New breakthroughs in men’s wellness
MEN, just like women, have their own set of health issues that causes considerable concern to them. Here are some interesting discoveries that could be helpful to men around the world:
Possible new treatment for hair loss in men
In a study conducted on mice last year, scientists found a molecule called laminins- 511 that makes hair grow by stimulating hair follicles to start a hair growing cycle.
These proteins that can be found in mice, travel through the innerlayer of skin to induce hair growth.
Laminins- 511 works by opening hair follicles that get stuck during the hair growth cycle and allowing them to start a new growth cycle.
However, since mouse and human hair growth are different, scientists are conducting further investigations on whether laminins- 511 will work on humans.
Cell phones causing infertility in men
By keeping cell phones in their side pockets, typically 2.5cm away from the testicles, men are exposing their testicles to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation ( RF- EMR) which could reduce the quality of their semen.
According to researchers from the University of Exeter in the UK, semen that is exposed to RF- EMR contain higher levels of damaging free radicals, which are a group of atoms that are unstable and highly reactive.
These damaging free radicals can be harmful to cells and are believed to accelerate the progression of cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
The study shows that RF- EMR cause infertility in men by lowering sperm motility ( the ability of sperm to move and swim), have negative effects on sperm viability ( percentage of live sperm) and lower concentration of semen ( the number of sperm per unit of semen).
Heavy drinkers at higher risk of stroke
According to a study carried out at the University of Eastern Finland last year, men who consume alcohol more than twice a week increase their risk of stroke.
The study shows that with moderate consumption of alcohol the risk of stroke is the lowest, whereas with heavy consumption of alcohol increases the risk of stroke.
Heavy drinking increases the risk of cerebral haemorrhage, a type of stroke where there is bleeding into the cerebrum, which causes neurologic damage.
Heavy drinkers are three times more likely to get a stroke compared to someone who does not consume alcohol.
Heavy drinking, combined with other factors of stroke, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking and being overweight, can further increase the risk of stroke to more dangerous levels.
New treatment option for benign prostatic hyperplasia
Benign prostatic hyperplasia ( BPH) is a condition in which the prostate is enlarged but not cancerous.
Research presented this year at the American Society of Interventional Radiology’s Annual Scientific meeting revealed a new, minimally invasive treatment option that presents fewer complications to the patient.
The treatment involves prostate artery embolisation ( PAE), a form of interventional radiology treatment. Clinicians were able to improve patient symptoms regardless of the size of the BPH before treatment.
The study involved 78 patients undergoing PAE; 96% ( 75 out of 78) were considered technically successful.
The study found that beside improvement of symptoms, quality of life significantly improved for all patients.
Data from the study showed continued symptomatic improvement in patients six months after treatment.
However, more research is required to show efficacy of the treatment one year and beyond, as well as to compare the safety and efficacy of PAE with other common BPH treatments.