Low Testosterone (Low-T) Topic Guide

Chemotherapy or "chemo" is a treatment for cancer. Depending on the type of cancer an individual has, it can cure cancer, control cancer. or ease cancer symptoms. There are a variety of cancer drugs. There are a number of support groups to assist chemotherapy patients gain the help they need to move through this very trying treatment.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lung condition in which there is a long-lasting obstruction of the airways, and occurs with emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and/or asthma. Causes of COPD include cigarette smoking, exposure to secondhand smoke and environmental tobacco smoke, Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency, airway hyper-responsiveness, and air pollution. Symptoms of COPD include a productive cough and acute chest illness, shortness of breath, wheezing, heart failure, cyanosis, and weight loss. Treatment of COPD includes medications, oxygen therapy, surgery, and lung transplant.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) or male impotence is defined as the inability of a man to achieve and maintain an erection sufficient for mutually satisfactory intercourse with his partner. ED treatment may involve medications, lifestyle changes, vacuum devices, or surgery.

Erectile dysfunction (or ED), also called male impotence, describes a man's inability to achieve and maintain an erection of his penis sufficient for mutually satisfactory sexual intercourse with his partner. Erectile dysfunction is treatable with a variety of methods, including medications, devices and therapy. ED may be a symptom of other disorders and diseases such as high blood pressure or heart disease.

Gynecomastia is an enlargement of the male breast; glandular tissue, not excess fat. Causes of gynecomastia are thought to be hormonal fluctuations during puberty. Certain conditions are associated with gynecomastia and include cirrhosis, kidney failure, testicular disorders, aging, and testicular cancer. Treatment of gynecomastia is generally with medication or surgery if necessary.

High blood pressure (hypertension) may be present in an individual, without any symptoms. Thus, it is called the "silent killer." Causes of high blood pressure include heart disease, kidney disease, tumors, birth control, alcohol, thyroid dysfunction, and birth control pills.Treatment of high blood pressure is generally through diet, exercise, and medication if necessary.

HIV has killed about 25 million individuals, and approximately 40 million people are currently living with the disease. Symptoms and signs of HIV include fever, headache, tiredness, and enlarged lymph nodes. Infections that happen with AIDS are called opportunistic infections. There is no cure for HIV/AIDS. Treatment usually involves a combination of at least three drugs to suppress the virus from replicating and boost the immune system.

Hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus. Types of hysterectomies include: total abdominal hysterectomy, supracervical or subtotal hysterectomy, radical hysterectomy, vaginal hysterectomy, laparoscopic hysterectomy (LH) laparoscopy-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH), and oophorectomy.

Infertility affects about 6.1 million people in the United States—about 10% of men and women of reproductive age. A fertility specialist is usually an obstetrician-gynecologist (specialist in women's reproductive health) with advanced education, research, and professional skills in reproductive endocrinology.

Orchitis is inflammation of one or both testicles in men, usually caused by an infection. Examples of causes of orchitis include a viral infection such as mumps, mononucleosis, coxsackievirus, E. coli, and STDs. Symptoms of orchitis include testicular swelling, redness, and pain; fever; nausea; fatigue; headache; body aches; and pain during urination. Treatment of orchitis depends upon the cause.

Night sweats refer to excess sweating occurring during the night. Causes include menopause, infections such as TB, appendicitis and diverticulitis, cancer; medications like aspirin, other NSAIDs, and antidepressants, diabetes, low testosterone, and hormone disorders. Depending on the cause, in addition to sweating at night, symptoms may include flushing, fever, or chills. Treatment depends on the underlying cause.

More than two-thirds of Americans are overweight, including at least one in five children. Nearly one-third are obese. Obesity is on the rise in our society because food is abundant and physical activity is optional. The safest way to lose weight is to eat less and exercise more. Treatment may also include medications, surgery, and behavior modification.

Osteoporosis (or porous bone) is a disease in which bone loss occurs, so bones become weak and are more likely to break. This FAQ includes information about treatment, prevention, medications, symptoms, and causes.

Osteoporosis (or porous bone) is a disease in which bones become weak and are more likely to break. Without prevention or treatment, osteoporosis can progress without pain or symptoms until a bone breaks. More than 2 million American men have osteoporosis and 12 million are at risk. Risk factors include: smoking, low calcium and vitamin D intake, small body frame, and low testosterone levels. Medications can treat bone loss, and exercise can prevent osteoporosis.

Puberty marks the maturation of intellectual thought, psychosocial development, and the start of neurological and endocrinological processes. Tanner stages classify the time, course, and progress of predictable physical changes throughout puberty.

Sarcoidosis is a disease that involves a specific type of inflammation of various tissues of the body. Sarcoidosis generally appears in the lungs, lymph nodes, skin, liver, heart, kidneys and nervous system. The cause of sarcoidosis is not clear. Common symptoms involve shortness of breath, chronic cough, skin rashes, weight loss. Treatment is geared to the location of the sarcoidosis.

Cigarette smoking remains the leading cause of death and illness among Americans. Effects of smoking can cause cancers, emphysema, bronchitis, COPD, chronic cough, and more. Smoking cessation includes nicotine replacement therapy and behavioral therapy.

Steroid abuse is common in athletes in professional sports. Androgenic/anabolic steroids regulate the manufacture of testosterone in the ovaries and testicles. Signs and symptoms of anabolic steroid abuse include rapid weight gain, acne, increased aggressiveness, and unusual mood swings.

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infection, typically of the lungs, that is caused by either bacteria or fungus. Though treatments have have greatly evolved over the years, TB is still a major health problem worldwide.