Author: Nicole

Categories
Fibroids

Oriahnn: A New Combination Oral Therapy

A combination therapy that was recently approved by the FDA for the treatment of heavy bleeding caused by uterine fibroids called Oriahnn.

In the previous weeks, we’ve dug deeper into the use of Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists, and birth control in treating fibroid symptoms. This week, we’re going to look at a combination therapy that was recently approved by the FDA for the treatment of heavy bleeding caused by uterine fibroids called Oriahnn.

Oriahnn is a prescription drug, that has been created by combining three different oral therapies. These include a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist and two hormones: estradiol (a form of estrogen), and norethindrone acetate (a form of progestin).

The GnRH agonist in Oriahnn is elagolix, which causes a decrease in estrogen and progesterone levels in the body. The decrease in these hormones causes a temporary menopause-like state which reduces the size of the fibroids and the size of the uterus. It also inhibits menstruation, thus enabling women with bleeding-induced anemia, to increase their stores of iron. GnRH agonists can also improve fibroid-related symptoms such as frequent urination and constipation.

One of the problems with GnRH agonists is that the decrease in estrogen caused by them can lead to an increased risk of osteoporosis.  Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens the bones, thus putting them at a greater risk for sudden and unexpected bone fractures. Since estrogens play a central role in the homeostasis of the skeleton, estrogen deficiency seems to be primarily responsible for the adverse skeletal effects of GnRH agonists. As a result of the estrogen decrease caused by GnRH therapy, bone turnover can increase while bone mineral density can decrease, thereby increasing the risk of fractures.

This is where the addition of estradiol and norethindrone comes in.

Estradiol is a type of estrogen hormone used by women to help reduce the symptoms of menopause. And, in the case of treating fibroids, it helps to prevent the bone loss that can be caused by using a GnRH agonist alone.

Norethindrone is a progestin hormone. The addition of this hormone helps to inhibit estrogen-related fibroid growth and therefore helps to keep the fibroids from growing.

Studies have found that Oriahnn is effective in reducing fibroid-related heavy menstrual periods. The combination of GnRH agonist, estradiol, and norethindrone has proven to be effective with a lower risk of adverse problems than can come from GnRH agonists alone. However, when it comes to eliminating fibroids completely- this medication can not achieve that outcome.

Here are some of the pros and cons associated with this new medication:

Pros:

Works to lighten heavy periods for a majority (7 out of 10) of women

Can reduce period bleeding by 50% after 1 month

Non-surgical treatment option for uterine fibroids

Can take with or without food

Cons:

Treatment is limited to 24 months because of the risk of permanent bone loss

Unknown if it’s safe or works for children under 18 years of age

Interacts with many medications

No generic available,  so it might be expensive

Needs to be taken twice a day

The bottom line:  The FDA’s most recent approval of the medication Oriahnn to control heavy bleeding in women with uterine fibroids, is potentially a better medicine than a GnRH agonist alone- but it is not without its problems. Oriahnn is not recommended for long-term use and it doesn’t eliminate fibroids. In order to shrink or eliminate fibroids, a non-invasive procedure such as Uterine Fibroid Embolization, or sometimes surgery is usually the best choice.

Next week we will wrap up our look at oral therapies used to treat uterine fibroid symptoms, by looking at the use of Tranexamic Acid to reduce fibroid-related bleeding.

Categories
Enlarged Prostate

Prostate Artery Embolization: What the Research Says

In our last article, we took a look at a non-invasive outpatient procedure to treat an enlarged prostate called Prostate Artery Embolization, which we specialize in here at MidAtlantic Vascular and Interventional. Today let’s take a look at what some of the research says about the efficacy of this procedure. 

A recent study published in the medical journal Interventional Radiology looked at 1,000 men treated with Prostate Artery Embolization between 2006 and 2017. The particpants of the study were followed up with for several years after the procedure, where they were evaluated for enlarged prostate symptoms. Specifically, the researchers measured the size of the prostate and evaluated the partipants regarding erectile dysfunction, and urinary issues.

