Testosterone Replacement Therapy in Men and Women!

By Anju Mathur, MD

Hormone replacement therapy has been found useful for increasing energy, lessening stress, controlling type 2 diabetes, getting rid of wrinkles and increasing muscular strength. These are a few of the benefits that millions of people who are supplementing their dwindling hormones experience.

Warning Signs

Do you relate to any of these?

Lessened libido

Lessened strength of the functions of the male organs

Fatigue or a decrease in physical stamina

Memory impairment

Anxiety or moodiness

Threat of heart disease

Wasted muscles

Too much weight gain

Insufficient testosterone hormone causes these symptoms. The hormone involved is called Testosterone, or androgen, and although it is primarily produced in male glands and is thought of as a male hormone, it is also produced in smaller amounts in female glands. Some is also manufactured in adrenal glands. In men, this hormone helps develop muscle, causes facial hair and thicker hair on the body, and the change from a high boy's voice to a lower man's voice as well as helping in the development of the shape of the male body.

Benefits:

An abundance of Testosterone

Creates muscle without fat

Enhances libido

Improves mood and memory

Lowers cholesterol

Improves energy

Lessens risk of coronary disease

A man with insufficient testosterone may feel nervous, unhappy, confused, have less strength and muscle mass with more fat in the upper part of the body and have a low libido. This hormone causes normal growth and development in men and is key to developing secondary male characteristics.

Most testosterone in the body attaches itself to particular proteins in the blood, although a part of the testosterone is "free." So a test can be done to measure the specific proteins and thus the level of testosterone. The test is normally performed at larger medical facilities. Conditions such as hyperthyroidism (a disease where the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones) and obesity increase the particular protein, so in that case a test for "free" testosterone is done. Normally, testosterone increases in the male body until about the age of 40, after which it dwindles.

About 33% - 45% of men with type 2 diabetes have low testosterone levels, so if you are a man with this disease, you might also have low testosterone..

Female Testosterone

A woman's body also produces a low level of testosterone, which balances her hormones and keeps the glandular functions working well. It is necessary for energy and keeping a person young, as well as adding productive years to the later part of one's life. Testosterone is not only a male hormone.

Testosterone in a woman is normal, just as estrogen in men is normal. The level of testosterone is considerably lower in a woman than a man, but is considered good because it has been proven to increase a woman's libido by increasing the blood flow to the female organs and enhances sensation. Testosterone in women has also been found to improve energy and decrease fatigue, as well as increase a sense of well-being and motivation to perform difference tasks. During the menopausal stage in women when estrogen levels decrease, many take hormone therapy that increases the level of estrogen. As a result, many women integrate testosterone to their daily routines. This has shown to increase their level of energy, decrease depression, decrease triglycerides, and has even been shown to help with bone density.

About the Author:

You can enjoy your life more when you feel better! Have the energy and vitality that you had in your 20's and 30's. Find out more - go to Angel Longevity Medical Center Get a totally unique version of this article from our article submission service

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Are You Suffering from Fatigued Adrenals?

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By Anju Mathur, MD

What is Adrenal fatigue?

* Tired for no reason?

* Feel exhausted when confronted with difficult situations?

* Having trouble getting up in the morning?

* Need coffee, tea or sugary treats to keep going during the day?

If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, you may be suffering from Adrenal Fatigue, the 21st century condition. Adrenal fatigue could occur in anyone who is suffering severe or constant physical or emotional stress. It is also an important contributing factor in many ailments ranging from obesity to allergies. Despite its prevalence, the medical community has largely ignored it. Although it affects millions of people throughout the industrialized world, conventional medicine does not recognize it as a medical condition.

There are other references to the subject of fatigued adrenals and it has been referred to as Non Addison's Disease, adrenal apathy, and other such names that mean the same thing. This problem can make your life extremely difficult. Adrenal Fatigue occurs when the adrenal gland cannot keep up with the requests of the body because of stress factors in one's life. The level of stress being faced by the individual determines the demand placed on the adrenal glands to produce more hormones. When the demand is constant and extreme, like in today's society where people can experience stress demands every few minutes, results in the fatigue and symptoms listed above. In such cases, the adrenal becomes so jeopardized that it impinges upon the other body functions which include balances in the body such as mineral to water, ability to convert food into energy, properly functioning heart and a persons libido. In more severe cases the adrenal glands can be so exhausted and working so far below optimum a person can feel tired all day and hardly able to function for more than a few hours at a time.

