Tuesday July 8, 2008

Tuesday July 8th / 2008

12:10: The Health Roundup with Jay McQueen.


12:13: American pediatricians are sounding the alarm over childhood cardiac risks and high cholesterol….suggesting that kids as young as two might need to be tested and that some kids should be on meds for high cholesterol.
GUEST: Dr. Angelo Zizzo, Hamilton Family Physcian, Past Pres. Hamilton Academy of Medicine.

12:20: A smattering of fitness related topics. Steve Lidstone is heading to the Olympics with the athletes! Also, quite a few kids are injured in sports due to early specialization. And, there is a something called the Long term Athlete Development Plan – a great resource for parents and athletes. www.ltad.ca.
Guest: Steve Lidstone, Strength and Conditioning Co-ordinator, McMaster Athletics & Recreation.

12:35: A new website has been launched (www.thereasons.ca), as part of a study to better understand the transition in suicidal individuals from thoughts of wanting to die by suicide to choosing to live.
Guest: Dr. Jennifer Brasch, Medical Director of the Psychiatric Emergency Service, St. Joseph’s HealthCare, Hamilton (and lead researcher of the project).

12:45: Rexall Radio Health Matters segment.
Guest: Irene Hogan.

Enlarged Prostate (BPH)

Prostate Enlargement or Benign Prostate Hyperplasia is a common condition for men over the age of 50. Most men will have some symptoms as they age, ranging from minor inconvenience to acute urinary problems. Understanding this condition and its available treatment options can help men lead a normal life in their years to come. BPH is caused by the growth of the prostate gland. This organ for reason only partially understood, continues to grow during most of a man’s adult life. When the tissue surrounding the prostate prevents it from expanding further, the growth causes it to close in on the urethra, restricting the flow of urine from the bladder. The bladder wall can become irritated, causing it to empty itself more often. The degree of prostate enlarge can vary greatly between individuals, as the symptoms of BPH. If a patient is experiencing prostate problems, they should contact their doctor or healthcare professional. Severe BPH can lead to more serious problems such as acute urinary inability of the bladder to empty itself. This condition can also be brought on by over-the-counter antihistamines, alcohol consumption or immobility. Long term effects of severe BPH can include infections, incontinence, and bladder or kidney damage. Most BHP cases are only minor, and treatment and symptom relief can be found. Several herbal and nutritional products are used to promote the healthy function of the prostate and relieve the minor symptoms of BPH. The formula of the amino acids has been used for decades for relief of BPH symptoms. The extract of the berries of the Saw Palmetto plant promote healthy prostate function. This herb acts as a diuretic and helps in bladder function, and may have an effect on DHT levels as well. There are two types of prescription therapies currently indicated for cases of BPH; finasteride and alpha-blockers. It has shown to shrink the size of the prostate. Non-surgical procedures for BPH include Transurethral Microwave Thermo and Transurethral Needle Ablation (TUNA), which involve the destruction of tissue through the use of heat.

Symptoms;
• Discomfort while urinating
• Difficulty in starting flow
• A weak or interrupted flow
• Urgency or leaking/dribbling
• More frequent urination especially at night


Nadine Janacek Rexall #0202 Blog Reporter