Given that one of the primary symptoms of an enlarged prostate is its impact on urination, the study involved measuring not only the amount of urine retained in the bladder after urination, but researchers also measured the urinary flow rate.

Lastly, each participant’s prostate-specific antigen levels ( PSA) were checked, which is a test that is used to screen for prostate cancer.

Now the big question- What did they find?

The data from these measurements found that at the short-term mark, the Prostate Artery Embolization treatment had a cumulative success rate (measuring all of the variables listed above), of over 90%.

The cumulative success rate of the Prostate Artery Embolization treatment was then measured at the 3-year mark, at which point the researchers found there was an 82% success rate, and again every year after that, resulting in a cumulateive long term success rate of 79%.

The study also discovered that, unlike medication and surgeries which can have unwanted sexual side effects, men treated with Prostate Artery Embolization did not report any adverse effects on their sexual function.

This is just one of the research studies conducted on the effect of Prostate Artery Embolization on men experiencing adverse symptoms from an enlarged prostate. However, there are many more out there, and they all tell us one thing: Prostate Artery Embolization is an excellent option for men with BPH, because it works.

Here at MidAtlantic Vascular and Interventional, we are proud to offer Prostate Artery Embolization and would love to schedule a consultation to see if this procedure can benefit you. That being said, PAE is one of many treatment options that are available for an enlarged prostate, so it’s important to speak with your doctor to determine which treatment is best for your particular case.

In our next article, we will take a look at some of the other treatment options available, starting with medications that are used to treat an enlarged prostate. We will look at the pros and cons of each treatment, to help you to be as informed as possible when making these important decisions for your health.

Categories
Fibroids

Using Birth Control Pills to Reduce Fibroid Symptoms

Depending on the severity of fibroid symptoms, sometimes progesterone-containing birth control can be effective at reducing them.

A class of medication that is sometimes used to treat fibroid symptoms is progesterone-containing birth control.

Depending on the severity of fibroid symptoms, sometimes progesterone-containing birth control can be effective at reducing them.

Though the exact cause of uterine fibroids remains unknown, there is evidence to suggest that their growth is influenced by hormones. The hormones most connected with fibroids are estrogen and progesterone, which are also affected when birth control pills are used.

The two main types of birth control pills are those that contain estrogen and progesterone and those that only contain progesterone. These birth control pills work by preventing the egg from becoming fertilized by the sperm. Or, in the case of the estrogen and progesterone-containing pills, the hormones are used to stop ovulation entirely. Both types of birth control pills are used to prevent pregnancy and are sometimes prescribed to lessen the severity of period-related issues like heavy periods, mood swings, and cramps.

One of the most common symptoms associated with uterine fibroids is heavy menstrual periods. This is where birth control comes into the picture.

Many physicians have found that birth control pills can help reduce the symptom of heavy bleeding and often prescribe them to women with uterine fibroids for this reason. While this may be effective in the short term, birth control pills can not shrink or eliminate fibroids. In fact, in the case of estrogen-containing birth control, the increase in estrogen can actually cause fibroids to grow.

Therefore, when using birth control to help alleviate fibroid symptoms, or as a primary form of birth control, it is important that they are low estrogen or predominantly progesterone-containing pills.

Some examples of low estrogen birth control pills are:

 Lo Loestrin FE:

Lo Loestrin provides the lowest daily dose of estrogen at 10 mcg. This birth control could be a good choice for women with fibroids because it can decrease heavy periods and reduce pain from menstrual cramps, and the low dose of estrogen most likely will not cause fibroids to grow. Loestrin is the name brand of this birth control, however, many less expensive generic options are also available.

Norethindrone Birth Control:

Norethindrone is a progestin-only pill (POP), often referred to as the “mini pill”. Since there is no estrogen in this pill, there is no risk of it causing fibroids to grow. Norethindrone can also decrease fibroid symptoms such as heavy and painful menstrual periods.

