Men and Women in alcohol: Why their health risks are greater than men's

Ever wonder why men seem to hold their liquor better than women? Women react differently to alcohol than men, studies show. Alcohol takes more of a toll on women physically, mentally and socially. They become intoxicated more quickly and do not absorb and metabolize alcohol the same way. Women have less water in their bodies than men, so the alcohol they take in is more concentrated.

Age enters the equation, too. Older women may find that drinking alcohol affects them more than it did when they were younger. Aging causes the amount of water in the body to decrease, making it harder for the body to metabolize alcohol.

Alcohol may hit women harder

Fewer women than men drink heavily, but they have as many or more problems from their drinking. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA):

* Drinking is more likely to damage a woman's health than a man's - even if she has been drinking less alcohol for a shorter time.
* Alcoholic women have death rates 50 percent to 100 percent higher than alcoholic men. These include deaths from suicide, brain diseases, alcohol-related accidents, heart disease, cancer, stroke and liver disease.
* Heavy drinking raises a woman's risk for being a victim of sexual assault and other acts of violence. Teenage girls who drink raise their risks for unplanned sex.
* Drinking while pregnant puts your baby at risk for fetal alcohol syndrome. This birth defect can cause problems with learning, memory, attention and problem-solving in the growing child.

Linked to cancer

Women who have two or more drinks per day actually raise their risk for breast cancer. According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, women who choose to drink should limit alcoholic beverages to no more than one per day. This is especially important if the woman also has a family history of breast cancer.

Recent data from a study of 1 million middle-aged women in the UK showed that moderate drinking increased their risk for many types of cancer. For every 1000 women, 15 more women were diagnosed with cancer in the moderate drinking group. Eleven out of these 15 women had breast cancer.

How much is too much?

How can you tell the difference between alcohol abuse and moderate drinking? Women who have more than seven drinks per week or more than four on a given day are more likely to have alcohol dependency.

According to the NIAAA, moderate alcohol use is one drink per day for women, two for men. One drink is equal to a 5-ounce glass of wine, 12 ounces of beer or 1.5 ounces of hard liquor.

If you think you might have a drinking problem, answer these questions:

* Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking?
* Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
* Have you ever felt guilty about your drinking?
* Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves?
* Have other people complained about your drinking?
* Do you have to drink more now than you used to for the same effects?

If you answered "yes" to one or more of these questions, talk to your doctor or a therapist about your drinking.

SOURCES:

* National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Alcohol: a women's health issue. National Cancer Institute. Alcohol and breast cancer: new findings.
* Allen NE, Beral V, Casabonne D, Wan Kan S, Reeves G, Brown A, Green J. Moderate alcohol intake and cancer incidence in women. Journal of the National Cancer Institute. 2009:101(5);296-305.
* Steiner E, Klubert D, Knutson D. Assessing breast cancer risk in women. American Family Physician. 2008:78(12):1361-1366.
* U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Women in substance abuse treatment: results from the Alcohol and Drug Services Study (ADSS).

http://www.newson6.com/Global/story.asp?S=10410617

Enlarged Prostate and Erectile Dysfunction Are Subjects of Free Men's Health

Dr. Peter Burrows from the Arizona Center-Vasectomy/Urology, a specialist in men's health issues, will be leading a free Men's Health Seminar on Saturday June 6th. The program, to be held at 8:30 AM at El Dorado Hospital, will explain the latest treatment options for two of the most common conditions affecting men today: Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (also known as Enlarged Prostate) and Erectile Dysfunction. A question and answer period will follow the program.

At the June 6th presentation, Dr. Burrows will bring clarity to two topics that together affect well over half of all men above the age of 60 in the United States. Benign Prostate Hyperplasia, or BPH, is a natural, non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate. Symptoms of BPH include frequent urination, weak flow, and interrupted sleep--factors that can significantly impact a man's quality of life.

Many men are commonly offered two treatment options for BPH: prescription medication, or a surgical procedure known as Transurethral Resection of the Prostate, or TURP. Both options can be effective, yet both have potential side effects. Dr. Burrows will explain a new procedure involving a minimally invasive laser surgery, from American Medical Systems, that equals the benefits of TURP with fewer potential complications; it can also be performed on an outpatient basis.

Erectile Dysfunction, or ED, is the inability to maintain an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. Diabetes, heart disease, prostate surgery and medications for other conditions are among the most common physical causes. The good news is that nearly every case is treatable today. Options range from lifestyle changes to medications, as well as more permanent solutions such as penile implants, from American Medical Systems.

Spouses or partners are invited to accompany attendees. The seminar, which is free and open to the public, will last approximately one hour. Refreshments will be served. Space is limited and reservations are strongly advised.

All surgical treatments have inherent and associated risks. The most common risks associated with GreenLight are hematuria, short term dysuria and urinary track infections.

