8 Things You Should Know About Hair Loss

 

We typically lose 50 to 100 strands of hair daily, which is not a cause for alarm, considering that new hairs usually replace them. Also, we have about 100,000 strands at any given time. However, if a considerable number of hair follicles remain empty, we may be experiencing hair loss. Fortunately, we can turn to effective hair loss treatments that yield long-lasting results.

 

At Physician Promise, we are a telemedicine platform that addresses men’s and women’s health issues, including hair loss. Our US board-certified will give you a diagnosis and prescription within 72 hours after your consultation. In this article, we discuss the things you need to know about hair loss.

8 Facts About Hair Loss

As you book a consultation with a physician to get a hair loss treatment, take a look at our list of the things you need to know about hair loss to have a more meaningful conversation.

 

1. It’s More Common Than You Think

If you are experiencing hair loss, you’re not alone. It is estimated that nearly 80 million Americans are dealing with this condition.

 

2.  It Affects Both Men and Women

According to the American Hair Loss Association, 66% of men experience some degree of hair loss by age 35, while nearly 40% of women are affected when they hit 70.

Male hair loss is typically characterized by a receding hairline and baldness on the top of the head, whereas female hair loss is often characterized by thinning all over the head.

3. There Are Two Types of Hair Loss

The two types of hair loss are androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata.

Androgenetic alopecia affects both men and women, hence why it’s usually referred to as male or female pattern baldness. Men dealing with this type usually experience bald spots or patches all over the head, whereas women will experience more dispersed thinning.

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the hair follicles, resulting in bald spots on the head and all over the body. It affects men, women and children.

4. Your Hairstyle May Be The Culprit

How you wear your hair can also determine how many strands you retain. You may develop traction alopecia when you constantly wear your hair in styles that tightly pull it. Hairstyles that can cause traction alopecia include:

• Buns, ponytails and up-dos that are tightly pulled
• Tight cornrows
• Hair extensions or weaves

 

5. A Poor Diet Can Cause Hair Loss

A balanced diet is beneficial to your overall health. When you don’t fuel your body with protein, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, it can lead to hair loss. Among the nutrients needed for hair growth is Biotin, a form of Vitamin B that is effective as a hair loss treatment.

6. Medical Conditions May Also Trigger Hair Loss

Hair loss is also linked to chemotherapy and cancer treatment drugs, birth control pills, stress, childbirth, hypertension medication and fungal infections.

7. Genes and Hormones May Be Responsible

Hair loss may also be hereditary. Therefore the likelihood of you experiencing it increases exponentially if one or both of your parents have it.

Hormones also play a role in hair loss, especially in men. This is because men have more testosterone than women. While testosterone doesn’t directly cause hair loss, it increases dihydrotestosterone (DHT), causing damage to hair follicles and accelerating male pattern baldness.

8. You Can Benefit From a Hair Loss Treatment for Male or Female

Yes, it is possible to slow hair loss and regrow your hair. Fortunately, there are prescription-grade solutions for men and women. Men can yield amazing results with hair loss treatment options such as Finasteride which blocks 5-alpha-reductase - the enzyme linked to men's hair loss.

For both men and women, the most common treatment is a hair loss treatment medication called minoxidil. This comes in the form of a topical solution applied to the scalp twice daily. It helps to stimulate new hair growth and prevent further hair loss.

Hair Loss Treatment Available at Physician Promise

Hair treatments are available for male and female hair loss, but they may vary depending on the cause. If you're experiencing hair loss, it's important to see a doctor to determine the cause and find the best treatment.

The doctors and other medical experts at Physician Promise are here to help you regrow your hair with effective and safe hair-loss solutions. Book a virtual visit today and get prescribed for free.

 

Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash

Erectile dysfunction…a term that often sparks a pang of worry in the hearts of men worldwide. While poor self-esteem, embarrassment, and shame are often by-products of this condition, periodic trouble in this department is normal and can be linked to depression, work and home stress, and performance anxiety.

Erectile dysfunction can happen to any man. In fact, it is estimated that the condition affects over 30 million men in the United States. Sometimes it is just a part of aging, and other times it may be related to other health-related concerns. If you've noticed that you have fewer erections or are unable to sustain an erection—this is the right time to seek medical help. At Physician Promise, our physicians are experts in diagnosing and treating ED.

This article discusses erectile dysfunction symptoms: how to determine whether you have erectile dysfunction and what you can do to alleviate symptoms.

