Low Testosterone Treatment in Albany, GA
What is Testosterone?
Testosterone is a male sex hormone that plays a major role in their sexual development and fertility. Varying levels of testosterone within a man’s body will affect many bodily functions, including:
- The production of both body and facial hair
- Muscle strength
- Sexual drive
At Albany Urology Clinic, we understand low testosterone’s impact on a man’s physical and emotional well-being. Our urologists in Albany specialize in diagnosing and treating low testosterone using a variety of approaches. To schedule an appointment with Albany Urology Clinic, please fill out our low testosterone questionnaire to have our office reach out to you.
Causes of Low Testosterone
It is completely natural for testosterone levels to decrease with age, leaving approximately half of men over the age of 80 with low testosterone (Low-T). Other common factors that lead to Low-T include:
- Obesity
- Side effects of certain medications
- Metabolic syndrome
- Injury or infection of the testes
- A congenital condition
- Side effects of chemotherapy or radiation treatments
- Issues with the pituitary gland
- An existing autoimmune disease
- A prior diagnosis of HIV or AIDS
Typical Symptoms of Low-T
We have already discussed how testosterone levels contribute greatly toward a man’s sexual health, which is why it makes sense that low testosterone levels would result in impaired sexual function.
In addition to a decrease in sexual desire and problems with erectile dysfunction, individuals with Low-T will also often experience:
- Loss of body or facial hair
- Constant fatigue
- Decreased amounts of lean muscle mass
- Signs of depression
- Weight gain
- Difficulty in articulating their speech
Treatments for Low Testosterone
There are a wide variety of potential solutions to a person’s low testosterone. Depending upon the particular patient and their case, natural options such as supplements or a new diet plan may be sufficient in boosting these hormone levels.
Some form of hormone replacement therapy is another popular option when it comes to treating Low-T. These may be in the form of an oral/intranasal medication, injection, or as hormone pellets. Different patients will have different techniques for testosterone administration based on their personal preferences and lifestyle.
Schedule a Low Testosterone Consultation Today!
The best way to begin treatment for low testosterone is to see a specialist and to discuss your options with them. To schedule an appointment with Albany Urology Clinic, please fill out our low testosterone questionnaire to get started!
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Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein.
Food Poisoning During Pregnancy
Overview
Preventing food poisoning
During pregnancy you may become much more ill from food poisoning than other people, so it is important to take steps at home to prevent it. Use extra care with foods that can spoil, such as eggs, meats, poultry, fish, shellfish, milk, and other dairy products.
- Shop safely.
- Bag raw meat, poultry, or fish separately from other food items.
- Go home as soon as you finish shopping so that you can store all foods properly.
- Store foods safely.
- Cook, refrigerate, or freeze meat, poultry, eggs, fish, and ready-to-eat foods within 2 hours.
- Make sure your refrigerator is set at 40 °F (4 °C) or colder.
- Prepare foods safely.
- Wash your hands before and after handling food. Also wash them after using the bathroom or changing diapers.
- Wash fresh fruits and vegetables by rinsing them well with running water.
- If possible, use two cutting boards: one for fresh produce and the other for raw meat, poultry, and seafood. Otherwise, be sure to wash the cutting board with hot, soapy water between each use.
- If you have a dishwasher, wash your knives and cutting boards in it to disinfect them.
- Cook foods safely.
- Use a clean meat thermometer to check whether foods are cooked to a safe temperature.
- Reheat leftovers to at least 165 °F (74 °C).
- Do not eat undercooked hamburger or raw meat.
- Avoid raw fish (including sushi), clams, and oysters.
- Serve foods safely.
- Keep cooked hot foods hot [ 140 °F (60 °C) or above] and cold foods cold [ 40 °F (4 °C) or below].
- Follow labels on food packaging.
- Food labels provide information about when to use the food and how to store it.
- Read food labels and follow the safety instructions carefully.
- Use extra care in warm weather.
- During warm weather, food is often served outside. Bacteria grow faster in warm weather, so food can spoil more quickly.
- Do not leave food outdoors for more than 1 hour if the temperature is above 90 °F (32 °C).
- When in doubt, throw it out.
- If you are not sure that a food is safe, don't eat it.
- Reheating food that is contaminated will not make it safe.
- Don't taste suspicious food. It may smell and look fine but may not be safe to eat.
Avoiding listeriosis food poisoning
Listeriosis can cause serious problems during pregnancy. It's always important to store and prepare food properly to help prevent food poisoning. During pregnancy take these extra precautions to avoid listeria infection.
Avoiding toxoplasmosis infection
Toxoplasmosis during pregnancy can put your baby at risk for serious problems. Infection usually occurs from contact with infected cat feces or from eating undercooked meat or unwashed vegetables (grown where an infected cat has left droppings).
Everyone should take steps to prevent food poisoning by storing and preparing foods properly. In addition, during pregnancy take these extra steps to prevent toxoplasmosis.
- If you have a cat, ask someone else to clean the litter box while you are pregnant.
If no one else can do it, wear gloves and clean the litter box daily. Wash your hands well with soap and warm water afterward.
- Wear gloves when working in the garden or handling soil.
Wash your hands well with soap and warm water after outdoor activities, especially before you eat or prepare food.
- Wash all fresh fruits and vegetables by rinsing them well with running water.
- Handle raw meat safely.
If possible, wear clean disposable gloves when you touch raw meat. Wash cutting boards, sinks, knives, and other utensils that might have touched the raw meat. Wash your hands well with soap and warm water afterward.
- Make sure the meat you eat is well-cooked.
Use a meat thermometer to be sure foods are cooked to a safe temperature.
- Avoid untreated drinking water.
This is a concern when you are in the wilderness or travel to countries where drinking water is not treated.
Credits
Current as of: July 10, 2023
Author: Healthwise Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
Current as of: July 10, 2023
Author: Healthwise Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.