Does A Younger Dad Mean a Healthier Child?

A father's age is associated with decreased social abilities in boys, TAU researchers say. New studies from Tel Aviv University suggest that waiting until a man can give his son “all the advantages” may have a disadvantage, too.
Tel Aviv University researchers found in several consecutive studies that older dads are more likely to have boys with autism and lower IQs. Most recently, they found that the older a father’s age, the greater the chance that his son will display poor social abilities as a teen. Dr. Mark Weiser from TAU’s Sackler School of Medicine and his team of researchers are now studying what causes this phenomenon.
“There is a growing body of data showing that an advanced age of parents puts their kids at risk for various illnesses,” says Dr. Weiser. “Some illnesses, such as schizophrenia, appear to be more common the older parents get. Doctors and psychologists are fascinated by this, but don’t really understand it. We want to know how it works.”
Questions and Answers
To explore this important question, Dr. Weiser looked at data collected by the Israeli army. Subjects included more than 450,000 male teens, aged 16 and 17. The teens were asked these questions: How many good friends do you have? Do you have a girlfriend? Do you generally prefer to be with or without a group of friends? How often do you go out on Friday evenings? Do you tend to be at the center of a party?
Controlling for the variables of IQ, mother’s age, socioeconomic status and birth order, the researchers found that the prevalence of poor social functioning increased by 50% in boys with fathers 45 years old and up.
Cause for Concern?
Dr. Weiser, who also works at the Chaim Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer hospital, cautions that the results are far from conclusive. “It could be that men with poorer social skills get married later in life, and therefore transmit this characteristic to their boys. But our studies attempted to control for this variable by looking at brothers from the same father,” he explains.
He also suggests that older men shouldn’t change their minds about having children since the statistical risk is relatively minor. “The effects of a father’s age on the health of his son are quite small, and many of the most dramatic effects in this study are driven by dads in their 50s,” says Dr. Weiser. “The difference in risk between someone who is 35 or 45 is so small that it’s irrelevant.”
Dr. Weiser continues, “But the findings are interesting for clinicians who are looking at the bigger picture of how parental age affects the mental functioning of offspring and what mechanisms are at play in that functioning.” And Dr. Weiser doesn’t rule out the possibility that older fathers may have better resources for getting their boys tested for autism when symptoms arise.
Published in Oxford Journal’s “Schizophrenia Bulletin,” the study builds on Dr. Weiser’s previous research on parental age, autism and IQ scores.

Illinois Governor Promotes Men's Health

In a continued push to improve the health of Illinois residents, state public health director Dr. Damon T. Arnold, on behalf of Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today kicked off Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Dr. Arnold made the announcement during a screening event at Lake Shore Urology at St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur. The Macon County Health Department Care Force One van was also on-site with information reminding men of the importance of routine prostate screenings.
Also today, Dr. Arnold announced $277,000 in grants to 14 local health departments and organizations across Illinois to conduct prostate and testicular cancer screenings and educational activities during Fiscal Year 2009.
“Men don’t always take care of their health the way they should, so it’s important they take the time to visit their doctors for a check-up,” said Governor Blagojevich. “The outcome of prostate cancer, as well as many other health conditions, can improve greatly with early detection and treatment.”
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer other than skin cancers in American men. In 2008, the American Cancer Society estimates that about 186,320 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in the United States and approximately 28,660 men will die from it. The Illinois State Cancer Registry estimates approximately 8,340 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in Illinois during 2008 and 1,330 men will die from it. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in American men, behind only lung cancer.
“I was diagnosed with prostate cancer about five years ago but because it was caught early, I can happily say I’m cancer free. If it were not for early detection, the outcome could have been very different,” said Dr. Arnold. “I urge every man to overcome their fears of prostate cancer exams, whether due to embarrassment or the fear of a positive finding, because ultimately, that exam could save your life.”
“We are proud to offer free prostate screenings through the generosity and expertise of the urology group on campus, Lake Shore Urology,” said Kelly Hazenfield, Community Relations Director at St. Mary’s Hospital. “St. Mary’s is also pleased to partner with the Macon County Health Department and the Central Illinois Us TOO Prostate Cancer Support Group to spread the message of how crucial it is for men to get regular prostate screenings.”
The Macon County Health Department is one of the recipients of the grants that were announced today, and will utilize the funding for conducting prostate and testicular cancer screenings.
“This the 11th consecutive year for the health department to receive this particular grant, which has allowed us to provide free prostate and testicular cancer screenings for underserved men in Macon County,” said Macon County Health Department Administrator Jerry Andrews. “The purpose is early detection of cancer; the earlier cancer is found, the earlier it can be treated and lives will be saved.”
The grants will be used to fund prostate cancer outreach activities for uninsured and under insured men 50 years of age and older, as well as high risk populations, which includes all African-American men older than 40 years of age and men over the age of 40 who have a family history of prostate disease.

