Figure: A Slice of Orange - June 2011 - A man of sound body by ActiveLink

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A man of sound body

JUNE IS THE TIME WE HONOR THE MAN OF THE HOUSE. AND WHILE HE MAY SEEM ALL STRONG AND STURDY, HE MAY BE HIDING SOME DARK HEALTH SECRETS HE’S TOO EMBARRASSED TO TELL.

t’s not easy being a man. You have to be strong, decisive, and responsible— and

you

have

battle

some

embarrassing health problems that come with your testosterone-laden turf. Here we will discuss some health issues men have to overcome, some on a daily basis, and are not things to simply brush off because not only do they diminish your self-confidence at work and at home, but may also pose serious health risks.

Excessive sweating (hyperhydrosis) Men

generally

sweat

than

women. A person normally sweats to help the body keep itself cool. The hands, feet, armpits, and the groin area are the most actively sweating regions because of a high concentration of sweat glands.

But some men (and women) sweat more

than is required to keep cool. Some even sweat while in an air-conditioned room. The most common cause of excessive sweating is nervousness. The irony of it all is that most of these guys complain that they sweat when they are nervous, and in turn, sweating makes them more nervous.

A Slice of Orange is a newsletter designed to help clarify basic health information and offer juicy tips on uplifting your health.

Editorial team Alvin Delfin Christine Llenes-Delfin Ivan Olegario, MD

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BEING THE MAN OF THE HOUSE (AND OFFICE) IS A DIFFICULT JOB, BUT SOMEONE’S GOT TO DO IT. AND ONLY A REAL, HEALTHY MAN CAN DO THE JOB.

In addition, excessive sweating can be

• Absorbent shoe insoles are available in

present without any symptoms.

due to diseases, such as diabetes, gout, or

sports/shoe stores. These can decrease the

diseases of the thyroid or pituitary gland.

sweating in your feet.

and ointments with terbinafine, tolnaftate,

So if you have excessive sweating, be sure

• If your sweating is due only to

itraconazole, clotrimazole, or ketoconazole

to see a doctor first to know if it is caused

nervousness, meditation may help.

that can be bought over the counter.

by another disease that should be treated first.

Jock itch and/or athlete’s foot

Fortunately, there are antifungal creams

Read the labels when applying these creams. What is important is to apply the treatment up to 7 days after the rashes have

These two conditions are part of a group

completely disappeared; otherwise, the

of skin conditions called dermatophytosis

infection can return with a vengeance. The

or ringworms. These are not caused by

treatment can take as long as three weeks.

worms, but instead are fungal infections.

You get jock itch when the infection affects

a foothold in the first place, avoid sharing

the groin area; you get athlete’s foot when

clothing, footwear or towels, especially in

it affects the feet.

the gym or sauna. Dry your skin thoroughly

before putting on underwear and socks. Do

If your health is otherwise okay, you

To prevent these infections from taking

not scratch existing skin rashes, as this may

may want to try these treatments:

cause the infection to spread.

• First, try to lose weight if you are overweight. This helps your body cool

Erectile dysfunction

down faster, leading to less sweating.

• Use an extra-strength antiperspirant,

is repeatedly unable to get or maintain an

which has a higher concentration of the

erection. So why are we discussing ED

active ingredient, aluminum chloride, found

here? Because 44% of men in their 40s

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is when a man

in regular antiperspirants.

The infection causes a scaly circular

have the problem, and it can also affect

• If that does not work, you can ask a

rash with raised borders on the affected

younger men. Importantly, when ED hits a

dermatologist about the possibility of

area. The rash is so itchy, it can affect

man, it can cause a big blow in his psyche.

getting botulinum toxin type A injections.

concentration at work.

It can diminish their self-confidence while

• A dermatologist is also the best person to

Fungi thrive in moist, warm areas, such

becoming more distant both at work and at

ask about laser treatments or iontophoresis

as locker rooms, tanning beds, swimming

home. It can come to a point where some

to lessen your sweating.

pools and in skin folds. The fungi may be

men even consider themselves as failures,

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even when they have success at work. And

as the ones sold online or in magazines for

if this continues, work becomes affected as

penile enlargement. In fact, these devices

they continue to have less drive and mental

may cause further damage to penile tissue.

energy.

There are many causes of ED, including

reach out for help, or if they do, choose

diabetes, depression, excessive use of

to seek help alone. They try to address

painkillers,

alcohol

the problem only with medicines without

and smoking. Other common causes are

addressing the psychological aspects of

aging and psychological stress, including

ED, whether it be the causes of ED, or how

work-related stress and the pressure of

ED affects their lives. This leads to more

performing sexually with a partner. Hence,

isolation.

it is not surprising for a stressed-out 30-year-

But remember that ED affects the

old yuppie to suffer from ED.

couple, not just the man. It is not a problem

excessive

cycling,

Lastly, most men, in their shame, do not

As with the other conditions discussed

that can be “fixed”, hoping that sex will

here, it is wise to visit a doctor to determine

resume after. The psychological scars of

if a treatable disease is causing ED.

ED to both the man and the woman should

Prescription

be addressed after treatment, especially if

medicines

may

then

prescribed to treat the ED.

there has been no sexual activity for years.

Exercise, particularly aerobic exercise,

That is why communication between the

is an effective treatment. This can improve

man and wife is important. If you have

blood circulation to the penis, while at the

difficulty talking about ED, seek counseling

same time diffusing stress and improving

from a psychiatrist, psychologist, marriage

one’s coping mechanisms versus stress. If all

counselor, or sex therapist.

things fail, consult a urologist. The urologist

perform surgery, or use a purpose-designed

is a difficult job, but someone’s got to do

external vacuum pump to attain erection,

it. And only a real, healthy man can do

but a fair warning. These are not the same

the job.

Being the man of the house (and office)

ACTIVELINK Benefits Made Better

Looking to enhance your corporate healthcare benefits? E-mail us at benefits@activelink-consult.com. The information in this newsletter is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Consult a doctor for all matters relating to your health, particularly for symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention. © 2011 ActiveLink

Benefits Made Better

ActiveLink 7/F Electra House Building 115-117 Esteban St., Legaspi Village, Makati City www.activelink-consult.com

The Orange wants to he ar from you! Dying to ask us your health related questio ns? Itching to share your pe rsonal health tips? Want to sugg est topics for future issues? Feel free to contac t us. You can e-m ail our team at orange@activ elink-consult.c om.