What kind of people get adrenal fatigue?

Nearly everyone, at some time in their life, will experience adrenal fatigue. It can be brought on by a sickness, emergencies in life or demanding problems, all of which can even deplete the adrenal resources of a person that has no physical problems. There are certain factors that can make you prone to adrenal fatigue. Some items that can be causes of adrenal fatigue can include a persons choice of a way of life such as cigarettes, taking drugs, not getting enough rest, a job with too much stress, not eating well or recurrent body problems including infections, allergies and so on.

How common is adrenal fatigue?

Since 9-11 occurred in the US, over 80% of North Americans suffer from adrenal fatigue sometime in their life. Sometimes it is temporary or it could last for a long period of time and could be very debilitating.

How can you discern if you are suffering from Adrenal fatigue? Here's some clues to look for:

* If you are lethargic and weary very often without cause.

* Can't get out of bed in the morning even if you go to bed at a reasonable hour.

* Feeling rundown with no energy or completely swamped.

* Can't bounce back from illness or stress?

* Have an intense desire for sugary or salty treats?

* Feeling best only in the evening?

Other physical problems that are influenced by adrenal fatigue

* Low blood sugar

* Aching tissues and muscles

* Diabetes

* Chronic recurrent infections

* Food, plant and animal sensitivities

* Chronic inflammation of the joints

* Sleep disorders

* Difficult Menopause

* Disproportion in the hormone balance for women

Adrenal fatigue is an important health problem and should be handled. It could be diagnosed and handled with nutritional and occasionally bioidentical hormones (no synthetic or animal-derived hormones) are needed to fully recover from adrenal fatigue.

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Causes Of Yeast Contagion

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By Alan Lentay

Yeast contagion is a condition that affects the body's mucous membranes for instance the mouth, skin, intestines and the vagina. Yeast contamination causes a very painful discomfort and puffiness in the areas attained. To be able to point out the appropriate medication to be given to a yeast infected region, it is very important to distinguish the origin of the contamination.

Yeast contamination is directly related to an imbalance of a fungus normally known as Candidiasis. First of all, it is important to distinguish that yeast infection is not brought by a single thing, the reasons are numerous starting with hormonal changes in the body to sexual intercourse, lifestyle and stress to mention but a few. The hormonal lack of balance produced by stress has been recognized to be a leading reason of yeast infection.

Equally , if one takes antibiotics and/or steroids exceedingly, it may also lead to a yeast contagion. Note that Fungus Candida is an timeserving fungus that attacks susceptible parts in the body. Hence using antibiotics for a long time will induce the exposed areas produce excess Candida which ultimately brings forth the infection.

Yeast in men is mostly imputed to having sexual intercourse with a woman who has the infection. Poor personal hygiene, leaving sensitive areas such as the vagina moist all the time makes a perfect setting for the micro organisms to grow. Wearing tight-fitting clothing, specially the under garments can also produce a yeast contamination. This is being it causes discomfort, and fungus Candida prospers all right on irritated skin.

Utilizing special items such as bathing products, douche products, perfumes or any perfumy product that are inclined to cause irritations can also produce a yeast contamination. Consequently, it is crucial to avoid anything that causes an over production of Fungus Candida.

About the Author:

I suffered from candida yeast infection for long months until I discovered a yeast infection treatment product that changed my life. You can change yours too! Enough of the non-working drugs and annoying symptoms!

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What If Your Thyroid Is Not Normal After All?

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by Anju Mathur, MD

Have you asked yourself if you are suffering from a malfunction of your Thyroid? Do you often feel tired, have a lack of enthusiasm, feel down and can't get off those last few pounds?

As one of the most sizable endocrine glands in the body, the thyroid can be found in front of the trachea (the breathing passage) and beneath the Adam's apple in the neck. It looks just like a shield, and thus gets its name from the Greek word for just that. Having two lobes and looking similar to a butterfly, we get our thyroid hormones from this gland (mainly thyroxine, or T4 and triiodothyronine, or T3) and the blood carries these hormones to be used by tissues everywhere in the body.