Natural Therapies For Relieving Erectile Dysfunction (Impotence)

Impotence and Erectile Dysfunction

Until recently, the very mention of erectile dysfunction or impotence could bring about a blush to even the most manly of men.� � Embarrassing as it may be, erectile dysfunction affects more than 18 million men in America.� � It can vary in severity from an inability to achieve, maintain and sustain an erection, to an inability to achieve an orgasm, even though a healthy sexual desire exists.� � � � Because of the sensitive nature of� � the disorder of impotence, it often goes unreported.
Achieving a normal erection is a complex process.� � � � It involves psychological impulses from the brain, adequate levels of testosterone (male sex hormone), a functioning nervous system, and healthy vascular tissue of the penis.� � Electrical impulses from the brain, when stimulated, cause the nerves in the penis to release nitric oxide.� � This, in turn, increases the production of guanylate MonoPhosphate (cGMP) in the muscle cells of the corpora cavernosa (the tissue of the penis, consisting of smooth muscles, fibrous tissues, spaces, veins and arteries).� � The cGMP triggers the muscles of the corpora cavernosa to relax and fill with blood, which causes the penis to expand.
Because of the intricate nature of the physiological processes involved, a number of different factors can interfere with a man's ability to achieve a normal and healthy erection.� � The most common of these is aging.� � As a man gets older, his ability to produce nitric oxide decreases, thus affecting the proper functioning of the corpora cavernosa.
A number of health issues can also underscore this disorder.� � The most frequently seen are diabetes mellitus and hypertension.� � Diabetes, for example, can damage the sensory nerves in the body.� � In turn, individuals who suffer from hypertension exhibit low nitric oxide production.� � Other factors that can contribute to erectile dysfunction include cardiovascular disease, nerve or spinal cord damage, cigarette smoking, low testosterone levels, prescription medications, depression, stress and anxiety.
Until recently, it was believed that little could be done to help a man who is suffering from erectile dysfunction, but there are a number of natural things that can be tried before having to rely on the "little blue pill."
Recommendations For Wellness
If you think your stress, anxiety or depression is affecting you physically, perhaps psychological counseling, meditation, bio-feedback or hypnotherapy can help.
If you are taking prescription medications such as MAO inhibitors or anti-hypertensives, talk to your doctor about their possible side effects.
Have your hormone levels checked.� � You might be suffering from low testosterone levels.� � In some men, low levels of the hormone dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) have also been reported.� � DHEA is essential for the production of testosterone.
Quit smoking.
Try supplementing with the amino acid L-arginine.� � Nitric oxide formation depends on sufficient levels of L-arginine in the body and has been found particularly effective for men with abnormal nitric oxide metabolism.
Yohimbe bark has a history of helping men with erectile dysfunction.� � Yohimbe dilates blood vessels and may help regardless of the underlying cause.� � If you are on prescription medications, talk to your doctor before taking yohimbe.
Muria puama can be used to increase the libido and erectile strength.� � It works best when combined with yohimbe bark.� � This combination can be found in Nature's Sunshine's X-Action for Men.
In Mexico, the herb damiana is used as a male aphrodisiac and is an herb traditionally recommended for men with erectile dysfunction.
In Peru, maca is known as a potent aphrodisiac.� � Maca is often called the herbal "Viagra" and does not alter circulation.� � Instead it works to regulate hormones and bring the body back into balance.
Asian (panax) ginseng is an herb that has long been used to support male potency.
Sarsaparilla has a history of being used as a tonic for male sexual potency and is thought to assist in the production of testosterone.
Some men find relief when taking ginkgo biloba.� � Ginkgo biloba supports blood circulation and may help by increasing blood flow to the penis.� � This supplement is not recommended if you are taking any kind of prescription blood thinner.
Traditionally used to lessen the symptoms of an enlarged prostate, saw palmetto stimulates a low libido and increases sexual energy.

