Health/Fitness « Weekly Gravy

Viagra can salvage a man’s sex life, but in rare cases it may temporarily steal his sight. Researchers report that some men who took sildenafil — the generic form of the impotence drug — suffered from vision problems, including a kind of color blindness that could take weeks to resolve. The case report details 17 Turkish males who wound up in the hospital after taking sildenafil for the first time. The men suffered a number of vision problems, including dilated pupils, blurred vision, light sensitivity and color blindness, the doctors reported. The men had all taken the highest recommended dose of 100 milligrams, even though none had been prescribed sildenafil, the report said. The visual side effects began shortly after taking the drug, and were still present when the men came to the hospital a day or two later, the researchers reported. All the symptoms eventually cleared up, but it took three weeks for some. The findings were published Feb. 7 in the journal Frontiers in Neurology. These sort of vision effects aren’t uncommon in people who take Viagra, U.S. medical experts said. It turns out that the enzyme that Viagra blocks to promote erections is closely akin to another enzyme that’s important for the function of photoreceptors in the eyes, said Dr. Richard Rosen, a vitreoretinal surgeon at New York Eye and Ear Infirmary… read on >

Roses are red, violets are blue, sleep experts have a Valentine’s Day gift idea for you. A box of chocolates and a candlelight dinner might seem romantic, but your partner might also embrace a lifestyle change: no more snoring. “While snoring is disruptive to bed partners and can cause frustration in a relationship, it can also be an indicator of a serious health problem,” said Dr. Kelly Carden, president of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). “Snoring is a common symptom of obstructive sleep apnea, a chronic disease that involves the repeated collapse of the upper airway during sleep,” she explained in an AASM news release. “When sleep apnea is untreated, it can increase the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, stroke and other health problems.” For occasional snorers, the AASM offers this advice: Lose weight. Weight gain can worsen snoring and lead to obstructive sleep apnea. Shedding a couple of pounds might eliminate your snoring. Change positions. Some people find that they snore while sleeping on their back. If this is the case, try sleeping on your side instead. Avoid alcohol, muscle relaxants and certain medications. Substances like these can relax your throat or tongue muscles, leading to snoring. Get a diagnosis. If you’re snoring loudly each night, talk to your doctor about it or consult a sleep specialist.… read on >

Almost everyone gets stuck shoveling snow at some point during the winter. To prevent back pain and strain, one spinal expert has some advice. Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Srinivasu Kusuma, from the University of Chicago Medicine Medical Group, noted it’s all in the precautions you take before you tackle your snow-covered driveway. Decide if it’s safe to shovel. If you already have back issues and don’t exercise often, or if you are prone to lightheadedness or shortness of breath, maybe you shouldn’t be shoveling. Instead, consider using a snowblower. For those with heart problems or chest pains during exercise, Kusuma urges they check with their doctor about shoveling. Warm up your muscles. “Make sure to warm up before you shovel, just as you would before a workout,” Kusuma said in a university news release. Stretching and strolling can warm up your muscles. If you’re going to shovel bright and early, make sure your muscles are loose before shoveling. Don’t have time to stretch out in the a.m.? You might want to shovel in the evening then. Appropriate winter gear is important. A coat, pants, hat and gloves will keep you warm in frigid weather. Wearing waterproof boots can also give you traction and prevent slips and falls, Kusuma said. Use a lightweight shovel with an adjustable handle. Use proper technique. Push the snow to the side… read on >

Smokers who recently quit tobacco cigarettes are much more likely to use e-cigarettes than those who quit more than a decade ago, a new study says. The findings suggest that smokers who want to quit are now using e-cigarettes to help them, according to the authors. In the past, quitters had to rely on other smoking cessation aids. “Duration of smoking cessation was a major determinant in understanding the complex interaction between smoking and e-cigarette use, and this parameter may be important in examining the impact of e-cigarettes in future population studies,” said the study authors led by Dr. Konstantinos Farsalinos, a cardiologist at Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center in Kallithea, Greece. The researchers analyzed data on more than 6,900 current smokers and more than 6,100 former smokers in 28 European countries. Current daily e-cigarette use was reported by 2% of current and 3% of former smokers. Former daily use of e-cigarettes was reported by nearly 6% and 2%, respectively. More than half of all former smokers had quit more than 10 years ago. Of those, only 0.2% reported daily e-cigarette use, compared with 9% of those who had quit between three and five years ago, and about 13% of those who had quit in the last two years. Compared with former smokers who had never used e-cigarettes, current e-cigarette users were nearly five times more… read on >