Given that some of the most commonly prescribed birth control pills out there can increase estrogen and therefore increase the size of fibroids, birth control is not always the best solution. If the fibroids are small, and the symptoms are mild, a low estrogen or progesterone-containing birth control pill may be beneficial. However, it is important to keep in mind that birth control can sometimes mask the severity of fibroids and other underlying conditions.

The bottom line, if you are experiencing heavy and painful periods due to uterine fibroids, your doctor may suggest taking birth control pills to reduce your bleeding. Though the pills may help control some symptoms of uterine fibroids, birth control pills will not effectively treat them.

Addressing the cause of the fibroid’s symptoms, which is, of course, uterine fibroids, can reduce and eliminate symptoms entirely. So it’s important to talk to your doctor about the different treatment options that are available. And, if you are thinking of going on birth control pills, make sure to keep in mind the type and any impact it could have on your fibroids.

Categories
Enlarged Prostate

Prostate Artery Embolization for an Enlarged Prostate

Here at MidAtlantic Vascular and Interventional, we are proud to offer a non-invasive state-of-the-art treatment for men that are experiencing symptoms due to an enlarged prostate. The treatment is Prostate Artery Embolization, and it is an outpatient procedure that has over a 90% success rate for patients with a symptomatic enlarged prostate.

Though it is normal for the prostate to continue to grow as a man ages, for some it can develop into Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). BPH, also known as an enlarged prostate, occurs when the prostate grows large enough that it begins to pinch the urethra, causing troubling symptoms that affect the ability to urinate, such as:

  • Dribbling when you finish
  • A hard time getting started
  • A weak stream or you pee in stops and starts

The prostate’s squeezing of the urethra also causes the bladder to have to work even harder to pass urine. This over time, can cause the bladder muscles to become weak, making it harder for it to be emptied. This can lead to:

  • Feeling like you still have to pee even after you just went
  • Having to go too often — eight or more times a day
  • Incontinence (when you don’t have control over when you pee)
  • An urgent need to pee, all of a sudden
  • You wake up several times a night to pee

  • Urinary tract infections, bleeding, bladder damage, and bladder stones

Fortunately, many patients are finding relief from these symptoms through the work of our Interventional Radiologist Dr. Rishi R. Sood, who is an expert in performing Prostate Artery Embolization.

The procedure begins with a small incision in the wrist or groin, followed by the insertion of a tiny catheter. Using advanced X-Ray technology, the doctor will then guide the catheter through the blood vessels until it reaches the arteries that are feeding blood to the prostate gland. Once the catheter has reached the proper location, it releases tiny microscopic beads. These beads then travel to the prostatic arteries, where they create a blockage, which blocks the blood flow that is causing the prostate gland’s enlargement.

Maybe this sounds a little like science fiction, or even too good to be true- but rest assured, it’s not.

Though Prostate Artery Embolization is a relatively new outpatient procedure, it’s nothing to be afraid of. In fact, PAE has one of the highest rates of success. Not only do over 90% of men treated with PAE experience relief from their symptoms in the first year, but relief can continue on for years after that.

In our next article, we will take a look at some of the research backing the use of Prostate Artery Embolization as an effective treatment for BPH. In the meantime, please feel free to call us with any questions about PAE, or to set up a consultation to see if PAE is right for you.

Categories
Knee Osteoarthritis

Little Changes, Big Results

Researchers at Wake Forest University discovered that a 10% weight loss can improve osteoarthritis symptoms in obese and overweight adults.

A few years ago, a team of researchers at Wake Forest University discovered that a 10% weight loss can improve the symptoms of osteoarthritis in obese and overweight adults. More recently, this same group of researchers conducted a similar study, only this time, they were looking to determine if losing even more weight, 20% to be exact, would reduce the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis even further.

The results?

It did.

The study, which was published in Arthritis Care and Research, found that obese or overweight adults that lost 20% or more of their body weight had significantly less inflammation than those that lost 5 or 10%. They also found that those who lost at least 20% of their body weight reported less pain, could walk farther, and experienced increased knee function as well.

