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Bear Resources / Health
by Homovox Lately I've noticed press reports about rising HIV infection rates in Western Washington. This is nothing new, but this time there seems to be a more coordinated and sustained effort among print, radio and internet media. The timing caught my attention too. Just before Seattle Pride I read a news release from the Human Services and Health Departments calling the Gay Community complacent in regards to recent increases local infection rates. Then after Pride I noticed a brief article in the Seattle Times urging those designated as high risk to get tested due to the number of people who unaware of their status.
Aging and Gay, and Facing Prejudice in Twilight By JANE GROSS
The result of her outspokenness, Ms. Donadello said, was swift and merciless. “Everyone looked horrified,” she said. No longer included in conversation or welcome at meals, she plunged into depression. Medication did not help. With her emotional health deteriorating, Ms. Donadello moved into an adult community nearby that caters to gay men and lesbians.
Have you been fingered lately?
I just received my first newsletter from the group. Browsing through former newsletters, I opened the March 13, 2007, issue and was PLEASED to see that you have addressed the issue of gay/bear men getting prostate screenings. I have been having this procedure done for years.....ever since I turned about "the big 50."
Anyway – In June ’04, I did my regular PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) test AND the DRE. I was told by my doctor that the lump he has been feeling for sometime had grown in size (he talked about this with me when he first found it, and explained that we would be keeping a close eye on this just in case). And in conjunction with the PSA blood test, I found that it had increased from my last visit. He advised me to let him do a biopsy just to be sure. I consented and after some 12 tissue samples later, and the biopsy being examined by a lab that specifically takes these samples for diagnosis, I had one portion of one of the samples that was positive for cancer. He explained that this cancer was a common one in men that many men never know they have it, and they live long healthy lives without any problems from the cancer, and that it was not a type that metastasizes (spreads).
But years ago I had decided - from my father-in-law dying from cancer (NOT prostate) and other people I had seen go through chemotherapy and end up dying anyway - that IF "they" ever found cancer in my body, and it could be taken out, that I wanted it out. So in July ’04, I had my second major surgery, and now I am free of the cancer. I had blood drawn yesterday for PSA screening, and will be seeing my urologist in a few days to get his report. SO FAR I have been "cancer free" for almost three years.
I want to thank you for telling other guys that PSA's and DRE's are very, very important when a man reaches about 35-40 years. And I would encourage men of that age to get in touch with one of the prostate cancer information and support groups - USToo is the one I joined AFTER my surgery. They can help you get through all the ups and downs of the surgery and adjusting to life after that.
So keep up the reminders for the exams that will save a man’s life.
Sleep And The Bear Gay Community
Sleep is a dynamic process that our brain and body needs for physical restoration and proper mental processing. According to Fadia (2002), the amount of sleep that is necessary depends on a number of factors (age, weight, etc.) Infants require about 16 hours of sleep while teenagers require around 9. For most adults, about 7 or 8 hours of sleep tends to be the average. However, there are some adults that require as less as 5 hours a night and as much as 10 hours of sleep per night. In addition the amount of sleep a person needs will also increase if that person has been deprived of sleep or experiencing sleep deprivation. This causes sleep debt. This means that when a person is deprived of sleep that sleep must then be made up (2002).
Many people are able to notice the difference between a good night sleep and waking up feeling sleep deprived. However, those who have constantly had to deal with sleep deprivation developed a conditioning that overtime became normalized. They were unable to determine that sleep deprivation had caused and continues to cause impairments in their judgment, reaction time and/or in their overall functioning. They simply have come to believe that this is the way it is for them. This process has been noted in larger heavier individuals that have been heavy most of their lives. Thus, this article will focus on sleep disorders and gay men in the bear community in order to increase awareness regarding the health risks posed by sleep disorders in the GLBTQ community.
Sleep Apnea: A Common Sleep Disorder Affecting the Bear Community
What is Sleep apnea? Sleep apnea is a sleep breathing disorder that causes severe sleep deprivation by interrupting sleep and collapsing the windpipe. This occurs because of a build up of extra tissue in the neck area from weight gain. Men tend to gain weight in their neck and have thicker, heavier necks. When we fall asleep our muscles relax throughout our body. When our throat muscles relax the weight of the neck, along with attempting to inhale causes the windpipe to collapse and become blocked. When this occurs the individual must wake up to regain his muscle tone in order to open the windpipe and breathe. This occurs for just about three seconds before returning to sleep and usually the individual is unaware of waking. However, some individuals may have awareness that their sleep is very restless. They may even wake up coughing from a dry throat. The number one sign that one may have sleep apnea is snoring. Everyone that has sleep apnea snores. However, everyone that snores may not have sleep apnea. Additionally, if one’s neck is greater than 17 inches then there is a greater risk of having or developing sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea can be very dangerous as it deprives the body of oxygen and results in chronic sleep deprivation and disease if not treated. Symptoms such as morning headaches, loss of sex drive and a decline in mental overall functioning (loss of concentration, memory deficits, etc.) could be signs that you have sleep apnea. Sleep deprivation clearly also has an effect on our mood and can lead to experiencing symptoms of depression and irritability. This can affect your performance at work and/or your personal relationships with your partner(s) and family. Additionally, sleep apnea can put one in a higher risk category for stroke, hypertension, and heart attack. It also can suppress the immune system influencing how efficiently the body fights infection. Thus, sleep apnea can lead to an increase in one’s viral load and decrease T-cells if HIV positive.
