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Men's Health
5 Ways to Keep Men Healthy as They Age
Posted June 26, 2023 by Kevin Spear, M.D.
Statistically speaking, the truth is men don’t live as long as women.
That’s why it’s critical that men of all ages recognize potential health risks and start taking precautions early on. While they can’t change their genes, they can change some of their risk factors by taking steps to live a healthier lifestyle.
Some of the biggest health concerns facing men today include heart disease, cancer, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),…
5 Preventive Health Checks You Can Easily Do at Home
Posted June 19, 2023 by Dr. Maria “Alex” Schiaffino, Program Director for Summa Health Family Medical Residency
Vasectomy 101 and Summa Health's Vas Madness [Podcast]
Posted February 01, 2023 by Kevin Spear, M.D.
What Do I Need To Know About Low Testosterone Or Low-T
Posted August 15, 2022 by Kevin A Spear, MD
Testosterone is what makes a man look and feel like a man. It’s the male sex hormone responsible for a man’s puberty, fertility and his sexual desire.
Produced in the testicles, testosterone works to help boys develop male characteristics, such as body and facial hair, a deeper voice and muscle strength during puberty. Men also need the hormone to produce sperm. In addition, testosterone ensures adequate levels of red blood cells and bone density, boosts mood and…
Erectile Dysfunction: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and More [Podcast]
Posted June 23, 2022 by Elizabeth Boes, D.O.
Don't suffer in silence: What you need to know about hearing loss
Posted May 02, 2022 by Deanna Nickerson, Au.D. & Amy Welman, Au.D.
Do you often find yourself replying, “Say that again,” during a conversation? Do you have difficulty understanding words while in a crowded place? Does it seem as if your loved one is mumbling or talking quieter than usual? These could be signs of hearing loss.
As we age, hearing lossis a common problem. In fact, nearly 25 percent of people ages 65 to 74 and half of those who are 75 and older have disabling hearing loss, according to the National Institutes of…
Testicular Cancer: An Overview from Prevention to Treatment [Podcast]
Posted April 08, 2022 by Joseph Dankoff, MD
Dr. Dankoff provides an overview of testicular cancer. Learn about symptoms, prevention, and treatment options.
Feeling the pressure? 8 ways to live a heart-healthy lifestyle
Posted March 28, 2022 by Fatima Samad, MD
Are you feeling the pressure to live a heart-healthy lifestyle? You’re not alone.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). What’s more, nearly half of all adults in this country are living with some type of cardiovascular disease.
The good news is you don’t have to be a statistic. While genetics do play a role in heart disease, there are several risk factors that can…
10 early signs of diabetes that shouldn't be ignored
Posted January 10, 2022 by James Salem, MD
High blood sugar can cause gradual, unassuming symptoms that can sneak up on you. Frequent urination and excessive thirst — the telltale signs of type 2 diabetes — are often mild and can easily be attributed to other factors.
In fact, most people don’t even know they have high blood sugar until they’re diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
Diabetesis a chronic condition that causes glucose (or sugar) levels in the body to rise. The problem is ignoring or…
Enlarged Prostate Relief [Podcast]
Posted September 27, 2021
Dr. Jospeh Dankoff and Dr. Kevin Spear lead a discussion on prostate health.
Why is it so important to get your flu shot this year?
Posted September 13, 2021 by Thomas File, MD and Shanu Agarwal, MD
Last winter, the community took several precautions to help stop the spread of COVID-19. From masks and social distancing to virtual work and school to cancelled events, an unforeseen positive side effect was a less intense flu season.
Flu cases documented during last year’s flu season were historically low by a wide margin. Medical professionals haven’t seen anything like it.
So with many precautions still in place amidst an ongoing pandemic, you may be…
African-Americans More at Risk for Heart Disease
Posted February 15, 2021 by Grace Ayafor, M.D., FSCAI
February is Black History Month, when we recognize African-Americans and those of color who have played major roles in shaping our present culture. February is also American Heart Health month – a time to raise awareness of heart disease. While these two events are different, they are linked in healthcare. Heart disease remains the number one killer of Americans, and African-Americans are 20 percent more likely to die from heart disease than non-Hispanic whites.
