, nếu không điều độ người ta gọi đó là tật thủ dâm chứ không phải là bệnh thủ dâm.
Do đó không nên xem thủ dâm là một hành vi xấu xa mà nên xem nó là hoạt động sinh lý bình thường,tất nhiên là có điều độ các bạn nhé!

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Thursday, April 17, 2008

Sodium: Are you getting too much?

You've been trying to eat less sodium — just a pinch of table salt on your baked potato and a dash to your scrambled eggs.
The main sources of sodium in the average U.S. diet.

But a pinch and a dash can quickly add up to unhealthy levels of sodium, especially when many foods already contain more than enough sodium. About 11 percent of the sodium in the average U.S. diet comes from adding salt or other sodium-containing condiments to foods while cooking or eating. But the majority of the sodium — 77 percent — comes from eating prepared or processed foods that contain the mineral. So even though you may limit the amount of salt you add to food, the food itself may already be high in sodium.

Are you getting too much? Here's where sodium sneaks into your diet and ways you can shake the habit.

Sodium: Essential in small amounts

Your body needs some sodium to function properly. Sodium:

* Helps maintain the right balance of fluids in your body
* Helps transmit nerve impulses
* Influences the contraction and relaxation of muscles

Your kidneys regulate the amount of sodium kept in your body. When sodium levels are low, your kidneys conserve sodium. When levels are high, they excrete the excess amount in urine.

If your kidneys can't eliminate enough sodium, the sodium starts to accumulate in your blood. Because sodium attracts and holds water, your blood volume increases. Increased blood volume, in turn, makes your heart work harder to move more blood through your blood vessels, increasing pressure in your arteries. Certain diseases such as congestive heart failure, cirrhosis and chronic kidney disease can lead to an inability to regulate sodium.

Some people are more sensitive to the effects of sodium than are others. People who are sodium sensitive retain sodium more easily, leading to excess fluid retention and increased blood pressure. If you're in that group, extra sodium in your diet increases your chance of developing high blood pressure, a condition that can lead to cardiovascular and kidney diseases.

How much sodium do you need?

Various organizations, including the National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine, have published recommendations for daily sodium intake. Most recommend between 1,500 and 2,400 milligrams (mg) a day for healthy adults. A lower sodium intake has a more beneficial effect on blood pressure.

If you are older than 50, are black or have a health condition such as high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease or diabetes, you may be more sensitive to the blood pressure raising effects of sodium. As a result, aim for a sodium intake at the low end of the range recommended for healthy adults. Talk to your doctor about the sodium limit that's best for you.

Three main sources of sodium

The average U.S. diet has three main sources of sodium:

* Processed and prepared foods. Most sodium in a person's diet comes from eating processed and prepared foods, such as canned vegetables, soups, luncheon meats and frozen foods. Food manufacturers use salt or other sodium-containing compounds to preserve food and to improve the taste and texture of food.
* Sodium-containing condiments. One teaspoon of table salt has 2,325 mg of sodium, and 1 tablespoon of soy sauce has 1,005 mg of sodium. Adding these or other sodium-laden condiments to your meals — either while cooking or at the table — raises the sodium count of food.
* Natural sources of sodium. Sodium naturally occurs in some foods, such as meat, poultry, dairy products and vegetables. For example, 1 cup of low-fat milk has about 110 mg of sodium.

Whether food comes by its sodium naturally or not, your daily intake can add up quickly when you tally the sodium from all of your meals and snacks. Here's an example of how easily sodium adds up:
Food Amount of sodium
Breakfast
Scrambled eggs, 2 large 342 mg
Bacon, 1 slice 192 mg
Whole-wheat bread, 1 slice 148 mg
Butter, 2 teaspoons 54 mg
Total sodium for meal 736 mg

Lunch
Whole-wheat bread, 2 slices 296 mg
Ham, luncheon meat, 1 slice 350 mg
Mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon 105 mg
Dill pickle, 1 spear 385 mg
Pretzels, 1 ounce 486 mg
Orange, 1 large 0 mg
Total sodium for meal 1,622 mg

Dinner
Spaghetti noodles, 1 cup 179 mg
Spaghetti sauce, 1/2 cup 601 mg
Parmesan cheese, 1 tablespoon 76 mg
Green beans, canned, 1/2 cup 177 mg
Garlic bread, 1 slice 200 mg
Total sodium for meal 1,233 mg

Total sodium for the day 3,591 mg

Source: Department of Agriculture, Nutrient Data Laboratory, 2005


Be a savvy shopper: Find the sodium

Taste alone may not tell you which foods are high in sodium. For example, you may not think a bagel tastes salty, but a 4-inch oat-bran bagel has 451 mg of sodium.

So how do you identify foods high in sodium? The best way to determine sodium content is to read food labels. The Nutrition Facts label tells you how much sodium is in each serving. It also lists whether salt or sodium-containing compounds are ingredients. Examples of these compounds include:

* Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
* Baking soda
* Baking powder
* Disodium phosphate
* Sodium alginate
* Sodium nitrate or nitrite

How to cut your sodium intake

You may or may not be particularly sensitive to the effects of sodium. And because there's no way to know who might develop high blood pressure as a result of a high-sodium diet, choose and prepare foods with less sodium.

