Men and Botox: Scientists Find New Ways to Help Male Patients Look and Feel Better

These days, people are more conscious of their appearance than ever before. With the plethora of safe and effective beauty treatments available on the market, it just makes sense to invest a bit of time and money in order to look your very best.

Age can leave its mark on both the body and the face, and physical changes like weight loss or weight gain can wreak havoc on the skin. Today, a new generation of men are challenging longstanding stereotypes and seeking out the latest beauty treatments that salons and spas have to offer.

The anti-aging miracle drug Botox has returned a youthful look to millions of women ? and now their husbands, boyfriends, brothers, and fathers are looking for the some of the same cosmetic magic. This trend has sparked a wave of research into the implications of Botox use among men.

The studies show that Botox is helping men boost their health ? and their self-confidence, as well. This week, we?ll take a look at what scientists have to say about the growing trend of men turning to Botox.

More Botox Needed to Achieve Satisfactory Cosmetic Results for Male Patients

When men show up for a facial Botox injection, practitioners need to lay out a few extra syringes. The findings of a recent study published in the journal Dermatologic Therapy suggest that male patients may require up to twice as much Botox as their female counterparts. If practitioners use the female dose on male patients, the study reported, the degree of muscle manipulation achieved may not be sufficient to be noticeable.

The authors speculate that the need for more Botox may be due to the fact that men have more muscle mass than women ? not only in their bodies, but in their faces as well. The additional Botox may be necessary to penetrate the denser musculature of male patients.

However, the authors cautioned that the correct dosage should be calculated based on an assessment of each individual patient. For example, a small-framed man may be able to achieve satisfactory results with a lower dose of the treatment.

Botox May Help Men Recover From Enlarged Prostrate

Men with non-cancerous enlargement of the prostrate gland often suffer from a wide array of troubling symptoms, including frequent urination, sexual dysfunction, and in some cases, even urinary incontinence. However, traditional treatments for enlarged prostrate symptoms are undesirable, as they often have many unpleasant side effects that equal or exceed the symptoms of the disorder itself.

In a recent study conducted jointly by researchers at the Chang Gung University Medical College and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, it was found that an injection of botulinum toxin A, otherwise known as Botox, can significantly reduce the symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate.

In a preliminary study, a sample of 37 men with enlarged prostate glands was injected with Botox. A significant proportion of the group reported improved urinary function and gains in overall quality of life. It was found that the treatment may be effective for up to a year after the injection.

Although the results achieved in the study were described as preliminary, the researchers asserted that this breakthrough may be a significant help to the millions of men who suffer from enlarged prostate glands.

Study in Progress to Assess the Effectiveness of Botox for Male Pelvic Pain

Researchers at the University of Washington are currently conducting a large-scale study designed to test Botox as a possible treatment for cases of severe pelvic pain in men. Specifically, the research is focusing on male sufferers of Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome, a hard-to-treat and sometimes debilitating condition that is estimated to impact nearly ten percent of men over the age of 18.

Because the syndrome is caused by muscle spasms and contractions, the unique relaxation action associated with Botox may be helpful. In a preliminary study, four male patients who were treated with Botox experienced significant improvements with no adverse side effects.

If you or a loved one is considering Botox injections for health or cosmetic purposes, talk to a qualified practitioner to ensure that this treatment is right for you. Check back each week for more diet, weight loss, and beauty.

Scientists Take a Closer Look at the Risks of Weight Loss Surgery

For men and women who are fed up with what can seem like a never-ending struggle to lose weight, bariatric surgery has become an increasingly popular option. Over the last decade, the number of people electing surgical options for weight loss has skyrocketed. In 2007, an estimated 170,000 people underwent weight loss surgery in the United States alone.

There is a strong consensus among the medical establishment that obesity is a very clear risk to the public?s overall health. Furthermore, traditional methods of weight loss, such as diet changes and exercise regimens, appear to be unable to turn the tide of obesity for millions of overweight men and women.

However, despite the growing popularity of weight loss surgery, there are also a number of significant risks associated with these procedures. Taking the health risks of obesity into consideration, many doctors advise that the dangers inherent in any major surgery still outweigh the long-term health risks of being significantly overweight.

Still, scientists around the world are engaged in ongoing studies that are seeking to highlight and eliminate the risks associated with weight loss surgery. This week, we?ll review the results of several recent studies that have focused on possible dangers associated with these procedures.

Many Doctors Do Not Fully Understand the Risks of Weight Loss Surgery

The media has been diligent in reporting the potential dangers of gastric bypass surgery and other weight loss procedures, and the scientific and scholarly presses have also released a substantial amount of information on the subject. However, according to the results of a recent study conducted by the Duke University Weight Loss Surgery Center, a sizable number of physicians do not have a clear grasp of the magnitude of the risks that are associated with these procedures.

The impact of this lack of understanding has several consequences, according to the researchers who conducted the study. Some physicians who don?t fully understand the process of weight loss surgery may be reluctant to recommend it as an option to their overweight patients. This could deprive many obese men and women with their best opportunity to lose weight.

On the other hand, other doctors who don?t fully understand the risks of weight loss surgery may recommend it to patients for whom the procedure is overly dangerous. The authors of the study asserted that this problem may account for some of the complications that patients suffer after undergoing weight loss surgery.

Based on these findings, the authors of the study recommended that candidates for weight loss surgery visit an accredited, full-service center for comprehensive screening before electing to undergo a procedure. This approach has the best chance of eliminating risk factors and screening out high-risk patients.

Suicide and Heart Disease are Major Risk Factors for Weight Loss Surgery Patients

A team of researchers at the University of Pittsburgh recently undertook a study designed to assess the post-surgery death rates of patients who had undergone weight loss surgery. According to their analysis, weight loss surgery patients have a risk of death that is much higher than that of the general population.

In addition, it was found that weight loss surgery patients stood particularly high risk of dying as a result of suicide and coronary heart disease. Although the factors that cause suicide are complex, the researchers asserted that this statistic underscores the importance of psychological screening for weight loss surgery candidates.

Heart disease was the leading cause of death for weight loss surgery patients, with 20% of the sample studied succumbing to coronary heart disease. The authors underscored the importance of adhering to a heart-healthy diet in the post-surgery period, even after desired levels of weight loss have been achieved.

New Study Stresses Importance of Psychological Assessment of Candidates for Weight Loss Surgery

A team of researchers at Rhode Island Hospital and Brown University recently assessed the psychological implications of weight loss surgery. According to the researchers, the stress of major surgery and recovery, paired with the confusion and conflicting feelings that can be incited through rapid weight loss, can pose the threat of severe emotional damage to patients who undergo the procedures.

Based on a review of hospital records, the research team found that as many as 20% of all patients who underwent weight loss surgery were not adequately screened by licensed psychologists or psychiatrists prior to the procedure. The team suggested the implementation of more thorough screening protocols in the future, with particular emphasis on identifying eating disorders, mood disorders, personality disorders, substance abuse, emotional or binge eating, or a history of noncompliance with medical directives.

If you?re considering weight loss surgery, talk to a qualified expert in the field to determine if this is the right approach for you. Please check back each week for more of the diet and weight loss news you need!