Is your wardrobe trying to kill you?

Enduring pain in the name of fashion is nothing new – blisters from the latest shoe trends, chafing from stiff collars…the price we pay for fashion, right? But science reveals that clothing can have other, more sinister effects on our health. Here are some unexpected side effects brought on by some common articles of clothing.

Pants Cause Nerve Damage and Erectile Dysfunction

ED doctors have been telling us for years that tight pants can lead to erectile dysfunction, but pants today are approaching record tightness levels, bringing even more health effects with them. In addition to raising the temperature in the scrotum, tight jeans can also cause numbness, paralysis, and serious nerve damage to your legs by cutting off blood circulation.

Health crisis, or hipsters getting what they deserve?

Piercings Cause Back Pain

We already know that piercings can cause infections, tooth damage, and abscesses, but one study found that facial piercings may actually be responsible for mysterious back pain. According to the study, piercings in the face interfere with your body’s alignment process, resulting in back pain. Facial piercings can also interfere with your eye alignment, causing headaches and other seemingly random pains.

Ties Cause Blindness

A study found that ties, especially when worn too tight, can put gentle pressure on the jugular vein, resulting in pressure buildup in the eyes. The study speculated that many men diagnosed with glaucoma are actually just victims of overly tight neckties. Long term, the effect could cause damage to the retina, and increase the risk of blindness. If you’ve been looking for an excuse not to wear a tie to work, tie this on for size.

Ditch the noose.

It turns out women aren’t the only ones who have to navigate through the perils of fashion. Gives new meaning to the phrase, “killer outfit”, huh?

Your average, run-of-the-mill family doctor might not be the best person to go to if you’re having health issues. Studies have shown that top-quality doctors, including ED doctors like Dr. Kaplan, are more equipped and more capable of detecting problems early on.

Why? Simply because they do more tests. Typically, patients who visit average doctors only go when they’re feeling sick. However, patients who go to a higher end or more expensive doctor will go when they’re feeling fine, just to get tests done.

And that’s the way doctors prefer it! They’re able to correct problems before they happen and test for things that normally wouldn’t be given a second thought. Here are just some of those tests that your doctor should perform:

1. Endoscopic Colonoscopy
Rather than having four different types of colon cancer tests like the American Cancer Society recommends, have a colonoscopy. Typically, a colonoscopy will be able to detect any pre-cancerous nodes smaller than half a centimeter, making it the best way to sniff out any problems.

2. Testosterone and Estrogen Blood Test
Testosterone is what makes men men. The problem is that average testosterone levels have been declining over the years. And once you’re past 40 years old, your testosterone levels will decrease at a rate of 2 percent each year. So get your hormone levels checked to make sure you’re on an even keel.

3. Thyroid Hormone Blood Test
The thyroid helps your body regulate the levels of hormones you’re getting. When your thyroid is acting up, your symptoms can often be random and seem unconnected. If you’re getting too much thyroid hormone, for example, you might be feeling nervous or anxious and might lose weight for no reason. If you’re not getting enough, on the other hand, you could be gaining weight, feeling weak or cold and tired.

4. Stress Test
While the stress test is a controversial one, it’s worth it to ensure you have a healthy heart. All you do is run on a treadmill with electrodes stuck to your body to determine and measure your heart’s activity. Studies have even shown that patients with heart disease often won’t know until they have a heart attack. And those with undetected heart disease may develop problems performing in the bedroom.

Vasectomies are common procedures for men. Every year, over 500,000 men have the procedure done to help control the size of their families and end their body’s reproductive characteristics. With such a popular procedure, medical professionals like Dr. Kaplan have begun to institute and practice new ways to perform the surgery with less of an impact on the patient.

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The no needle, no scalpel vasectomy was pioneered in China in the mid-1970s. It was introduced in the United States in 1985 and has been considered the preferred method of long-term birth control ever since.

The no needle portion of the vasectomy means that there is no anesthetic injected into the body to prepare for surgery. Rather than use a needle to ensure that the man is ready for his procedure, doctors use a pressurized spray anesthetic to numb the area.