When a body's thyroid hormones function properly, one's body is able to process food correctly, converting it to energy. In addition, all food is metabolized and then must be eliminated as waste which utilizes additional energy for the conversion process. One's thyroid is essential for numerous bodily functions, as the hormones produced are responsible for determining proper metabolism and thus can affect the growth and efficiency of other body systems. A primary example of this is the hormone calcitonin. It is produced by the thyroid gland and regulates the levels of calcium circulating in the blood. To properly produce these hormones, the body must have enough iodine and an amino acid known as tyrosine.

Over ten million women could be affected by thyroid deficiencies on a subnormal level, and be totally unaware of this condition. Women aged 35 to 55 are most affected, especially those who are perimenopausal or menopausal.

The Thyroid Foundation of America has studied this and estimates that more than 11 million women could have an abnormal thyroid situation. When considering that a lot of women have this borderline condition, there may be an additional number in the tens of millions that suffer from related symptoms, which indicates hypothyroidism. Of course, those who are currently perimenopausal or menopausal are affected more than others, meaning those in the age range of 35-55.

The hormones made by the thyroid gland are essential in controlling a person's metabolism. That is why negative symptoms can result from its malfunction, including putting on excessive weight, lethargy, the feeling of hot flashes, anxiety, brain fogginess, and pulsating heartbeat.

When one's metabolism runs efficiently, one can burn calories most effectively and thus lose weight or at least stay at a normal weight. The hormones produced in the thyroid are what manages this, and also the way that the body uses vitamins it gets from food. Thyroid function is so important that it affects many bodily systems, including the muscular, reproductive, circulatory, nervous, and digestive systems. Within each cell, it affects the activity of the creation of the item that produces energy in the cells. It also allows for proper use of oxygen throughout the body.

When a person suddenly gains weight, even becoming obese, it signals a reduction in their metabolism. This means that the thyroid gland has not been producing enough hormones to properly process foods and generate sufficient energy, and this condition is called hypothyroidism.

A person's appetite or craving for food is also affected. Leptin, a hormone that comes from fat cells, has been shown by studies to be modulated by thyroid hormones, and this factor is what controls hunger and regulates energy within the body. Other functions are also noticed such as the ability to rise after sleeping at night and the ability to control weight and energy levels.

There are numerous symptoms that hypothyroidism shares with other malfunctions that can occur in the body. Because of this, hypothyroidism is known as the "great imitator."

When a person has the following medical symptoms, why have they been told their thyroid is normal?

* Fatigue in the morning

* Trouble remembering things

* Brain daze

* Rash eruptions

* Migraines

* Hot and Cold Sensitivity

* Parched facial skin, facial puffiness and noticeable eyebrow and hair thinning

* Dispirited nature (more observable in seniors)

* Tendency to panic or get anxious in normal situations

* Desire for additional sleep

The usual TSH and T4 tests are not adequate to determine whether a woman's thyroid is normal, and they will usually be told that their levels are adequate from the results of these tests, performed on roughly 90% of cases. One's pituitary gland secretes TSH, which then signals the thyroid secretion of T4 (still an inactive hormone). It is T3, which is converted from T4, that is the active thyroid hormone in the body. Usually hypothyroidism is indicated when there is a rise in TSH as a result of falling T4 and T3 amounts. There are so many other factors that this amount of testing is actually incomplete, and can only indicate who is most affected in a severe way. Thus, most patients are not diagnosed if affected to a lesser degree.

When a woman knows there is a thyroid problem, it can be frustrating to seek assistance and be continuously misdiagnosed in this regard. Once the truth is exposed, women sense relief as they are able to gain hope in the proper diagnosis and alleviation of their resulting symptoms, coming from a low normal thyroid condition.

The latest research as reported in the journal of Archives of Internal Medicine indicates that subclinical hypothyroidism (or those with low normal efficiency of the thyroid) will have double the incidence of having a heart attack and a seventy-percent higher chance of having hardened arteries (arteriosclerosis). Unfortunately, when low normal thyroid function is left unnoticed and untreated, many women will not find relief from the symptoms of stubborn excess weight, tiredness, despair, and more. A person can have hope for a better state of health and state of mind when getting the proper level of thyroid functioning back to its previous healthy standing.

Why not end your discouragement and come in to see a doctor today? There is no charge for a consultation with a medical professional which can possibly put your mind at ease, especially if you are affected by negative symptoms that point to a possible thyroid condition.

