Health A-Z

Tobacco Tied to Higher Risk of Oral HPV Infection

Tobacco use in any form appears to be linked to an increased risk of infection with oral human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16), a virus that can cause cancers of the mouth and throat, according to Johns Hopkins University researchers.

 

The odds of being infected with HPV16, a sexually transmitted disease, rise as tobacco use increases, the researchers said. As few as three cigarettes a day can increase the risk of infection with HPV by almost one-third, according to the study.

How tobacco use might influence HPV16 infection isn’t clear, said lead researcher Dr. Carole Fakhry, an assistant professor of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

“We don’t fully understand oral HPV16,” she said. “People exposed to tobacco could be more likely to become infected after exposure to HPV16 or less likely to get rid of the infection.”

Fakhry cautioned that this study does not prove that tobacco makes it easier to get HPV16, only that the two factors are linked. Since tobacco use is associated with other risky behaviors, it’s possible that people who use tobacco engage in more oral sex, which could increase their odds of being infected with HPV16, Fakhry explained.

She added that smoking, chewing or snorting tobacco doesn’t cause HPV16 infection, but may make it easier to get the infection. Nonsmokers are also at risk for HPV16, especially those exposed to secondhand smoke, she said.

HPV16, which is transmitted through oral sex, is linked to 80 percent of cancers located in the back of the throat, according to the researchers. Over the last 20 years, this type of cancer has increased 225 percent in the United States, the researchers noted.

This year alone, about 37,000 Americans, mostly men, will get mouth or throat cancer, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). About 7,300 will die from these cancers, according to the ACS.

For the study, Fakhry and her colleagues collected data on nearly 7,000 men and women who took part in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Among the participants, there were just over 2,000 tobacco users. More than 80 percent of tobacco users were cigarette smokers, according to the study. Other forms of tobacco use included chew, snuff and pipe smoking, the study found. Sixty-three of the tobacco users were infected with HPV16, the study reported.

The researchers measured blood levels of cotinine, a by-product of tobacco use, and found an amount equal to three cigarettes a day increased the risk of infection 31 percent, according to the study. When they measured urine levels of another tobacco-related marker, NNAL, the risk increased 68 percent when the levels equaled four cigarettes a day, the study found.

“This study highlights the need to understand the effect of tobacco on HPV16 infection over time,” Fakhry said. The report was published in the Oct. 8 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. Dr. Norman Edelman, a senior consultant for scientific affairs at the American Lung Association, said, “The connection between HPV and tobacco is probably real.”

The question is whether the connection is based in biology or social behavior, he said. Smoking may be a marker of increased oral sex, Edelman said. “If that is not true, then some of the contents of tobacco promote infection by this sexually transmitted virus, and that’s a very important finding,” he said.

Edelman added that studies have shown that nicotine increases tumor growth and the same could also be the case for viral infection. “There is a lot of other stuff in tobacco that causes inflammation,” he said. “So it may be that all the other inflammatory components of tobacco allow HPV to attack the tissues of the mouth and grow and stay put.”

This is yet another reason not to smoke, chew tobacco or use snuff, because it’s the same stuff going directly to the mouth, Edelman said. “Oral cancer is very nasty,” he said. Whatever the reason behind the increased risk of HPV16 infection for people who smoke, a vaccine for HPV — including HPV16 — is available for teens and young adults, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The vaccine is routinely recommended for 11- and 12-year-old children, but can be given up to age 26 for both males and females, according to the CDC.

Source: web md

Sandwiches eaters have a higher energy intake

Sandwiches account for one-fifth of the body’s total sodium absorption, new research on the dietary intake of US adults shows. People who ate sandwiches had significantly higher energy intake than those who did not, it found.

Those who consumed a sandwich on the survey day took in, on average, around 300 kilo-calories more than those who did not report eating a sandwich. Sandwich reporters also had higher total sodium intake, averaging around 600 milli-grams per day higher than non-sandwich reporters.

“The unanticipated finding that sandwich consumption is associated with higher overall intake of energy underscores the importance of making healthy choices of sandwich ingredients,” said study co-author Cecilia Wilkinson Enns from the US Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service.

“Many sandwiches, such as burgers and franks, and common sandwich components, such as yeast breads, cheese, and cured meats, are among the top contributors not only to sodium but also to energy in the diets of adult Americans,” Enns added.