You can control your sodium intake several ways:

* Eat more fresh foods and fewer processed foods. Most fresh fruits and vegetables are naturally low in sodium. Also, fresh meat is lower in sodium than luncheon meat, bacon, hot dogs, sausage and ham are.
* Opt for low-sodium products. If you do buy processed foods, select those that have reduced sodium.
* Remove salt from recipes whenever possible. You can leave out the salt in many recipes, including casseroles, stews and other main dishes. Baked goods are an exception. Leaving out the salt could affect the quality as well as the taste of the food.
* Limit your use of sodium-laden condiments. Salad dressings, sauces, dips, ketchup, mustard and relish all contain sodium.
* Use herbs, spices and other flavorings to enhance foods. Learn how to use fresh or dried herbs, spices, zest from citrus fruit and fruit juices to jazz up your meals.
* Use salt substitutes wisely. Some salt substitutes or light salts contain a mixture of table salt (sodium chloride) and other compounds. To achieve that familiar salty taste, you may use too much of the substitute and actually not reduce your sodium intake. In addition, many salt substitutes contain potassium chloride. Though dietary potassium can lessen some of the harm of excess sodium, too much supplemental potassium can be harmful if you have kidney problems or if you're taking medications for congestive heart failure or high blood pressure that cause potassium retention.

Your taste for salt is acquired, so it's reversible. To unlearn this salty savoring, decrease your use of salt gradually and your taste buds will adjust. Most people find that after a few weeks of cutting their salt intake, they no longer miss it. Start by using no more than 1/4 teaspoon of added salt daily, then gradually reduce to no salt add-ons. As you use less salt, your preference for it lessens, allowing you to enjoy the taste of food itself.
source from www.cnn.com

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Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Thủ dâm có phải là hoạt động ko bình thường?


Tôi có thể trả lời các bạn là ko hoàn toàn dúng nhu vậy.Thủ dâm ko phải như chúng ta nghĩ.Con người chúng ta ngoài phần "nguời" còn còn phần "con" nữa. Khi chúng ta đến tuổi trưởng thành gần hon có là là tuổi dậy thì,tất cả mọi thứ về mặt sinh lý phát triển rất mạnh.Nhu cầu được thỏa mãn về mặt sinh lý là có thật nhưng do chúng ta là nhưng con người nên ko thể giải tỏa điều đó bằng cách thể hiện ra bên ngoài.Thực tế chúng ta hay gặp những vụ cuỡng bức, hãm hiếp...Đó chính là do những con người đó ko thể kiềm chế đuợc ham muốn của mình...

Đại đa số chúng ta phải tự kiềm chế hành vi trên cho nên trong một chừng mực nào đó ta phải tìm đến biện pháp khác để tự giải tỏa cho chính mình bằng hiện tượng thủ dâm.Về một phương diện nào đó thủ dâm đã làm giảm đi các tiêu cực xã hội như: cưỡng dâm, hãm hiếp.
Vì vậy mà hiện nay người ta xem thủ dâm cũng chỉ là hoạt động sinh lý bình thuờng.Những người trẻ như chúng ta có hoạt động sinh lý phát triển mạnh cũng cần nghiên cứu vấn đề này một cách nghiêm túc, ko nên quá kìm hãm hoạt động sinh lý này vì nó co thể làm tinh thần của bạn cảm thấy bất an,ko hưng phấn làm giảm hiệu suất học tập cũng như công việc.
Tuy nhiên,ko nên lạm dụng nó vì nó co thể làm bạn trở nên "nghiện" và như thế là rất có hại cho sức khỏe tình dục của bạn sau này.
Có thể các bạn chưa biết là ko chỉ con trai có hiện tượng thủ dâm mà cả phái nữ cũng có hiện tương này.Và nó cũng rất bình thường thôi.
Bài post sau tôi sẽ giúp các bạn hiểu hoạt đọng thủ dâm như thế nào là hợp lý

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Low-fat diets: Still beneficial despite study results?

It's long been thought that a low-fat diet is essential for heart health and cancer prevention. But this notion has been recently tested, with surprising results.

A government-funded study — published in the February 2006 issue of JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association — showed that a low-fat diet didn't lower the risk of some cancers or heart disease for older women. This study, which followed almost 49,000 postmenopausal women over eight years, included two groups: One group of women was advised to eat less than 20 percent of their calories from fat and to eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains; another group of women continued their usual eating habits. At the end of the study, researchers found no difference in the rate of breast cancer, colorectal cancer or cardiovascular disease between these two groups of women.

So does this mean that fat doesn't play a role in heart health or cancer prevention? Can you now dig into that chocolate cake or bag of chips knowing your long-term health won't be affected?

Not so fast, says Donald Hensrud, M.D., a preventive medicine and nutrition specialist at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Here he helps clarify the role of low-fat diets in disease prevention and explains what these study results might mean to you.

What do you see as the major take-home message from this study?

For most people, a low-fat diet may not have a strong effect in decreasing their risk of breast and colon cancers or cardiovascular disease. Though this may seem surprising, these results actually support a growing body of evidence that says that the type of fat you eat may be more important to your long-term health than the amount of fat in your diet.

Does this mean that we might as well reach for the buttered popcorn and nachos?

No. You still need to be concerned about the types of fat you eat. Many desserts and snack foods, including buttered popcorn and nachos, include large amounts of saturated fat and trans fat — the harmful types of fat. These fats can increase your risk of heart disease by increasing your total and LDL ("bad") cholesterol.