About the Author:
You enjoy your life more when you feel better! Have the energy and vitality you had in your 20's and 30's. Find out more now - go to Angel Longevity Medical Center. Don't reprint this exact article. Instead, reprint a free unique content version of this same article.

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Does Low Testosterone Influence Type 2 Diabetes?

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by Anju Mathur, MD

Recently, there has been evidence linking low testosterone levels in men and the likelihood that they will develop Type 2 Diabetes; in fact, men with normal testosterone levels are less likely to develop Type 2 Diabetes.

A report in the Journal of Diabetes Care, authored by scientific researchers, states that when men have low to normal testosterone levels they will have a higher tendency to develop diabetes than men with higher testosterone levels, regardless of their level of obesity. Dr. Elizabeth Selvin, a doctor from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, commented that research studies are increasingly showing lower testosterone levels could be an indicator of the future onset of diabetes; she also noted that men suffering from diabetes usually have low testosterone levels.

Hypogonadism is the medical term for low testosterone, and it is presumed to be an issue with roughly 13 million adult males in the US. As a man ages, he experiences certain health issues including less healthy function, lower libido, lower density of bodily and facial hair and weaker bone strength. The condition an also cause muscular wasting and above all, can lead to diabetes.

Over time, a man will experience a gradual reduction in the amount of testosterone, one of the primary male hormones known as androgens. It is commonly known that women experience hormonal declines upon becoming menopausal; men, too, have always had similar hormonal declines and this is known as Andropause. The incidence of those having lower than optimal levels of testosterone appears to be as much as one-third of all men aged 45 and above.

Any man currently suffering from Type 2 Diabetes might also be at risk for sub-normal testosterone levels. In fact, the latest research indicates that roughly 40% of male Type 2 Diabetics also have lower than normal testosterone levels.

In fact, men that are older and are affected by obesity, diabetes, and/or high blood pressure could have two times the tendency to have lower than normal testosterone levels when compared with other men their age, as stated in a recent health study.

Also, it has been discovered that men experiencing chronic health conditions have a higher risk of lowered testosterone levels, as do roughly one-third of all men 45 years of age or more.

Testosterone is an extremely beneficial hormone, and this can be often overlooked by a large percentage of men, including cutting-edge doctors. Testosterone is not expensive to acquire and is safe to use as a method of naturally reducing symptoms that come as a result of aging. In fact, testosterone therapy is so effective that if it were to become more popular, all competing drug sales would go down causing drug profits to fall drastically.

In addition to testing the blood for lipid (fat) levels and glucose content, and measuring prostate antigens, every man over 35 would benefit from a testosterone test. Measuring one's testosterone (along with these other tests) after a certain age can be used to determine one's overall health condition and be an indicator for whether testosterone supplementation can be successfully utilized.

When one receives his lab results, the total amount of testosterone will be shown as measured between the range of 251 and 1000 ng/dL; in addition, his amount of circulating and thus bioavailable testosterone is also measured and can be examined.

Physicians do have a shortfall when it comes to the proper medical analysis of a man concerned with his health. This is apparent in that they do not often think of measuring one's glucose tolerance and insulin levels. Metabolic syndrome can be indicated when one's glucose tolerance is not at an optimal level, and this can also point to insulin resistance or even pre-diabetes as well. High levels of blood sugar trigger glucose, in its molecular form, to connect to hemoglobin. This forms the glycated form of hemoglobin, known as glycosylated hemoglobin, present in one's red blood cells; the scientific term is hemoglobin A1c written as HbA1c. When HbA1c levels go over six percent in an individual, there is a condition of higher blood sugar levels that continues for a longer duration. This points to a greater risk of diabetes and its associated difficulties.

It is suggested that male diabetics, those with an adult-onset condition, can gain positive results from reversing low testosterone using hormone replacement therapy; in fact the results are even greater when those who start supplementing testosterone have already been treating their symptoms with a nutritional diet and suggested medications. After some time, a number of men have been able to reduce or eliminate their need for hypoglycemic medications as well as notice a healthier level of HbA1c. Testosterone supplementation can even cut the need for insulin in half for some men that must rely on insulin to treat their condition. Other benefits include a slimmer waist and profile, more vigorous and rewarding exercise routines, as well as an overall greater sense of well being.