By closely analysing data from the federal nationwide dietary intake survey known as “What We Eat in America NHANES 2009-2010”, the researchers found that on any given day 49 percent of US adults eat at least one sandwich.

The study appeared in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Source: Times of India

9 fantastic properties of hot water and honey

Did you know that the combination of warm water and honey has multiple beneficial effects on your health?

1. Helps you with weight loss.
Sugar found in honey is natural and is a healthy source of calories. Not only that, but this combination will reduce the increased desire for sweets.

2. Improves digestion.
Honey and water can regulate the work of digestion system. Antiseptic effects of honey has favorable impact on your digestion, and the combination with water softens the stool.

3. Strengthens the immune system.
Honey has an amazing ability of neutralizing bacterias. Especially recommended is organic honey that has the most enzymes, minerals and vitamins that fight bacteria. Honey is an excellent antioxidant that helps fight free radicals.

4. Reduces allergies.
Natural honey from your region can help your body to get used to the pollen. In this case water is not required, but additional hydration cant do any harm.

5. Boosts energy.
No need to reach for coffee anymore for waking up – stir a little honey in warm water. This healthy combination can also restore enthusiasm and energy.

6. Soothes sore throat and soothes cough. According to the recommendation of the famous Mayo Clinic, hot water and honey can alleviate throat irritation and soothe the cough.

7. Detoxification.
Honey and water will help your body get rid of toxins. Good digestion, to which honey also affects, is responsible for the detoxification of the body. You will even have better results if you add lemon. The acid in lemon juice positively affects the function of enzymes and stimulates the liver.

8. Reduces gases.
Do you feel bloated and have gases? Find help in the mix warm water and lemon.

9. Improves health.
Not only that warm water and honey improve hydration in you’re body, but will also increase the level of good cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease.

5 ways to increase your water intake

A 2010 study by American Chemical Society of Boston says, “Drinking two glasses of water before breakfast, lunch, and dinner while also cutting back on portions may help you lose weight and keep it off for at least a year.” Well, weight loss is just one benefit of drinking water. From treating skin problems, reducing risk of heart ailments, regulating digestive system to curing headaches, water has many more benefits to offer. But, we can only be benefited when the intake is in an adequate amount. It is said that one should drink at least eight glasses of water a day. So, let’s explore ways on how we can increase water intake in our daily diet

Set a schedule
Begin with setting a schedule for yourself. As soon as you wake up, drink two glasses of water. After that, drink a glass of water every two hours. Set achievable targets and do not keep on drinking water all the time. Too much of it can also be bad for you. It can make your body cells bloat and you might experience dizziness and difficulty in breathing. So, strike a balance

Eliminate caffeinated and sugary drinks
The first step toward increasing your water intake is restricting consumption of caffeinated beverages. Prepare your shopping list in a way that can curb your unhealthy desire of cola and soda bottles and coffee jars. These have a diuretic effect and increase the risk of dehydration. This is why, water is the best bet to stay hydrated. Carry a water bottle with you to avoid buying sugary drinks

Jump to water-rich foods and juices
Around 20 per cent of our water needs are met from the foods that are naturally high in water content. So, if you have more fruits and veggies you can boost your fluid intake. Try eating papaya, berries, oranges, cherries, grapes, peaches, watermelon, strawberries and apples. Among vegetables, you can go for carrots, broccoli, onions, cauliflower, peas, and tomatoes. An added advantage of having all these is that you will increase your vitamins and minerals consumption besides water. You can also have fruit juices. Although you will be adding a few calories if you have juices, you can discount a few calories by adding a little water to it

Drizzle some flavour
In order to do away with the bland taste of water you can add some flavour to it. Add mint leaves, flavours of orange, cucumber, strawberry and lemon. Get creative with wat
er and stay enthused. Beside these, you can also buy no-calorie seltzer water that is available in the market in various flavours

Urine check
The easiest way to find out whether you are taking sufficient amount of water or not is through a urine check. It is a good sign if it is pale yellow or clear, but if it is darker it means you are not getting enough water. You will complain of nausea, dizziness and experience a few signs of dehydration like dry and sticky mouth.