Another consideration is calories. A gram of fat contains twice as many calories as a gram of carbohydrates or protein. So cutting down on high-fat foods can help you cut down on your daily calories and thus help you manage your weight.

This study asked women to cut back on dietary fats of all kinds. But isn't there strong evidence that some types of fats are actually beneficial?

This particular study didn't look at the types of fat in the women's diet, and the intake of all types of dietary fat decreased. But other studies have shown that reducing saturated and trans fats in the diet while increasing monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats can lower your risk of heart disease by reducing the total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels in your blood.

One type of polyunsaturated fat, omega-3 fatty acids, may be especially beneficial to your heart. Omega-3s appear to decrease the risk of sudden death, especially in people at high risk of coronary artery disease. They may also help lower blood pressure and triglyceride levels along with other beneficial effects.

All studies have limitations. Which limitations do you see as most noteworthy with this study?

This study was primarily designed to test the hypothesis that a low-fat diet would decrease the risk of breast and colorectal cancers in postmenopausal women. The diet used in the trial was, therefore, aimed at limiting all types of fat in the diet, including the harmful fats (saturated and trans fats), as well as the healthier fats (mono- and polyunsaturated fats). But we now know that the type of fat — rather than the amount of fat — plays a bigger role in future health.

In addition to reducing their fat intake to 20 percent of their daily calories, the women were asked to increase their fruits and vegetables to five servings a day. Many of the women, however, didn't reach these diet goals. The increase in fruits and vegetables wasn't enough to show a difference in risk. And it may be that people needed to make greater changes. For the biggest health benefits, some studies suggest you need up to eight to 10 servings of fruits and vegetables in your diet every day. Other foods that may be particularly healthy — such as whole grains, fish and nuts — weren't specifically tested in this study.

Besides cutting back on harmful fats, what are the other components of a healthy diet?

I recommend a plant-based, high-fiber diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy proteins (nuts, beans, low-fat dairy products) and foods that have ample "healthy fats" (fish, olive oil, canola oil).

What advice do you have for people wondering how these findings affect their diet?

Rather than focusing on total fat, look at how much saturated fat and trans fat you're eating. Then compare that with how many unsaturated fats are in your diet. A healthy diet includes more unsaturated fats and less saturated and trans fats and incorporates other healthy foods, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

Here's where these different types of fat can show up in your diet:

* Saturated fat. Animal products (such as red meat, poultry, butter and whole milk) and coconut, palm and other tropical oils.
* Trans fat. Commercial baked goods (such as crackers, cookies and cakes), fried foods, snack foods, shortenings and some margarines.
* Monounsaturated fat. Olive, peanut and canola oils, avocados, and most nuts.
* Polyunsaturated fat. Vegetable oils, such as safflower, corn, sunflower, soy and cottonseed oils.
* Omega-3 fatty acids. Fatty, cold-water fish (such as salmon, mackerel and herring), flaxseeds, flax oil and walnuts.

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Shopping strategies for healthy foods

To eat healthy foods, you don't have to drastically change the way you shop. But these strategies will help ensure you have the right foods to follow your healthy eating plan.

Step 1: Plan ahead

Decide how many major meals you'll be shopping for. Then, consider the number of food items you'll need for breakfasts, lunches and snacks. Take an inventory of your staples, such as low-fat milk, fresh fruit and whole grains (brown rice, cereals and pasta).

Step 2: Make a list

A list will make your shopping trip more efficient and help you avoid impulse purchases. Try to stick only to what's on your list, but don't let your list prevent you from looking for or trying new healthy foods.

When making your shopping list, use your weight-loss menus as your guide. Make sure your list includes the food items you'll need to follow the menus. Also, be sure your list includes healthy and convenient snack foods. Suggestions include:

* Baby carrots
* Celery sticks
* Broccoli florets
* Apples
* Oranges
* Pears
* Fresh berries
* Grapes
* Whole-grain bagels
* Animal crackers
* Pretzels
* Salsa and baked tortilla chips
* Low-fat cottage cheese
* Whole-grain snack crackers
* Reduced-calorie, fat-free yogurt

Step 3. Shop the perimeter of the store for fresh foods

Picture your grocery store in your mind. Chances are the fresh produce section, meat and seafood departments, and dairy case are all located on the perimeter. Great, because that's where to concentrate your shopping when using the Mayo Clinic Healthy Weight Pyramid. Fresh foods are generally better than ready-to-eat foods because you can control what extra ingredients you add.

Step 4. Shop after a good meal

It can be hard to resist buying high-fat, high-calorie snack items, especially when you're hungry. So set yourself up for success and shop after you've eaten a good meal. If you do find yourself shopping on an empty stomach, drink some water or buy a piece of fruit to munch on.

Step 5. Read food labels

Since May 1994, packaged goods sold in the United States have carried the Nutrition Facts label. This panel is an at-a-glance method for verifying how a food fits into a typical weight management plan. Each label contains information pertaining to serving size, calories, nutrients and Daily Values. This information can inform you about foods that are healthy, and warn you of those that aren't so healthy — often those that are highly processed or refined. Routinely checking food labels helps you compare the nutritional qualities of similar products.
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Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Đàn ông không nên ăn nhiều trứng

Ảnh: roseacre.com.

