Different demographic groups are obviously more susceptible to different maladies and disorders. ( For example, African-Americans are more vulnerable to certain diseases such as diabetes and sickle cell anemia. ) So, without further ado, let's discuss the Top 10 healthcare concerns of the gay community:
10. Anal papilloma: Of all the sexually transmitted infections gay men are at risk for, human papilloma virus ( which causes those lovely genital warts ) is usually perceived as inconvenient. However, these infections may play a role in the increased rates of anal cancers in gay men. Some physicians now recommend anal Pap smears, similar to the test done for women to detect cervical cancer. Treatments do exist, but warts recur at a high rate and the infection can spread as quickly as a rumor. Considering all of these lovely physical ramifications, it would behoove people to practice safer sex.
9. Fitness ( diet and exercise ) : As I reported earlier this year, gay men tend to have more problems with body image than their het counterparts. Consequently, gay men are more likely to experience eating disorders such as bulimia or anorexia nervosa. Of course eating correctly and exercising regularly are good; unfortunately, some people take things too far. Substances like steroids and human growth hormone may help people achieve the musculature they want, but too often that achievement comes at a price. At the other end of the spectrum, you certainly don't want to be overweight /obese. The health problems associated with obesity are myriad, including high blood pressure and heart disease.
8. Tobacco: Recent studies seem to support the idea that gay men use tobacco at much higher rates than straight men, reaching nearly 50 percent in some cases. In case you've been hiding in a cave all of your life, physiological problems associated with tobacco usage include heart disease, lung cancer, and high blood pressure. I never thought I'd say this, but lay off the butts!
7. Alcohol: It is still thought that gay men have higher rates of alcohol dependence and abuse than straight men. The reasons range from excessive partying to dealing with the stress of things like coming out. Although news programs have been touting the alleged benefits of daily drinking ( in low amounts ) , it's best to stay away from alcohol as much as possible.
6. Prostate, testicular and colon cancer: Gay men may be at risk for death by any one of these. Needless to say, screenings are recommended...preferably by the time you reach your 20s. ( The two main prostate cancer tests are the digital rectal exam and the blood test known as the prostate-specific antigen. For colorectal cancer, the exams include the fecal occult blood test, the flexible sigmoidoscopy, a colonoscopy and a barium enema. ) You can always, however, perform a self-test on your testicles; if you feel or see anything unnatural ( e.g., testicular enlargement or shrinkage ) , contact a physician immediately.
5. Sexually transmitted diseases ( STDs ) : STDs occur in the gay community at a high rate. Unfortunately, this includes diseases that have no effective treatment as well as those that do ( e.g., syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia ) . There is no doubt that practicing safer sex drastically reduces the possibility of contracting an STD.
4. Hepatitis: Although we've been hearing of celebrities such as Naomi Judd and Pamela Anderson contracting hepatitis, the gay community is seriously at risk as well. These infections are potentially fatal and can lead to long-term issues such as cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer. Thankfully, immunizations are available to prevent two of the three most serious viruses ( hepatitis A and B ) . Safer sex is effective at reducing the risk of viral hepatitis and is currently the only means of prevention for the extremely serious hepatitis C virus. ( Symptoms of hepatitis C include dark urine, abdominal pain, jaundice and fatigue; unfortunately, 80% of persons have no symptoms. ) By the way, there is a hepatitis D; however, it is a defective virus that needs the hepatitis B virus to exist.
3. Depression/anxiety: The likelihood of depression or anxiety may be great for the gay community, possibly because of factors like societal constraints that closeted individuals may feel. Adolescents and young adults may be at particularly high risk of suicide because of such concerns. Culturally sensitive mental health services targeted specifically at gay men and lesbians may be more effective in the detection and treatment of these conditions.
2. Substance use and abuse: It's no secret that gays use and abuse substances at an alarming rate...and not just in metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles, New York and Chicago. The list of substances is incredibly long and varied, including amyl nitrate ( "poppers" ) , cocaine, marijuana, Ecstasy and even household products. Why do people use these items? Again, the answer could rest in everything from societal pressures to some circuit parties. The long-term effects are as varied as the drugs themselves; however, people who don't want to resemble Ozzy Osbourne or Keith Richards should lay off the stuff as soon as possible. Helpful links include The Pride Institute page ( www.pride-institute.com ) and SoberDykes ( www.soberdykes.org ) .
1. HIV/AIDS: It should come as no surprise that HIV/AIDS tops the list; our community ( and the world at large ) have been battling this horrifying disease for more than two decades. That men who have sex with men are at an increased risk of HIV infection is well-known, but the efficiency of safer sex is reducing the HIV infection rate is an undeniable success story. Unfortunately, the last few years have seen the return of many unsafe-sex practices ( e.g., barebacking ) . Work those condoms and dental dams, people!
Sources: Gaywired.com; Centers for Disease Control Web site ( cdc.gov ) ; Aids.about.com .
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Eating Before Bedtime ...
If you're trying to lose weight, you inevitably have to deal with the tricky issue of eating before bedtime. According to Jeff Volek, Ph.D., R.D., your metabolism is at its lowest point during sleep, so you're already burning fewer calories than when you're awake. That makes you more likely to store a higher percentage of the calories you eat as fat. So if you're hungry before bed, eat a small meal consisting mainly of protein. This will help reduce your appetite, since protein has a satiating effect. The protein will also help you maintain your muscle without increasing your insulin levels, which promote fat storage.
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Good Vi-bra-tions
British researchers have invented an electric bra as a screening tool for breast cancer. It basically screens by using a technique called electrical-impedance tomography to detect small tumors. The bra emits harmless electrical pulses and works on the idea that the differences between healthy cells and denser tumor tissue will affect the way the current passes through the breast. The end result is a three-dimensional map of the breast that shows the outlines of tumors in the electrical patterns. The bra could hit English ( and possibly American ) markets by 2005. Source: Time magazine.
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Sites of the month:
1. The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon 2002 ( www.chicagomarathon.com/ ) : It's 26.2 miles of Chi-town glory on Oct. 13! Although you can no longer register for the event ( the max of 37,500 participants has been reached ) , you can still read all about it ...and I do mean ALL about it. There's everything from a discourse on the marathon's history to training tips to e-postcards.
2. Sircuit Cosmeceuticals ( see www.sircuitskin.com ) : Everything that you could possibly want for healthy skin is right here. With names like Dreamweaver and Youth Accelerator, the products sound almost magical ... and the site even has a page of ingredients in case you're concerned that you're smearing your face with hydrochloric acid. The vendors even boast that their products are "chirally correct," which probably won't mean much to you unless you're an organic chemist. Ask for a sample.
I'm at turn_it_up@hotmail.com .
