“April is recognized as Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Awareness Month and brings attention to the nearly 20 million new STDs that occur in the United States each year. While STDs affect all racial and ethnic groups, American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations are affected at a higher rate.

In November 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released its latest Sexually Transmitted Diseases Surveillance Report  , showing the highest rates of STDs in 20 years. The report identifies that in 2015, AI/ANs had the second highest rates for both chlamydia and gonorrhea infections, and AI/AN women had the second highest primary and secondary syphilis rates among all race groups. Reports of congenital syphilis (CS), a disease that occurs when a mother with syphilis passes the infection on to her baby during pregnancy, is particularly concerning among AI/ANs.”

Indian Health Service
The Federal Health Program for American Indians and Alaska Natives

“

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) have been known to mankind for centuries. Before the advent of modern medicine, people’s lack of awareness and understanding of STDs contributed to the widespread transmission of the infections while few or no treatments were available to treat the conditions.

A large number of infections can be transmitted sexually. Some STDs carry obvious symptoms. Common STD symptoms include:

• rashes
• pain during sex or urination
• abnormal discharge
• sores, bumps, or blisters

However, many people with STDs have no symptoms. Some STDs often lie dormant for years. According to the Mayo Clinic, asymptomatic STDs are so common that many people with STDs have no idea they are infected. They may pass on an STD to one or more partners without knowing it. They may also suffer internal damage while the STD remains untreated.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), STDs such as syphilis and HIV can have severe consequences if left untreated. Even common diseases such as gonorrhea and chlamydia can cause problems if undiagnosed for long periods of time.

In medieval times, syphilis and gonorrhoea were two of the most prevalent STDs in Europe.

Some STDs can have severe, life-changing consequences; syphilis, for example, can eventually cause progressive destruction of the brain and spinal cord, leading to mental dysfunction and hallucinations, speech problems and general paresis.

It’s kind of puzzling that sexually transmitted diseases are so prevalent—particularly when you consider that you have to get pretty up close and personal to contract one. An STD is characterized by any disease that is spread by one partner to another via sexual contact, and that can be orally, vaginally, anally, or via hand to genital contact. Regardless, they are spread when one partner passes the disease-causing organism on to the other. Obviously, preventing STD transmission is first and foremost by practicing safe sex (PREVENTION) and not enough do it in America for some crazy reason hurting themselves and other people. However, if you think you might have contracted one of the most common STDs, recognizing the disease is imperative for swift treatment and preventing further spreading.

Top venereal diseases in the USA:

1-Gonorrhea

The Centers for Disease Control estimate that 700,000 new cases of Gonorrhea, or the “clap”, crop up every year. This long-term STD that is spread bacterially, affecting a female’s cervix, a male’s urethra, or the throat in both sexes, which means that it’s transmitted by vaginal, oral, and anal sex. The symptoms of gonorrhea are pretty subtle; the most noticeable being burning when urinating or a yellowish penile discharge in men.

2-Hepatitis

Sexually transmitted hepatitis is hepatitis B (or HBV), which afflicts more than 1.25 million individuals in the U.S. even though there is a vaccine. If left untreated, a Hep B infection will scar and damage the liver, causing cirrhosis and liver cancer. Unfortunately, over half of those affected show no symptoms, but those who do suffer muscle pain and fatigue, yellowing of the eyes (or jaundice), nausea, and a distended stomach.

3-Syphilis

Syphilis is a particularly sneaky STD that caused by a type bacterial infection of the genital tract, known as Treponema Pallidum. Syphilis is transmitted when direct contact is made between the small, painless sores on the mouth, rectum, vagina, or around the genitals in areas not protected by latex condoms. It can also be transmitted via infected mother to her baby during pregnancy. When there are no sores, the disease is still present. Syphilis symptoms are rare, however, the most telling are sores or lesions on and around the genitals, as well as hair loss, sore throat, fever; headache; and a white patchy skin rash.