Những quý ông ở lứa tuổi trung niên, đặc biệt là người bị tiểu đường, nếu ăn nhiều hơn 7 quả trứng mỗi tuần, sẽ đối mặt với nguy cơ tử vong cao.

Đàn ông không bị tiểu đường thì có thể ăn 6 quả trứng mỗi tuần mà không sao.



Nghiên cứu tại Trường Y Harvard, Mỹ, tìm thấy việc ăn nhiều trứng hằng tuần làm tăng 23% nguy cơ tử vong. Trong số những đàn ông bị tiểu đường, chỉ cần ăn trứng thôi cũng đẩy mạnh khả năng qua đời do mọi nguyên do. Trứng có rất nhiều cholesterol, khi tiêu thụ ở hàm lượng cao có thể làm tắc mạch máu và tăng nguy cơ bị đau tim và đột quỵ.

Nghiên cứu trên 21.300 người đàn ông khoảng 54 tuổi và kéo dài trong 20 năm. Mỗi năm, các ông ghi lại số lượng trứng tiêu thụ, hoạt động thể chất, việc hút thuốc, uống rượu, ăn rau xanh và ngũ cốc, tình trạng tiểu đường, huyết áp và việc sử dụng aspirin.

Sau 20 năm, 1.550 ông bị đau tim, 1.342 bị đột quỵ và hơn 5.000 người qua đời. Những ông ăn hơn 7 quả trứng mỗi ngày thì tăng 23% khả năng chết trong vòng 20 năm và những ông bị tiểu đường thì ăn bất kỳ số lượng trứng nào cũng tăng gấp đôi khả năng tử vong trong giai đoạn đó.

M.T. (theo Xinhua)
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Recipe makeovers: 5 ways to create healthy recipes

You love your grandmother's bread pudding. But her recipe calls for 4 cups of whole milk, 1 stick of butter and 4 eggs — ingredients that raise the calorie count and fat content of this dessert. The solution? Redo the recipe by switching or reducing certain ingredients.

Many recipes can tolerate a healthy renovation without affecting the taste or texture of the food. So whether you're trying to stick to a healthy-eating plan or following a special diet, use these techniques to make your recipes — including your time-honored family favorites — healthier.

1. Reduce the amount of fat, sugar and sodium

With most recipes, you can reduce the amount of fat, sugar and sodium without losing the flavor. By cutting fat and sugar, you also cut calories. How much can you leave out without affecting the flavor and consistency of the food? Apply the following general guidelines:

* Fat. For baked goods, use half the butter, shortening or oil and replace the other half with unsweetened applesauce, mashed banana or prune puree. You can also use commercially prepared fruit-based fat replacers found in the baking aisle of your local grocery store.
* Sugar. Reduce the amount of sugar by one-third to one-half. When you use less sugar, add spices such as cinnamon, cloves, allspice and nutmeg or flavorings such as vanilla extract or almond flavoring to enhance the sweetness of the food.
* Sodium. Reduce salt by one-half in baked goods that don't require yeast. For foods that require yeast, don't reduce the amount of salt, which is necessary for leavening. Without salt, the foods may become dense and flat. For most main dishes, salads, soups and other foods, however, you can reduce the salt by one-half or eliminate it completely.

Other ingredients may contain sugar, fat and sodium, and you can decrease them as well. For example, if the recipe calls for 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, use 1/2 cup instead. Or use less soy sauce than is indicated to decrease the amount of sodium in the food.

2. Make a healthy substitution

Healthy substitutions not only reduce the amount of fat, calories and sodium in your recipes, but also can boost the nutritional content. For example, use whole-wheat pasta in place of enriched pasta. You'll triple the fiber and reduce the number of calories. Prepare a dessert with fat-free milk instead of whole milk to save 63 calories and almost 8 grams of fat per cup.

3. Delete an ingredient

In some recipes, you can delete an ingredient altogether; likely candidates include items you add out of habit or for appearance, such as frosting, coconut or nuts, which are high in fat and calories. Other possibilities include optional condiments, such as pickles, olives, butter, mayonnaise, syrup, jelly and mustard, which can have large amounts of sodium, sugar, fat and calories.

4. Change the method of preparation

Healthy cooking techniques — such as braising, broiling, grilling and steaming — can capture the flavor and nutrients of your food without adding excessive amounts of fat, oil or sodium. If your recipe calls for frying the ingredients in oil or butter, try baking, broiling or poaching the food instead. If the directions say to baste the meat or vegetables in oil or drippings, use wine, fruit juice, vegetable juice or fat-free vegetable broth instead. Using nonstick pans or spraying pans with nonstick cooking spray will further reduce the amount of fat and calories added to your meals.

5. Change the portion size

No matter how much you reduce, switch or omit ingredients, some recipes may still be high in sugar, fat or salt. In these cases, reduce the amount of that food you eat. Smaller portions have less fat, calories and sodium and allow you to eat a wider variety of foods during a meal. Eating a variety of foods will ensure that you get all the energy, protein, vitamins, minerals and fiber you need.

Putting it all together

As you look over your recipe, decide what to change and how to change it. Make notes of any alterations, so you can refer to them the next time you prepare the food. You may have to make the recipe a few times, adjusting your alterations, before you get the results you want. But finding the right combination of ingredients — for the desired taste, consistency and nutrients — is well worth the trouble.

