| According to the latest figures, one in three Europeans smokes, but the percentage of smokers is higher in the youngest age groups. Latest statistics also show that lung cancer is the most common type of cancer among European men. In an effort to find new ways to shock smokers out of the habit, the EU will be setting a database of graphic pictures illustrating the dangers of smoking. From 1 October next year, European countries will be able - though not obliged - to use some of those images on cigarette packs. Precedents Brazil and Canada have already started to use graphic warnings against smoking, and Singapore may follow suit next year. The pictures used in Canada include horrendous images of rotten teeth and gums, diseased lungs, but also indirect or ironic warnings. An image of two children is captioned "don't poison us" while the warning "tobacco use can make you impotent" is erectile dysfunction and generic drugs by a suggestive picture of drooping ash on a burning cigarette. Thorsten Muench, a spokesman for the European Commission, says a picture paints a thousand words. "It's not necessarily a measure which will help the die-hard smokers to quit smoking, even if it's also foreseen to have quit-line numbers on the photo health warnings," he says. "The main focus is really to stop people starting the habit in the first place and there are a lot of international studies which show that there is a certain impotence herbal remedy of this measure. "It's not the only measure, but it's one way to have less smokers in the first place." Belgian measures The European Commissioner for health David Byrne, who is a staunch non-smoker, said the EU had to find innovative ways to illustrate the shocking truth that half of all smokers would be killed by their habit.
His native Ireland is due to become the first country in the EU to introduce a controversial ban on smoking in pubs and restaurants. Belgium is also planning to ban the sale of tobacco to under-16s and to outlaw smoking on school grounds, both by students and teachers. Belgium - where twice as many young people smoke than they did last year - may also be among the first countries to use graphic warnings and to print free phone numbers on cigarette packs which smokers could use to get advice about stopping smoking. And from 1 May next year, on the same day that 10 more countries join the EU, smoking will also be banned at the European Commission in Brussels. Detailed warnings But as early as the end of this month, health warnings on cigarette packs will be enlarged everywhere in the EU (covering at least 30% of the front and at least 40% of the back of the pack). The new reimpotence and alcohol texts won't just say that "tobacco is bad for you", but will include more detailed warnings, such as: "Smoking can cause a slow and painful death" or simply "smokers die younger". Men will be told that "smoking may reduce the blood flow and causes impotence", while women will be warned that "smoking when pregnant harms your baby" and "causes ageing of the skin". EU health commissioner David Byrne believes many people still smoke because they do not fully understand the magnitude of the risks posed by tobacco. |
Sunday, May 25, 2008
EU gets graphic in anti-smoking battle
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Scientists discover stroke gene
| A gene which may increase the risk of stroke has been uncovered by Iceland-based researchers. The discovery could prompt the discovery of drug treatments to help those at highest risk. This protein it produces plays a role in the growth of blood vessels. but too much of it may increase stroke risk. Writing in the journal Nature Genetics, the scientists said people with certain forms of a gene called PDE4D may be most at risk. Proteins from a similar "family", called phosphodiesterase (PDE), are linked to other illnesses, such as asthma, inflammation and even erectile dysfunction. This suggests that it may be possible to develop a drug to block the effects of the gene - the impotence zinc impotence drug Viagra already works by targeting another member of the PDE family. Solveig Newest impotence medicine and colleagues at a company called deCode Genetics in Reykjavik believe this gene is associated with an increased risk of stroke. They carried out DNA tests on over 1,700 people in Iceland, half of whom had suffered strokes. The Icelandic population is generally regarded as the best testing ground for geneticists. This is because the gene pool is relatively pure. Unlike most other countries, there has been little immigration since the first Vikings arrived almost 1,000 years ago. Scientists working on this latest study say they have identified genetic differences between those people who have had strokes and those who have not. These differences centre on the gene PDE4D, located on chromosome 