Tag Archives: Men’s Health

What is Dry January?

Posted on by

New Year’s has come and gone, and we are all trying to stick to the resolutions we made. For some, a common resolution is giving up alcohol.  

Heavy social drinking can often be considered binge drinking. Binge drinking is when a man drinks five or more drinks and a woman drinks four or more drinks in one sitting.  

This is why many people commit to Dry January, which is when a person gives up drinking alcohol for the entire month.  

Dry January has become a very popular New Year’s resolution over the past few years. Recent research indicates that younger Americans are generally drinking less than previous generations. According to a poll released last summer, conducted by the analytics company Gallup, the percentage of Americans who said they drink fell to a record low of 54%. This is one percentage point lower than the previous record low in 1958. 

There are several health benefits to participating in Dry January, including: 

  • Increased energy levels 
  • Lower blood pressure and heart rate 
  • A decrease in liver inflammation 
  • Clearer skin and decreased facial puffiness and bloating 
  • A decrease in calorie consumption 
  • It helps shift your perspective and understanding of your relationship with alcohol 

There are many tips to help you succeed during Dry January, including: 

  • Reduce your alcohol consumption by half before you start 
  • Write down the goals you want to achieve and document your progress 
  • Abstain from drinking alcohol longer if you can  
  • Ease back into drinking alcohol if you choose to go back to drinking, and drink in moderation 
  • Surround yourself with supportive friends and family 
  • Be mindful of withdrawal symptoms. Symptoms of withdrawal include: 
    • Abdominal cramping 
    • Anxiety 
    • Dizziness 
    • Headaches 
    • Nausea 
    • Shaking 
    • Sweating  
    • Vomiting  
  • Avoid any situations that may tempt you to drink 
  • Participate in hobbies and other interests that don’t involve drinking alcohol 
  • Seek out extra help and resources if you need them 

At Flushing Hospital Medical Center, our Psychiatry Department features a Division of Addiction Services where you or your loved one can receive comprehensive assessments and treatment for alcohol and chemical dependency. For more details about our unit, contact us at (718) 670-5693 or (718) 670-5540, or for additional information about our Reflections treatment program, please get in touch with us at (718) 670-5078. 

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Men’s Health Month: Low Testosterone

Posted on by

Low testosterone, or male hypogonadism, is a condition in which the testicles don’t produce enough testosterone.  

Testosterone is a hormone that stimulates the development of male characteristics and is essential for sperm production. Levels of testosterone are naturally much higher in men than in women. In men, testosterone helps maintain and develop: 

  • Sex organs and genitalia 
  • Muscle mass 
  • Adequate levels of red blood cells 
  • Bone density 
  • Sense of well-being 
  • Sexual and reproductive function 

Low testosterone can begin during fetal development, puberty, or adulthood. Signs and symptoms of low testosterone depend on when the condition develops.  

If the body doesn’t produce enough testosterone during fetal development, the result may be impaired growth of the external sex organs. Depending on when it develops and how much testosterone is present, a child who is genetically male may be born with: 

  • Female genitals 
  • Genitals that are neither male nor female (ambiguous genitals) 
  • Underdeveloped male genitals 

Male hypogonadism can delay puberty or cause incomplete or abnormal development. It can impede: 

  • Development of muscle mass 
  • Voice deepening 
  • Growth of body hair and facial hair 
  • Growth of the penis and testicles 

It can also cause: 

  • Excessive growth of the arms and legs in relation to the trunk of the body 
  • Development of breast tissue 

Hypogonadism can alter certain masculine physical characteristics and impair normal reproductive function in adult males. Early signs and symptoms might include: 

  • Decreased sex drive 
  • Decreased energy 
  • Depression 

Over time, men with hypogonadism can develop: 

  • Erectile dysfunction 
  • Infertility 
  • A decrease in hair growth on the face and body 
  • A decrease in muscle mass 
  • The development of breast tissue 
  • Loss of bone mass 

There are two possible causes of low testosterone levels: 

  • Primary hypogonadism 
  • Secondary hypogonadism 

The causes of primary and secondary hypogonadism are also divided into either congenital (at birth) or acquired (developed later in childhood or adulthood).  

Primary hypogonadism happens when something is wrong with the testicles that doesn’t allow them to make normal levels of testosterone.  