The following muffin recipe shows a before-and-after ingredient list. Incorporating a few small changes can make a big difference in the amount of fat, calories and sodium per serving.
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Monday, April 14, 2008

Asthma and school: Take a team approach

Asthma is the leading cause of school absences in the U.S., accounting for more than 14 million missed school days each year, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. An asthma attack at school can be frightening for your child. Close communication with your child's school is essential in preventing and treating an asthma attack.
You can help keep your child from missing important school lessons and interactions with classmates by working with teachers and school personnel to be part of an asthma management team. Together, the members of the team can be sure your child's asthma will be kept under control.

Develop an asthma action plan

Work with your child's doctor to write an asthma action plan with step-by-step instructions to prevent and treat an asthma attack. Ask the doctor to help you personalize the plan for your child. Your child's asthma action plan is a crucial part of controlling and monitoring asthma symptoms while your child is in school. It can help you work closely with school personnel in two key ways:

Prevent an attack

* Help manage your child's medications.
* Identify asthma triggers and reduce your child's exposure.
* Take action based on symptoms and peak flow readings.

Manage an attack

* Recognize an asthma attack.
* Give quick-relief medications.
* Seek emergency care.
* Access contact information.

Build an asthma action team

Share your asthma action plan with all the adults who regularly interact with your child at school. Your asthma action team might include:

* School nurses
* Teachers, including music, art and physical education teachers
* Administrators, such as the school principal
* After-school caregivers
* Playground staff
* Bus drivers
* Cafeteria staff

Each of your team members needs to know about your child's asthma and how best to help keep your child's symptoms under control. Meet with the members of this team early in the school year to:

* Describe any medications your child takes, including how and when to use a peak flow meter
* Discuss how medications are given and any possible side effects
* Explain how your child can manage an asthma attack
* Encourage teachers to treat your child the same as other students, without drawing attention to his or her condition
* Discuss activities that may bring on symptoms, such as sports, gym class or field trips, and the limitations your child may have

Discuss medications at school

Talk with your asthma action team about how and when your child should take medicine at school. If your child feels self-conscious, try to arrange for him or her to take medication in a private area, without disruption or attention.

If your child is comfortable and his or her doctor approves, request that he or she be able to carry and use a metered dose inhaler without having to ask permission each time. The goal is to help your child feel comfortable about having asthma and taking medication.

Monitor the school environment

Look around your child's school for triggers that might set off an asthma attack. If asthma triggers can't be reduced or eliminated, you might be able to switch your child's homeroom to one that can be more accommodating. Pay attention to:

* Air quality and ventilation. Cigarette smoke and certain chemicals in the air can trigger asthma. Is your school free of tobacco smoke? Can the school reduce or eliminate allergens and irritants such as dust, pollen and freshly cut grass? Are chemistry and art classrooms well ventilated, so chemical vapors don't spread to the rest of the building?
* Classroom pets. Animal fur and dander are common allergens that can trigger an asthma attack. If pets are kept in classrooms, they may worsen asthma. But even having animals elsewhere in the school can trigger your child's asthma. Air circulation systems can spread animal dander to other parts of the building.
* Cleanliness. Dust can trigger allergies in some children. Are classrooms cleaned, dusted and vacuumed regularly? Is dust-free chalk used? Are storage areas kept free of dust? Are cleaning products used appropriately? Strong odors and chemicals in cleaning supplies can trigger asthma. Ask the school to use unscented and nonaerosol cleaners whenever possible.
* Moisture. Moisture can lead to mold, which can trigger asthma symptoms in some children. Are windows and interior surfaces free of condensation? Are classroom sinks and bathrooms free of leaks? Is standing water present in locker room showers? Is air conditioning used to keep the relative humidity in the school at 50 percent or below?

Stay in touch

Communicate with your asthma action team on a regular basis. Keep them informed of:

* Changes in your child's asthma symptoms or overall condition
* Medication changes
* Revisions to your child's asthma action plan, including your contact information
* Recent asthma flare-ups or attacks
* Specific times when asthma triggers may be a greater risk to your child, such as changes in the seasons or during times of increased anxiety or stress
Be proactive in managing your child's asthma at school. A team approach is key to keeping his or her asthma under control.
Monitor + control = prevention
It's important that your child's asthma be closely monitored to reduce his or her risk of an asthma attack at school. Make sure your child takes his or her asthma medications on a daily basis to control asthma symptoms. Regularly check his or her peak flow rates to help you and your child feel confident that his or her asthma is well controlled. Watch for peak flow rates that are abnormal or unstable — often an early sign that an asthma attack may be developing. Follow these steps to help prevent asthma attacks — at home and at school.
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Orchitis

Introduction

If you're an adult male, you may have heard that getting mumps may affect your fertility. The reason is viral orchitis, an inflammation of one or both testicles, most commonly associated with the virus that causes mumps. About one-third of males who contract mumps after puberty develop orchitis.



Fortunately, infertility as a result of mumps-related orchitis is rare. And in those countries where use of the mumps vaccine is widespread, such as in the United States, your risk of contracting mumps is small.

Other causes of orchitis usually are bacterial, including sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The best way to prevent orchitis is to prevent mumps and to avoid behaviors that may result in STDs.