Diagnosing in the Sleep Lab and Treatment
In order to find out for sure if you have sleep apnea, you need to be evaluated by a physician. Your primary care physician can refer you to a sleep specialist that can order an overnight sleep study. A sleep technologist will then apply sensors to measure your sleep stages, eye movements, heart rate, breathing, muscle tone and leg movements and oxygen levels and then fit you with a mask for the CPAP. CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) is a device that blows air in your airway to create pressure that lifts the soft throat tissue off of the airway allowing it to stay open. You should also get a chance to practice with the mask before going to bed. So talk to your technologist about the proper fit of the mask.
There are a number of choices to choose from. It is important that no air is able to escape through the sides of the mask when wearing it. If there is, then tell your technologist. After going to bed, the technologist will monitor your sleep for the first half of the night in order to get a baseline of your sleep. If the technologist assesses you as meeting the criteria for sleep apnea, he or she will put on your CPAP mask and turn on the CPAP machine. It is important to note that this treatment is non invasive and is part of the overnight study. After the study, your results will be ready in about two weeks or so. At that point, schedule an appointment with your doctor to discuss your test results as well as treatment options besides CPAP.
Conclusion
Sleep apnea is a very common sleep disorder and has been known to cause accidents in the workplace resulting in lawsuits and personal injury. So if you believe you are at risk for this sleep disorder, talk to your doctor or health care professional. Relief could be just around the corner. We value our Bears. You deserve it and you are worth it!
Diabetics warned about fake test strips
The government warned diabetics Friday to watch for counterfeit versions of test strips commonly used to monitor blood sugar levels. The test strips, for use in glucose monitors made by a Johnson & Johnson company, were distributed nationwide, the Food and Drug Administration said in a public alert.
The phony test strips are for use with various models of Life Scan Inc.'s One Touch brand of blood glucose monitors. Life Scan is part of New Brunswick, N.J.-based Johnson & Johnson.
The counterfeit test strips could give incorrect blood glucose values, leading patients to take too little or too much insulin and suffer injury or death, the FDA said. The agency said it hasn't received any such reports.
Consumers with questions can call Life Scan at (866) 621-4855.
How is HIV Transmitted? From http://www.AIDSMeds.com/
Introduction
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was established to be the cause of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in 1983. Ever since then, a lot of research has been conducted and a great deal of information has been generated regarding the ways HIV can be transmitted from one person to another.
The problem with much of the information about HIV transmission, especially on the World Wide Web, is that it speaks in very general terms. All too often, there is a lot of conflicting information as well. For example, some sources refer to oral sex as "risky," whereas others say "low risk" or "no risk." This can be very frustrating and it also leads to the spread of misinformation about the transmission of HIV.
HIV infection – and HIV testing – is a medical issue. We have developed this lesson to provide straightforward and accurate information regarding HIV transmission. However, it is important to stress that this lesson – and other sources of HIV information on the World Wide Web – should not be consulted as an alternative to medical care and testing. If you fear that you have been exposed to HIV – regardless of how low the perceived risk and no matter how much information you find on the World Wide Web – you need to get in touch with your healthcare provider or an HIV testing center.
http://www.aidsmeds.com/lessons/Transmission1.htm HIV/AIDS
AIDSmeds.com AIDS Vancouver - Working to Alleviate Individual & Collective Vulnerability to HIV AIDS AIDS Walk Washington 2006 AVERT - A UK HIV and AIDS Charity GMHC: Gay Men's Health Crisis POZ - POZ Magazine - POZ.com The Brother Help Thyself Community Web Site
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Talking to your doctor as a Big Man . . .
My doctor thinks I'm fat, I like to think I am big boned
Online support and chat for diabetes, HIV, substance abuse, etc.
A Support Group for Gay, Bi and Trans Men who identify as Bears, Chubs, cubs or simular like individuals, who also are Clean and Sober, or who support others in thier recovery.
Association of Gay and Lesbian Psychiatrists The Association of Gay and Lesbian Psychiatrists (AGLP) is a professional organization of psychiatrists, psychiatry residents, and medical students which serves as a voice for the concerns of lesbians and gay men within the psychiatric community.
The Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA) is a tax-exempt 501(c)3 non-profit organization working to end homophobia in healthcare. They offer referrals to GLBT doctors and heath care providers. Call (415) 255-4547 or visit their website.
Gay Health
Lesbian and Gay Aging Issues Network
National Council Against Health Fraud
Quackwatch, Inc.
Trans Health Conference
The LGBT Health, Education and Research Trust -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Professional Organizations
Aging
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force: Aging UCLA School of Law: Demographic Reports on the Gay Population LGBT Aging Project Senior Action in a Gay Environment
Men's Health
Alternative Practices Arthritis Diabetes Hypertension Obesity & Other Weight Related Topics
LGBT Health Info • National LGBT Health Coalition
Health Care Providers • Callen-Lorde Community Health Center (NYC)
Gay Men's Resources • Gay Men's Health Summit 2003 |