In essence, reducing a man's dependence on diabetic medications may be as easy as restoring his once-youthful amount of testosterone in the body. If he does not suffer from diabetes, this could prove to be an important preventive measure to ensure that he does not develop the disease; there have been medical studies that show other benefits as well, including the stabilization of blood sugar, a greater stamina, better libido well-being and the ability to recover quickly and efficiently from wounds. Men might also notice a younger and more vigorous appearance that can also be achieved with testosterone replacement therapy.

About the Author:
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Does Low Testosterone Influence Type 2 Diabetes?

Image via Wikipedia

by Anju Mathur, MD

When comparing men's testosterone levels, it has been discovered that those men having a lower-than-optimal level of testosterone have a greater risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes than those with healthier levels.

A report in the Journal of Diabetes Care, authored by scientific researchers, states that when men have low to normal testosterone levels they will have a higher tendency to develop diabetes than men with higher testosterone levels, regardless of their level of obesity. Dr. Elizabeth Selvin, a doctor from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, commented that research studies are increasingly showing lower testosterone levels could be an indicator of the future onset of diabetes; she also noted that men suffering from diabetes usually have low testosterone levels.

The condition of lower testosterone levels in men is known as Hypogonadism, and currently is estimated to be present in 13 million men in America. Unfortunately, the decreasing testosterone levels so predominant in US males are usually accompanied by several health conditions known among aging men. These include lessened libido ability, lower libido, the loss of facial and body hair, weaker bones, muscular atrophy, and most importantly, diabetes.

Over the course of a man's adult life, his levels of testosterone, one of the most important male hormones also known as androgens, will be greatly diminished. Men experience something similar to a woman when going through menopause, and this is called Andropause. It is estimated that low testosterone levels can be found in as many as one-third of all men aged 45 and up.

Every man with Type 2 Diabetes should inquire into his testosterone levels, for research has shown that about one-third of men having this condition are also affected by low testosterone.

A recent study indicates that overall lower testosterone levels can be found in mature or aging men that already suffer from obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes, and that they are two times more likely to experience lower levels of testosterone.

Also, it has been discovered that men experiencing chronic health conditions have a higher risk of lowered testosterone levels, as do roughly one-third of all men 45 years of age or more.

Testosterone is an extremely beneficial hormone, and this can be often overlooked by a large percentage of men, including cutting-edge doctors. Testosterone is not expensive to acquire and is safe to use as a method of naturally reducing symptoms that come as a result of aging. In fact, testosterone therapy is so effective that if it were to become more popular, all competing drug sales would go down causing drug profits to fall drastically.

It is a wise choice for any man over 35 to get his testosterone level checked and analyzed. Additionally, he should get his blood lipids, prostate antigen and glucose levels tested. Once he has this information he can determine what his current state of health is, and if testosterone replacement would be a beneficial treatment for him.

When one receives his lab results, the total amount of testosterone will be shown as measured between the range of 251 and 1000 ng/dL; in addition, his amount of circulating and thus bioavailable testosterone is also measured and can be examined.

Physicians do have a shortfall when it comes to the proper medical analysis of a man concerned with his health. This is apparent in that they do not often think of measuring one's glucose tolerance and insulin levels. Metabolic syndrome can be indicated when one's glucose tolerance is not at an optimal level, and this can also point to insulin resistance or even pre-diabetes as well. High levels of blood sugar trigger glucose, in its molecular form, to connect to hemoglobin. This forms the glycated form of hemoglobin, known as glycosylated hemoglobin, present in one's red blood cells; the scientific term is hemoglobin A1c written as HbA1c. When HbA1c levels go over six percent in an individual, there is a condition of higher blood sugar levels that continues for a longer duration. This points to a greater risk of diabetes and its associated difficulties.

It is suggested that male diabetics, those with an adult-onset condition, can gain positive results from reversing low testosterone using hormone replacement therapy; in fact the results are even greater when those who start supplementing testosterone have already been treating their symptoms with a nutritional diet and suggested medications. After some time, a number of men have been able to reduce or eliminate their need for hypoglycemic medications as well as notice a healthier level of HbA1c. Testosterone supplementation can even cut the need for insulin in half for some men that must rely on insulin to treat their condition. Other benefits include a slimmer waist and profile, more vigorous and rewarding exercise routines, as well as an overall greater sense of well being.