 

Should I Be Worried About Erectile Dysfunction?

 

Erectile Dysfunction (ED) can indicate an underlying health issue, so it's always best to get checked out by a physician. ED can be one of the first signs of diabetes because of high blood sugar. However, it is often heart-related, indicating cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and hardening of the arteries. Men with ED are often at risk of a heart attack, circulatory problems in the lower extremities, or stroke.

 

What Are the Physical Causes of ED?

 

Although there is a correlation between ED and aging (since many older men may need more stimulation to induce an erection), other physical causes can come into play.

 

These include:

 

●      Limited blood flow: This is when the penis cannot trap blood during an erection (called a venous leak) and may be due to diabetes, Peyronie's disease, nerve conditions, and severe anxiety.

●      Sleep loss: Studies have shown that men with sleeping disorders are more likely to have ED. One study published in 2016 found that 63% of men living with obstructive sleep apnea also had erectile dysfunction.

●      Nerve damage: Nerves in the pelvic area might be affected by disease, surgery, or injury, or nerve signals may not reach the penis from the brain or spinal cord. Nerve damage can also be caused by diabetes.

●      Radiation therapy: Anyone who has been through bladder, prostate, or colon-rectal cancer may be affected as cancer treatments in the lower abdomen or pelvis, such as radiation, can cause ED.

●      Drug use: Recreational drugs and certain pharmaceuticals can have side effects that affect sexual performance.

●      Frequency of sex: Studies show that men who have sex less than once a week are more likely to develop ED.

●      Hypogonadism: This condition leads to low levels of the male hormone testosterone

●      Multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease

 

 

 

 

How Can I Test for ED?

 

To confirm that a patient experiences normal physiological erectile function during sleep, overnight self-testing or nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) might be conducted to ascertain whether the cause is physical.

 

A portable battery-powered home device, the Rigiscan, is strapped around the thigh. The machine measures the blood in the penis and its rigidity over several nights, and a doctor can download and analyze it.

 

A penile plethysmograph measures the erection as the patient is exposed to sexually-stimulating material. Penile cuffs attach to a pulse volume recorder which displays and records waves of blood to the penis to establish if the condition is physical or psychological.

 

Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM)

 

The Sexual Health Inventory for Men questionnaire offers an accurate indication of ED. An example of the questionnaire can be found here.

 

What Can I Expect When I Visit My Physician?

 

Diagnosing the condition usually begins with a physician posing several lifestyle questions, conducting a physical exam, and concentrating on ED symptoms. Blood, urine, and other tests might be done to rule out certain conditions.

It is critical to be upfront about lifestyle, smoking, drinking habits, drugs the patient may be taking, pressures they may be under, and relationships.

Questions About Your ED Symptoms

Erectile dysfunction history allows the health care provider to glean information. Rest assured, the doctor has heard it all before, and the aim is merely to understand the causes and recommend a course of action.

Physical Examinations

A general health check will be conducted, and based on age and risk factors; an exam may look at the heart and vascular system. A rectal exam may be done to check the prostate if age and family history dictate. An examination of the penis and testicles will check for erectile dysfunction.

Advanced Erectile Function Tests

Specialized testing is necessary in some cases to guide treatment and re-assess if treatment fails. This might include bloodwork to check male hormones, including testosterone, and measure blood sugar in case of diabetes. Ultrasonography (penile Doppler) might be necessary to check blood flow, or a shot with a vascular stimulant might be administered to the penis to cause an erection.

 

How Can ED Be Treated?

 

Non-invasive treatments are the first course of action. Prescription drugs should only be changed or halted under the supervision of a qualified doctor. Risk factors would be highlighted to the patient, and lifestyle changes might be recommended. It may also be suggested that the patient start treating emotional problems.

 

Your physician may recommend the following solutions to help alleviate ED symptoms:

 

●      Vacuum erection device: The penis is inserted into the plastic tube of a vacuum erection device, a low-pressure vacuum around the erectile tissue brings about an erection, and a plastic ring is placed at the base of the penis holding blood in the penis, to keep it firm for up to half an hour.

 

●      Testosterone: This hormone is administered where poor sex drive and low testosterone levels are detected. This therapy may be combined with oral drugs known as phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitors.

 

●      Phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE5) inhibitors. These drugs are prescribed for ED if there is normal nerve function in the penis. The pills are ingested an hour or two before sex to increase blood flow for improved erectile responses.

