House Call - vasectomy; drug-resistant bacteria; cardiopulmonary resucitation - Brief Article - Column

Ebony, August, 2000

Expert Advice on Health and Fitness

`I'm thinking about getting a vasectomy, but I worry about the risks.'

BENEFITS AND RISKS OF A VASECTOMY

Q I am a 38-year-old, happily married man who is the father of two sons and two daughters. My wife and I don't want to have more children, but we want to continue a very satisfying sex life. I'm thinking about getting a vasectomy, but I worry about the risks that could go along with it. What do I have to fear?

L.H., Cincinnati

A For couples who are looking for a "permanent" method of birth control, a vasectomy is one of the most effective methods available. The procedure is a relatively simple, outpatient operation that takes about 15 to 20 minutes and requires only a local anesthetic.

Doctors say most men who consider a vasectomy still are concerned about the popular myths, including a possible loss of sex drive and the possibility of an increased risk in prostate problems. But the overwhelming fear appears to be the thought of pain associated with the procedure, which, according to urologists, is minimal.

Through a small incision in the scrotum, a section of the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles is removed and the open ends of the tubes are closed. Complications of the operation can include bleeding (in fewer than 5 percent of men) and spontaneous reopening (in fewer than 1 percent), according to medical officials.

About 500,000 vasectomies are performed in the United States each year. Doctors say sexual activity can resume as soon after the procedure as the man desires, but, initially, with the use of contraception. Studies show that ejaculate probably will contain sperm for eight weeks or longer after the operation.

DRUG-RESISTANT BACTERIA

Q What's all the talk about out-of-control bacteria? More and more we hear about how some bacteria, for some reason, are becoming tougher to control with medication that has worked in the past. Is this something that we should be concerned about, and what steps are being taken to fight this bacteria?

P.W., Miami

A This is a situation that definitely has gotten the attention of those in the medical field, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Drug-resistant bacteria have become a growing problem in the past few years, doctors say, primarily because of the indiscriminate use of antibiotics. Bacteria can develop resistant genes if they are overexposed to certain drugs, allowing resistant microbes to multiply quickly.

Several drug companies are creating new alternative antibiotics that are capable of fighting several different strains of drug-resistant bacteria, including the common staph infection. Staph, which can be treated effectively with previously relied-upon drugs, is usually found on the skin of people who aren't ill, and it's not harmful unless it enters the body.

Doctors say the new drugs, unlike other antibiotics, are designed to attack bacteria early in the reproductive process, stopping the production of protein. If bacteria cannot produce protein, they can't multiply and will die. The FDA has recommended that, when approved, the use of new drugs be limited to avoid overuse, which could lead to resistance.

NEW CPR PROCEDURES

Q I have always felt the need to learn how to do CPR, but I just never made the effort to get the training. Now I hear there are some new recommendations for performing CPR. What kind of changes were recommended, and how did they come about?

J.R., Charleston, S.C.

A Recent medical studies indicate that mouth-to-mouth ventilation, a standard part of cardiopulmonary resucitation (CPR), may not be necessary. Adequate chest compressions alone, researchers say, save just as many lives as traditional CPR if professional medical help arrives fast. Some medical officials aren't totally convinced by the new findings, but--with the threat of AIDS and other diseases--it's good news for many people who are hesitant to perform mouth-to-mouth. Researchers found that only 15 percent would perform mouth-to-mouth on a stranger, but 68 percent would perform chest compressions alone.