4- Chlamydia

Like Gonorrhea, Chlamydia affects a man’s penile urethra and a woman’s cervix. However, oftentimes those who’ve contracted Chlamydia don’t show symptoms for months or even years, which explains why it’s the most common and rampant STD. If you do show symptoms, you’ll feel pain during intercourse and have a discolored, thick discharge from the vagina or penis. Transmitted via sexual penetration with an affected partner, using latex condoms can prevent transmission of this curable STD.

 5. Crabs

If you feel a creepy-crawly, itchy sensation in your genitals, you may have crabs (or public lice). They show themselves as visible eggs or lice in the coarse hair of the genital region (even if you shave it off), and they can spread to the armpits and eyebrows if left untreated. Typically transmitted via sexual contact, crabs can also be passed via contact with infested linens or clothing.

6. Human Papilloma Virus

Human Papilloma Virus (or HPV) is currently the most wide spread STD. It affects roughly three-quarters of the sexually active population and a staggering one-quarter of sexually active women, which is why there is a North American vaccine to protect young women from certain types of HPV that are linked to genital warts and cervical cancer. HPV is transmitted through genital contact—via vaginal and anal sex, and also oral sex and genital-to-genital contact. Most times HPV doesn’t show any symptoms until it’s far advanced, but genital warts as well as RRP, a condition where warts grow in the throat and eventually cause breathing difficulties are common.

7. Bacterial Vaginosis

Bacterial Vaginosis, or BV, is not always considered an STD even though it typically afflicts those of child-bearing age with multiple or new sex partners. BV occurs when healthy bacteria in the vagina overgrow and become imbalanced, causing burning and itching around the vagina and a thick, grey discharge with a strong fishy odor. Antibiotics will quickly clear up bouts of BV, but it can reoccur, leaving the victim prone to pelvic inflammatory disease, other STDs, and premature births (if pregnant).

 8. Herpes

Painful sores or lesions on your mouth or genitals may indicate herpes, a viral STD that comes in two forms HSV1 (herpes of the mouth) and HSV2 (herpes of the genitals). Herpes is transmitted skin-to-skin—for instance, from genital to genital, mouth to genital, or mouth to mouth contact with an infected individual, even when they don’t have visible sores. Even though herpes symptoms be treated with antibiotics, the virus never goes away and reoccurs typically 2 to 4 times per year.

9. Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis, or “trich”, often masks itself as a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis (BV) in women with similar symptoms—including a thick, grey discharge, offensive vaginal odor, pain or burning intercourse, and itchiness. A parasitic trichomonas vaginalis infection affects the urethra and the vagina in women. It can be transmitted back and forth between sex partners (man to woman and woman to woman) via vaginal intercourse and contact. However, most men typically don’t have any symptoms.

10. HIV

HIV is transmitted via the exchange of body fluids—such as semen, vaginal secretions, blood, or breast milk. Within a month or 2 of contracting HIV, about 40 to 90-percent of those afflicted suffer from flu-like symptoms including fever, fatigue, achy muscles, swollen lymph glands, sore throat, headache, skin rash, dry cough, nausea, rapid weight loss, night sweats, frequent yeast infections (for women), cold sores, and eventually, pneumonia. Luckily, many individuals who are diagnosed early can live a long, productive life with HIV thanks to a combination of highly active anti-retroviral drug therapy, which prevents to progression to AIDS.

Other STDs

Other, less common, STDs include:

• chancroid
• lymphogranuloma venereum
• molluscum contagiosum
• scabies

America choose prevention regarding these diseases before getting them or you will self inflict a big headache in your life that will not fully go away!  Why have it when you can prevent it and why be a person who can spread it in this country; it is all up to you.  Hope you make the right choice and if you do end up with it get treatment and help yourself and no one will do it for you.

“National Humor Month was conceived as a means to heighten public awareness of the therapeutic value of humor. Laughter and joy – the benchmarks of humor – lead to improved well-being, boosted morale, increased communication skills, and an enriched quality of life.

It’s no coincidence that the month begins with April Fool’s Day, a day which has sanctioned frivolity and amusement for hundreds of years.”

humormonth.com

“April is National Foot Health Awareness Month, which makes now the perfect time to get your feet back in shape. Just about everything you do during the day involves being on your feet. Keeping your feet, ankles, and lower legs healthy is the key to preventing unwanted pain and suffering.

