Articles from 2002

12/30/02 - Perfume Health Scare
Top-brand perfumes such as Chanel have been linked to male genital abnormalities according to Swedish researchers. High levels of phthalates may be the contributory factor.

12/26/02 - Why Men Snore
Men tend to snore more than women. Indirectly, snoring can be the cause of accidents and also tensions within relationships. Many of the causes are related to lifestyle and many simple self-help interventions can help to reduce the problem of snoring. 

12/20/02 - Hangover Treatments
How to prevent the worse from happening and if it does what you might like to do to relieve the worst of the symptoms.

12/19/02 - Computer-related Health Problems
Working for hours on end with a computer is now a fact of life. Whether it's an aspect of your work or whether you use computers just for fun, there are certain risks involved with prolonged computer use. This simple 7 point checklist will help you recognize and avoid the most common problems.

12/16/02 - Teenage Acne
The curse of growing up. We explode one or myths about what causes spots and we review some of the options for self-treatment.

12/10/02 - Asthma Issues
Asthma is on the increase but so is knowledge about its causes and treatment options. We look at the basic issues and review some of the frequently asked questions about asthma.

12/08/02 - Treating Hepatitis
The follow-on feature to 'hepatitis' (see 11/25/02). This feature looks into the treatment options for acute as well as chronic hepatitis. A summary of the effects of medication as well as the side effects. The feature concludes with a small glossary of terms related to hepatitis and its treatment.

11/30/02 - Food labels
Major food manufacturers have been accused of manipulating consumers when it comes to promoting the healthy food message. We look at some of the tricks and show what to look out for with food labels.

 11/25/02 - Hepatitis
A sizeable resource. In this first feature we review the history of hepatitis, the various forms, signs and symptoms, how hepatitis is transmitted and the diagnostic procedures. 

11/18/02 - Red Wine is Sublime
Proof positive that something of what we fancy really does do us good. Red wine is under the microscope as holding out hope for degenerative brain diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. It also has good effects on herpes, the common cold, heart diseases and cancer. If that wasn't enough it even tastes good!

11/12/02 - Hypospadias
Around 1 in every 100 male child births results in hypospadias a male birth defect where the opening of the urethra is not located at the tip of the penis but opens part way up.

11/11/02 - Cannabis is as Harmful as Tobacco
Despite a softening of attitude about the harmful effects of cannabis there remains a very clear health risk for those who smoke it regularly. A fresh joint can contain as much tar as 20 cigarettes. Recent evidence points out that smoking cannabis is as harmful to health as smoking tobacco.

11/07/02 - Men, Prostitutes and Safe Sex
Each year hundreds of thousands of men visit prostitutes. Whether you are a sex worker or a user the safe sex message is the same and always worth reiterating.

10/31/02 - Bigorexia
Sometimes called muscle dysmorphia or reverse anorexia this condition is coming under greater scrutiny as more and more men strive for physical perfection but never believe it has been achieved. Work and relationships may suffer as this ultimately destructive lifestyle brings nothing but emptiness and disillusion.

10/28/02 - Why Men Suffer More Traumatic Brain Injury
For every woman who suffers a traumatic brain injury a further 3 men will experience similar or worse trauma. The lifestyle and behavior of men is the most likely cause and whilst medical technology has improved survival rates rehabilitation may be a protracted and painful experience.

10/26/02 - Understanding Impotence
At some point in their lives around 1 in 10 men will experience erection problems. The term impotence has fuelled many a joke but like much humor it is rooted partly in fear and misunderstanding. More usefully, the term erectile dysfunction promotes the notion that normal sexual function has faltered for a reason. This feature reviews the most likely causes and briefly overviews the treatment options available.

10/21/02 - Are You Diabetic?
16 million Americans are diabetic. Diabetes is on the increase partly as a result of the population living longer and partly because of our poor health status. Many people have diabetes without even knowing it. Check the signs, symptoms and risk factors.

10/17/02 - Lorenzo's Oil & Adrenoleukodystrophy
Adrenoleukodystrophy, the rare genetic disorder that affects only men may be influenced by Lorenzo's oil. Research with children reveals that those not treated with the oil were almost three times more likely to develop symptoms.

10/12/02 - Top Male Embarrassments
Men will suffer for weeks rather than go to the doctor about a problem below the belt. The top three male embarrassments are sexual problems, bladder problems and (curiously) smelly feet. Most men know nothing about the function of the prostate gland and have problems knowing when it is going wrong and when to seek help

10/10/02 - Belly Size & Heart Disease
Belly size has been found to be a better predictor of heart disease than general body weight. Belly size also correlates with other heart disease risk factors but lifestyle changes can turn a potentially damaging situation around.

10/09/02 - Anorgasmia (orgasmic dysfunction)
The inability to reach orgasm during sexual intercourse has been estimated to affect up to 10 million American men. The vast majority of men have psychological issues that derive from performance anxiety. Monotony within a relationship, work stress and other factors are all implicated. Physical factors such as drugs, alcohol, chronic illnesses and trauma are also known to result in orgasmic dysfunction.

10/05/02 - Hernia
Hundreds of thousands of hernia repairs are undertaken each year. What exactly is a hernia and what are the treatment options? We answer both questions.

10/01/02 - Excessive Sweating
Excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis as it is more technically known, affects roughly one per cent of the adult population. Most people find the condition embarrassing and intrusive. Commonly, the condition affects the face, the palms and the armpits. It may affect one or all areas and sometimes extends to the back, the thighs and the feet. Sometimes the whole body can be affected. We examine the nature of the problem and the treatment options.