Regaining the level of testosterone present in one's youth can have great positive effects on a man's life. Not only can it reduce the risk of developing diabetes, but it can also aid those who are already diabetic by lowering their need for medications. With an optimal level of testosterone, a man can look forward to once again looking young and energetic. As a result of clinical studies, it is shown that he can also benefit with an improvement of his blood sugar levels, libido ability and function, and ability to recover from wounds.

About the Author:
Find out how to improve your quality of life and increase longevity at the Angel Longevity Medical Center. Get a totally unique version of this article from our article submission service

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A Healthy Heart Day

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by Mara Hernandez-Capili

Heart disease is one of the many common ailment people nowadays suffer from. One in four women of the United States dies of heart disease each year-more than all cancer types combined including breast cancer. Studies show that only a third of American women consider themselves at the risk of heart disease. Our heart must be considered as high priority for today's women. Vitamin D in the right amount has been found to reduce the risk of certain heart ailments while folic acid, B complex magnesium and zinc helps promote healthy nervous system.

Sister to Sister Foundation organized this year's Woman's Heart Health Fair. Founded in 2000, Sister to Sister Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating woman about healthy lifestyle, simple changes that may help reduce their risk of heart disease.

During the event proper attendees would have access to medical, nutrition, health and fitness as well as stress reduction provided by more than 70 vendors. Women's awareness regarding popping pill everyday is not always enough to care for oneself here volunteers provide free cardiac screening, followed by on site counseling with on the spot results and a personalized action plan. This 15 minute evaluation checks several risk factors related to heart disease, including blood pressure, body mass index, even waist circumferences and family history.

Woman's Heart Fair is not just an event that focuses on the heart but also on the holistic health and image of a woman as well. Aside from the well being screening and evaluation it is a time of sharing and having fun all in one.

All women have their moments, sometimes with a lot of pressure, maybe some just ignores it, this event is designed for all woman to have their day off, a day off from being a mother, a boss, an employee. Grabbing the opportunity to attend stuffs like this would make a lot of difference not only in a women's life but, her family as well.

About the Author:
Mara Hernandez-Capili is a writer and a researcher on events in Travel and Leisure. Visiting events such as the Minnesota craft fairs will open one's spirit on the beauty of the world beyond home's borders. If you're staying in Minnesota, the author suggests checking out the Minnesota craft shows

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Male Menopause - Uncovering the Truth Behind The Mid-Life Crisis

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by Anju Mathur, MD

It's a fact. Just as a woman enters an inevitable stage of life called menopause, there comes a time in a man's life when he will also experience a decline in hormones. This 'male menopause' is known as andropause, and results in uncomfortable and unwanted symptoms that are common among aging men.

Unfortunately all men will be affected by andropause, and not a single man will be able to escape it.

Just as a man experiences a surge in certain hormones during his developmental stages, he will also be affected by a decline in those hormones during andropause. Men as young as the age of 32-35 are being affected (as written in a recent article in Men's Health magazine). Beginning between the ages of 25 to 27, a man's hormonal levels start to decline, and these male hormones play an important role throughout a man's life. Once they begin to decline, the andropause stage starts and a man will begin to experience certain negative symptoms. The replacement of these hormones, including testosterone, DHEA, thyroid and human growth hormones, will lead to a healthier, more balanced hormonal level within the body that can safely reverse those negative symptoms within as short as one week.

Some symptoms experienced in andropause include:

* Strength and endurance becomes less and energy levels drop

* Higher level of body fat and lower muscle density

* Less motivation for both exercise and physical activity

* Trouble sleeping and night sweating

* A reduction of libido function and ability along with decreased feeling

* Lower mental acuity and sharpness

* Less passion and fervor for life and daily actions

* Impatient and despondency

It is imperative that every man familiarizes himself with these symptoms so that when the proper time comes, he can recognize when to seek the right solution. That solution is testosterone treatment, and it has been proven to be not dangerous and it is a simple way to reduce or eliminate all the unwanted symptoms of andropause. Testosterone is the primary male hormone and is vital in the production and development of typical male characteristics; testosterone is also responsible for the development of secondary characteristics such as a man's deep voice, the growing male facial hair, the increase of bone mass and the improvement of tissue and muscle tone.