So, whether you want to lose weight, get a glowing skin or cure acne, water is the best option available. Drink as much water as you can to make your lifestyle a healthy one

Endoscopists recommend frequent colonoscopies, leading to its overuse

A retrospective study led by researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH), has found an overuse of colonoscopies for colorectal cancer screening and surveillance. The study demonstrated that endoscopists commonly recommended shorter follow-up intervals than established guidelines support, and these recommendations were strongly correlated with subsequent colonoscopy overuse

Endoscopists recommend frequent colonoscopies, leading to its overuse

“Our study shows that a high percentage of follow-up colonoscopies are being performed too early, resulting in use of scarce health care resources with potentially limited clinical benefit,” said Thomas D. Sequist MD, MPH, BWH Division of General Medicine and Primary Care, senior study author.

The study is published online September 30, 2014 in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.

In the retrospective cohort study, researchers combed electronic health record data of primary care patients at Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, a multispecialty physician group practice in Massachusetts. The study included 1,429 patients 50 to 65 years old who underwent their first screening colonoscopy between 2001 and 2010; and underwent an additional 871 follow-up colonoscopies during a median follow-up of six years.

According to the researchers, 88 percent of follow-up screening colonoscopies and 49 percent of surveillance colonoscopies repeated during the study represented overuse—meaning they were performed more than one year early, and often times over three to four years earlier than is recommended by national guidelines. At the same time, one-quarter of study patients identified as higher risk based on initial colonoscopy findings failed to receive follow-up colonoscopy within the recommended three or five year time period.

Early colonoscopy was recommended by endoscopists following more than one-half of the initial colonoscopies. Colonoscopy overuse was strongly associated with these early follow-up recommendations by endoscopists; patients were up to 13 times more likely to undergo an early colonoscopy when their endoscopist recommended such follow up.

“Previous research has shown that most endoscopists do not consistently agree with the follow-up intervals recommended in national guidelines and report preferences for shorter screening and surveillance intervals,” said Sequist. “Examining practice variation and establishing locally endorsed standards among endoscopists may be a way to target interventions to reduce overuse.”

Added Sequist: “There are likely multiple drivers of recommendations for early colonoscopy, including disagreement with current guidelines, fear of poor patient outcomes or malpractice, or misaligned financial incentives.”

“The overused colonoscopies on the patients in this study alone represent a potential excess of over $1 million in health care spending—resources that might benefit those who are overdue for colon cancer screening,” said Gina Kruse, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital, lead study author.

Overuse of screening exams has become a focus of national efforts, such as the Choosing Wisely campaign by the American Board of Internal Medicine Foundation and the American Gastroenterological Association, which are jointly encouraging physicians to cut back on colorectal cancer screening exams of uncertain value.

Source: medical xpress

Self-Healing With Common Household Items

You will be amazed with what you can do with the common household items you already have!

The following is a sampling of home remedies that are simple enough for anybody to make and use. The remedies are easy to make and most of the items you probably already have in your pantry.

Self-Healing With Common Household Items

Take charge of your health today—Do it yourself, do it at home, do it naturally!!

CINNAMON & GINGER IN MILK WHEN A COLD HAS JUST BEGUN: This is a great treatment for use at the onset of a cold. Scald ½ cup milk. Add ½ teaspoon of cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ginger, and 1 tablespoon honey. This will soothe the symptoms while stimulating healing.

HEATED LEMONADE WITH HONEY FOR COLDS/FLU WITH FEVER: This is great when a cold is accompanied by a fever. Make a glass of lemonade, heat it (to coffee temperature), and sweeten with honey to taste. This will relieve discomfort and help you to relax.

RICE TEA FOR VOMITING AND DIARRHEA: This is excellent remedy to help alleviate vomiting and diarrhea. It tastes great, is nutritious, and really soothes the digestive system. To make, simmer ½ cup of rice in approximately 1 ½ quarts of water for fifteen minutes. Flavor to taste with vanilla and sugar. You can sprinkle with a bit of cinnamon for added flavor.

LEMON JUICE FOR CONGESTION: Lemon juice can be added to herbal teas to help combat congestion. Lemon juice adds Vitamin C to the diet and is an astringent that helps to cut through mucous and congestion.

ASPARAGUS FOR BRONCHITIS AND CHRONIC BRONCHIAL PROBLEMS: This is a great aid for bronchitis and chronic bronchial problems. Liquefy a can of asparagus in the blender. Refrigerate. Drink ¼ cup upon rising and before bed. Water can be added to taste, and the drink can be heated and consumed as a hot drink if preferred.