When it comes to losing weight with knee osteoarthritis, some worry that they won’t be able to due to the limitations that knee osteoarthritis can cause. However, it can be done. In our last article, we looked at weight loss exercises for overweight individuals with knee osteoarthritis. This week we’re going to look at weight loss by making daily dietary changes.

Though there are recommended diets that can reduce inflammation, sometimes the best way to start, is to make little changes that can go a long way.

It can be overwhelming to suddenly cut carbohydrates out of your diet entirely, as well as sugar, dairy, soda, and so forth. So start small, by practicing and developing new habits.

Here are some ways you can get started on your weight loss journey to better health.

1. Focus on eliminating one high fat, high sugar, processed carbohydrate, etc. at a time.

This could mean that instead of having a muffin or pastry for breakfast, opt to have a bowl of oatmeal sweetened with a pinch of honey. It could mean buying an individual-size diet soda, instead of a two-liter bottle of regular. Or add unsweetened vanilla almond milk or low-fat milk to your morning coffee instead of half-and-half or the sugar overload of sweetened creamer. Believe it or not, these simple changes can yield big results over time.

2. Make Meals from Scratch

Pre-made meals and fast food are packed full of sodium, sugar, preservatives, unhealthy fats, and more. These can all increase knee pain and inflammation. So with this, again, start small. You don’t have to make a gourmet meal. Simply try baking a few boneless skinless chicken breasts or tenders, seasoned with olive oil, garlic, onion powder, parsley- or a blend of whatever herbs you might like. If you are unsure, try seasoning each one a little differently to find out what you like.

There are many benefits to herbs, and adding them to your food can even help with inflammation. You can also add sides to the chicken by making a side salad, microwaving a sweet potato, or boiling a pot of quinoa or brown rice.  If that doesn’t sound good to you, just google “simple healthy meals for weight loss” and you’ll find tons of yummy, easy-to-follow recipes.

3. Eat More Fiber Every Day

By making the effort to eat a little more fiber each day, you may find that your cravings for high-calorie, sugary foods are lessened, as is your waistline.

In fact, a study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that eating simply 30 grams of fiber each day can help you lose weight,  and lower your blood pressure. You don’t need to get to the 30 grams right from the get-go. However, you can aim to get closer to it each day by adding fiber-rich foods to your diet. To get started, try swapping out a low-fiber food, for a high-fiber food at least once a day. For help in doing so, check out this helpful guide created by the USDA.

https://www.webmd.com/diet/eat-this-fiber-chart

So when it comes to losing weight with osteoarthritis, your diet can be just as important as exercise. By starting small, you can begin to make changes that over time, will make a big difference in how you look and feel.

In our next article, we will take a look at some of the foods that are known to increase inflammation and should be avoided or at least limited by those with knee osteoarthritis.

Categories
Knee Osteoarthritis

Losing Weight For Knee Health

If you are overweight, your chances of getting osteoarthritis in your knee are four to five times higher than someone who’s not.

If you are overweight, your chances of getting osteoarthritis in your knee are four to five times higher than someone who’s not.

In fact, overweight and obese people are not only more likely to get knee osteoarthritis, but their symptoms are reported to be significantly higher, with knee pain topping the list.

Fortunately, losing weight can help ease osteoarthritis pains. And there’s evidence to back this.

One important study, which was published in the Arthritis Care & Research, found that when overweight adults with knee osteoarthritis lose weight, they experience less pain, less inflammation, and better knee function.

The study also found that when an overweight person loses as little as 10 pounds, it can decrease the progression of knee osteoarthritis by 50 percent.

Of course, we all know that the best way to lose weight is through diet and exercise. However, for those of us that are overweight and experiencing painful knee osteoarthritis exercise may not be too appealing.

Depending on the severity of the knee pain and excess weight, it may be wise to work with your doctor to help create a customized exercise plan. Your doctor may refer you to see a specialist such as a physical therapist that can help you find the right physical activity while keeping your age, health history, and knee issues into account

If seeing a physical therapist or personal trainer isn’t in the budget, there are a few things you may wish to try on your own, that can help you lose weight while keeping your knee pain at a minimum.

