Firstmed Blog

Surgical hair replacement:
Surgical transplantation should be considered if you are experiencing thinning hair or baldness, hair transplantation is considered a permanent form of hair replacement. Anyone who has permanent hair loss may be a candidate for hair transplantation, including:

* Men with male pattern baldness
* Some women with thinning hair
* Individuals who have lost hair as a result of burns or other scarring injuries to the scalp, eyebrows, or eyelashes

Types of hair replacement surgery:
There are a number of techniques used in hair replacement surgery. Sometimes two or more techniques are used to achieve the best results.

* punch grafts - usually contain about 10-15 hairs
* mini-grafts - contain about 2 to 4 hairs
* micro-grafts - contain 1 to 2 hairs
* slit grafts - contain about 4 to10 hairs each
* strip grafts - contain 30-40 hairs

Complications of hair replacement surgery:
Individuals vary greatly in their healing abilities, and outcome is never completely predictable. Complications such as the following may occur:

* Infection
* Excessive bleeding
* Wide scars, called stretch-back scars
* Bumps that form at the transplant sites
* Unnatural, patchy look may result
* Additional surgery may be required

Surgical hair replacement procedures:
Treatment may be performed at an outpatient surgery centre, or, rarely, a hospital as an outpatient or an inpatient.
Hair replacement surgery is usually performed using a local anaesthesia along with sedation to make the patient relaxed, although general anaesthesia may be used for more complex cases involving tissue expansion or flaps.

Normal hair growth:
About 90 percent of hair on the scalp grows constantly. The other 10 percent of scalp hair lies in a resting state that lasts two to three months. At the end of the resting stage, this hair is eventually shed.
But don’t worry shedding is normal; we shed 50 to 100 hairs a day. When a hair is shed, a new hair from the same follicle replaces it and the growing cycle starts again. Scalp hair grows about one-half inch a month.
However ageing results in the slowing of the rate of hair growth.

What causes excessive hair loss?
Most shedding of hair is due to the normal growth-rest cycle, and losing 50 to 100 hairs a day is normal. If you are concerned about excessive loss of hair or dramatic thinning, you should consult a dermatologist. Excess loss of hair may be due to many different causes, including:

* A high fever, severe infection
* Thyroid disease
* Inadequate protein in diet
* Certain medications
* Cancer treatments
* Low serum iron
* Major surgery/chronic illness
* alopecia areata
* Hereditary thinning or balding
* A fungus infection (i.e., ringworm) of the scalp
* Improper hair cosmetic use/improper hair care

Can hair loss be prevented?
Hair loss due to certain causes will regrow naturally. And a dermatologist may treat other causes successfully. There are several causes of hair loss for which there is no successful treatment at present.
Hair can also be replaced by non-surgical methods, such as with medication.

The importance of smoking has recently been highlighted with regards to male impotence. The low level of awareness that impotence can be caused by smoking was iterated in a survey undertaken in 1999 by MORI whereby 88% of smokers do not list smoking as a risk factor for impotence and even when given smoking in a list of options of possible risk factors, two thirds do not identify it as a risk. It has been estimated that in the UK approximately 120,000 men between 30 and 50 are impotent as a result of smoking. Not only linked to erectile dysfunction, smoking can also lead to a reduction in the volume of ejaculate, a reduced number of sperm, abnormally shaped sperm and a reduction in the response to any fertility treatments undergone.

Cigarette smoke contains more than 4000 chemicals and many of these have been implicated as a cause of disease to the vascular (blood) system. With regards to the penis this directly impacts on the arteries and veins that supply blood to the penis. The importance is realised when looking at how an erection is achieved. During an erection, initially blood flow to the penis is increased leading to enlargement of the penile tissue that in turn compresses the veins preventing the immediate outflow of blood. Smoking can affect this is a number of ways.

Firstly, penile blood pressure has been found to be low in more than 20% of men with erectile dysfunction. This is related to atherosclerosis of the pudendal and common penile arteries (those that supply the blood to the penis). Atherosclerosis is when there is fatty deposits along the walls of arteries which in part can occur due to smoking and leads to a decrease in the blood flow through the artery.

In addition to this, there is also an effect directly related to the acute effects of nicotine. Nicotine causes the penile tissue to rapidly contract as a direct effect of the nicotine on the brain, which in turn restricts the arterial blood flow to the penis. This phenomenon is referred to as acute vasospasm. However, as this is a direct response to the nicotine in cigarettes immediate improvements is possible if smoking is stopped.

The third major effect smoking has on erectile function and dysfunction again relates to the blood supply to the penis, only this time the veins. Venous dilatation can occur as a result of the nicotine in the cigarettes meaning that the valve system that regulates the flow of blood is impaired and as a consequence blood flows out of the penis more quickly therefore making it difficult to get and maintain an erection. As this too is as a direct effect of nicotine, stopping smoking could lead to an immediate improvement.

Males recovering from prostate surgery may want to think about using an anti-impotence treatment such as Viagra to reduce their chances of long-term erectile dysfunction, it has been suggested.