Secondary hypogonadism is caused by conditions that affect how the hypothalamus and/or pituitary gland function. 

If you have any signs or symptoms of low testosterone, a healthcare provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about your medical history, medications you take or have taken, smoking history, and any symptoms you currently have. They may also order blood tests. To make a diagnosis, they will consider your specific signs, symptoms, and any blood test results.  

Healthcare providers treat low testosterone with testosterone replacement therapy. There are several forms of testosterone replacement therapy, including: 

  • Testosterone skin gels 
  • Intramuscular testosterone injections 
  • Testosterone patches 
  • Testosterone pellets 
  • Buccal testosterone tablets 
  • Testosterone nasal gel 
  • Oral testosterone 

Healthcare providers and medical researchers don’t know how to prevent low testosterone resulting from genetic conditions or damage to the testicles, hypothalamus, or pituitary gland. However, lifestyle habits may help keep testosterone levels normal. They include: 

  • Eating a healthy diet 
  • Exercising 
  • Managing your weight 
  • Avoiding excessive use of alcohol and drugs 

If you’re experiencing symptoms of low testosterone, you can receive treatment from an endocrinologist at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486. 

 

 

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Men’s Health Month

Posted on by

Father’s Day isn’t the only celebration for men in the month of June. Men’s Health Month is also observed. Men’s Health Month is an observance to raise awareness of preventable health problems, encourage early detection and treatment of disease, and improve overall well-being among men.

As part of its celebration of Men’s Health Month, Flushing Hospital Medical Center is sharing a few men’s health statistics and facts to consider:

  • Men are more than likely to be uninsured and significantly less likely than women to see a doctor or report symptoms to a healthcare provider.
  • Men, on average, die almost five years earlier than women as the overall mortality rate is 41% higher for men than women as men lead the death rate for cancer, stroke, heart disease, and diabetes.
  • Only 60% of men go to the doctor for a yearly, routine check-up, and 40% won’t see a doctor until something is seriously wrong.
  • According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 13.2% of men aged 18 and over are in fair or poor health.
  • Men are more likely to put their health at risk by smoking, drinking alcohol, and making other unhealthy life choices.
  • One in two men are diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime.
  • Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths for men in the United States. A man is 2 to 3 times more likely to get prostate cancer if his father, brother, or son had it. Talk to your doctor about having your PSA and DRE levels checked.
  • Erectile dysfunction affects nearly 30 million men of all ages across the United States. If you are having problems, see a urologist to make sure it’s not an early warning sign of something more serious, like heart disease, high blood pressure or high blood sugar.

Men’s Health Month doesn’t just encourage men to take care of their physical health, but their mental and emotional health as well. Men also lead the death rate for suicide.

Here are a few men’s mental health statistics and facts:

  • 31% of men suffer from depression in their lifetime.
  • 9% of men have daily feelings of depression or anxiety.
  • Only 25% of men talk to a mental health professional.
  • Only 33% take medication for their mental health problems.

Here are some preventative measures that you can take:

  • Choose a primary care provider and go regularly.
  • Get screening tests based on your age and family history.
  • Eat healthy to prevent or manage chronic conditions.
  • Get and stay active.
  • Manage stress and seek a mental health professional if one is needed.

If you are experiencing any medical problems, you can schedule an appointment with a doctor at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center by calling (718) 670-5486. If you are experiencing an emergency, please dial 911 right away.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

June is Men’s Health Month

Posted on by

The month of June has been recognized as Men’s Health Month. The reason for this designation is to bring awareness of preventable health issues and to encourage early detection and treatment of diseases prevalent in men.

The leading causes of death among men are:
• Heart Disease
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Lung Disease
• Injuries
• Stroke
• HIV/AIDS

Some of the reasons that men tend to have more serious chronic illnesses are because more men than women don’t have health insurance, men tend to have more physically demanding jobs with greater safety risks. Additionally, more men smoke than women and they also tend to take greater risks with unsafe behavior.

Women tend to live five years longer than men and one of the reasons for this is that women usually take better care of their health. Men are often guilty of waiting until a disease has progressed to a more serious level before they seek help. There is an old adage that if a man is in a doctor’s waiting room, most likely a woman brought him there for an exam.

