With the rising cost of health care, maintaining good health is key. And for black men, the risk of not taking care of themselves can have devastating effects in the bedroom.
According to research by the Mayo Clinic, two things in particular, obesity and alcoholism, has a direct affect on testosterone levels. As men age, the amount of testosterone in the body gradually declines. This natural decline starts after age 30 and continues throughout life. But there are other causes, some preventable, of low testosterone levels:
-Chemotherapy or radiation treatment for cancer
-Dysfunction of the pituitary gland
-Medications, especially hormones used to treat prostate cancer and corticosteroid drugs
-Chronic illness
-Stress
-Alcoholism
-Obesity (especially abdominal)
Without adequate testosterone, a man may lose his sex drive, experience erectile dysfunction, suffer depression and have difficulty concentrating.
Today's Get Well Wednesday doctor, Dr. Rani Whitfield, talks testosterone deficiency and tells men what they need to do to acquire and maintain healthy hormone levels.
About the Doctor
Dr. Rani G. Whitfield, a Board Certified Family Physician with a Certificate of added qualification (CAQ) in Sports medicine, is currently in private practice in his native Baton Rouge, LA.. Dr. Whitfield attended University High in Baton Rouge, and then went on to earn his undergraduate degree from Southern University. He earned his Medical degree from MeHarry Medical College in Nashville, TN and went on to earn his Certificate of Added Qualification in Sports Medicine from Ohio State University. Dr. Whitfield is an impassioned advocate for increasing the awareness of health related issues, such as HIV/AIDS, obesity, cardiovascular disease and substance abuse affecting today’s youth. Dr. Whitfield is very active in the community and the surrounding areas.
In 2004 Dr. Whitfield was selected by BET to appear on the critically acclaimed hit show “106 & Park” to discuss HIV/AIDS. In 2005 he agreed to become one of several noted professionals (Rev. Calvin Butts, Hill Harper, Jesse Jackson, Jr., Patti Labelle, comedian/actress Mo’Nique, Al Sharpton, Omar Tyree, Dr. Joycelyn Elders, etc) to share wisdom via a book entitled Not In My Family – a collection of essays that discuss AIDS in the African American community.
He has volunteered invaluable time and knowledge throughout the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. He is also a physician volunteer and medical director of the National Association of Free Clinics Communities are Responding Everywhere (C.A.R.E) which provides free health care to the underserved patients across the USA.
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