Benefits Of Physical Activity

Here is a good collection of articles on the benefits of physical activity:

"Exercise Can Aid Sleep and Productivity"

The results of current research shows that people who exercise at least 150 minutes each week sleep much better and feel more alert than people who exercise less. Researchers discovered that 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each week showed a 65% improvement in sleep quality, and participants experienced less drowsiness during the day.

"Exercise May Reduce Risk of Depression in Seniors"

Researchers in Europe have found that regular physical activity lowers the risk of suffering from depression in seniors. Programs are currently being developed to increase motivation for physical activity among the elderly.

"Higher Physical Activity Associated With Reduced Risk of Breast Cancer"

This association is stronger for estrogen receptor positive progesterone receptor negative tumors, which are more aggressive. Studies show that women with higher levels of physical activity may reduce the risk of breast cancer after menopause. One reason may be that physical activity reduces body fat, which is a major source of estrogen in postmenopausal women.

"Regular Exercise Reduces Risk of Dementia, Slow Aging"

Body deterioration experienced with the aging process can be slowed with regular exercise. It has been found that exercise can reduce the risk of developing about 2 dozen mental and physical health conditions including dementia and some cancers.

"Regular Physical Activity Really Does Boost Immune System in Older Men"

With regular and moderate physical activity of about 6 hours each week, elderly men can have the same immune response to an antigen as younger men.

"Physical Activity Extends Life of Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease"

Physically active patients of peripheral artery disease (PAD) have death rates that are a third of those in PAD patients who remain inactive.

Click on the link, Benefits of Physical Activity, for more articles.

Charles

Breast Cancer In Men

Can Men Get Breast Cancer?

Yes. Breast cancer in men is rare, but it does happen. Men have a small amount of breast tissue, which is not capable of producing milk. It is this breast tissue that can become cancerous in men.

Male Breast Cancer Statistics

Male breast cancer accounts for only 1% of all breast cancers. The American Cancer Society estimates that about 1,970 male breast cancers are diagnosed each year, and will cause approximately 390 deaths. Most men who develop breast cancer are between the ages of 60 and 70, although it can happen at any age. The statistical risks of a man developing this disease is about 1 in a 1,000.

Male Breast Cancer Symptoms

The early signs of male breast cancer may be a firm mass just below the nipple. Typically, the lump is painless and is about 2.5 centimeters in diameter. Skin changes near the nipple can include ulceration, puckering, redness or scaling, or the nipple may turn inward.

If the cancer spreads to the bones, you may experience bone pain near the area of the cancer. In advance stages, you may experience weakness, weight loss or malaise.

Types Of Male Breast Cancer

• Ductal Carcinoma in Situ - This type is curable with surgery. The cancer cells do not grow into the fatty tissue of the breast nor does it spread outside the breast. It accounts for about 1 in 10 cases of male breast cancer.
• Invasive Ductal Carcinoma - This type spreads outside of the breast tissue into other parts of the body. It accounts for about 8 of 10 cases of male breast cancer. It typically will spread to the nipple.
• Invasive Lobular Carcinoma - This type if rare in men since men usually do not have lobular tissue. It typically spreads into the fatty tissue of the breast, and accounts for about 2% of all male breast cancers.
• Lobular Carcinoma in Situ - It forms in the lobules, but does not spread into the fatty tissue of the breast. Very rare in men.
• Paget Disease of the Nipple - It forms in the breast ducts and spreads to the nipple. The skin of the nipple may appear crushed, scaly and red. The area around the nipple may itch, ooze, burn and may bleed. You should feel a lump within the breast near the nipple.
  
• Inflammatory Breast Cancer - This is an aggressive form of breast cancer, but fortunately rare especially in men. It causes swollen breast, which becomes red, warm and tender. It does not form a lump. It can be mistaken for an infection of the breast.
  

Possible Causes of Male Breast Cancer

• Radiation Exposure - radiation therapy in the chest area can increase your risk of developing breast cancer.
• High levels of Estrogen or Hyperestrogenism - All men produce small amounts of estrogen, but some may produce abnormally high levels. This can increase the risks of developing breast cancer.
• Klinefelter's Syndrome - this is an inherited condition, where a male inherits an extra X sex chromosome. Men with this condition will produce high levels of estrogen, develop enlarged breast, have sparse facial and body hair, small testes and are unable to produce sperm. It also comes with an increase risk of developing breast cancer.
  
• Cirrhosis of the Liver - this disease elevates blood estrogen levels and comes with an increased risk of breast cancer.
• Familial Predisposition - men with several female relatives with breast cancer also have an increase risk of developing the disease.
• Finasteride - this is a drug used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia and to preven prostate cancer. It may be associated with an increased risk of male breast cancer.

References:

MedicineNet.com: Male Breast Cancer
American Cancer Society: Breast Cancer In Men

Charles

Possible Example Of What Roid Rage Is

It is being reported today that a 300-pound, naked bodybuilder beat a couple at their home in Colton, California Saturday night. It took four police officers, two stun gun blasts and four sets of handcuffs to restrain the rampaging bodybuilder. The couple suffered head injuries, but have been released from the hospital. The couple are lucky that they did not receive more serious injuries.

It was also reported that the bodybuilder was taking steroids and other drugs.

This may be an example of Roid Rage. It is one of the possible psychological side effects of anabolic steroids. Excessive use of anabolic steroids can cause psychological complications such as manic behavior, hallucinations and delusions. Roid Rage, which is aggressive behavior, is common.

This young man will have to ask himself if the benefits of steroids is worth all the legal problems that he is about to face. He probably convinced himself that this would never happen to him, or that roid rage was a myth. Unfortunately, he found out the hard way what roid rage is.

Charles

How Much Exercise Do I Need?

How Much Exercise Do I Need?

New physical activity and exercise guidelines have been released by the American College of Sports Medicine. These recommendations on how to stay physically active for optimum health show that it is also important to vary the types of exercise.

The recommended minimum exercise routines recommended by ACSM are:

• Aerobic Exercise: Moderate Intensity exercise 5 days a week for a minimum of 150 hours each week, or Vigorous Intensity exercise 3 days each week for a minimum of 75 minutes a week. I personally prefer doing the 4x4 Interval Training routine recommended in an earlier post.
• Resistance Exercises: Every other day, do 2 to 4 sets for each exercise with 8 to 12 repetitions for each set. Exercise-To-A-Healthier-Life.com has great illustrations on how to do various exercises for different parts of the body.
• Flexibility Exercises: As we get older, staying flexible becomes more and more important. A recent post, "What is Viniyoga?", discusses recent studies that show that both yoga and flexibility exercises are equally effective, especially for lower back pain. Use the type of exercise that you most enjoy, whether it be just regular Flexibility Exercises, yoga, Pilates or Tai Chi.

These guidelines should help you determine just how much exercise you need. Learning to stay as physically active as possible will help you prevent many diseases such as

• Dementia
• Cardiovascular disease
• Strokes
• Type 2 Diabetes
• And many cancers.

Charles