We do not…
Is working from home a pain in the neck — literally?
Posted February 08, 2021 by Ann Wargo PT MsMHA CMCP CAPS
Thyroid disease 101: Early diagnosis and treatment are key to preventing serious complications
Posted February 01, 2021 by James Salem, M.D.
Urologic cancers 101: Be in the know so you can catch it early
Posted January 11, 2021 by Naveen K Arora, MD
Bladder cancer is the most common urologic cancer in both men and women. Each year, about 57,000 men and 18,000 women are diagnosed with the disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
But, urologic cancers don’t only affect the bladder. They also can affect the kidneys, ureter (tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder), urethra, and specifically in men, the penis, prostate and testicles.
In fact, the CDC states prostate…
Sports injuries of the knee: ACL and meniscus tears
Posted November 08, 2020 by Ryan J Urchek, MD
You’ve seen it on the soccer field or basketball court: a player plants a foot, twists and goes down grabbing a knee. The problem is most likely tearing of the meniscus (cartilage) or ACL (anterior cruciate ligament). Both can be extremely painful and sideline an athlete for months of recovery.
A tear usually requires more intervention than a strain or sprain.
A knee strain is a stretch or partial tear of a tendon or muscle, while a sprain is a stretch or tear of a…
5 health numbers you should know by heart
Posted July 20, 2020 by Melanie K Bortell, DO
These are critical heart health numbers that should not be ignored and include blood pressure, resting heart rate, cholesterol, blood sugar and body mass index. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for…
Minimally Invasive Treatment for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia for a Quick Recovery
Posted January 20, 2020 by Naveen K Arora, MD
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), otherwise known as prostate gland enlargement, is a common condition as men get older. An enlarged prostate can cause uncomfortable urinary symptoms as well as bladder, urinary tract or kidney problems.
In many men, the prostate continues to grow throughout life. This continued growth enlarges the prostate enough to cause BPH, which means they have urinary issues or their urine flow is significantly blocked.
The symptoms of BPH often vary,…
Alzheimer's Research Showing Promise for Future
Posted October 29, 2019 by Audra E Krebs, MD
Billions of dollars have been spent on researching Alzheimer’s, but it stubbornly continues to affect 1 in 10 Americans over the age of 65. While we are still waiting for a cure, there have been significant advances that have made an impact on the treatment of Alzheimer's and related diseases:
New treatments and positive trials on the horizon
Currently, the medications on the market for Alzheimer’s only relieve symptoms of the disease. None stop the progression.…
Should you get a wearable sleep tracker?
Posted September 17, 2018
Deep, consistent, quality sleep can not only make you feel great during the day; it can also improve your health. Sleep can boost your mood, help you maintain a healthy body weight and help your heart and mind function at tip-top levels.
But, for some of us, a solid night's sleep may seem like a dream. Lack of sleep can affect our brain's ability to react properly; so much so, that our body’s overall health can be at risk.
Thinking about a vasectomy? 5 things to know
Posted August 29, 2018 by Kevin Spear, M.D. Summa Health Urology
Perhaps you and your partner are thinking of a more permanent solution to birth control. If you’ve had the conversation of vasectomy versus tubal ligation - “getting your tubes tied” - you might be interested to learn that a vasectomy is a much easier procedure, is more effective at preventing pregnancy and has a much lower risk of side effects or complications. It’s also much cheaper; tubal ligation requires general anesthesia and surgery; a vasectomy only requires local anesthesia and an oral sedative.
The Gift of Heart Health
Posted February 06, 2018 by Michael Hughes, M.D.
When you think of February, you may think of Valentine's Day, chocolate and flowers. February also marks American Heart Month, a great time to commit to a healthy lifestyle and make small changes that can lead to a lifetime of heart health. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. But the good news is it's also one of the most preventable.
Making heart-healthy choices, knowing your family health history and the risk factors for heart…