Boston
Medical Group, a national physician network specializing in the
treatment of erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation, today
released ten top acronyms that matter to men's health. From weight loss
to mental, heart and sexual health, the medical lexicon can be confusing
for patients, family members and healthcare professionals alike. Boston
Medical Group is taking a step to dispel the confusion around men's
health conditions and treatments in order to help patients move towards
self-care as a crucial part of their overall health-care.
"We know that many health ailments are interconnected, with one
condition often acting as a precursor or warning signal for another
health issue. If a patient cannot describe or even understand their
medical condition or available treatments, they are putting their health
at great risk," said Dr. Barry Buffman, medical director at Boston
Medical Group. "It is the medical community's responsibility to help
give the general population some health smarts, and encourage men to
take control of their own personal health to improve overall health
outcomes."
Ten Important Men's Health Terms Include (listed in alphabetical
order):
1. AOD: Adult
Onset Diabetes, more commonly referred to as "Type II Diabetes,"
is a condition marked by high blood glucose and insulin deficiency.
Because diabetes affects blood sugar levels and a man's vascular system,
diabetes is often associated with other health conditions, such as heart
disease and erectile dysfunction. Men will benefit by understanding the
underlying health issues affecting all bodily functions and taking a
holistic approach to healthcare, rather than treating a singular
condition such as diabetes.
2. BMI: Body Mass
Index is a number calculated using a person's height and weight.
One's BMI is a reliable indicator of the various weight classifications,
such as obesity, that can lead to other health problems. Once a man's
BMI is calculated, he can take the diet and exercise measures necessary
to improve his weight category and overall health.
3. BP: High
blood pressure, or hypertension, occurs when the force of blood
within an artery is unusually high. The risk of high blood pressure
increases in a man's forties, and can cause a wide range of health
problems, including aneurysms, heart failure, kidney failure and
blindness. While high blood pressure is often genetic, a man can
decrease his risk of hypertension by improving his diet and exercise
level, and decreasing salt and alcohol intake.
4. ED: Erectile
dysfunction is a condition that affects 30 million American men.
According to the Massachusetts Male Aging Study, 52 percent of men
between the ages of 40 and 70 report having some difficulty achieving or
maintaining erections.1 Many physicians point to the fact
that the penis serves as the barometer of a man's overall health, with
ED acting as an early sign of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other
physical ailments. Men with even mild symptoms of ED should examine
their overall health to ensure longevity.
5. HDL/LDL: HDL”or
high-density lipoprotein”is known as "good cholesterol," because
it is thought to carry cholesterol away from the arteries to be
processed by the liver and excreted from the body. LDL”or low-density
lipoprotein”can form plaque in the arteries that feed the heart and
the brain, increasing risk of clot formation and heart attack. Foods
heavy in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish oils, flax seeds, soy
products and dark leafy greens have been shown to lower fat in the
bloodstream and improve overall blood flow.
6. ICP: Used
to treat erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation,
intracavernous pharmocotherapy (ICP) is a combination of
FDA-approved medications that is injected into the spongy tissue of the
penis, using an auto-applicator, to produce an erection within minutes.
Because ICP is a localized treatment, many of the systemic risk factors
that keep oral medications from being a safe treatment option for men
affected with diabetes and heart conditions are not present with ICP.
7. EKG: Recommended
for men over thirty-five, an electrocardiogram (EKG) is an
important medical test that records the electrical activity of the
heart. EKGs are used to detect abnormal rhythms and heart muscle damage.
8. STI: Sexually
transmitted diseases, in recent years referred to as sexually
transmitted infections (STIs), are illnesses transmitted through
sexual contact. Gone untreated, many STIs can adversely affect one's
immune system, organ function, blood cells and other health conditions.
The most effective way to prevent STIs is by avoiding the transfer of
bodily fluids; proper use of condoms also reduces risk of STIs. Both
sexual partners should also get tested for STIs before initiating sexual
activity.
9. CDE: In order to
promote good health and strong bodily functions, it is important that
the male diet is rich in vitamins and minerals. Three important vitamins
for men include Vitamin C to strengthen blood vessels and muscles
and protect against infection; Vitamin D, which is important for
preventing some types of bone disease; and Vitamin E, an
antioxidant that helps repair cell membranes that protect the heart.
10. PSA: A Prostate-specific
antigen (PSA) is a protein secreted by the prostate--measuring one's
PSA level has been used for some time as a method of screening for
prostate cancer.
About Boston Medical Group
For over a decade, Boston Medical Group's network of independent
physicians has provided men with solutions to treat sexual health issues
such as erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. The physicians
provide therapies and treatment programs that can help men regain their
sexual health and function, including those who are unable to take
systemic oral medications. The Boston Method® involves
personalized treatments that often induce an erection within minutes. In
the last year alone, Boston Medical Group physicians treated more than
30,000 men across the United States.
1 Feldman HA, Goldstein I , Hatzichristou DG. Impotence and
its medical and psychosocial correlates: Results of the Massachusetts
Male Aging Study. J Urol. 151: 1994; 54-61.