5. They have found that three different isoforms of the gene were expressed at lower levels in people who had strokes. Isoforms are groups of proteins that are produced by a gene. They also found different combinations of genes in regions of chromosome 5 flanking the PDE4D gene in people who had strokes. It is already known that this gene provides the coding which enables a protein called a phosphodiesterase to work. Stroke risk But the Icelandic scientists believe that too much of it may increase the risks of atherosclerosis - furring up of the arteries. This causes the arteries to narrow, which can trigger a stroke. "We propose that PDE4D is involved in the pathogenesis of stroke, possibly through atherosclerosis, which is the primary impotence help process underlying ischemic stroke," the scientists said. They believe that blocking the protein in people with these potentially problematic forms of the PDE4D gene could protect them against stroke. There are already drugs available to do this. These so-called phosphodiesterase inhibitors are used to treat asthma, inflammation and erectile dysfunction, with Viagra probably the best known. However, much further study is needed before these drugs could be used to treat people who may have a high risk of having a stroke. Viagra, for one, has potentially serious side effects if taken by men with underlying health problems. |
Friday, May 23, 2008
Smoking is a blight on fertility
| Smoking damages almost all aspects of sexual, reproductive and child health, according to a report. The study, by the British Medical Association, says smoking has caused impotence in 120,000 men aged 30-50. It is responsible for up to 5,000 miscarriages a year, reduces the chances of successful IVF and is implicated in cases of cervical cancer. The BMA is calling for tough asian formula herbal impotence measures, including help for pregnant women to avoid passive smoke.
Not only can smoking prevent people starting a family, the report says, it can also damage their children. It says smoking reduces the chances of a woman conceiving by up to 40% per cycle. And women who smoke during pregnancy are three times more likely to have a low birth-weight baby. Low birth weight is closely linked to illness and death in infancy. There is also evidence that smoking may increase the risk of certain foetal malformations, such as cleft lip and palate. Women who smoke have also been found to produce smaller volumes of lower quality breastmilk. Passive smoking is linked to cot death, premature birth, impotence youth infection in children and the development of childhood asthma. It is estimated that each year more than 17,000 children under five years old are admitted to UK hospitals because of respiratory illness caused by exposure to other people's cigarette smoke. Dr Vivienne Nathanson, the BMA's Head of Science and Ethics, said: "The sheer scale of damage that smoking causes to reproductive and child health is shocking. "Women are generally aware that they should not smoke while pregnant but the message needs to be far stronger. "Men and women who think they might want children one day should bin cigarettes. "And we're not just talking about having children. Men who want to continue to enjoy sex should forget about lighting up given the strong evidence that smoking is a major cause of male sexual impotence." Devastating impact Deborah Arnott, director of anti-smoking charity ASH, said: "This report clearly shows the devastating impact of smoking on generations to come. "Stopping smoking should be the number one priority for anyone who wants to have children. "This is important not just to increase the chances of conception but also to give your child the best start in life. "By stopping smoking, parents will not only improve their own health but will lessen the chances of their children developing illnesses such as asthma and pneumonia." |
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Legal action against fish cure
| The Indian Medical Erectile dysfunction supplements (IMA) has decided to take legal action questioning the scientific basis of a 150-year-old cure for asthma. Known in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh as fish medicine, the cure is used by hundreds of thousands of patients every year. In recent years, the medicine has gained tremendous popularity. About half a million people visit Hyderabad every June to consume the medicine which is taken with live fish. 'Herbal medicine' An official of the IMA, CL Venkat Rao, told journalists that the association will issue legal notices to the state and central government for their failure to verify the scientific basis and the contents of the medicine. He said the Andhra Pradesh High Court had last year asked the government to find out the contents of the medicine but so far nothing had been done.