 

●      Examples of PDE5 inhibitors are Sildenafil (brand name: Viagra), tadalafil (brand name Cialis), and vardenafil (brand name Levitra). PDE5 inhibitors are NOT compatible with nitroglycerin or any other nitrates a patient might be taking for chest pain. Ordinarily, the side effects of these drugs are mild, lasting only a short while. They include headaches, indigestion, flushing (face and upper body turning red and warm), stuffy nose, and muscle aches.  Rarely, Viagra might briefly cause blueish shading of the vision and Cialis can cause muscle aches in the back. These effects are due to the effects of the drugs on other vascular tissues in the body.

 

●      Self-injection therapy: Men who don't respond to oral PDE5 inhibitors can try intracavernosal injection (ICI therapy). A professional should give the first shot of ICI Alprostadil to demonstrate how the fine needle is injected into the side of the penis during ICI therapy.

 

●      Intra-Urethral (IU therapy): This treatment involves a tiny suppository of Alprostadil, a synthetic version of prostaglandin E. being inserted into the urethra. This may not work as effectively as ICI, but patients do not have to inject themselves. In the instance of the Alprostadil treatments described above, men with priapism (erections lasting more than two to four hours) should seek Emergency Room care. Failure to undo this painful condition could lead to permanent penile damage.

 

●      Surgical intervention: The chief means of surgical treatment for ED involves having a penile prosthesis or implant inserted.

 

There are two types of implants:

 

➔    The flexible implant consists of two malleable rods inside the penis shaft. The penis can be manipulated upwards to enable penetration.

 

➔    The inflatable implant consists of fluid-filled cylinders. Tubing joins these to a pump placed between the testicles inside the scrotum. When engaged, pressure in the cylinders inflates the penis.

 

Since penile vascular surgery is not an option for older men who have not enjoyed successful treatment with PDE5 inhibitors, ICI, or IU therapies, an implant like this is the logical next step.

 

 

Erectile Dysfunction Treatment Available In Easton, Pennsylvania

 

ED may be uncharted territory, but it needn't be scary. A group of specialized physicians started physician Promise to make healthcare seamless for our patients. The Physician Promise Community is a virtual destination where physicians, pharmacists, nutritionists, and fitness coaches share their expert knowledge and experiences. Regardless of your health issue or concern, we welcome you to Physician Promise. We offer free virtual visits and free delivery when your prescription medication is mailed to your home. If you'd like more information on our services, schedule a virtual visit or contact us today!

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Remember how you were as newlyweds or when you knew you were in love with your significant other?  You couldn’t keep your hands off each other. If you and your partner are struggling with intimacy, don’t be embarrassed. Talk with your provider openly. There’s no shame in admitting that you’re often not in the mood and having trouble getting there.  Hypoactive sexual desire disorder can be caused by underlying problems.  So, it’s important to get to the root cause.

If you have opened a magazine or watched any television within the past decade, you may likely have heard of Viagra, often dubbed the “little blue pill". Over the past few years, a new name has entered the arena with growing interest. Addyi, informally known as the Female Viagra and or ‘the little pink pill’ is a medication indicated for the treatment of Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (also called HSDD).

 Acne is a common skin condition that is caused by hair follicle inflammation or clog. Skin naturally produces oil and when the oil and dead skin cells clog the pores this creates a “zit” or “pimple.” At Physician Promise we focus on a personalized approach to skin disease. We do offer a variety of prescription skin treatments depending on your skin disease such as acne, scars, rosacea, eczema, hyperpigmentation, and stretch marks.

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You don’t need to spend a lot of money to have a great workout space in your home. I will show you how to do this using only $500.00. Let’s use Amazon.com for ease, convenience, and familiarity. First item you need to purchase is a standard weight set, these are the small holed sets, not the olympic sets. This will be more friendly for smaller spaced usage/areas. Important to note, the standard bars are 30lbs and the olympic bars are 45lbs. This can be purchased for $159.03. Now we need an adjustable bench with a leg extension / leg curl option, this will range from $98.89 to $196.86.

We know you want to quit smoking. We also know you heard about all of the negative effects of smoking like cancer, lung disease, heart disease, obesity, and just about every type of disease is associated with smoking. Nicotine is the addictive substance within cigarettes that makes you crave another smoke. But that same substance has a long lasting effect on your health and your wallet. The average American spends close to $2300 per year on cigarettes. Imagine all of the extra vacations, food, or family outings you could have if you quit smoking today!

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Although it may not seem like it at first glance, your skin has over 5 million small openings on your body.