A recent study showed that men and women in their early 40’s with elevated blood cholesterol levels are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s than those with low cholesterol. This study was conducted by Alina Solomon of the University of Kuopio in Finland, Rachel Whitmer of the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research in Oakland, and … Continue reading Link Between High-Cholesterol and Alzhemier’s →

Sometimes we all need reinforcement about common sense things. A new study published in the Journal European Urology looked at the effects of exercise on the development of erectile dysfunction. Just 30 minutes of mild to moderate exercise was shown to reduce the incidence of ED by 38%.   As little as 1000 kilo-calorie expenditure each … Continue reading ED and exercise →

Several studies have clearly shown a dramatic benefit to public health as a result of smoking bans. The most recent, published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, looked at the effect of a smoking ban implemented in Pueblo, Colo.  The results show an impressive 41% decline in hospital admissions for heart attacks, since … Continue reading Smoking Bans Work →

Prior to being released as an effective medication to treat ED,  sildenafil (Viagra) was being investigated as a medication to treat and prevent heart disease. Now a study published in a recent Journal of Clinical Investigation suggests that Viagra may have a protective effect on the heart muscle in cases of hypertension.  Viagra may decrease … Continue reading Viagra May Have Protective Effect On The Heart →

According to a recent article in the Journal of Hypertension, a simple urine test may offer a highly sensitive way to screen for diabetes and the risk for developing the disease. The test offers a simple way to detect albumin in the urine sample.  Albumin is one of the main proteins present the blood and, … Continue reading Simple Test May Predict Diabetes Risk →

New advances might bring detailed diagnostics studies literally at a patient’s fingertip. According to a recent publication in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Harvard scientists have developed a paper based chip that can analyze a small amount of blood for a number of diseases.  The test material is made of paper and carpet … Continue reading Advance in diagnostics →

It’s becoming increasingly difficult to watch a sporting event on television without being bombarded with ads for both the ED drugs and drugs used for prostate symptoms. Like it or not, expect to see more of this, now that Silodosin (Rapaflo) has received FDA approval. This medication is chemically similar to two other medications, Flomax … Continue reading New option for benign prostate symptoms →

A recent article in the journal European Urology reports that nearly 20% of men who underwent radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer later regretted deciding on that treatment option.  Interestingly, the rate of dissatisfaction was highest among those that chose robotic prostatectomy.  Perhaps patient expectations were unreasonably high for the newer, innovative technique.  Common side effects … Continue reading Prostate Cancer Options →

This weekend, it was reported that former Senator and President-Elect Obama’s pick for Secretary of Health and Human Services, Tom Daschle, has requested that Americans host Health Care Community Discussions across the Country over the holidays this December to help his Policy Team put together their final recommendations for the Obama Administration.  If you are … Continue reading Participate in the Solution! →

A category of medications called statins has revolutionized therapy for elevated cholesterol.  Prior to the introduction of the first statin, Mevacor, in the mid-80’s, therapy for elevated cholesterol involved several different medications with limited effectiveness and generally unpleasant side effects.  While the statins can certainly have some side effects as well, they are usually well … Continue reading Statin medications- what’s not to like →