Signs and symptoms

The signs and symptoms of orchitis usually have an abrupt onset. They may include:

Testicular swelling on one or both sides
Pain ranging from mild to severe
Tenderness in one or both testicles
Nausea and vomiting
Fever
Discharge from penis
Prostate enlargement and tenderness
The terms "testicle pain" and "groin pain" are sometimes used interchangeably. But groin pain occurs in the fold of skin between the thigh and abdomen — not in the testicle. Causes of groin pain are different from causes of testicle pain.


Causes

A number of bacterial and viral organisms can lead to orchitis.

Bacterial orchitis
Most often, bacterial orchitis is the result of epididymitis, an inflammation of the coiled tube (epididymis) that connects the vas deferens and the testicle. The vas deferens carries sperm from your testicles. When inflammation in the epididymis spreads to the testicle, the resulting condition is known as epididymo-orchitis. Bacterial orchitis is rare without epididymitis.

Epididymitis usually is caused by an infection of the urethra or bladder that spreads to the epididymis. Often the cause of the infection is an STD, particularly gonorrhea or chlamydia. The highest incidence of sexually transmitted epididymo-orchitis occurs in men ages 19 to 35. Non-sexually transmitted forms of the infection may be related to anatomical abnormalities in the urinary tract or having had a catheter or medical instruments inserted into the penis.

Viral orchitis
Most cases of viral orchitis are the result of mumps. About one-third of males who contract the mumps after puberty develop orchitis during the course of the mumps, usually four to six days after onset. The mumps virus can spread from the salivary glands to other parts of the body, including the testicles.


Risk factors

Several factors may contribute to developing orchitis. For non-sexually transmitted orchitis, they include:

Not being immunized against mumps
Being older than 45
Recurring urinary tract infections
Surgery that involves the genitals or urinary tract, because of the risk of infection
Malformations in the urinary tract present at birth (congenital)
High-risk sexual behaviors that can lead to STDs also put you at risk of sexually transmitted orchitis. They include having:

Multiple sexual partners
Sex with a partner who has an STD
Sex without a condom
A personal history of an STD

When to seek medical advice

If you experience pain or swelling in your scrotum, especially if the pain comes on suddenly, contact your doctor. A number of conditions can cause testicular pain, and some of the conditions require immediate treatment. One such condition involves twisting of the spermatic cord (testicular torsion), which may cause pain similar to that caused by orchitis. Your doctor can administer diagnostic tests to determine which condition is causing your pain.


Screening and diagnosis

Your doctor will conduct a physical exam, which may reveal enlarged lymph nodes in your groin and an enlarged testicle on the affected side; both may be tender to the touch. Your doctor also may do a rectal examination to check for prostate enlargement or tenderness and order blood and urine tests to check for infection and other abnormalities.

Other tests your doctor might order to determine the presence of an STD and to rule out the possibility of testicular torsion, which requires immediate treatment, include:

STD screening. This involves obtaining a sample of discharge from your urethra. Your doctor may insert a narrow swab into the end of your penis to obtain the sample, which will be viewed under a microscope to check for gonorrhea and chlamydia.
Ultrasound imaging. This test, which uses high-frequency sound waves to create precise images of structures inside your body, may be used to rule out twisting of the spermatic cord (testicular torsion) and determine increased blood flow to your testicle, which helps confirm the diagnosis of orchitis.
Nuclear scan of the testicles. Also used to rule out testicular torsion, this test involves injecting trace amounts of radioactive material into your bloodstream. Special cameras then can detect areas in your testicles that receive less blood flow, indicating torsion, or more blood flow, confirming the diagnosis of orchitis.

Complications

Orchitis may cause the affected testicle to shrink (atrophy). It also can cause scrotal abscess, in which the infected tissue fills with pus, or lead to recurrent episodes of epididymitis. In rare cases, orchitis can impair fertility; however, if orchitis affects only one testicle, sterility is rare.


Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause of orchitis.

Treating viral orchitis
Treatment for viral orchitis, the type associated with mumps, is aimed at relieving symptoms. Your doctor may prescribe pain medication, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, others) or naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, others) and recommend bed rest, elevating your scrotum and applying cold packs.

In addition to measures to relieve discomfort, bacterial orchitis and epididymo-orchitis require antibiotic treatment. If the cause of the infection is an STD, your sexual partner also may need treatment.

Treating bacterial orchitis
Antibiotic drugs most commonly used to treat bacterial orchitis include ceftriaxone (Ceftin), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), doxycycline (Vibramycin, Doryx), azithromycin (Zithromax), and trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole combined (Bactrim, Septra). Make sure your doctor is aware of any other medications you're taking or any allergies you have. This information, as well as whether your infection is sexually transmitted and what type of STD you have, will help your doctor select the best treatment.

Be sure to take the entire course of antibiotics recommended by your doctor. Even if your symptoms clear up sooner, complete the course to ensure that the infection has been eradicated.


Prevention

Getting immunized against mumps is your best protection against viral, mumps-related orchitis. Having sex with just one partner and using a condom helps protect against STDs.


Self-care

To ease your discomfort, try these suggestions:

Rest in bed.
Lie down so that your scrotum is elevated.
Apply cold packs to your scrotum as tolerated.

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Hydrocele

Introduction

A hydrocele is a fluid-filled sac that surrounds a testicle, causing swelling of the scrotum. About one in 10 male infants has a hydrocele at birth, but most hydroceles disappear without treatment within the first year of life. Additionally, men — usually older than 40 — can develop a hydrocele due to inflammation or injury within the scrotum.