THYME COUGH SYRUP: Add 1 ounce of dried thyme to 1 pint of boiling water. Cool. Strain. Add 1 cup honey. Place in a jar and shake well to mix. Store it in the refrigerator. The suggested dosage is 1 tablespoon several times a day. This is great for sore throats, colds and coughing.

ONION AND HONEY FOR ASTHMA: This needs to be made fresh daily. Thinly slice one onion, place in a bowl and cover with honey. Let it sit overnight. Scrape the honey off the onion the next day. The recommended amount to take is 1 teaspoon 3-4 times per day.

SALT WATER NASAL RINSE: This is great for congestion accompanying colds, flu, allergies, and hay fever. Add ½ teaspoon baking soda or salt to 1 cup of warm, filtered water. Pour into a neti pot, a creamer with a long spout, or an eyedropper. To administer the rinse, turn your head to one side. Lower it over the sink. Keep your forehead slightly higher than your chin. Gently pour the solution into the uppermost nostril, allowing the solution to drain out the lower nostril. (A bit may run down your throat, if this happens you can spit it out.) This will flush out allergens and bacteria while helping to thin the mucus so it will be easier to expel.

VITAMIN C DROPS FOR CHRONIC SINUS INFECTIONS: This is made by dissolving a 500 mg vitamin C tablet in 1 cup of warm water. Use an eye dropper and apply ½ dropper full in each nostril 2 times per day.

GARLIC OIL CAPSULES AS AN ANTIBIOTIC: My family uses 3,000 mg three times per day for a week, in place of an antibiotic with huge success.

OATMEAL FOR VOMITING: This usually settles the stomach quickly. Using a broiler toast 5 tablespoons of oatmeal. Pour 1 pint of boiling water over the oatmeal, making a thin gruel. Add cinnamon and sugar to taste. Drink until vomiting stops.

LEMON JUICE FOR HEARTBURN: Warm ½ cup of water and add 2 teaspoons of lemon juice. Sip, should relieve heartburn.

SAGE AND GINGER FOR COLD SORES: Boil 1 cup of water. Add 1 teaspoon of dried sage. Steep 15 minutes. Strain. Add 1 teaspoon powdered ginger and honey to sweeten. Drink three cups of this throughout the day. Usually brings relief within 24 hours.

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR FOR HEAD COLDS OR MIGRAINES: Mix together a half cup of apple cider vinegar and a half cup of water. Boil and inhale the fumes.

VINEGAR AND HONEY FOR COLDS AND SORE THROATS: Mix together 1 cup of honey and 2 cups of apple cider vinegar. Drink a wineglass of this three times per day.

BRANDY AND BROWN SUGAR FOR SORE THROAT: Mix ½ cup brown sugar and ½ cup brandy. Mix well and sip as needed for sore throat.

CAYENNE PEPPER FOR COLDS AND SORE THROATS: This remedy will ward off sore throats and colds, and if you already have a cold or sore throat will drastically reduce the length of the illness. Boil 1 cup of water and add 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper. Drink this mixture three times a day.

SAGE AND CAYENNE SORE THROAT GARGLE: Boil a pint of water. Pour add one ounce of dried sage and ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper. Steep overnight. Use as a gargle.

LETTUCE TEA FOR INSOMNIA: Lettuce tea is a fast acting sedative. Add 1 cup shredded lettuce to 1 cup boiling water. Steep 30 minutes. Strain and drink before bed.

BAY LEAF TEA FOR HYSTERIA: Add 2 bay leaves to 1 cup boiling water. Steep 10 minutes and sweeten with honey. Very relaxing!!

PARSLEY AND LEMON JUICE TO PASS KIDNEY STONES: Boil 1 cup of water and add ¼ teaspoon dried parsley. Steep at least 15 minutes. Strain. Add 1 teaspoon lemon juice and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Drink daily for at least a week.

