Treatments For Gynecomastia - What Are Your Options?
By Tom Valian | June 6, 2008
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Man boobs (gynecomastia/male breasts) has increased in occurrence over the last decade. Poorly understood, and highly traumatizing, man boobs is highly common in men between ages of 15 to 24.
Despite its extreme occurrence, the medical world has still not produced a good cure for male breasts. Yet, there has been a lot of hope offered by alternative treatment options for gynecomastia. Of course, the key to treating gynecomastia is to understand the condition and the causes behind it.
The Real Cause Behind Gynecomastia
Blaming fatty foods, though common, is not the only, or the primary cause behind male breasts. The often missed, but important factor behind man boobs involves more than just a fat-laden diet.While too much fat content can easily result in deposits of fat, there are many otherwise skinny men who still have fat deposits under their nipples giving the appearance of man boobs.
In almost every case, the most important factor behind gynecomastia is actually an imbalance of the hormones. This disturbance in hormonal levels is usually more common in men with little to no exercise, and an overall poor diet. It makes sense then that, though it may seem that the high fat is to be blamed, this is not entirely true.
Symptoms of Man Boobs
As the terms man boobs and males breasts signify gynecomastia is defined as the condition where a man with no clear diseases that would cause something like man boobs develops fat deposits under the breasts, especially in the nipple area, giving the appearance of having breasts.
Though many times the male breasts are developed in proportion to fat deposits on the belly and other parts of the body, with many men, they are bigger than is normal, which can be a reason for widespread derision and discomposure.
How To Get Rid Of Man Boobs
Many treatment options for gynecomastia have been offered, a large percentage of which are actually counter-productive:
1. The Scalpel - This is surprisingly common. The fat/tissue build-up underneath the breasts are removed after surgically cutting through the upper layers of skin and muscle. Though this seems to have an immediate effect, in the long tun, it may or may not be effective. In addition to this, permanent scar tissue can form underneath (which means permanent man boobs) makes this a poor choice.
2. Drugs and Medication - Widely prescribed, these drugs have yet to show any promise. The high costs and possible side effects make this a less-than-ideal option for most.
3. Condition Maskers - This category houses anything that can’t treat male breasts, but is just used to make it appear that the man boobs don’t exist anymore. A good example of a masker is the gynecomastia vest, which works in a manner very similar to a corssette. However, this only works as long as you don’t need to take the shirt off (beaches and swimming pools), and this doesn’t treat the problem.
4. Exercises to get rid of man boobs - If one knows what exercises help get rid of man boobs, follows them diligently, and is (very) patient, then these can be effective. In addition, this is not immediately effective in treating issues resulting from excessive hormonal imbalance and cannot really take away the fat being deposited in the chest.
The optimum choice is to make use of a system that organizes the dietary needs, the exercises and the supplements in a plan that swiftly helps cure this humiliating condition.
Topics: Weight Loss | No Comments »
Permanent Weight Loss and the Lap band
By Amy Nutt | June 6, 2008
Lap band surgery is a laparoscopic surgery that has taken the medical community by storm. The reason is because it is a minimally invasive surgery that is done laparoscopically with no hospital stays. In fact, doctors usually send patients home in about 45 minutes and patients can resume their normal activities in one to two days. This has become the latest tool in the fight against obesity and has knocked gastric bypass surgery off of the podium because lap band surgery is helping individuals take it off and keep it off without having to do such tasks as rerouting the small intestines and stapling the stomach. What is even neater about the lap band is the fact that it is adjustable and it is reversible. That is something that is not achieved with gastric bypass surgery.
Adjusting the lap band
One thing that is on the mind of patients who receive lap band surgery and that is if their weight loss is permanent. The good news is that it can be. Throughout the weight loss process, the lap band is adjusted. It is adjusted until a certain level of comfort is reached and this is the point that will set the standard for how much weight is lost.
How the band is adjusted depends on how your stomach feels at night. If you feel like you are starving, then chances are you may need an adjustment. If you find that you are vomiting, you may not need an adjustment. You might just be eating too much food, taking bites that are too big, eating too fast, or not chewing your food well enough. These are some things to consider before thinking you need an adjustment. Also, don’t eat if you’re anxious or upset because this can also make you sick. It is also important to try to avoid microwaved food that becomes rubbery because it is difficult to swallow and many of the nutrients you need are not there.