While working out might boost your health and mood, it also might cause your skin to break out. But don’t kick your New Year’s resolutions to the curb just yet, because dermatologists say that exercise-induced acne can be prevented. Experts from the American Academy of Dermatology explained that hitting the gym can cause oil, dirt and bacteria to build up on your skin and lead to acne. Practicing good hygiene before, during and after your workouts is the key to keeping your skin glowing, the doctors advised. “While exercise itself doesn’t cause acne, the skin care habits you maintain around your workouts can significantly impact your skin,” said dermatologist Dr. Elizabeth Bahar Houshmand. “Since germs thrive at the gym, it’s important to maintain good hygiene while working out to prevent clogged pores and the spread of harmful bacteria.” To keep your skin acne-free after exercising, Houshmand recommends: Choose clean, loose-fitting clothes that don’t rub against your skin. Take any makeup off before working out. Apply sunscreen on exposed skin when exercising outside. Pat sweat off your body with a towel during your workout. Clean shared equipment before using it. Shower with warm water immediately after working out. Change into clean clothes after showering. “Keep in mind that acne can have many causes, including genetics, hormones, stress and medications,” Houshmand said in an academy news release.… read on >

Though good vision is critical, a new survey finds that most folks fall short when it comes to knowledge about eye diseases. The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) commissioned the online survey of more than 3,500 U.S. adults aged 18 and older. While the survey found that 81% said they’re knowledgeable about vision health, only 19% knew the three main causes of blindness in the United States: glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration and diabetic eye disease. Only 47% knew that vision loss and blindness don’t affect all people equally, and just 37% knew that people don’t always have symptoms before they lose their vision to eye diseases. In addition, less than half (47%) knew that because it adapts to vision loss, the brain can make it difficult to know if you are losing your vision. “Far too often, we witness the consequences of patients entering the ophthalmologist’s office too late to avoid severe vision loss,” AAO president Dr. Anne Coleman said in an academy news release. “In 2020, we want all Americans to have clear vision when it comes to eye health. That starts with educating yourself about eye diseases and visiting an ophthalmologist,” she said. Healthy adults should see an ophthalmologist for a baseline eye exam by age 40 and have their eyes checked every year or two at age 65 or older, the AAO… read on >

(HealthDay News) — Turmeric has been used across the globe for many health conditions, such as pain, fatigue, breathing issues and rheumatism, says the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. It mentions this information about turmeric: Long-term turmeric use may cause gastrointestinal problems. There isn’t enough evidence that turmeric helps reduce inflammation. Preliminary studies show that turmeric could be helpful in controlling knee pain and skin irritation. The center says you should always inform your healthcare provider about any alternative health approaches you use.

(HealthDay News) — Ankle sprains can occur when the ankle is rolled, twisted or turned the wrong way, says Mayo Clinic. Pain, tenderness and swelling are typical symptoms of a sprained ankle. To help prevent ankle sprains, Mayo Clinic suggests: Warm up before exercising or playing sports. Be careful when walking, running or working on an uneven surface. Use a support brace or tape on a weak or previously injured ankle. Wear shoes that fit well. Minimize wearing high heels. Don’t participate in activities you are not conditioned for. Keep your muscles strong and flexible. Practice stability training and balance exercises.

(HealthDay News) — Keratosis pilaris, sometimes called chicken skin, is a condition that causes small rough bumps, says the American Academy of Dermatology. Though the condition is generally harmless, some people opt for treatment. To treat chicken skin, the academy suggests: Apply a moisturizer with urea or lactic acid after a shower or bath. Using a loofah or microdermabrasion kit to diminish bumps. Talk to your doctor about medication to exfoliate your skin. Consider laser treatment if moisturizer and medicine both fail.

Don’t get tackled by the flu if you go to a Super Bowl party this weekend. Some simple precautions can protect you and others, said Libby Richards, an associate professor who specializes in public health at Purdue University School of Nursing in West Lafayette, Ind. “If you are sick or a family member or friend you are planning on visiting for a Super Bowl gathering is sick with the flu or influenza-like illnesses, you should avoid contact,” Richards said in a university news release. “Don’t visit until the symptoms have resolved — even if that means having to stay home for the big game,” she advised. If you’re hosting a party, encourage people to wash their hands before eating and to use utensils when they handle food. Have antibacterial hand gel near common gathering places and provide paper towels, not cloth, in bathrooms. After high-fiving with others to celebrate a great play: “Don’t touch your face, eyes, nose or mouth afterward, as that is an easy way to transfer germs,” Richards said. The United States has recently seen an increase in flu activity, according to the latest update from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At least 15 million people have been diagnosed with the flu this season, resulting in 140,000 hospitalizations and 8,200 deaths, including 54 children, the CDC said. The best… read on >