Water Exercise:
Swimming, water aerobics, and walking laps in a pool are all excellent low-impact exercises for weight loss. Moving in water allows the knees and joints to flex without any gravity or weight against it, thus making it much less painful to move them.

Gentle Stretching:
Yoga and Tai chi are excellent practices that can teach you different stretches. Be sure to let your instructor know about your knee issues, so as to make the appropriate adjustments to the stretches if need be.

Walking:
If you are able to, walking is an excellent weight loss exercise and can be a very enjoyable one as well. You can walk while listening to a podcast, calling a friend, or just put on your favorite tunes. Rainy day? No problem, you can get the same benefits from walking on the treadmill at the local gym.

Cycling:
Depending on your level of knee pain and the severity of the osteoarthritis, cycling can be a great exercise. The movement during pedaling bends the knee but doesn’t put a lot of stress on the joints.

So give it a shot. Just thirty minutes of exercise a day can make a huge difference. Or you can even start smaller. Try 10 minutes, then 15, then 20…until you are able to reach that 30-minute mark.

Exercise will help you lose weight, and decrease osteoarthritis knee pain- but that is not the only way to lose weight. In our next article, we will look at some simple dietary changes that, when combined with exercise will help you feel better, lose weight and look great.

Categories
Enlarged Prostate

Avoiding Prostatitis: Helpful Tips

Prostatitis is the most common prostate condition, especially in men under 50. It is a painful condition that involves inflammation of the prostate gland and is usually caused by a bacterial infection and treated with antibiotics.

Though sometimes prostatitis can result from bacteria entering the prostate during a medical procedure or from another prostate condition such an as enlarged prostate-  The majority of cases are linked to poor hygiene, a sedentary lifestyle, unprotected sex, and a diet that is deficient in vital nutrients.

The good news is, that there are plenty of things that can be done to reduce the chance of getting this type of infection. Here’s a look at a few tips on how to prevent prostatitis, or at least decrease its symptoms and duration.

Practice good hygiene:
One of the best ways to ensure your penis and the area around it are healthy and infection-free is to keep them clean. Adopting proper hygiene habits, and making sure to wash your genital area regularly, can greatly reduce the risk of prostatitis.

Drink more water:
Making sure to keep your body hydrated is essential for maintaining good prostate health. Drinking plenty of fluids will help to flush bacteria from the bladder. It can also help prevent constipation.

Reduce caffeine and alcohol intake:
Though it is important to increase your fluid intake- not all beverages are created equal. Caffeinated beverages and alcoholic beverages can irritate and inflame the urinary tract, bladder, and prostate.

Practice safe sex:
When it comes to avoiding bacterial prostatitis, using a condom can greatly reduce your risk. Sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause bacterial prostatitis as well as other health complications.

Exercise:
Regular physical activity can help prevent prostatitis and inflammation. In fact, according to an Italian study, by exercising three times a week for 18 weeks through either brisk walking or leg lifts, sit-ups, and stretching- previously sedentary men with chronic prostatitis not only felt better, but they had less discomfort, anxiety, and improved quality of life. Exercising improves circulation, and combined with proper hydration can help keep the body clean.

Add more fruits and vegetables to your diet:
With their high levels of antioxidants, vitamins, and other powerful nutrients, fruits and vegetables can help fight infections and reduce inflammation.

Maintain a healthy weight:
Studies have shown that by being overweight, the body is at a much higher risk for a slew of health problems- including an increased risk of prostatitis.

Manage your stress levels:
Studies have found that men who deal with high levels of stress are more likely to experience prostatitis. Not only can stress deplete energy levels, but it also contributes to weight gain, mental health issues, heart problems, and prostate issues. Stress can also exacerbate and increase prostatitis-related pain.

By making the effort to follow these suggestions, you can not only improve your prostate health and reduce the risk of prostatitis- but you can also feel better, look better, and have a much better quality of life.

Categories
Fibroids

Fibroid Medications: GnRH Agonists

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists are one of the most common medications used to treat uterine fibroids.