Implanting a penile prosthesis is likely to damage or destroy any remaining natural ability to have an erection. This product is contraindicated for patient with the following conditions:

* Active urinary infections or active skin infections in the region of surgery.
* A known sensitivity to silicone or the antibiotic rifampin or tetracyclines.
* Lupus erythematosus.
* Taking warfarin, thionamides, isoniazid and halothane
* Renal disease.

You should talk with your doctor about benefits and risks before moving forward with any treatment option.

Source: http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseContent.aspx?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/05-27-2009/0005033313&EDATE=

Pints for Prostates Delivers Men’s Health Message Using the Universal Language of Beer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRLog (Press Release) – Jul 25, 2008 – Charlotte, N.C. – The symptoms of prostate cancer rarely show before the disease has progressed, but a simple PSA blood test can serve as an early warning and save men’s lives. But how do you reach men in their late 30s and early 40s, when statistics show they often skip regular physicals and avoid doctor’s offices?

“Pints for Prostates is an awareness campaign designed to reach men through the universal language of beer. We want to communicate with them in a friendly and non-threatening way about the need for regular PSA testing,” says Rick Lyke, a 47-year-old Charlotte, N.C., marketing executive and drinks journalist who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in February. “Early detection is the key to fighting prostate cancer and a PSA test and a physical exam are the best method to catch it early.”

“There are more than 230,000 cases of prostate cancer diagnosed in the U.S. each year, more than the number of new breast cancer cases in women. The problem is that prostate cancer does not get the same level of media attention as breast cancer and most men never discuss the subject with friends or family,” Lyke said. “Luckily I insisted on having a PSA test during a routine physical because a good friend is being treated for the disease. Time is precious when you are fighting prostate cancer. I received the gift of time from a friend. I felt like I had a responsibility to warn other men.”

After successful prostate surgery in April at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago by Dr. William Catalona, Lyke started to think about ways to reach as many men as possible with a message about prostate screening and PSA testing. That is when it occurred to him that one of the best ways to reach men is over a pint of beer.

Lyke started Pints for Prostates after talking to a couple of editors at magazines where he writes. The idea was well received and he contacted Us TOO International Prostate Cancer Education and Support Network, a not for profit group founded and governed by prostate cancer survivors that works to support, educate and advocate for men with prostate cancer.

“The idea of reaching men about health issues through beer sounded a little strange at first, but it makes perfect sense,” said Thomas Kirk, President and CEO of Us TOO International. “Our mission and program goal is to educate and empower men and their family members so men and their loved ones can take an active role in their health care. One in six men is at risk of developing prostate cancer during their life time and early detection through the monitoring of PSA levels is critical to getting the disease under control. Pints for Prostates will help us reach more men at a time when a growing number of men are at risk.”

Pints for Prostates is focused on reaching men during September, which is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. So far 10 beer and beverage related publications have pledged a combination of advertising space, news coverage, website marketing and special event
support. The media involved include: All About Beer (www.allaboutbeer.com)

, DRAFT magazine (www.draftmag.com), the seven regional Brewing News newspapers (www.brewingnews.com), Imbibe (www.imbibemagazine.com), Beer Advocate
(www.beeradvocate.com), Celebrator Beer News (www.celebrator.com), Bartender Magazine (www.bartender.com), Modern Brewery Age (www.breweryage.com), Beer (www.thebeermag.com) and Beer Northwest (www.beernw.com).

Creative development and design for the advertising materials and logo for Pints for Prostates was donated by Eric Mower and Associates, a marketing communication agency with offices in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Albany, N.Y.; Charlotte, N.C.; Atlanta, Ga.; and Sarasota, Fla. Lyke is a senior partner with the firm and heads up the agency’s southeast public relations operation.

Work is now underway to reach out to breweries, brewpubs and on-premise retailers to get their support in a cooperative effort among industry partners. The aim is to raise funds for Us TOO’s outreach efforts and to spark a grassroots effort to reach men that might be missed through traditional health education programs.

“One of our goals is to get brewers to print a PSA testing message on the back of beer coasters they use to promote their brands in restaurants and taverns around the country,” Lyke said. “Men can tell you about their favorite IPA (India Pale Ale), but few know about their PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen). We need to help educate them about getting the simple blood test that measures prostate specific antigens because it can save their lives.”

Us TOO Board Chairman, prostate cancer warrior and support group leader Jim Kiefert says “Early diagnosis is essential. When I was 50-years-old a PSA test was the first step in my successful battle with prostate cancer. We envision Pints for Prostates will help reach millions of men with the PSA testing message. It is anticipated that many of Us TOO’s 325 local chapters will get involved with special events held around the country as part of the effort.”

For more information on the program please visit www.ustoo.org/pints.

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Eric Mower and Associates is a leading regional marketing communications agency with offices in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Albany, N.Y.; Charlotte, N.C.; Atlanta, Ga.; and Sarasota, Fla.

http://www.prlog.org/10094007-pints-for-prostates-delivers-mens-health-message-using-the-universal-language-of-beer.html