A category of medications called statins has revolutionized therapy for elevated cholesterol.  Prior to the introduction of the first statin, Mevacor, in the mid-80’s, therapy for elevated cholesterol involved several different medications with limited effectiveness and generally unpleasant side effects.  While the statins can certainly have some side effects as well, they are usually well … Continue reading Statin medications- what’s not to like →

A recent study published in the Journal of Urology showed a surprising benefit for Cialis (tadalafil) users.  Men using a lower daily dose of the ED medication (2.5 or 5mg) were shown to have statistically significant improvement in troublesome urinary symptoms such as waking up at night to urinate (nocturia), urinary frequency, and poor bladder … Continue reading Cialis may offer additional benefit →

High blood pressure is a major risk factor in the development of life-threatening conditions such as heart attack and stroke.  It also predisposes to erectile dysfunction.  A recent study published in the November 24 Archives of Internal Medicine shows that ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (done at a patient’s home) gives a more accurate picture of the … Continue reading A better way to manage BP →

Don’t expect that 90 minute wait in the doctor’s office to improve anytime soon.  Experts predict that the US will be short 200,000 physicians in less than 20 years. One analyst put it this way: “We now have an in-your-face physician shortage and no conversation about correcting it exists.”  Many feel that innovative techniques of … Continue reading They don’t call it a waiting room for nothing! →

 A recent population based study found that ED is not as uncommon in young men as previously thought.  Perhaps 7% of men under the age of 30 are affected. As with all categories of ED patients, the key is to obtain a detailed medical history provided by the patient in a non-threatening environment.  While many … Continue reading ED and the young →

 While numerous well-designed medical studies have shown that alcohol in moderation (especially red wine) has health benefits, the general affect on sexual performance is not good.  As Shakespeare wrote in Macbeth, ” Drink (alcohol) is a provoker of three things: nose painting, sleep, and urine.  It provokes, and unprovokes: it provokes the desire, but it … Continue reading Easy on the sauce →

Erectile dysfunction, to some degree, affects perhaps 50% of men between the ages of 40 and 70.  The impact on quality of life as well as a man’s sense of well being is truly staggering.  With the introduction of sildenafil citrate (Viagra) in 1998, the approach and treatment of men with ED changed dramatically.  It … Continue reading Erections 101 →

A recent gigaOM post by Alistair Croll discusses the future of online healthcare and specifically Google’s creation of its online healthcare records feature.  Croll points out that “Computerization can eliminate much of the 30 percent of medical costs that are due to inefficiency, according to Dr. Dean Ornish, founder of the nonprofit Preventive Medicine Research Institute. … Continue reading The Future of Online Healthcare →