Source: Lumin Earth

Mushrooms Are Way More Amazing Than You Think

Known for their distinctive umami flavor and meaty texture, mushrooms are a great addition to any dish from Asian stir-fries to pasta sauces. And since September is National Mushroom Month, we thought we’d celebrate by sharing some fun facts about fungi.

mushroom

Mushrooms are the only item in the produce aisle with Vitamin D—and they’re one of the few non-fortified food sources. Mushrooms contain a fungal sterol (ergosterol) that converts to vitamin D when exposed to sunlight. Mushroom growers have the ability to produce mushrooms with 100% Daily Value (400 IU) of vitamin D per serving, approximately 4-5 white button or crimini mushrooms, or one portabella.

Authors of a recent Nutrition Today article note mushrooms’ nutrient and culinary characteristics suggest it may be time to re-evaluate food groupings and health benefits by adding a third kingdom—fungi/mycology—to the existing two food kingdoms of plants/botany and animals/zoology. Mushrooms are one of the few foods that provide ergothioneine, an important antioxidant related to immunity.

In 2012, Americans consumed four pounds of mushrooms per capita. Mushrooms are claiming more space in the marketplace: They’re a $1.1 billion industry with more than 900 million pounds of mushrooms grown in the U.S. in the last year.

Approximately four million students across the country have the opportunity to order the mushroom blend burger at lunch, which is a mixture of ground meat and cooked mushrooms. And surprisingly, the blend burger has a 92% preference in school district pilots with k-12 students.

Speaking of mushroom blends, it looks like the kids are getting a preview of what’s to come in restaurants. Some of America’s favorite chefs, including Richard Blais, are leading the trend to blend and featuring mushroom blend items as a part of their menus in restaurants across the United States.

Pennsylvania knocks the other states out of the water when it comes to growing ‘shrooms: they made 65% of the total volume of sales this past year. In fact, Kennett Square, Pa., is considered the mushroom capital of the world! (Too much a stretch to wonder if they have mushroom houses too?)

Ancient Egyptians believed mushrooms were the plant of immortality, according to hieroglyphics 4,600 years ago.White button: This is the most popular variety, making up about 90% of all mushrooms consumed in the U.S. They have a mild flavor that intensifies when they’re cooked and are great in pastas, on pizza, sautéed as a topping for a burger or sandwich and raw in salads.

Crimini: Also known as baby ‘bellas these small brown mushrooms have a deep, earthy flavor that makes them great when paired with meaty dishes or sautéed with red wine.

Portabella: The larger cousins of criminis, these large brown mushrooms have a great meaty texture and earthy, full-bodied flavor that makes them a great meat substitute. Try them on a bun, stuffed, or as a steak.

Maitake: These are fan-shaped mushrooms without caps and are also known as “the hen of the woods.” They have a distinct aroma and a rich, woodsy taste that amps up the mushroom flavor in any dish. Use them when you want a bold mushroom flavor, such as in a cream of mushroom soup or a sauce.

Shiitake: Brown with an umbrella-shaped cap, these mushrooms have curved stems that should be removed. They taste best when cooked as cooking brings out their rich, woodsy flavor. Their meaty texture makes them the perfect addition to stir-fries.
Enoki: These cream-colored mushrooms have long, spindly steams and tiny button-shaped caps. Before serving, trim the roots at the cluster base and separate the stems. They are crunchy and mild-tasting, which makes them perfect for enjoying raw in salads and on sandwiches.

Oyster: These delicately flavored mushrooms have a velvety texture and can be grey, pale yellow, or even blue! Sautéing them with butter and onions brings out their flavor and they are a great addition to pasta dishes.

Beech: Tiny in size, these mushrooms have white or light brown caps and are crunchy with a mild, sweet-nutty flavor. Add at the last minute to soups, stews, sauces, and stir-fries to maintain their crunchy texture.

Wild mushrooms: This includes varieties such as morels, truffles, and chanterelles, which can be very expensive and are considered delicacies. Their rich, distinctive flavor makes them popular with chefs of fine restaurants around the world

Source: yahoo

High calcium in blood may signal cancer

High levels of calcium in blood, a condition known as hypercalcaemia, can be used by doctors as an early indication of certain types of cancer, says a study, indicating that a simple blood test may help prevent the deadly disease. The risk is particularly prominent among men.

High calcium in blood may signal cancer

While the connection of hypercalcaemia to cancer is well known, this study has, for the first time, shown that often it can predate the diagnosis of cancer in primary care. Hypercalcaemia is the most common metabolic disorder associated with cancer, occurring in 10 to 20 percent of people with cancer.