As for how the band is adjusted, there is a port that is accessed with a needle. This can be done right in the doctor’s office. Then again, some doctors choose to do it in the x-ray department of the hospital so that they can use x-ray guidance, but this is a more expensive alternative that some doctors do not go for. The procedure is relatively painless and what the needle does is add or remove saline to make the band tighter or make it looser. It depends on what makes you comfortable and it may take several tries to achieve that level of comfort.
Permanent weight loss
Once the weight loss goal is achieved, the lap band can remain in place to avoid gaining the weight back. This is after it has been adjusted to a point that is comfortable for you and is keeping the weight off. Some believe that they have to have the lap band removed once they reach their weight loss goal. This is certainly not the case. It can be removed, but it can remain in place because, once that small stomach pouch is gone, there is room for more food and it will take a lot more to become satisfied. With the lap band remaining in place, weight comes off, stays off, and you still won’t need large portions of food to feel satisfied. That makes the lap band a viable weight loss solution that can keep you healthy and happy for many years to come. That way you do not have to worry about your weight ever again.
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How To Lose Weight A Few Seconds At A Time
By Wendy D Hearn | June 6, 2008
Losing weight is a process and a journey which is made up of small steps along a path of smart choices about good nutrition and regular exercise toward a clearly visible goal - a healthy lifestyle of fitness and physical as well as mental wellbeing. Each small step in the right direction on this golden path to your ultimate goal takes but a brief second. Therefore, it is safe to claim that weight loss takes mere seconds but the results can last a lifetime.
To ensure that your feet remain on the proper path, pointing you in the right direction and continue to carry you toward the goal line which needs to always remain in your mind’s eye, it is best to proceed by asking yourself relevant questions each time you find yourself in danger of steering off course.
When you catch your hand reaching for a bag of potato chips rather than a golden apple, challenge yourself with the following question: “Am I making a smart choice here? Will this continue to advance me toward my goal?”
When you recognize the loaded plate before you and you’re about to devour its contents ask yourself, “Do I really need to eat so much food? Would I rather trade that plate for the weight loss I am striving for?”
When you’ve returned home from a late night movie and you dive into the refrigerator to extract a leftover pizza, don’t hesitate to question the wisdom of this move by reminding yourself that, “I’m not really hungry now and I shouldn’t be eating so late at night just before going to sleep. Do I really need that greasy pizza which will undermine all that I’ve accomplished so far?”
I am willing to bet that ninety-nine percent of the time you will respond in a way that retains you on the right path and you should be proud of yourself for achieving that.
And while you’re in the process of asking yourself questions regarding the choices you make about food, ask yourself questions about physical activities.
Notice how frantically you are pouncing on the only unoccupied parking spot close to the entrance of the supermarket and ask yourself, “Do I really have to park so close? Why couldn’t I leave this spot for the elderly, the weak and the lazy while I park on the far end of the lot where the parking spots are plentiful?” You’d be doing yourself and your body a favor by walking those extra few feet.
Intercept your intent to watch TV by asking, “What will this hour or two on the couch do for me? Wouldn’t I rather take my dog out for a walk?”
You’re visiting a friend who lives on a second floor condo and you’re about to call the elevator. Stop and ask yourself, “Couldn’t I walk those two flights of stairs?”
To summarize it all, losing weight is simply making different choices about the food you eat and about your body’s mobility. The more discriminatory you become about the food you ingest and the more you get your body to move, the quicker you will reach your goal - a healthy lifestyle of fitness and physical as well as mental wellbeing.
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What does the South Beach Diet Menu Look Like?
By Linda Miller | June 6, 2008
One of biggest draw-backs to many diets is the “forbidden” foods list. It is human nature to desire the things we know we can’t have, and this seems to magnify when you’re on a diet. Dieting is difficult enough without the disappointment of having to eat foods you don’t like.
You will be pleased to learn that this is something that cannot be said about the South Beach Diet. If the question of what you can eat on this diet arises, it would be far quicker to tell you what you cannot eat!