Hydroceles usually aren't painful. Typically not harmful, hydroceles may require no treatment. However, if you have scrotal swelling, see your doctor to rule out other causes, such as testicular cancer or other conditions.


Signs and symptoms

Usually the only indication of a hydrocele is a painless swelling of one or both testicles.


Causes

For baby boys, a hydrocele can develop in the womb a few weeks before birth. At about the eighth month of gestation, the testicles descend from the developing baby's abdominal cavity into the scrotum. A sac (processus vaginalis) accompanies each testicle, allowing fluid to surround them.

In most cases, the sac closes and the fluid is absorbed. However, if the fluid remains after the sac closes, the condition is known as a noncommunicating hydrocele. Because the sac is closed, fluid can't flow back into the abdomen. Usually the fluid gets absorbed within a year.

In some cases, however, the sac remains open. With this condition, known as communicating hydrocele, the sac can change size or, if the scrotal sac is compressed, fluid can flow back into the abdomen.

In older males, a hydrocele can develop as a result of inflammation or injury within the scrotum. Inflammation may be the result of infection of the small coiled tube at the back of each testicle (epididymitis) or of the testicle (orchitis).


Risk factors

Most hydroceles are present at birth (congenital). For a secondary hydrocele, which usually affects men 40 or older, risk factors include:

Scrotal injury
Infection
Radiation therapy

When to seek medical advice

See your doctor if you experience scrotal swelling. It's important to rule out other possible causes for the swelling, such as a tumor. Often a hydrocele is associated with an inguinal hernia, in which a weak point in the abdominal wall allows a loop of intestine to extend into the scrotum and which may require treatment.


Screening and diagnosis

An infant's hydrocele typically disappears on its own. However, if your baby's hydrocele doesn't disappear after a year or if it enlarges, you may need to have it evaluated.

Screening and diagnosis entails a physical exam, which may reveal an enlarged scrotum that isn't tender to the touch. Pressure to the abdomen or scrotum may enlarge or shrink the fluid-filled sac, which may indicate an associated inguinal hernia.

Because the fluid in a hydrocele usually is clear, your doctor may shine a light through the scrotum (transillumination). With a hydrocele, the light will outline the testicle, indicating that clear fluid surrounds it. However, transillumination cannot confirm the diagnosis because it also may indicate other conditions, such as hernia.

If your doctor suspects your hydrocele is caused by inflammation, blood and urine tests may help determine whether you have an infection such as epididymitis.

The fluid surrounding the testicle may keep the testicle from being felt. In that case, further study may be needed. Possible tests include:

Ultrasound imaging. This test, which uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of structures inside your body, may be used to rule out a testicular tumor or other cause of scrotal swelling.
Abdominal X-ray. A basic X-ray uses electromagnetic radiation to make images of your bones, teeth and internal organs. An X-ray may distinguish a hydrocele from an inguinal hernia .

Complications

A hydrocele typically isn't dangerous and doesn't cause infertility. However, it may be associated with an underlying testicular condition that may cause serious complications:

Infection or tumor. Either may impair sperm production or function.
Inguinal hernia. A loop of intestine could become trapped in the weak point in the abdominal wall (strangulated), a life-threatening condition.

Treatment

For baby boys, hydroceles typically disappear on their own within a year. If a hydrocele doesn't disappear after a year or if it continues to enlarge, it may need to be surgically removed.

For adult males as well, hydroceles often go away on their own. A hydrocele requires treatment only if it gets large enough to cause discomfort or disfigurement. Then it may need to be removed.

Treatment approaches include:

Surgical excision (hydrocelectomy). Removal of a hydrocele may be performed on an outpatient basis using general or spinal anesthesia. The surgeon may make an incision in the scrotum or lower abdomen to remove the hydrocele. If a hydrocele is discovered during surgery to repair an inguinal hernia, your doctor may remove it even if it's causing you no discomfort.

A hydrocelectomy may require you to have a drainage tube and wear a bulky dressing over the site of the incision for a few days after surgery. Also, you may be advised to wear a scrotal support for a time after surgery. Ice packs applied to the scrotal area during the first 24 hours after surgery may help reduce swelling. Surgical risks include blood clots, infection or injury to the scrotum.

Needle aspiration. Another option is to remove the fluid in the scrotum with a needle. This treatment isn't widely used because it's common for the fluid to return. The injection of a thickening or hardening (sclerosing) drug after the aspiration may help prevent the fluid from reaccumulating. Aspiration and injection may be an option for men who have risk factors that make surgery more dangerous. Risks of this procedure include infection and scrotal pain.
Sometimes, a hydrocele may recur after treatment.


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Epididymitis

Introduction

Epididymitis is inflammation of the small coiled tube (epididymis) at the back of the testicle. The result is pain and swelling in the loose bag of skin underneath the penis (scrotum). Epididymitis most commonly affects men between the ages of 19 and 35.



The epididymis connects the testicle with the vas deferens, the tube that carries sperm. In most cases, the cause of the inflammation is a bacterial infection that spreads from your bladder or the tube that drains urine from your bladder (urethra).

For heterosexual men older than 40 and for homosexual men, the most common cause of the infection is a urinary tract infection that spreads to the epididymis. For young heterosexual men, the most common cause is a sexually transmitted disease (STD); for them, the best way to prevent epididymitis is to avoid behaviors that may result in STDs.