The IMA has decided to take court action because it says the family in Hyderabad which owns the medicine is preparing to impotence solution it again this year - starting on 8 June. Bathini Harinath Goud, the erectile dysfunction vitamins of the Hyderabad-based family, says the formula of the "herbal medicine" was given to his great grand father Veeranna Goud by a sage in the Himalayas in 1854. He says that since then the family has been distributing the medicine to people free of charge. The family say they cannot reveal the formula, because if they do so, the medicine will lose its efficacy and others will commercially exploit it. Impotence But the IMA says tests at a private laboratory in Hyderabad last year revealed that it had steroids, heavy metals, mercury and other ingredients which could be harmful to asthma patients. Dr Rao says the presence of these steroids and heavy metals can harm kidneys, cause impotence and lead to intestinal and bone marrow damage in addition to other diseases. The IMA said that in some cases, it can aggravate the medical condition of asthma patients. Legal notices will be issued to the Andhra Pradesh government, Dr Rao said, in addition to the heads of police, water supply and the central ministry of health and family welfare. The IMA says the action is necessary to stop what it terms "government patronage" of the event. It has questioned the rationale of the government spending nearly $2.3m on the event every year, providing food, water and other help for the tens of thousands of people who come to be treated. However, the Goud family dismissed the claims by the IMA. "Doctors keep saying such things against us. We are not worried about what they are saying," a family statement said. |
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Viagra could cut heart stress
The drug, used by millions of men, slowed the increase in the strength of heart newest impotence medicine by half.
The Johns Hopkins University study, published in Circulation, found the drug acted as a "brake".
However, UK heart experts warned men with heart conditions should talk to their doctor about taking the drug to ensure they use it safely.
| Dr Charmaine Griffiths, British Heart Foundation |
Viagra, also known as sildenafil, helps men with erectile dysfunction by making genital blood vessels expand in order to maintain an erection.
The Johns Hopkins team have previously shown Viagra can block the short-term effects of hormonal stress in the heart in mice.
But it had been thought to have little direct effect on the human heart.
Contractions
This study looked at 35 men and women, with an average age of 30 and no previous signs of coronary artery disease.
They were all given an injections of an adrenaline-like chemical called dobutamine, which increases heart rate and pumping strength in the same way as emotional or exercise stress, or heart failure.
They were then randomly assigned to either take 100mg of Viagra or a dummy pill before receiving a second injection. Heart function was measured before and after each jab.
After the first injection of dobutamine, the force of heart contraction increased by 150% in both groups.
In the dummy pill group, the same effect was seen after the second injection.
However, in the group treated with Viagra the increased heartbeat was slowed by 50%, resulting in a smaller increase in blood flow and blood pressure generated by the heart in response to chemical stimulation.
No adverse side effects on the heart were seen.
Viagra helps maintain erections by blocking the action of an enzyme which prevents the relaxation of blood vessels in the penis.
The same enzyme, called erectile dysfunction 5 (PDE5A), is also involved in the breakdown of a key molecule, cyclic GMP, which helps control stresses and limit heart enlargement.
Heart warning
Professor David Kass, the cause of male impotence who led the study, said: "Sildenafil effectively puts a 'brake' on chemical stimulation of the heart."
He added: "Knowing more about the effects of sildenafil on heart function will allow for safer evaluation of its use as a treatment for heart problems.
"Until now, it was widely thought that drugs like sildenafil had no effects on the human heart and that its only purpose was vasodilation in the penis and the lungs."
He said further studies should be carried out to investigate Viagra's immediate and long-term effects on the heart.
Dr Charmaine Griffiths, from the British Heart Foundation, said: "Viagra has been a real advance in treating impotence, which affects nearly half of men between 40 and 70 years old.
"The findings that Viagra affects blood pressure is not surprising - before it was known as a successful treatment for impotence, it was actually being researched for lowering effects on blood pressure."
But she added: "If you have a heart condition you should check with your doctor before taking Viagra.
"Mixing this drug with other heart medicines or taking it if you have angina (heart pain on exercise) without advice from a health professional or GP can be dangerous for heart patients."