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The no scalpel part of the procedure refers to the use of other tools rather than scalpels. Also known as a “key hole” vasectomy, a hemostat (surgical tool that looks like a pair of scissors), is used to puncture the scrotum rather than a scalpel. This method requires a much smaller incision and helps limit bleeding. The smaller wound also requires much less healing time and helps reduce the risk of infection after the procedure. In fact, the incision is so small that it doesn’t even require stitches.

So next time you’re considering your family planning for the future, think about going to a urologist who uses the No Needle, No Scalpel procedure for his vasectomies.

Have you had a no needle vasectomy? What was your experience? 

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Generic versions of Viagra are likely in the works – in Canada, at least – after the Canadian Supreme Court ruled against Pfizer Inc.’s patent on the drug. In court, Israeli company Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. appealed against the patent, pointing out that Pfizer had been overly vague in its filing. Pfizer’s patent of Viagra, famous for treating erectile dysfunction, ends in 2014.

The Canadian court ruled 7-0 in favor of Teva’s appeal, explaining that Pfizer indeed had not properly gone into enough detail in its patent filing to properly explain which was Viagra’s active ingredient. This was not the first time Pfizer was forced to defend its product in a courtroom; the company successfully stood its ground in the face of Teva’s patent suit in Norway, New Zealand, Spain and the United States.

The case landed in the Canadian Supreme Court after two lower courts ruled against it.

In the ruling, Justice Louis LeBel wrote that Pfizer had benefited from the Patent “Act – exclusive monopoly rights – while withholding disclosure in spite of its disclosure obligations under the act.”

“As a matter of policy and sound interpretation,” he added, “patentees cannot be allowed to ‘game’ the system in this way”.

The company’s Canadian patent was put in place in 1998, with the patent’s seven parts discussing 260 quintillion chemical compounds. However, the only active compound contained in the drug is sildenafil. The court found that Pfizer had neglected to provide the information necessary for another company to produce the drug.

Justice LeBel pointed out that “willful intent to mislead” had not been alleged in this case, and that Pfizer had not explained why it had left this vital information out.

Pfizer is already bracing for the drop in sales. Speaking to Reuters, a spokeswoman for the company declined to comment on how much money the company rakes in via the Canadian Viagra market. Pfizer said in an email statement that officials were “disappointed with the court’s ruling.”

According to Reuters, Pfizer makes $2 billion on annual Viagra sales. Viagra is sixth on the company’s list of biggest-selling products. For more information on erectile dysfunction treatment options, contact Dr. Michael S. Kaplan in Las Vegas.

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Kidney stones are extremely common during the holiday season. The reason that this problem is so common during the holiday season is because people usually eat a lot of animal protein. Animal protein gets converted to acid before it is filtered by the kidneys. That is what encourages the growth of a kidney stone. Fortunately, there are a number of things that you can do prevent this problem.

Drinking plenty of water is one of the most important things that you can do. You also need to make sure that you limit your consumption of salt. Furthermore, you should opt to eat home cooked meals because they usually contain less salt.

Dr. Michael S. Kaplan is a respected Las Vegas authority in the field of urology. Consult him to learn about the symptoms of kidney stones and how to avoid them.

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For some men, virility and ability to be fruitful are key component in feeling masculine. There are several foods that will boost the quality of a man’s sperm. This means that a man’s diet can provide a considerable change in not only the density of sperm, but also the mobility.

1. Foods rich in Vitamin A are essential for improving male virility. This includes foods like carrots, red peppers and dried apricots. Oatmeal, dark green lettuce, broccoli and dairy may also include a healthy dose of the vitamin.

2. Men should be taking in a high dosage of Vitamin C. Vitamin C influences sperm movement and speed. These foods include sweet potatoes, yellow vegetables and fruits.

3. Zinc can boost testosterone levels and increase sperm production. Men can find high quantities of zinc in turkey meat, beef, eggs, yogurt, corn, seafood and oatmeal.

4. While folic acid is often seen as something only women need, men can benefit as well. Folic acid helps to create strong, healthy sperm. You can find folic acid in avocados, beans and whole grain foods.

5. Omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon, sardines and walnuts can increase a man’s sexual functioning. These acids improve the flow of blood to the penis and lowers cholesterol. Overall, it is just a healthy supplement for your body.

6. This one works for both men and women. Certain foods are considered aphrodisiacs that can boost the libido. Oysters are well-known aphrodisiacs as a result of the amino acids they contain. Chocolate is another aphrodisiac. Some people choose to use maca plant extract to give themselves a boost, while others might incorporate more bananas into their diets.