There is no “forbidden fruit” on the South Beach Diet. This program simply teaches you how to enjoy the foods you love in a healthier way. For example, if you are a meat lover, the South Beach Diet doesn’t say, “You can never eat red meat again!” Rather, the South Beach Diet teaches you how to eat red meat sensibly, by choosing smaller, leaner cuts.
Phase 1 is the most restrictive part of the South Beach Diet, but the list of foods you can eat during this two-week period is unexpectedly diverse. In fact, Phase 1 allows many foods you would never expect to eat while on a diet.
For example, you can eat sweets during Phase 1 of the South Beach Diet. Yes, you read that right. You are allowed to eat up to 75 “sweet” calories per day during Phase 1 of the South Beach Diet. You can also eat beef, eggs, low-fat lunch meat, pork, poultry and cheese, as long as it is low-fat or fat-free. And if you’re a seafood lover, the South Beach Diet won’t feel like a diet to you at all, because seafood is allowed - and promoted - on all phases of the diet plan.
One of the reasons the South Beach Diet is so successful, is that you learn how to adapt your own recipes to make them healthier. Phase 1 restricts you to using only canola oil or olive oil, but you will find this actually enhances the taste of your food. You are also advised to use low-fat dairy products during Phase 1, but this is only for two weeks. From that point on, preparing home-cooked meals is a breeze.
During Phase 1, you eliminate fruits, full-fat dairy foods and grains from your diet. After two weeks of this, your cravings for these foods are drastically reduced, and once your body is cleansed of these negative nutrients, your digestive system works better and you will lose weight more easily and consistently.
The most important question to ask when you are choosing a diet program is, “What will I be able to eat?” You will be more than pleased with the answer to this question on the South Beach Diet. And the weight loss that comes with it won’t be so bad either.
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Finding A Cellulite Solution That Works
By Gal Bishop | June 5, 2008
If you’d like to discover a surefire cellulite solution, you’re hardly alone. Swimsuit season is upon us and a lot of women find themselves wishing for a way to get rid of cellulite, an unsightly problem all too many women struggle with.
You may think that the only way to get rid of cellulite lumps and bumps is to undergo expensive and potentially hazardous surgery. Liposuction is a popular option for removing cellulite, but it is risky and offers no guarantee that the cellulite won’t come back. And, some experts warn that liposuction doesn’t work anyway.
So what can you do to get smooth, dimple-free thighs? Let’s have a look at some of the alternative treatments for cellulite reduction and help you get ready for that new bikini this summer.
A popular alternative treatment is known as mesotherapy, a technique that is over fifty years old. Developed by Dr. Pistor of France in 1952, it’s an extremely popular treatment option in Europe. This procedure requires that you have injections made up of vitamins, minerals and amino acids at the point where your cellulite is located. Injections are usually given weekly for several months.
If you choose to try mesotherapy, you should be ready for a lengthy and costly series of treatment sessions. While most people report decent results, qualified physicians can be hard to locate. Because of the expense and the fact that injections are used, other options are often more desirable.
Another option for many women is body wraps. Although popular, these wraps are not known with certainty to work. Toxins in the body are thought to play a part in the formation of cellulite, but this treatment still comes with a question mark attached.
The objective of a body wrap is to force these cellulite-causing toxins out of the system. This is said to result in a better body contour and reduce the retention of water. Body wraps can be stimulating to the skin, which makes it look healthier. While it may not be a surefire remedy, it can be part of a relaxing spa experience and certainly won’t hurt.
One thing which can do a lot for eliminating cellulite is getting enough exercise and making sure to eat a healthy diet. This doesn’t appeal to everyone, but exercise and diet can be an effective cellulite remedy if you’re willing to stick with it. You can start small, with walking and biking and later incorporate some muscle building. If you carry some excess fat or don’t have much muscle tone, you’ll be amazed at what these changes can do for you.
Many people find it difficult to make healthy habits a part of their daily routine. However, by making a commitment to doing a little extra each day such as eating more fruits and veggies, parking a bit further from the store and drinking water in place of high-calorie beverages, you’ll find the benefits start to add up significantly over the course of time. And, the positive health-related benefits you’ll enjoy such as more energy, less stress and a better night’s sleep will make cellulite reduction seem like an added bonus.
Before you decide on a cellulite solution, look into the various treatments available and choose carefully. Sometimes, the best solution is the simplest one.
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