Whether you suffer from; flat feet, hammertoes, bunion, ingrown nails, nail fungus, skin disorders, or an old sports injury, the physicians at Podiatry Associates can help.”

MVS Podiatry Associates (https://podiatryassociates.org/)

“People with autism often suffer from anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bipolar illness, and other mental health issues. Sometime there is a biological predisposition to these; others may develop these conditions out of their constant struggle to cope with the world around them.  There are some of the many autism related disorders.”

Autism Connection of Pennsylvania-Luciana Randall, M.R.C., Executive Director, Autism Connection of PA Continuing Education (https://autismofpa.org/)

At least seven disorders are part of or closely related to Autism. Each disorder has symptoms commonly seen with autism, as well as its own specific symptoms.  Those disorders are the following:

“Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects an estimated 1 in 54 children in the United States today. “.

Autism Speaks (www.autismspeaks.org)

“Peyronie’s (pay-roe-NEEZ) disease is a noncancerous condition resulting from fibrous scar tissue that develops on the penis and causes curved, painful erections. Penises vary in shape and size, and having a curved erection isn’t necessarily a cause for concern. But Peyronie’s disease causes a significant bend or pain in some men.”.

peyronies-disease.xiaflex.com

What are the signs and symptoms of Peyronie’s disease?

The signs and symptoms of Peyronie’s disease may include:

hard lumps on one or more sides of the penis
pain during sexual intercourse or during an erection
a curve in the penis either with or without an erection
narrowing or shortening of the penis

Symptoms of Peyronie’s disease range from mild to severe. Symptoms may develop slowly or appear quickly. In many cases, the pain decreases over time, although the curve in the penis may remain. In milder cases, symptoms may go away without causing a permanent curve.

What are the complications of Peyronie’s disease?

Complications of Peyronie’s disease may include

the inability to have sexual intercourse

-Anxiety, or stress about sexual abilities or the appearance of the penis
-stress on a relationship with a sexual partner
-problems fathering a child because intercourse is difficult

How is Peyronie’s disease diagnosed?

A urologist diagnoses Peyronie’s disease based on:

1. a medical and family history
2. a physical exam
3. imaging tests

1. Medical and Family History

Taking a medical and family history is one of the first things a urologist may do to help diagnose Peyronie’s disease. He or she will ask the man to provide a medical and family history, which may include the following questions:

What is the man’s ability to have an erection?
What are the problems with sexual intercourse?
When did the symptoms begin?
What is the family medical history?
What medications is the man taking?
What other symptoms is the man experiencing?
What other medical conditions does the man have?

2. Physical Exam

A physical exam may help diagnose Peyronie’s disease. During a physical exam, a urologist usually examines the man’s body, including the penis.

A urologist can usually feel the plaque in the penis with or without an erection. Sometimes the urologist will need to examine the penis during an erection. The urologist will give the man an injectable medication to cause an erection.

3. Imaging Tests

To help pinpoint the location of the plaque buildup inside the penis, a urologist may perform

ultrasound of the penis
an x-ray of the penis

For both tests, a specially trained technician performs the procedure in a health care provider’s office, an outpatient center, or a hospital, and a radiologist—a doctor who specializes in medical imaging—interprets the images. The patient does not need anesthesia.

Ultrasound. Ultrasound uses a device, called a transducer, that bounces safe, painless sound waves off organs to create an image of their structure.

X-ray. An x-ray is a picture created by using radiation and recorded on film or on a computer. The amount of radiation used is small. The man will lie on a table or stand during the x-ray, and the technician may ask the man to change positions for additional pictures.

How is Peyronie’s disease treated?

A urologist may treat Peyronie’s disease with nonsurgical treatments or surgery.

The goal of treatment is to reduce pain and restore and maintain the ability to have intercourse. Men with small plaques, minimal penile curvature, no pain, and satisfactory sexual function may not need treatment until symptoms get worse. Peyronie’s disease often resolves on its own without treatment.

A urologist may recommend changes in a man’s lifestyle to reduce the risk of ED associated with Peyronie’s disease.