7. Asparagus is a great food for men to eat because it helps to rid your body of harmful substances. Asparagus contains Vitamin C and works as an oxidative.

For more information on urology and men’s health issues, contact Dr. Michael S. Kaplan at (702) 454-6226.

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When it comes to your health, you have to be sure you are aware that one little symptom could be warning you about something a little more serious. A good example of this is erectile dysfunction or ED. While ED is often considered a disease by some people, the truth is that this is simply a symptom.

If you find that you are experiencing signs of erectile dysfunction, it is important to let your physician know. This erectile dysfunction could actually be caused by high blood pressure, clogged blood vessels, diabetes, or a number of other conditions, including Parkinson’s disease. Your dysfunction is simply a warning of something more serious.

The body is certainly a mysterious thing, but anyone concerned about being healthier should start looking at the symptoms they are experiencing. If you are experiencing any signs of ED, it is important to discuss it with your doctor to determine what the cause is and how you can treat it.

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Thanksgiving is the time for getting together and feeling thankful for all the things you have. It only makes sense that you want to feel thankful for having an amazing sex life in spite of ED.

1. It is important to pay attention to your partner’s satisfaction. If your partner is sexually fulfilled, you are more likely to feel fulfilled too.

2. Even though Thanksgiving is the time to be merry, avoid drinking alcohol, as drinking can make it more difficult to maintain an erection.

3. Time your medication from your erectile dysfunction doctor correctly based on the holiday schedule.

4. Don’t get stressed out. In order to achieve an erection, you want to remain calm and collected despite the typical holiday stress.

5. Pay attention to what you are eating, and try to stick to foods lower in fat. Fatty foods can delay the reactions of medications from your urologist.

One of the possible side effects of treating prostate cancer with radiation is erectile dysfunction. A recent study evaluated an unlikely prophylactic therapy. Viagra, affectionately known as the “little blue pill,” has proven to be quite effective at improving, and possibly preventing, sexual dysfunction in men who have had radiation therapy when the drug was taken before, during and after treatment.

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The idea is based on past research conducted in animals that illustrated penile rehabilitation with a phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitor (such as Viagra) could improve vascular function in animals with prostate cancer regardless of the type of cancer therapy used. Penile rehabilitation involves the usage of prescription medications as a preventative measure for erectile dysfunction prior to, during and after radiation. This past research also indicated that using a medication such as Viagra as a prophylactic may actually prevent erectile dysfunction as a side effect of cancer therapy.

The recent controlled and randomized study is the first one of its kind to show that penile rehabilitation was beneficial for men undergoing radiation therapy. Participants were split into two groups, one of which was given Viagra 50 mg once a day, and the other was given a placebo.

Study investigators then followed the 295 randomized men every three months for the first year and then again at 18 and 24 months respectively. The men completed the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), the International Prostate Symptom Scale (IPSS), and a measurement of their quality-of-life at each interval.

The results showed that, at 6 and 24 months, the men who were treated with Viagra prior to starting radiation and who continued it during and after the therapy had less incidence of sexual dysfunction than men in the placebo group.

Although scientists do not fully understand why or how the drug works in this particular application, there is speculation that the drug is successful because it treats the causes of erectile dysfunction by promoting retained erections, improving vascular protection and enhancing cavernosal oxygenation, which leads to reduced cavernosal fibrosis. Neuroprotective and regenerative mechanisms are also possible reasons.

For more information on this topic contact Dr. Michael S. Kaplan, a recognized authority in the field of urology. Call (702) 454-6226 – same day appointments often available!

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After having a vasectomy, some men experience post-vasectomy pain syndrome. They often experience pain in the groin on exertion and pain during sexual intercourse. The pain is mostly mild. However, a small number experience severe pain. Unfortunately, this pain could last for years if left untreated.

The discomfort from the syndrome often sends the men to a urology specialist. The doctor can determine the best solution to the pain. About two-thirds of men who undergo a vasectomy reversal report that they are pain free.

Another for post-vasectomy pain syndrome is the surgical cutting of a nerve that has become trapped inside scar tissue. In extreme cases of pain, an orchiectomy is performed to remove the entire testicle.