Real Man

     Although fungal infection is most commonly associated with jock itch, it is mainly humidity and friction that causes skin irritation which further leads to itching. However, bacteria and fungus also affect the area and makes the infection severe. It is most commonly found under the skin folds of the groin. It is more frequent in men as the male genitalia provides greater friction and higher levels of humidity in the skin around. From here, jock itch symptoms may spread to the inner thighs, genitals (penis and scrotum of men and labia and vaginal opening of women) and also anus. Though jock itch is found in unhealthy individuals, people whose immune system has been weakened due to intake of antibiotics can also suffer from this type of skin infection. As already said, obese people and those suffering from diabetes are also predisposed to developing jock itch symptoms. Tight and abrasive underwear or coming in contact with the skin or clothes of an infected person can also transfer the infection to a healthy individual.

     Jock Itch Symptoms
     Jock itch symptoms start with mild itching that progresses to become severe. The infected areas appear like red raised plate-like areas with sharp edges. These skin rashes are bumpy and rough to touch. In severe cases pus filled pustules develop along the edge of the red plate-like infections. The newly affected areas are redder and more raised than the older areas. The infections are scaly and can be well distinguished from the areas that were affected earlier. As the infection spreads to newer areas, skin keeps peeling off. In case the area is invaded by yeast then the genitals of an individual may also be infected which includes tip of the penis in men. Women, develop candidiasis that is characterized by vaginal itching and a white, cottage cheese like discharge. Though males are more prone to developing this infection, women can also contract jock itch. Female jock itch symptoms are the same as that of males other than those in the reproductive organs. Read the rest of this entry »

     HPV is a sexually transmitted disease that need not require exchange of bodily fluids for its transmittal but just a skin to skin contact with an infected area. It gets transmitted through genital contact, commonly during vaginal and anal sex. The virus is highly active and contagious and can enter in to the skin through microscopic abrasions that develop in the genital area during sexual intercourse. Men having weak immune system are also more likely to develop HPV in them. Since HPV usually causes no symptoms, most men and women can get HPV and may pass on to their partners without realizing. However, following are some common signs and symptoms of low and high risk types HPV in men.

     Signs of Genital Warts:
     Growths on the penis, testicles, groin, thighs, or anus.
     Painless cauliflower shaped raised or flat warts.
     It may develop within weeks or months after sexual contact with an infected person. Read more on symptoms of genital warts. Read the rest of this entry »

     The exact cause of dysplasia has not yet been ascertained. The most likely cause of dysplasia that has been found so far is the infection of certain types of human papilloma virus (HPV). The virus is sexually transmitted disease and infect the epithelial tissues of various parts of the body. When the virus infects the cells of the cervix, it triggers irregular cell development there and lead to mild cervical dysplasia.

     There are certain factors which have been found to have increased the chances of getting mild dysplasia. If an infected woman will get mild dysplasia or not largely depends on the age at she has been exposed to the virus. Those who are infected by it in the age between 16 and 18 are more vulnerable. Other risk factors are: teenage pregnancy, multiple sexual partners in the teens, habit of smoking etc. It is the same virus that causes genital warts and benign tumors. However, it is not necessary that a women who have dysplasia must have genital warts in the past. In fact, research studies have found that hardly 5 percent of those women who are infected by HPV get genital warts. Find more on mild dysplasia causes.

     Mild Dysplasia Treatment

     Mild Dysplasia is diagnosed with the help of pap smear test. In this test, cells from the cervical area are examined microscopically to identify any abnormal cell growth. Our body has the ability to heal up the condition of mild dysplasia naturally with the passage of time. For this reason, some doctors leave it untreated for some time and keep a close watch on the progress of the infection. Such patients are advised to undergo a pap smear test after a gap of every three to six months. Other prefer to treat it to stop further progression of the disease. Read the rest of this entry »

     Sweating is body’s natural response to control body temperatures. On very hot nights, an individual may sweat to get the excess heat out of one’s body, that is carried away by sweat as it evaporates. It is also a detoxifying process in which the body increases the rate of perspiration to get rid of excess toxins. Alcoholics may experience night sweats when the body does exactly the same. Also, certain food may trigger night sweats in men. For example, red meat, onions, garlic based food and highly spicy foods may be one of the causes of night sweats in men. Also, stress has been cited as one of the reasons of night sweats in men.

     Medical Conditions that Cause Night Sweats in Men

     Andropause: Just like women hit menopause, men also experience andropause. Andropause is a common cause of nights sweats in men. As the body tries to adjust with the change in levels of hormone, hot flashes and night sweats in men is a common occurrence. The problem resolves all by itself as it does with women.

     Infections: Night sweats in men can be due to bacterial or viral infections. Tuberculosis has been classically associated with night sweats in men. Other than this, there are other more serious reasons like endocarditis which is inflammation of the heart valves, osteomyelitis which is inflammation within the bone and abscesses. Even AIDS is associated with sweating at nights. Read the rest of this entry »

     Q:What is the meaning of  kidney stones?

     A:Before we can delve into the causes for the formation of kidney stones in men, let us look at, what is a kidney stone. Formed within the kidney or the urinary tract, kidney stones are hard, crystalline mineral material. The occurrence of these stones, also referred to as nephrolithiasis, is one of the most common disorders of the urinary tract, affecting nearly 10% of Americans at some point in their lives. While typically all adults over the age of 30 are at risk, men tend to be affected more frequently than women especially, when they reach their 40s. To understand how these stones are formed in our body, we have to understand the basic working of the urinary tract.

The kidneys are bean shaped organs located below the ribs. The main function of these organs is to remove extra water and wastes from the blood, producing urine and also keep a stable balance of salts and other substances in the blood. While most of the kidney stones are passed out of the body in the urine stream, the stones which are sufficiently larger in size can cause obstruction to the ureter thus causing extreme pain. The stones in the kidneys are the result of certain chemicals in the kidneys, forming crystals and bonding together. Although there are many chemical compounds that can form stones in the urinary tract, the most common type of kidney stones in men contains calcium with oxalate or phosphate and uric acid.

     Q:What are the symptoms of kidney stones in men ? Read the rest of this entry »