Men are more likely to experience hearing loss than women.

Of adults ages 65 and older in the United States, 12.3 percent of men and nearly 14 percent of women are affected by tinnitus. Tinnitus is identified more frequently in white individuals and the prevalence of tinnitus is almost twice as frequent in the South as in the Northeast.

Approximately 17 percent (36 million) of American adults report some degree of hearing loss.

There is a strong relationship between age and reported hearing loss: 18 percent of American adults 45-64 years old, 30 percent of adults 65-74 years old, and 47 percent of adults 75 years old or older have a hearing loss.

About 2 to 3 out of every 1,000 children in the United States are born deaf or hard-of-hearing. Nine out of every 10 children who are born deaf are born to parents who can hear.

The NIDCD estimates that approximately 15 percent (26 million) of Americans between the ages of 20 and 69 have high frequency hearing loss due to exposure to loud sounds or noise at work or in leisure activities.

Only 1 out of 5 people who could benefit from a hearing aid actually wears one.

Three out of 4 children experience ear infection (otitis media) by the time they are 3 years old.

Roughly 25 million Americans have experienced tinnitus.

Approximately 188,000 people worldwide have received cochlear implants. In the United States, roughly 41,500 adults and 25,500 children have received them.

Approximately 4,000 new cases of sudden deafness occur each year in the United States. Hearing loss affects only 1 ear in 9 out of 10 people who experience sudden deafness. Only 10 to 15 percent of patients with sudden deafness know what caused their loss.

Approximately 615,000 individuals have been diagnosed with Ménière’s disease in the United States. Another 45,500 are newly diagnosed each year.

Approximately 3 to 6 percent of all deaf children and perhaps another 3 to 6 percent of hard-of-hearing children have Usher syndrome. In developed countries such as the United States, about 4 babies in every 100,000 births have Usher syndrome.

One out of every 100,000 individuals per year develops an acoustic neurinoma (vestibular schwannoma).

High levels of cotinine, the chemical that indicates exposure to tobacco smoke and second-hand smoke has been directly linked to higher risks of some types of hearing loss. **

More than 500 million people around the world are experiencing some form of hearing loss right now. Are you one of them?

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If you have hearing loss, you are not alone. About one in six people experience some degree of hearing impairment over the course of their lives.

The effects may not be obvious…

Hearing loss affects people in different ways. Left undiagnosed or untreated, it can damage communications and erode relationships. Over time, hearing loss may degenerate from a strictly physical condition to a psychological one, which is just one of the reasons it is so important to seek a solution promptly. For most people with hearing loss, there is help. Properly fitted hearing aids improve communication for at least 90 percent of people with hearing loss.^[1]

The cause of hearing loss may not be clear…

Hearing loss is not just the result of attending loud concerts or a factor of the aging process. Illness and infections can also play a part in damaging your hearing. A University of Wisconsin Medical School 2001 study^[2] revealed that hearing loss occurred in nearly 80% of those who may have suffered from a heart attack. They further determined that individuals who exercised at least once a week experienced a 32 percent reduction in the risk of suffering from hearing loss compared to those who did not work out.

Other health issues associated with either temporary or permanent hearing loss include the following:

• Sluggish or poor blood flow to the ear
• High blood pressure
• Sickle Cell Disease
• DiabetesMany other factors can lead to hearing loss, including your family history, repeated exposure to loud noises, injuries, and smoking
• No matter what effects you are experiencing due to hearing loss or the source of your condition, the next steps are obvious. Contact your family doctor, specialist, audiologist, or other hearing care professional to get your hearing tested. You will be surprised how many options are available to help you regain as much of your lost hearing as possible.Recommended to check with your md on any changes with diet or exercise especially if diagnosed already with disease or illness for your safety.
• There are options you can do towards prevention of hearing loss. You can start with keeping your ears cleaned routinely with having the doctor checking your ears every 6 months to yearly. You can even live healthier and being able to control what your body is exposed to in eating better foods of the 4 food groups, perform exercise in your routine life, if not daily then 2-3 times a week (from walking fast to working out in a gym). You can also keep your weight in a therapeutic range (all factors in prevention of diabetes II, and high B/P that can cause hearing loss.). At the same time, do not smoke or expose yourself to a lot of second hand smoking or a lot of extremely loud noises from work areas to concerts without wearing ear plugs for safety. You can also keep your ears cleaned with having the doctor check your ears every 6 months to yearly. So there are things you can do to help prevent hearing loss.
• But the options for improvement are many:
• Screenings for diabetes and other conditions typically do not include hearing tests. If you have one of these conditions, it’s probably a good idea to ask for a referral to a hearing care professional who can conduct a hearing screening to see if you are suffering from any kind of hearing loss.
• REFERENCES:
•    1-World Health Organization.
• 3-National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD).
• 2-Torre P 3^rd, Cruickshanks KJ, Klein BE, Klein R, Nondahl DM. (2005). The association between cardiovascular disease and cochlear function in older adults.
• 3-National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD). **                                   

