House call: expert advice on health and fitness - kidney stones; retarded ejaculation; stretch marks - Brief Article

`It scares me that I might have to suffer the same pain one day.'

PREVENTING KIDNEY STONES

Q Both my mother and brother have had problems with kidney stones for years, and I'm afraid that I could be a victim of the condition in the future. I have seen the pain that they have to go through, and it scares me that I might have to suffer the same pain one day. What causes the formation of kidney stones? What is the treatment, and is there any way they can be prevented? W.D., Birmingham, Ala.

A Kidney stones are among the most common disorders of the urinary tract and account for one of the most painful conditions that humans experience, doctors say. It is estimated that 10 percent of all people in the United States will have a kidney stone at some point in their lives.

More men than women tend to be affected by kidney stones, which develop from crystals that separate from urine and form on the inner surfaces of the kidney. In some cases, if the crystals are small enough, they will pass through the urinary tract and leave the body through urine without even being noticed. But those that cause prolonged symptoms or other complications--pain, bleeding, obstruction of urine flow or an infection --may be treated by several techniques, most of which do not involve major surgery, doctors say.

The fact that your mother and brother have had bouts with kidney stones should raise concern because a person with a family history of kidney stones may be more likely to develop stones. In an effort to prevent the condition, medical experts suggest drinking more liquids, especially water, enough to produce at least two quarts of urine in every 24-hour period.

SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION

Q I am too embarrassed to discuss this with my primary care physician, and I hope you can help me. I am a 68-year-old African-American married male. Naturally, I don't expect to have the sex drive and performance I had in my younger years. My concern is that during the act I no longer can reach a climax, even though I do maintain an erection. Baton Rouge, La.

A First, you shouldn't be embarrassed to talk to your doctor about any condition that concerns you. He or she needs to obtain as much information about you as possible to fully establish your medical history.

In regard to your question, doctors refer to your apparent condition as retarded ejaculation, a condition in which an erection is maintained but ejaculation is delayed for a prolonged period of time. In rare instances, they say, there is no ejaculation at all. It is a fact of nature that as men become older, the time it takes to reach orgasm generally becomes longer.

In your letter, you mentioned that you are taking a variety of drugs, particularly for bronchitis and to control your blood pressure. Some drugs, especially some blood pressure and antidepressant medications, can impair ejaculation. Diabetes or psychological causes also could be possible culprits that contribute to your problem.

Talk to your doctor. The answer to your problem could be as simple as adjusting your medication or trying new drugs that have fewer side effects but are just as effective as the ones you are currently taking.

STRETCH MARKS AFTER PREGNANCY

Q I'm going to give birth to my first child in a few months, and my husband and I are very excited. But I'm concerned about stretch marks. How can I get rid of them after the birth? J.L., New York City

A Pregnancy is associated with several skin conditions and stretch marks are perhaps the most common. They are caused by prolonged stretching of the skin and increased steroid production that damage the collagen in the skin. Although considered to be permanent, stretch marks usually fade with time. Skin specialists say alpha hydroxy, retinol and products containing vitamin C can help. Laser surgery is also a consideration to help them fade.

COPYRIGHT 2002 Johnson Publishing Co.
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