Causes of Sexual Dysfunction Linked To Aging, Partners

Earlier sexual experiences with multiple partners and STDs take their toll on the causes of sexual dysfunction.
Sexual dysfunction is not an inevitable part of aging, but it is strongly related a number of factors, such as mental and physical health, demographics and lifetime experiences, many of which are interrelated, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Chicago.
The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, found that a history of sexually transmitted disease also has an impact on sexual health later in life. People who had an STD are also more likely to have had sexual experiences over their lifetimes that included more risks and multiple sex partners.
“Having had an STD roughly quadruples a woman’s odds of reporting sexual pain and triples her lubrication problems,” said Edward Laumann, the George Herbert Mead Distinguished Service Professor of Sociology at the University, and lead author of the paper, “Sexual Dysfunction Among Older Adults: Prevalence and Risk Factors from a Nationally Representative U.S. Probability Sample of Men and Women 57 to 85 Years of Age,” published in the current issue of the Journal of Sexual Medicine.
Men are more than five times as likely to report sex as non-pleasurable if they have previously had an STD.
Laumann was joined in writing the paper by University researcher Aniruddha Das, and Linda Waite, the Lucy Flower Professor in Sociology at the University.
The study showed that women may be more likely than men to experience sexual dysfunction because of health issues. The most common problem for men is erectile dysfunction, a problem that increases with age.
“The results point to a need for physicians who are treating older adults experiencing sexual problems to take into account their physical health and also consider their mental health and their satisfaction with their intimate relationship in making any assessment,” Laumann said.
The study is based on interviews with a national sample of 1,550 women and 1,455 men, ages 57 to 85, who were part of the 2005-2006 National Social Life, Health and Aging Project, a nationally representative survey of community-dwelling older U.S. adults. The survey collected data on social life, sexuality, health, and a broad range of biological measures.
The study is a companion to a 1999 study Laumann led that looked at sexual dysfunction among men and women, ages 18 to 59. That study found that physical health was a bigger predictor of sexual problems for men than it was for women. For that younger age group, having an STD did not increase the odds of experiencing sexual dysfunction.
The new study found that among older women, a common factor correlated with sexual dysfunction was urinary tract syndrome, which was associated with decreased interest in sex, as were mental health issues such as anxiety.
Among men, mental health issues and relationship problems contributed to a lack of interest in sex and the inability to achieve orgasm, while being treated for urinary tract syndrome was associated with trouble maintaining and achieving an erection.
Daily alcohol consumption seems to improve a woman’s sexual health, increasing her interest and pleasure in sex. Among men, there was no reported impact of alcohol consumption.
Demographic characteristics and cultural factors also are related to sexual performance, the study found. Hispanic women were twice as likely to report pain during intercourse. Among men, blacks were twice as likely to report a lack of interest in sex and more likely to report climaxing too early.

Stent surgery may stop erectile dysfunction

Last week, the first stents of a study by Medtronic were implanted by Dr. Krishna Rocha-Singh, the director of the Prairie Vascular Institute in Springfield, Illinois. The hope with the stent is to help men who have taken Viagra, or other medications for erectile dysfunction without the pills making any difference. The hope is that the stent surgery may stop erectile dysfunction.
Viagra, cialis, and levitra only help about half of the patients they were meant to help, says Dr. Martha Sanda, director of the prostate cancer center at Beth Israel Deaconess Center in Boston. The stent surgery may be invasive, but if it works, it may become quite commercial in the sense that it will be popular, like the breast implant, writes ABC news.
Doctors are finding that erectile dysfunction may be linked to coronary artery disease. With CAD, arteries become occluded and blood flow is decreased. The stent is placed in arteries in the pelvis to open up the arteries and allow blood flow, thus correcting the erectile dysfunction. Researchers are still uncertain as to who the stent will be most effective. The study is meant to figure that out.
The study includes 50 patients at 10 separate medical centers. Some doctors around the country are questioning as to whether the surgery will prove to be effective. However, the only way to know is to do research. That is the purpose of a study. Dr. Jerome Richie, the chief of urology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston thinks that the surgery may help younger men stating, “I would foresee this stent as an application for younger individuals who have had traumatic injuries that decrease arterial inflow. Other than that selected group, I do not foresee widespread applicability.”
The study is called Zen. According to Reuters, a lead researcher Dr. Jason Rogers, director of interventional cardiology at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, stated that there has been an established link between coronary artery disease and erectile dysfunction. In regards to the study and this link, Rogers states, “Based on this evidence, we are investigating the use of stents in pelvic arteries to determine whether it may provide a new treatment approach and enable better response to drug therapies.”
The study will also investigate whether the surgery is safe and improves the erectile dysfunction. The pelvic artery stenting results are expected to be out in 2011. It will be interesting to see what happens and if men who are not helped by drugs can be helped with the stent.