Following a study by the Harvard Medical School which found that long-term damage may result after failing to achieve an erection after the prostate has been removed, researchers believe that rather than leaving erection function to return naturally, it may be more beneficial to use an enhancing aid.

According to the findings, when the penis is flaccid over a long period of time, it is starved of blood rich in oxygen, which can cause some of the cells to lose their flexibility.

To prevent damage the researchers suggest that males try treatments such as impotence drugs like Viagra or Cialis, or opt for a vacuum pump.

Dr Marc Garnick, editor in chief of Perspectives on Prostate Disease and a Harvard oncologist, said: “Although the evidence supporting this ‘penile rehabilitation’ isn’t perfect, you may want to ask your doctor about the options. Such early intervention may help increase the odds that you will regain erectile function.”

An earlier study into penile rehabilitation found that with some treatments, post-surgery men could engage in sexual activity within two or three months of their operation, according to Dr Rupesh Raina, of MetroHealth Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, in Cleveland, Ohio.

Treatment of a hamstring strain is again dependent on the severity of the injury. The RICE method is the essential treatment for treating hamstring injuries in the early stages. Rest, Ice, Compress and Elevate. Due to the bleeding and swelling, patients should stop the activity that caused the strain, rest immediately to allow healing to take place and prevent further damages done to the muscles. Ice should be used at once to control the swelling and relieve the pain caused. Heat should not be applied to the affected area since this may increase swelling and bleeding within the muscle. To assist with the swelling control, an elastic wrap or compressive stocking can be applied. Finally, lying down periodically with you leg elevated allows gravity to assist with your effort to control the swelling.

The RICE treatment described above can be performed by individuals or a trained professional; it can be used for first degree, second degree and third degree severity. However, both second and third degree require longer recovery time and there are possibilities that specialised techniques or treatments will be prescribed by doctors to enhance healing and recovery.

In the first phase of the recovery stage, some gentle stretching and light resistive exercises will help to prevent stiffness, improve range of motion, and restore the joint’s normal flexibility and strength. These exercises should be done several times a day, it is very important to stick to the exercises because they help reduce swelling, prevent stiffness, and restore normal and pain-free range of motion. The second phase consists of more demanding exercises to increase strength and regain flexibility as pain decreases and function improves. At the final stage of recovery, patients are allowed to return to full daily activities including sports. However, it is utmost important to return to full activity only when the problem is fully recovered, that is when the patients have gained normal range of motion, flexibility and strength. Attending to full activity with pain or muscle soreness will increase the chance of re-injury and may lead to a chronic problem.

A hamstring strain is caused by twisting or pulling a muscle or tendon and can be both acute and chronic. Acute hamstring strain associated with a recent trauma or injury, it occurs during an isolated athletic activity or it can also occur after improperly lifting heavy objects or overstressing the muscles. Chronic hamstring strain is resulted from persistent repetitive stress. Some examples of causes are shown below:

* No or a poor stretching routine before activities causing inadequate flexibility of the hamstrings which can result in injury.
* Inadequate strength or endurance of the hamstrings to sustain workload caused by athletic activities or repetitive stress.
* Returning to activity before full recovery, this can lead to recurrence of the problem.

Sports athletes are most vulnerable to hamstring injuries; sports for example require jumping, running and kicking. Many cases also suggested hamstring injuries increase with age, though they can occur in people of all ages.

What are the symptoms of Hamstring Strain?

The symptoms of a hamstring strain depend on the severity of the injury. The injury is usually very sudden and painful. Other common symptoms include:

* Bruising - It is caused by bleeding within the muscle from small tears. It usually begins in the back of the thigh and passes down below the knee and into the foot as time elapse
* Swelling – This is caused by the accumulation of blood within the muscle where the tears occurred. This makes further muscle contraction difficult and painful.
* Spasm – the stimulation of the muscle caused by confusion of contraction signals and subsequent spasm. People usually experience spasm when they have pulled their hamstring. It is very common and painful symptom of a hamstring injury.
* Difficult Contraction – it causes the knee to flex and if severe, it may even prevent the patient from walking normally.

In First Degree, patients might feel only tightness in the thigh and should be able to walk normally. It’s very unlikely that swelling will take place due to only moderate damage to the muscle. In Second Degree, patients might not be able to walk properly due to the difficulty of contracting. There might be noticeable swelling on the affected area and causes pain if pressed in. Finally in Third Degree, due to severe damage to the muscles, patients will be unable to walk without the necessary aid of supports. There will be continuing pain and bad swelling appears immediately after impact.

To understand what hamstring strain is, we need to understand what muscles comprise the hamstrings and how they work. Hamstrings consist of three types of muscles found in the back of the thigh. They are as follows:

* Biceps Femoris
* Semitendinosus
* Semimembranosus

The function of the hamstrings is a very simple. It is the contraction of the 3 hamstrings muscles that causes the knee to bend and the thigh to move backwards relative to the trunk. The hamstrings play an important role in our everyday life, such as walking, running, jumping, and controlling movements of the trunk.