“Peyronie’s disease is a disorder in which scar tissue, called a plaque, forms in the penis—the male organ used for urination and sex. The plaque builds up inside the tissues of a thick, elastic membrane called the tunica albuginea. The most common area for the plaque is on the top or bottom of the penis.”

NIH  National Institute of Digestive, Diabetes, and Kidney Disease

“Peyronie’s Disease is a penile disorder that makes the penis to bend.”

Mayo Clinic

Some men have a penis that curves to the side, upward or downward when erect. This is common, and a bent penis in most men isn’t a problem. Generally, a bent penis is only a cause for concern if your erections are painful or if the curvature of your penis interferes with sex.

Peyronie’s disease is a disorder in which scar tissue, called a plaque, forms in the penis—the male organ used for urination and sex. The plaque builds up inside the tissues of a thick, elastic membrane called the tunica albuginea. The most common area for the plaque is on the top or bottom of the penis. As the plaque builds up, the penis will curve or bend, which can cause painful erections. Curves in the penis can make sexual intercourse painful, difficult, or impossible. Peyronie’s disease begins with inflammation, or swelling, which can become a hard scar.

The plaque that develops in Peyronie’s disease is not the same plaque that can develop in a person’s arteries. The plaque seen in Peyronie’s disease is benign, or noncancerous, and is not a tumor. Peyronie’s disease is not contagious or caused by any known transmittable disease.

Early researchers thought Peyronie’s disease was a form of impotence, now called erectile dysfunction (ED). ED happens when a man is unable to achieve or keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. Some men with Peyronie’s disease may have ED. Usually men with Peyronie’s disease are referred to a urologist—a doctor who specializes in sexual and urinary problems.

How does an erection occur?

An erection occurs when blood flow increases into the penis, making it expand and become firm. Two long chambers inside the penis, called the corpora cavernosa, contain a spongy tissue that draws blood into the chambers. The spongy tissue contains smooth muscles, fibrous tissues, spaces, veins, and arteries. The tunica albuginea encases the corpora cavernosa. The urethra, which is the tube that carries urine and semen outside of the body, runs along the underside of the corpora cavernosa in the middle of a third chamber called the corpus spongiosum.

An erection requires a precise sequence of events:

• An erection begins with sensory or mental stimulation, or both. The stimulus may be physical contact or a sexual image or thought.
• When the brain senses a sexual urge, it sends impulses to local nerves in the penis that cause the muscles of the corpora cavernosa to relax. As a result, blood flows in through the arteries and fills the spaces in the corpora cavernosa like water filling a sponge.
• The blood creates pressure in the corpora cavernosa, making the penis expand.
• The tunica albuginea helps trap the blood in the corpora cavernosa, thereby sustaining the erection.
• The erection ends after climax or after the sexual urge has passed. The muscles in the penis contract to stop the inflow of blood. The veins open and the extra blood flows out of the penis and back into the body.

What causes Peyronie’s disease?

Medical experts do not know the exact cause of Peyronie’s disease. Many believe that Peyronie’s disease may be the result of

• acute injury to the penis
• chronic, or repeated, injury to the penis
• autoimmune disease—a disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks the body’s own cells and organs

Injury to the Penis

Medical experts believe that hitting or bending the penis may injure the tissues inside. A man may injure the penis during sex, athletic activity, or an accident. Injury ruptures blood vessels, which leads to bleeding and swelling inside the layers of the tunica albuginea. Swelling inside the penis will block blood flow through the layers of tissue inside the penis. When the blood can’t flow normally, clots can form and trap immune system cells. As the injury heals, the immune system cells may release substances that lead to the formation of too much scar tissue. The scar tissue builds up and forms a plaque inside the penis. The plaque reduces the elasticity of tissues and flexibility of the penis during erection, leading to curvature. The plaque may further harden because of calcification––the process in which calcium builds up in body tissue.