Testosterone is the most potent of all the male hormones, or androgens. When one thinks of a very healthy male full of energy, adrenaline and vitality, one associates this with his level of testosterone. Some of the benefits of a healthy testosterone level are as follows:

* Higher levels of energy levels and drive

* Enhancing the denseness of the bones

* Greater strength and endurance

* Less fat and more lean muscle mass

* Lessened likelihood of depression

* More regulation of body fat allocation throughout the body instead of just in the middle region

* An increase in body hair growth

* A reduction in the risk of heart disease

* A decrease of the risk of cardiac arrest

* Blood pressure that is more stable (and a decrease in the risk of high blood pressure)

* Less problems of diabetes and a decrease in the need for diabetic medications, as verified by clinical studies

When properly utilized, testosterone hormone replacement therapy is risk free. Much of the time there are male concerns about prostate cancer becoming a situation in later life, and it should be noted that replacing testosterone will assist in lessening the factors that develop prostate cancer in the male body. When there are higher levels of testosterone in the body, one's estrogen level decreases; it is when there are higher amounts of estrogen that creates the factors that cause prostate cancer. When a man puts on extra body fat, particularly around his middle section, that is an indicator of an excess of estrogen in the body. It is important to note that one of the main causes of prostate cancer is an excess of estrogen; that is why it is so important to control estrogen. An enzyme known as aromatase is found in body fat, and it is this enzyme that is responsible for converting testosterone into estrogen. Once converted into estrogen, this substance can then convert into a form that is carcinogenic. Therefore, controlling the level of estrogen in the body is vital not just to staying fit, but also healthy and proactive in the prevention of cancer.

As a man gets older, he should look out for the symptoms listed above, which signal that he should look into treating a possible testosterone deficiency. One can start treatment from the mid-thirties as a way to be in control of the situation, or when older, treat any deficiency that has built up over the years. Regardless of one's age after a certain point, one can greatly improve the quality of their life and overcome debilitating symptoms with hormone replacement therapy. It is an inexpensive treatment, and the benefits can be dramatic. Although our male ancestors experienced and endured these problems, we now know that the modern man does not need to suffer the same way at this stage of life. Knowing what we know today, any man can handle this time in his life safely and easily, leading him to a recovery of all of his former youthful energy!

The first step is to have a professional examine one's testosterone level. Find out right away whether you can benefit from testosterone replacement therapy and increase your quality of life. Going out and playing can be enjoyed once again, even with the kids and grandkids! Advances in modern knowledge have made it possible for you to be your old self again, and feel that adrenaline for life as you always have!

About the Author:
Live healthier, longer - learn how by going to Angel Longevity Medical Center. Get a totally unique version of this article from our article submission service

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Lyme disease in dogs

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by Cheryl L. True

Lyme disease is named after the Connecticut town of Lyme where the disease was first discovered. One of the more common dog diseases, it has been seen in dogs in every part of the United States although it is more common in certain geographical areas, including California, New England and parts of the American South.

It is caused by cork-screw shaped bacteria called spirochetes which are transmitted through bites from ticks that have attached themselves to your dog's skin. The ticks, in turn, catch the bacteria from certain varieties of white mice.

An infected tick must remain stuck to your dog's skin for at least two days in order for the disease to take hold in your pet. Unfortunately, these ticks are very small and often difficult to detect

There are actually three different kinds of ticks that are carriers of Lyme disease, although the majority of cases are transmitted by the deer tick. Symptoms include limping, a higher than normal fever and swollen lymph nodes. A dog with Lyme disease may suffer only mild discomfort at first. But over a period of several days, it may be suffer intense pains in the joints that it will refuse to move.

One problem with diagnosing Lyme disease is that its symptoms closely resemble other diseases involving the dog's lymph tissue and its immune system. At the same time, dogs are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed with Lyme disease when the disorder is actually something else entirely.

However, time is of the essence if you suspect that your canine may be suffering from Lyme disease. If caught and treated early, your pet won't suffer any permanent damage. Left untreated for too long, the disorder can damage your dog's heart and muscle tissue and cause joint and nerve damage.

If you see symptoms that indicate Lyme disease in your previously healthy dog, go to your local pet hospital as quickly as possible for a diagnosis. The vet will give your dog a simple blood test to see if Lyme bacteria are present or not.

Unfortunately, the blood test by itself does not always give a definite answer and the veterinarian will also take into consideration your dog's health history and other symptoms. Treatment is usually with antibiotics which your dog must take for three to four weeks.

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About the Author:
Cheryl L. True is a Manila-based freelance writer who writes on a variety of topics.

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