When it comes to treating uterine fibroids, informed decisions are the best decisions. Therefore it is important to take a look at all of the fibroid treatments that are available. Whether it’s surgery, UFE, or medication, you and your doctor can find the one that’s best for you.

The first mode of treatment we are going to look at is a type of medication called Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists are one of the most common medications that are used to treat uterine fibroids. These medications can be taken via a nasal spray or an injection.

GnRH agonists work by decreasing estrogen and progesterone levels in the body. The decrease in these hormones causes a temporary menopause-like state which reduces the size of the fibroids and the size of the uterus. It also inhibits menstruation,
thus enabling women with bleeding-induced anemia, to increase their stores of iron. These medications can also improve fibroid-related symptoms such as frequent urination and constipation.

GnRH agonists are sometimes prescribed in order to help shrink fibroids prior to surgery.

The most commonly prescribed Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists are Lupron, Synarel, and Zoladex. Though these medications improve symptoms and shrink fibroids, they do not eliminate them completely. Furthermore, it is estimated that 40% of women taking these medications experience the side effects of hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause, which can be problematic. Other common side effects are:

– mood changes
– increased sweating
– muscle stiffness
– vaginal dryness

The most concerning side effect of GnRH therapy is osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens the bones, thus putting them at a greater risk for sudden and unexpected bone fractures. Since estrogens play a central role in the homeostasis of the skeleton, estrogen deficiency seems to be primarily responsible for the adverse skeletal effects of GnRH agonists. As a result of the estrogen decrease caused by GnRH therapy, bone turnover can increase while bone mineral density can decrease, thereby increasing the risk of fractures.

The side effect of osteoporosis is typically associated with the long-term use of GnRH agonists. However, regardless of the amount of time, stopping this form of treatment can lead to rapid regrowth of the fibroids and the uterine size. Therefore, typically the best use of these medications is usually a short-term administration of them, as a preoperative course in order to shrink the uterus and fibroids in preparation for surgery.

GnRH agonists are not the only medication that is used in the treatment of uterine fibroids. Depending on the severity of the fibroid symptoms, sometimes progesterone-containing birth control can be effective. Next week, we will take a look at this form of treatment.

Categories
Enlarged Prostate

Prostatitis and BPH

When it comes to experiencing prostate symptoms sometimes it’s hard to tell if the symptoms point to prostatitis or an enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia. Though both conditions can share similar symptoms, there are certain differentiating factors including the cause and the treatment.

First of all, BPH is a normal part of aging for men. In fact, between the ages of 20 and 50 years old, it is estimated that the prostate nearly doubles in size. And by age 80, it is not uncommon for the prostate to double in size again.

Sometimes men with an enlarged prostate have very few symptoms and do not require treatment. While others with an enlarged prostate will experience pressure on the urethra causing a slew of urinary issues.

If the enlarged prostate is particularly troublesome, an excellent treatment option is Prostate Artery Embolization, which we perform regularly here at MidAtlantic Vascular and Interventional.

However, if you are experiencing an enlarged prostate under the age of 50, chances are this is actually inflammation caused by prostatitis.

Prostatitis, which we covered more in-depth in a previous article, is usually caused by a bacterial infection. This infection causes the prostate to become tender, swollen, and enlarged. Unlike benign prostate hyperplasia, prostatitis is usually treated with antibiotics. Sometimes medications to relax the muscle in the upper part of the urethra are also administered to help relieve any pain associated with the infection.

Enlarged prostate and prostatitis are different diagnoses, however, when it comes to chronic bacterial prostatitis, there can be a connection between the two.

Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis is defined as an ongoing or recurring prostate infection, and one common culprit- an enlarged prostate.

Why is this?

The most common reason for this is that having benign prostatic hyperplasia can cause urinary problems which inhibit the ability to completely empty the bladder. As a result, the stagnant urine acts as a growth medium for bacteria.

Though the symptoms of an enlarged prostate and prostatitis can be similar, there are differences. First, let’s take a look at the symptoms of each.