Signs and symptoms

The signs and symptoms of epididymitis may include:

Testicular swelling on one or both sides
Scrotal pain ranging from mild to severe
Tenderness in one or both testicles
Tenderness in the groin, felt in the fold of the skin between your thigh and abdomen
Painful urination
Painful intercourse or ejaculation
Fever
Discharge from penis
Blood in the semen
Epididymitis may be acute or chronic.

Acute

Signs and symptoms usually come on over a day or two.
They tend to be severe.
They usually clear up with treatment.
Chronic

This form may result from several episodes of untreated acute epididymitis.
If the chronic form occurs on its own, the cause generally is unknown.
Symptoms tend to come on gradually.
Treatment may improve symptoms but not clear them up completely.

Causes

A number of bacterial organisms can lead to epididymitis. Often the cause of the infection is an STD, particularly gonorrhea, chlamydia or both. Children, older men and homosexual men are more likely to have non-sexually-transmitted forms of the infection.

Urinary tract infections may spread to the epididymis. For men older than 40 who have a history of urinary tract infections or prostate infections, the spread of bacteria from the infected site is the most common cause of epididymitis. In those instances, bacteria may travel up the vas deferens to the epididymis. Other causes may be related to anatomical abnormalities in the urinary tract or having had a catheter or surgical instruments inserted into the penis, which can introduce bacteria into the genital-urinary tract.


Risk factors

High-risk sexual behaviors put you at risk of sexually transmitted epididymitis. They include:

Multiple sex partners
Sex with a partner who has an STD
Sex without a condom
Personal history of an STD
For older men, having chronic urinary tract infections or prostate infections increases the risk of developing epididymitis. Also, having an enlarged prostate that obstructs bladder function and causes urine to remain in the bladder puts you at higher risk of bladder infections, which increases the risk of epididymitis. Surgery of the urinary tract or having a catheter in place also increases risk.


When to seek medical advice

If you experience pain or swelling in your scrotum, contact your doctor. A number of conditions can cause testicular pain, and some of the conditions require immediate treatment. Your doctor can determine which condition is causing your pain.


Screening and diagnosis

Your doctor will conduct a physical exam, which may reveal enlarged lymph nodes in your groin and an enlarged testicle on the affected side, both of which may be tender to the touch. Your doctor also may do a rectal examination to check for prostate enlargement or tenderness and order blood and urine tests to check for infection and other abnormalities.

Other tests your doctor might order include:

STD screening. This involves obtaining a sample of discharge from your urethra. Your doctor may insert a narrow swab into the end of your penis to obtain the sample, which is then tested for the presence of bacteria or other infectious organisms. The results can be used to select the most effective antibiotic for treatment.
Ultrasound imaging. Your doctor may use this test, which uses high-frequency sound waves to create precise images of structures inside your body, to ensure there isn't another reason for your symptoms. The main conditions to be ruled out are twisting of the spermatic cord (testicular torsion), which inhibits blood flow to the testes, and testicular tumor. If the ultrasound shows increased blood flow to your testicle, it supports a diagnosis of epididymitis.
Nuclear scan of the testicles. Also used to rule out testicular torsion, this test involves injecting trace amounts of radioactive material into your bloodstream. Special cameras then can detect areas in your testicles that receive less blood flow, indicating torsion, or more blood flow, supporting the diagnosis of epididymitis.

Complications

Epididymitis may eventually cause

Shrinkage of the affected testicle (atrophy)
Scrotal abscess, the infected tissue fills with pus
Chronic epididymitis, which can occur when untreated acute epididymitis leads to recurrent episodes
Impaired fertility (rare)
If the condition spreads from your epididymis to your testicle, the resulting condition is known as epididymo-orchitis. Signs, symptoms and treatment options are basically the same as they are for epididymitis.


Treatment

Treatment for epididymitis is with antibiotic medications. Drugs most commonly used to treat epididymitis include ceftriaxone (Ceftin), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), doxycycline (Doryx, Vibramycin), azithromycin (Zithromax), and trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole combined (Bactrim, Septra). Make sure your doctor is aware of any other medications you're taking or any allergies you have. This information, as well as determining what type of infection you have, will help your doctor select the best treatment.

Be sure to take the entire course of antibiotics prescribed by your doctor, even though you may get relief from your symptoms in two to three days after you start treatment. If you're not feeling better in that time, contact your doctor. When you've finished your medication, it's a good idea to return to your doctor for a follow-up visit to be sure that the infection has cleared up.


Prevention

Safer sexual practices, such as monogamous sex and condom use, help protect against STDs. If you have recurrent urninary tract infections or other risk factors for epididymitis, your doctor may discuss with you other ways to prevent recurrent episodes of epididymitis.


Self-care

Having epididymitis usually means you're experiencing considerable pain and discomfort. To ease your symptoms, try these suggestions:

Rest in bed. Depending on the severity of your discomfort, you may want to stay in bed one or two days.
Elevate your scrotum. While lying down, place a folded towel under your scrotum.
Wear an athletic supporter. A supporter provides better support than boxers do for the scrotum.
Apply cold packs to your scrotum. Wrap the pack in a thin towel and remove the cold pack every 30 minutes or so to avoid damaging your skin.

source from www.cnn.com

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