A hamstring strain is an excessive stretch beyond its limits and the muscle tissue maybe torn. A tear in a muscle is referred to as a strain. Hamstring strains can occur at any point along the length of the muscle. The injuries are classified as either first, second or third degree depending on the severity.

1. First Degree – involves excessive stretching or minor tearing of a few muscle fibres. There will be some stiffness in the affected area and if exercise is attempted, the pain or stiffness may decrease however, the pain becomes greater afterward. Patients with a mild strain usually experience minimal pain, swelling, and little or no loss of functional ability.

2. Second Degree – refers to a more severe muscle tear covering a larger area than the first degree strain. Patients with a moderate strain might notice bruising, moderate pain, and swelling. There will be stiffness and weakness on the affected area creating significant limping when walking and running.

3. Third Degree – this is a complete tear or rupture of the muscle. Swelling, bruising are usually quite severe and immediate. The patients will be unable to put weight on the joint, i.e. it is impossible for them to walk without use of crutches.

The Tour de France created quite a stir in London this weekend as thousands of fans gathered in Trafalgar Square to cheer on their cycling heroes. 189 riders were presented to the crowd, estimated to have been around 25,000, ahead of the Grand Depart this weekend.

It will be the first time the Tour has started in England, but the third time it has passed through the country in its 104-year history.

What does this have to do with ED you might wonder? Well bicycle enthusiasts might be interested to know that new studies suggest that a dose of ED treatments, such as Viagra will help more cyclists to climb that summit with more success

The relationship between impotence and cycling has long been a dubious one. There is plenty of anecdotal and clinical evidence to suggest that cycling causes numbness and discomfort in the genital region, but whether or not that equates to long-term impotence is unknown. But now the connection has taken on a new twist.

Following reports that Viagra may improve breathing in low oxygen situations, it seems that cyclists may opt to take erectile dysfunction treatments regardless of whether or not they suffer from ED in order to improve their performance.

Studies suggest that ED treatments may improve breathing in low oxygen situations. This may have a significant effect on cycling in high altitude. Erectile Dysfunction medications work by dilating blood vessels, and this effect might be the reason for the improvements in cyclist’s performance in high altitude settings. By the same method that the drug improves circulation to the penis it can also pump blood through the lungs more efficiently.

Considering the world of professional cycling has been dogged by dope scandals, whether or not this will add a new dimension to drug testing is as yet unknown. Especially considering that Viagra is probably easier to get than steroids or other drugs that improve endurance. Is drug use still rife in professional cycling or has testing reduced it being a rarity rather than the norm.

Reading the newspapers I can’t help but wonder why it is that the benefits of sex are rarely discussed in public discourse. It seems that generally sex is only discussed in terms of risk, abuse, addiction, infection, perversion, heartache and failure. It is rarely discussed in terms of how good it is for you and your body. The physical and psychological health benefits of sexual expression are numerous yet they have been almost entirely absent from public discourse. It is important to remember that sex in a loving, intimate relationship has numerous health benefits.

Sexual experience and satisfaction are an important part of life. Sex, if nothing else, is exercise. A vigorous bout burns some 200 calories — about the same as running 15 minutes on a treadmill or playing a spirited game of squash. The pulse rate, in a person aroused, rises from about 70 beats per minute to 150, the same as that of an athlete putting forth maximum effort.

However, it’s not all about erotic exercise; pioneering researchers have demonstrated many of the various health benefits of sexual expression, including its positive physical, intellectual, emotional, and social dimensions. Some of the more interesting ones include; improved sense of smell, better bladder control, pain relief, less frequent colds and flu, better teeth and a happier prostate?

Peyronie’s disease can cause impotence
When an erection occurs, arteries fill the spongy tissue in your penis with blood. The blood fills this tissue and makes your penis hard.

Failure to get an erection that is sufficient for sexual intercourse is called erectile dysfunction (ED), or impotence.

Sometimes the process doesn’t work the way it should. Damaged arteries, blood vessels, and nerves can prevent or obstruct blood flow to your penis. In a few cases, a psychological problem may interfere with erection.

One physical problem than can cause incomplete erection and erectile dysfunction is Peyronie’s disease, also called penile curvature.

A man with Peyronie’s disease has hardened or “calcified” tissues in his penis. These tissues are called plaques. The hardening is in the tunica abluginea . This is the sheath surrounding the spongy tissue in the penis. The hardening often causes pain and curvature, usually during erection.

3% of men may have Peyronie’s disease
The condition usually occurs between age 45 and 60. The average age is 50, but it can occur in men as young as 18.

Nearly 3% of all men may have Peyronie’s disease. Doctors think that many men with Peyronie’s disease do not look for help because the symptoms are mild or they are too embarrassed.

Causes of Peyronie’s Disease
Doctors don’t know all of the causes of Peyronie’s disease. Sudden cases often are caused by trauma to the penis, such as injury or extremely vigorous sexual activity.

There may be a genetic link. There also is evidence that blood vessels may be involved.