“We wanted to look at the issue from a different perspective and find out if high calcium levels in blood could be used as an early indicator of cancer and therefore in the diagnosis of cancer,” said Fergus Hamilton, who led the research from University of Bristol in Britain. For the study, the researchers analysed the electronic records of 54,000 patients who had elevated levels of calcium and looked at how many of them went on to receive a cancer diagnosis.

In men, even mild hypercalcaemia conferred a risk of cancer in one year of 11.5 percent. If the calcium was above limits, the risk increased to 28 percent. In women, the risks were much less, with the corresponding figures being 4.1 percent and 8.7 percent.

In men, 81 percent of the cancer associated with hypercalcaemia was caused by lung, prostate, myeloma, colorectal and other haematological cancers.
In women, cancer was much less common.

There are a number of possible explanations for this but we think it might be because women are much more likely to have hyperparathyroidism, another cause of hypercalcaemia, Hamilton added. “Men rarely get this condition, so their hypercalcaemia is more likely to be due to cancer,” he explained.

The study appeared in the British Journal of Cancer.
Source: mid day

 

7 tips to be more energetic

Do you feel drained out and completely exhausted during the day no matter what you do?

Sometimes, it’s just the simple lack of energy that could be causing exhaustion and the over-tired feeling. All you need to do to correct the problem and keep your energy levels high is follow these energy boosting tips.

7 tips to be more energetic

Never skip breakfast: Being the first meal of the day, breakfast is the key determinant of your overall energy level throughout the day. When you skip your breakfast, your body slows down your metabolism to conserve energy. And without any readily available source to derive energy from, the brain signals various energy-related processes to slow down, making you feel energy-deprived. Therefore, it is extremely important that you eat a heavy breakfast packed with carbohydrates and proteins.

Have a balanced diet: Having a heavy breakfast doesn’t mean you should skip your lunch or any other meal for the day. But you need to control portion size and type of food you eat. Apart from carbohydrates and proteins, ensure that you include a lot of fruits like bananas, apples and berries in your diet. In fact, there are a lot of energy boosting foods like eggs, whole cereals, oats and nuts that you cannot afford to miss out if you constantly keep feeling low on energy.

Exercise: Without boosting your metabolism with physical activity, no matter what you eat you’ll feel lethargic. Whether it’s an early morning jog or an evening stroll in the park, any form of physical activity is good for your health and can boost your energy.

Drink more water: Sometimes, not drinking enough water could make you feel drained out and even dizzy. Water is required by all metabolic reactions of the body. So if the cells do not get enough water, the brain will automatically not allow you to be energetic. It is suggested that 7-10 glasses of water must be consumed by everyone. But, your water requirement will vary depending on your daily physical activity.

Don’t be stressed: Stress has the ability to lower both physical and mental energy, so lowering stress is the most crucial strategy you need to implement if you want elevated energy levels. Deep breathing, listening to good music, watching a good movie or meditating are some good ways to de-stress that you can try.

Cut down the vices: Alcohol and cigarettes might rev up your mood and energy levels for a short period of time but that state will not persist forever and it will instead make you feel even more energy-deprived the next day. So, quit smoking and drink moderately, if you cant avoid it completely.

Surround yourself with cheerful people: We all know that negative emotions like anger, jealousy, fear and frustration just adds up to stress, blocking the positive energy flow. But what we forget is that just as there are people around us who bring our energies down, there are people who can help us regain them. Instead, we just cut ourselves from people who actually boost our energy. So the next time you’re feeling tired and exhausted, meet your friends, plan a short trip with them or just talk to them, and you’ll feel much better.

Source: the health site

Smoking can cause urologic diseases: Experts

Smoking can cause urologic disease

Cigarette smoking can lead to a number of urological diseases and only a few people are aware of this, experts have warned. According to the Association of Austrian Urologists, smoking can also cause reduced fertility, impotence, and bladder carcinoma.

A recent survey carried out by the association found that few people are aware of the problem, Xinhua news agency reported. In the survey, only 13 per cent of respondents said they know smoking has an impact on the urinary bladder.

“Smoking is the most important preventable risk factor for many diseases,” said Shahrokh F Shariat from the Urology Clinic at the Medical University of Vienna. Experts from the association said even if people stop smoking after a positive cancer diagnosis, it can lead to an improvement.

Source: ibn live