During the month of June, organizations across the country hold health awareness campaigns to educate men about various health issues that they may be at risk for and to encourage them to see a doctor regularly.

Flushing Hospital Medical Center has reopened many of its healthcare services. To learn about the safety measures the hospital has taken to protect your health, please visit https://flushinghospital.org/for-our-patients/

If you would like to schedule an appointment please call 718-670-5486.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Men’s Health – Learn About Testicular Cancer

Posted on by

April is Testicular Cancer Awareness Month. This month-long observance spotlights the disease and emphasizes the importance of understanding the risks and warning signs of it.

Testicular Cancer is the most common cancer in men ages 15-34, with an estimated 10,000 cases diagnosed in the United States every year.  Testicular cancer, which can develop in one or both testicles, occurs when sexual reproductive cells called germ cells experience abnormal growth. If germ cells become cancerous, they multiply, forming a mass of cells called tumors that begin to invade normal tissue. If not treated, they can spread rapidly to other parts of the body including to the abdomen, liver, lungs, bones and brain.

Regular testing by your physician and conducting monthly self-examinations of the testes is important for early detection. Since testicular cancer is usually isolated to a single testicle, comparing your testicles with one another for abnormalities can be helpful. It is important to know that it is normal for one testicle to be slightly larger than the other so your focus during a self-exam should be on other differences between the testes as well as changes from the previous month. In addition to self-exams, all men should have their primary care physician check their testicles as part of their annual physical.

The warning signs of testicular cancer include:

  • A lump of any size on the testicle
  • Enlargement of the testicle, change in shape, size or any irregularities
  • Pain or discomfort in the scrotum or testicle
  • A dull ache or sense of pressure in the lower abdomen or back
  • A feeling of heaviness or fullness in the scrotum
  • Enlargement or tenderness of the breasts due to elevated hormone levels

In most cases early stages of testicular cancer present themselves in a completely painless manner. If any of these symptoms are present, you need to see your doctor for further testing immediately.

By raising awareness during the month of April, we can empower individuals to learn more about testicular cancer and educate men about the importance of early detection.

To make an appointment with a doctor at Flushing Hospital, please call 718-670-5486.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Top Men’s Health Issues

Posted on by

It is no secret that men are less vigilant about receiving healthcare than women. In fact a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that men in the United States are 80% less likely than women to visit their doctor’s office regularly and schedule routine medical screenings.

There are several reasons given as to why men steer clear of the doctor’s office and delay treatment-some are, “there is probably nothing wrong” or “I’d rather tough it out.”  This laid-back approach to health care can unfortunately result in shorter or less healthy lives for men, if medical conditions go untreated. The good news is that many of the leading threats to men’s health are preventable and treatable if detected early. Here are few chronic health conditions that affect men the most:

 

  1. Cardiovascular disease also known as heart disease is one of the leading health risks facing men today. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), more than one in three adult men has heart disease. Although it may seem that something so serious should have warning signs, one may be developing heart disease without knowing it. Luckily, there are many lifestyle changes that can be made to ward off heart disease, such as not smoking, following a heart-smart diet, and being physically active.

 

  1. Lung cancer is one of the few cancers that can often be prevented simply by not smoking. Men who are at high risk for developing lung cancer may want to talk to a health care provider about quitting smoking- if they are smokers and getting yearly low-dose CT scans to test for early lung cancer.

 

  1. Prostate cancer is typically found in men over the age of 65. The chance of getting prostate cancer increases as a man gets older. For reasons that are still unknown, African American men are more likely to develop prostate cancer than other races. Men with a family history of prostate cancer are at a high risk for developing the disease.

 

  1. Type 2 Diabetes is the most common type of diabetes found in men. It affects approximately 95% of the 13 million men with the disease in the United States. Type 2 diabetes affects the body’s ability to use insulin properly. This can elevate sugar levels and cause damage to the body over time.

 

The first step to staying healthy is educating yourself, and then taking the necessary precautions to reduce your risk. It is equally as important to develop a relationship with your healthcare provider.  Your doctor can create a health care plan to screen, diagnose and treat diseases that you may at be risk for developing.

To schedule an appointment with a primary care physician, please call the Ambulatory Care Center at Flushing Hospital at 718-670-5486.

For more hospital events, highlights, health and  fitness tips, visit us on 

and follow us on Twitter  !

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.