Nonsurgical Treatments:

Nonsurgical treatments include medications and medical therapies.

Medications. A urologist may prescribe medications aimed at decreasing a man’s penile curvature, plaque size, and inflammation. A man may take prescribed medications to treat Peyronie’s disease orally––by mouth––or a urologist may inject medications directly into the plaque. Verapamil is one type of topical medication that a man may apply to the skin over the plaque.

Oral medications. Oral medications may include
vitamin E
potassium para-aminobenzoate (Potaba)
tamoxifen
colchicine
acetyl-L-carnitine
pentoxifylline
Injections. Medications injected directly into plaques may include
verapamil
interferon alpha 2b
steroids
collagenase (Xiaflex)

To date, collagenase is the first and only medication specifically approved for Peyronie’s disease.

Medical therapies. A urologist may use medical therapies to break up scar tissue and decrease plaque size and curvature. Therapies to break up scar tissue may include:

-high-intensity, focused ultrasound directed at the plaque
-radiation therapy––high-energy rays, such as x-rays, aimed at the plaque
-shockwave therapy––focused, low-intensity electroshock waves directed at the plaque

A urologist may use iontophoresis––painless, low-level electric current that delivers medications through the skin over the plaque––to decrease plaque size and curvature.

A urologist may use mechanical traction and vacuum devices aimed at stretching or bending the penis to reduce curvature.
Surgery

A urologist may recommend surgery to remove plaque or help straighten the penis during an erection. Medical experts recommend surgery for long-term cases when symptoms have not improved erections, intercourse, or both are painful
the curve or bend in the penis does not allow the man to have sexual intercourse

Some men may develop complications after surgery, and sometimes surgery does not correct the effects of Peyronie’s disease––such as shortening of the penis. Some surgical methods can cause shortening of the penis. Medical experts suggest waiting 1 year or more from the onset of symptoms before having surgery because the course of Peyronie’s disease is different in each man.

A urologist may recommend the following surgeries:

grafting. A urologist will cut or remove the plaque and attach a patch of skin, a vein, or material made from animal organs in its place. This procedure may straighten the penis and restore some lost length from Peyronie’s disease. However, some men may experience numbness of the penis and ED after the procedure.

Plication. A urologist will remove or pinch a piece of the tunica albuginea from the side of the penis opposite the plaque, which helps to straighten the penis. This procedure is less likely to cause numbness or ED. Plication cannot restore length or girth of the penis and may cause shortening of the penis.
device implantation. A urologist implants a device into the penis that can cause an erection and help straighten it during an erection. Penile implants may be considered if a man has both Peyronie’s disease and ED. In some cases, an implant alone will straighten the penis adequately. If the implant alone does not straighten the penis, a urologist may combine implantation with one of the other two surgeries. Once a man has an implant, he must use the device to have an erection.

A urologist performs these surgeries in a hospital.

Lifestyle Changes:

A man can make healthy lifestyle changes to reduce the chance of ED associated with Peyronie’s disease by

Lifestyle Changes

A man can make healthy lifestyle changes to reduce the chance of ED associated with Peyronie’s disease by

quitting smoking
reducing alcohol consumption
exercising regularly
avoiding illegal drugs

How can Peyronie’s disease be prevented?

Researchers do not know how to prevent Peyronie’s disease.
Eating, Diet, and Nutrition

Researchers have not found that eating, diet, and nutrition play a role in causing or preventing Peyronie’s disease. quitting smoking
reducing alcohol consumption
exercising regularly
avoiding illegal drugs

How can Peyronie’s disease be prevented?

Researchers do not know how to prevent Peyronie’s disease.
Eating, Diet, and Nutrition

Researchers have not found that eating, diet, and nutrition play a role in causing or preventing Peyronie’s disease.

“Peyronie’s (pay-roe-NEEZ) disease is a noncancerous condition resulting from fibrous scar tissue that develops on the penis and causes curved, painful erections. Penises vary in shape and size, and having a curved erection isn’t necessarily a cause for concern. But Peyronie’s disease causes a significant bend or pain in some men.”.

MAYO CLINIC