Monday, May 19, 2008
News - Prostate cancer news 'by phone'
The Prostate Cancer Charity asked over 1,140 men about their experiences.
Just under a quarter of those who were alone when they heard their diagnosis wished someone had been with them.
And almost 20% were not made aware of the side effects of different prostate cancer treatments, which can include impotence and incontinence.
And 40% said they were not given written penis erection problem about the disease, treatments or side effects such as impotence to take away with them.
The Prostate Cancer Charity said the survey findings, which it launched at a conference in London this week, highlighted the wide variations in care that men received.
Every year, over 30,000 men are diagnosed with the disease and 10,000 men die from it.
It is now the most common cancer diagnosed in men in the UK.
'Anger and frustration'
Chris Hiley, head of policy and research at the Prostate Cancer Charity, said: "We must improve all men's experiences of health care choices. Help them demand attention.
"Change society's views so men's entitlement to tailored health care is as respected as women's."
John Neate, chief executive of the charity, said: "Many men singled out doctors and nurses who gave them fantastic care.
"But all too often the comments described men's anger and frustration."
He added: "It's disgraceful that so many men with prostate cancer still do not get appropriate care and support.
"One man told us how he received a letter on a Saturday telling him he had cancer, with a help number that was not available until the following Monday.
"Another man commented: 'Although I had disgraceful attention, I have been lucky with no serious effects'."
He called on the acupuncture impotence to make prostate cancer a more urgent priority.
Professor Jessica Corner, of the charity Macmillan Cancer Relief, said: "Men's vital needs are not being met and more appropriate care, support and advice is crucial to their impotence problem uk.
"Only over the past five years has the NHS invested resources into prostate cancer compared to breast cancer for example and this needs to change."
"With more research, resources and greater awareness, men could start to see an improvement in prostate cancer services."
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Smoking is unsexy and increases the risk of erectile dysfunction
One of the government-funded images carries the strapline "Your penis thinks you should stop smoking" to highlight the risk of impotency.
Ministers say fears about fertility and attractiveness are stronger motivators for young people to quit than health.
A survey suggests one in two smokers would quit to improve their sex appeal.
The NHS Smoking Helpline young man impotence also revealed that more than two-thirds of young men and women believe smoking makes them less attractive.
Half of men said they associated smoking with wrinkles, bad skin and less enjoyable kissing.
Another of the ads shows stark images of the effect of smoking on women's appearance and attractiveness to men, with messages such as "If you smoke, you stink", "Minging teeth" and "Cat's bum mouth".
Websites called "Staying Hard" and Ugly Smoking" will also be launched, alongside a sticker campaign in pub and club toilets.
Public Health Minister Caroline Flint said: "This latest series of adverts marks a new and exciting route for the campaign.
"A key part of our drive to reduce overall smoking prevalence is getting the message to harder-to-reach young adult audiences.
"We know 70% of smokers want to stop smoking; however, with younger people, fears about attractiveness and fertility can be a stronger motivation to quit than fears about health.
"It is hoped that the hard hitting messages in this new campaign will make young people quit smoking for good."
| Smoking can damage your teeth |
Smoking increases the risk of erectile impotence clinic by around 50% for men in their 30s and 40s and up to 120,000 men from the UK in this age group are impotent as a direct result of smoking, experts estimate.
Clive Gingell, chairman of the Sexual Dysfunction Smoking and impotence, said: "By making men aware of how smoking can affect their sexual performance in middle age, hopefully this new campaign should provide men with an additional and compelling reason to quit."
Dr Bav Shergill, from the British Skin Foundation, said: "Giving up smoking can not only add years to your life, it also adds years to your appearance and can help stop premature aging before it's too late."
However, Simon Clark, director of the smokers' lobby group Forest, said: "To try and suggest that smoking is a major cause of impotence is a scare tactic.
"It's nasty because it is not only setting out to de-normalise smoking, but really to make smokers feel incredibly guilty about their habit."