Symptoms of Benign Prostate Hyperplasia:

  • An urgent, at times uncontrollable, need to urinate, which may lead to incontinence if the person can’t make it to the bathroom in time
  • Trouble urinating
  • Frequent urination
  • Urinary hesitancy, i.e. slow start till urine streams out
  • Weak flow of urine
  • Frequent need to urinate at night, known as nocturia
  • Intermittent flow, i.e. stopping and starting
  • Leaking or dribbling urine
  • Urinary retention

Symptoms of Prostatitis

  • Hematuria (blood in the urine) or blood in semen
  • Pain in the penis and testicles
  • Burning or painful sensation during urination
  • Painful or difficult ejaculation
  • Urethral discharge
  • Pain and/or pressure in the rectum
  • Painful defecation (painful bowel movements)
  • Discomfort and/or pain in the genitals, groin, lower back and/or lower abdomen
  • Recurring urinary tract infections (UTIs)
  • Sexual problems and loss of sex drive
  • Postcoital pain (pain after having sex)

As you can see, both an enlarged prostate and prostatitis are associated with similar urinary problems, however, prostatitis may also be associated with pain during ejaculation,  general abdominal pain, and the other symptoms listed above.

Another key difference is that since prostatitis is usually caused by a bacterial infection, it can cause symptoms such as fever, chills, and a pus-like discharge. These symptoms are rarely associated with an enlarged prostate.

If you think you may have a case of prostatitis or an enlarged prostate, it is important that you reach out to your doctor right away, as ignoring the symptoms, will only make it worse. And by getting the proper diagnosis, you and your doctor can develop a treatment plan, and work to reduce your symptoms and potentially resolve the issue.

Categories
Knee Osteoarthritis

The Link Between Obesity and Knee Osteoarthritis

According to the Center for Disease Control it is estimated that at least 2 out of 3 Americans are overweight or obese.

The Center for Disease Control estimates that at least 2 out of 3 Americans are overweight or obese. They define being overweight in most cases based on Body Mass Index or BMI, which is 30 or greater.

The CDC also found that more than 1 out of 3 obese people will get arthritis in their lifetime. In fact, obese men and women are five times more likely to develop arthritis- and are at a much higher risk of osteoarthritis in the knees.

The most logical explanation for an increase in osteoarthritis in obese men and women is the extra force that the weight puts on the joints. This excess weight on the cartilage that cushions and protects the ends of the bones in the joints, wears down over time. That wear and tear, plus the added weight puts more pressure and stress on the joints and often results in osteoarthritis.

According to a study titled “Weight and Osteoarthritis” published by the National Library of Medicine, researchers analyzed data and were able to estimate that a force of nearly three to six times a person’s body weight is exerted across the knee when walking. So it makes sense that an overweight or obese person’s extra weight would put an excessive amount of pressure on the knees, thus increasing the risk for osteoarthritis. However, this harmful pressure load on the knees is not just connected to those that are very overweight. In fact, according to research conducted by the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center, even just 10 extra pounds of excess weight can increase the force on the knees by 30-60 pounds!

Another factor when it comes to the link between overweight or obese and having knee osteoarthritis is evidence that suggests that the extra body fat leads to more inflammation. Though the research on this is ongoing, early reports indicate the discovery that fat cells create and release chemicals that may cause inflammation in the knees and other joints as well. These chemicals, called cytokines can cause inflammation in and around the joints, which can add to joint damage and pain.

Studies have also found that certain medications used to treat inflammatory arthritis, may not be as effective in people that are overweight or obese.

We all know that one of the best ways to lose weight is through diet and exercise. However, what if your joints hurt too much to exercise? Or what if the medications you are taking for arthritic pain are contributing to your weight gain?

In our next article, we will take a look at some ways to lose weight, that are safe and effective for those that are overweight, and struggling with osteoarthritic knee pain.

By getting your weight under control, the body will work better, heal faster, and be more receptive to the treatment of osteoarthritis itself. Even losing a little weight can have a hugely positive impact on your physical and mental health.