Autoimmune Disease

Some medical experts believe that Peyronie’s disease may be part of an autoimmune disease. Normally, the immune system is the body’s way of protecting itself from infection by identifying and destroying bacteria, viruses, and other potentially harmful foreign substances. Men who have autoimmune diseases may develop Peyronie’s disease when the immune system attacks cells in the penis. This can lead to inflammation in the penis and can cause scarring. Medical experts do not know what causes autoimmune diseases. Some of the autoimmune diseases associated with Peyronie’s disease affect connective tissues. Connective tissue is specialized tissue that supports, joins, or separates different types of tissues and organs of the body.

How common is Peyronie’s disease?

Researchers estimate that Peyronie’s disease may affect 1 to 23 percent of men between 40 and 70 years of age.¹ However, the actual occurrence of Peyronie’s disease may be higher due to men’s embarrassment and health care providers’ limited reporting.¹ The disease is rare in young men, although it has been reported in men in their 30s.¹ The chance of developing Peyronie’s disease increases with age.

Who is more likely to develop Peyronie’s disease?

The following factors may increase a man’s chance of developing Peyronie’s disease:

• vigorous sexual or nonsexual activities that cause microscopic injury to the penis
• certain connective tissue and autoimmune disorders
• a family history of Peyronie’s disease
• aging

Vigorous Sexual and Nonsexual Activities

Men whose sexual or nonsexual activities cause microscopic injury to the penis are more likely to develop Peyronie’s disease.

Connective Tissue and Autoimmune Disorders

Men who have certain connective tissue and autoimmune disorders may have a higher chance of developing Peyronie’s disease. A common example is a condition known as Dupuytren’s disease, an abnormal cordlike thickening across the palm of the hand. Dupuytren’s disease is also known as Dupuytren’s contracture. Although Dupuytren’s disease is fairly common in older men, only about 15 percent of men with Peyronie’s disease will also have Dupuytren’s disease.² Other connective tissue disorders associated with Peyronie’s disease include

• plantar fasciitis––inflammation of the plantar fascia, thick tissue on the bottom of the foot that connects the heel bone to the toes and creates the arch of the foot
• scleroderma––abnormal growth of connective tissue, causing it to get thick and hard; scleroderma can cause swelling or pain in muscles and joints

Autoimmune disorders associated with Peyronie’s disease include

• systemic lupus erythematosus––inflammation and damage to various body tissues, including the joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels, and brain
• Sjögren’s syndrome––inflammation and damage to the glands that make tears and saliva
• Behcet’s syndrome––inflammation of the blood vessels

Family History of Peyronie’s Disease

Medical experts believe that Peyronie’s disease may run in some families. For example, a man whose father or brother has Peyronie’s disease may have an increased chance of getting the disease.

Aging

The chance of getting Peyronie’s disease increases with age. Age-related changes in the elasticity of tissues in the penis may cause it to be more easily injured and less likely to heal well.

“Let’s first take a little review of the Principles of Hand Hygiene that are endorsed by the AMA and the AAFP:

1. Wash your hands when they are dirty and before eating;
2. Do not cough into your hands;
3. Do not sneeze into your hands;
4. Above all, do not put your hands into your eyes, ears, and mouth.

S.C. Johnson Professional (debmed.com)

“Smoking is a hard habit to break because tobacco contains nicotine, which is highly addictive. Like heroin or other addictive drugs, the body and mind quickly become so used to the nicotine in cigarettes that a person needs to have it just to feel normal.”

American Cancer Society

“By 1983, inflation had eased, the economy had rebounded, and the United States began a sustained period of economic growth”

U.S. Economy (usa.usembassy)

“Human papillomaviruses (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). 79 million Americans, most in their late teens and early 20s, are infected with HPV. There are many different types of HPV. Some types can cause health problems including genital warts and cancers. But there are vaccines that can stop these health problems from happening. You can get HPV by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the virus. It is most commonly spread during vaginal or anal sex. HPV can be passed even when an infected person has no signs or symptoms .”

CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  (www.cdc.gov)

We see many commercials on TV lately that have adolescents or young adults talking about this disease.  What is this abbreviation?  Human Papillomavirus is its full name.  About 79 million Americans are currently infected with HPV. About 14 million people become newly infected each year. HPV is so common that most sexually-active men and women will get at least one type of HPV at some point in their lives.

The CDC (Centers for disease control and prevention) states HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI), that it is a different virus than HIV and that HPV is so common that nearly all sexually active men and women get it at some point in their lives. CDC all states there are many different types of HPV, some types can cause health problems including genital warts and cancers but there are vaccines that can stop these health problems from happening=PREVENTION.

How is HPV is transmitted from one person to another?

 It is a STD so you can get HPV by having vaginal, anal, or even oral sex with someone who has the virus. It is most commonly spread during vaginal or anal sex. HPV can be passed even when an infected person has no signs or symptoms.

Anyone who is sexually active can get HPV, even if you have had sex with only one person or multiple (obviously the more partners you have the higher the chance of getting it). You also can develop symptoms years after you have sex with someone who is infected unfortunately where this makes it hard to know when you first became infected.

What health risks does HPV put people at if they have this diagnosis?

 In most cases, HPV goes away on its own and does not cause any health problems. But when HPV does not go away, it can cause health problems like genital warts and cancer.

Genital warts usually appear as a small bump or group of bumps in the genital area. They can be small or large, raised or flat, or shaped like a cauliflower. A healthcare provider can usually diagnose warts by looking at the genital area.

Remember it can cause the BIG C!

HPV can cause cervical and other cancers cancers including cancer of the vulva, vagina, penis, or anus. It can also cause cancer in the back of the throat, including the base of the tongue and tonsils.

Cancer often takes years, even decades, to develop after a person gets HPV. The types of HPV that can cause genital warts are not the same as the types of HPV that can cause cancers.

There is no way to know which people who have HPV will develop cancer or other health problems. People with weak immune systems (including individuals with HIV/AIDS) may be less able to fight off HPV and more likely to develop health problems from it.

How to avoid HPV and the health problems it can cause=PREVENTION, like almost every other disease.

 You can do several things to lower your chances of getting HPV.

Get vaccinated. HPV vaccines are safe and effective. They can protect males and females against diseases (including cancers) caused by HPV when given in the recommended age groups (see “Who should get vaccinated?” below). HPV vaccines are given in three shots over six months; it is important to get all three doses.

Get screened for cervical cancer. Routine screening for women aged 21 to 65 years old can prevent cervical cancer.

For those sexually active do the following:

–The right way to do SAFE SEX is done the safe way everytime. This can lower your chances of getting HPV. But HPV can infect areas that are not covered by a condom – so condoms may not give full protection against getting HPV.

****Be in a mutually monogamous relationship – or have sex only with someone who only has sex with you; including have each sex partner checked for STDs before having sex with you monogamous or only partner.

******PREVENTION IS VACCINATION-The best way to prevent it !

All boys and girls ages 11 or 12 years should get vaccinated.

Catch-up vaccines are recommended for males through age 21 and for females through age 26, if they did not get vaccinated when they were younger.

The vaccine is also recommended for gay and bisexual men (or any man who has sex with a man) through age 26. It is also recommended for men and women with compromised immune systems (including people living with HIV/AIDS) through age 26, if they did not get fully vaccinated when they were younger.

How do I know if I have HPV?

 ONE go to a doctor!  Simply get tested and have the doctor examine your genital area.

Unfortunately there is no test to find out a person’s “HPV status.” Also, there is no approved HPV test to find HPV in the mouth or throat.

There are HPV tests that can be used to screen for cervical cancer. These tests are recommended for screening only in women age of 30 years or older.  They are not recommended to screen men, adolescents, or women under the age of 30 years old.

Most people with HPV do not know they are infected and never develop symptoms or health problems from it. Some people find out they have HPV when they get genital warts. Women may find age 30 years and older when they get an abnormal Pap test result (during cervical cancer screening).  Others may only find out once they’ve developed more serious problems from HPV, such as cancers.

Health problems related to having HPV:

 Health problems related to HPV include genital warts and cervical cancer.

Genital warts: Before HPV vaccines were introduced, roughly 340,000 to 360,000 women and men were affected by genital warts caused by HPV every year.* Also, about one in 100 sexually active adults in the U.S. have genital warts at any given time.

Cervical cancer: More than 11,000 women in the United States get cervical cancer each year.

Every year approximately 17,600 women and 9,300 men are affected by cancers caused by HPV.

What happens if pregnant with HPV?

If you are pregnant and have HPV, you can get genital warts or develop abnormal cell changes on your cervix. Abnormal cell changes can be found with routine cervical cancer screening. You should get routine cervical cancer screening even when you are pregnant.

The Treatment for HPV:

There is no treatment for the virus itself. However, there are treatments for the health problems that HPV can cause:

1. Genital warts can be treated by you or your physician. If left untreated, genital warts may go away, stay the same, or grow in size or number.
2. Cervical precancer can be treated. Women who get routine Pap tests and follow up as needed can identify problems before cancer develops. Prevention is always better than treatment.
3. Other HPV-related cancers are also more treatable when diagnosed and treated early like any other cancer.