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Shortened
Terms and Unabridged Equivalents
Some terms in the
leading causes of death tables have been shortened from those used in
the National Vital Statistics Report. Below is a listing of the
shortened terms used in the tables and their unabridged equivalents used
in the report.
| SHORTENED
TERMS |
UNABRIDGED
TERMS |
| Benign
neoplasms |
In
situ neoplasms, benign neoplasms and neoplasms of uncertain or
unknown behavior |
| Birth
defects |
Congenital
malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities |
| Bronchitis |
Acute
bronchitis and bronchiolitis |
| Cancer |
Malignant
neoplasms |
| Chronic
liver disease |
Chronic
liver disease and cirrhosiss |
| Diabetes |
Diabetes
mellitus |
| Heart
disease |
Diseases
of heart |
| HIV
disease |
Human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease |
| Homicide |
Assault
(homicide) |
| Hypertension |
Essential
(primary) hypertension and hypertensive renal disease |
| Kidney
disease |
Nephritis,
nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis |
| Kidney
infection |
Infections
of kidney |
| Medical
& surgical care complications |
Complications
of medical and surgical care |
| Perinatal
conditions |
Certain
conditions originating in the perinatal period |
| Pneumonitis |
Pneumonitis
due to solids and liquids |
| Stroke |
Cerebrovascular
diseases |
| Suicide |
Intentional
self-harm |
| Unintentional
injuries |
Accidents
(unintentional injuries) |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
| Q: |
What is ED? |
| A: |
Erectile dysfunction, or ED, is the medical term for
impotence-the inability to get and/or keep an erection
sufficient for satisfactory sexual activity. |
| Q: |
How many men have ED? |
| A: |
About 30 million men in the United States suffer from some
degree of ED, including about half of all men aged 40 to 70
years. |
| Q: |
Are erection difficulties, such as erectile dysfunction (ED),
really a problem that's just in your head? |
| A: |
Studies have shown that most ED is caused by health problems.
These problems include high blood pressure, high cholesterol,
and diabetes. ED can also be linked to smoking, drinking too
much, or stress. VIAGRA can help with ED caused by these
problems. |
|
| Q: |
I don't have ED because the problem doesn't happen often. Does this
mean that VIAGRA isn't for me? |
| A: |
Even if it happens once in a while, it's still ED. Most men with ED
have it just some of the time. VIAGRA is the #1 prescribed medicine for
ED whether it is occasional or more frequent. |
| Q: |
What is VIAGRA? |
| A: |
VIAGRA?(sildenafil citrate) is a breakthrough treatment for male
erectile dysfunction or ED, often called impotence. It is a convenient,
discreet pill you take only when you want to have sex. VIAGRA can help
many men who have ED get and keep an erection when they become sexually
stimulated, either physically or visually. So with VIAGRA, a touch or a
glance from your partner can again lead to something more. |
| Q: |
How does VIAGRA work? |
| A: |
VIAGRA enables many men with ED to respond to sexual stimulation. When
a man is sexually aroused, the arteries in the penis relax and widen,
allowing more blood to flow into the penis. As the arteries in the penis
expand and harden, the veins that normally carry blood away from the
penis become compressed, restricting the blood flow out of the penis.
With more blood flowing in and less flowing out, the penis enlarges,
resulting in an erection. If the nerves or blood vessels associated with
this process aren't working properly, a man may not be able to get an
erection. VIAGRA increases blood flow to the penis, so that when a man
is sexually aroused, he can get and keep an erection. When the sexual
encounter is over, the erection goes away. |
| Q: |
How well does VIAGRA work? |
| A: |
VIAGRA?(sildenafil citrate) improves erections in up to 4 of 5 men
compared with 1 out of 4 who took sugar pills. |
| Q: |
Will VIAGRA work as soon as I take it? |
| A: |
VIAGRA is ready to work in your body in as little as 30 minutes and
stays ready to work for up to 4 hours. |
| Q: |
Does VIAGRA automatically cause an erection? |
| A: |
No. With VIAGRA, you must be sexually aroused to get an erection. If
you take VIAGRA and are not sexually stimulated, nothing will happen-you
won't get an erection just by taking the pill. VIAGRA is not a hormone.
It is not an aphrodisiac. It's a prescription medication that can
improve the erectile function of most men with erection problems. |
| Q: |
How much VIAGRA can I take? |
| A: |
VIAGRA comes in different doses (25 mg, 50 mg, and
100 mg). Like many medications, your healthcare provider may have to
adjust your initial VIAGRA dose if it doesn't produce the desired
results or you're bothered by side effects. Do not take more VIAGRA than
your healthcare provider prescribes. VIAGRA can be used up to once a day
as needed. If you are older than 65 years, have a serious liver or
kidney problem, or are taking protease inhibitors, such as for the
treatment of HIV, your healthcare provider may start you at the lowest
(25-mg) dose of VIAGRA. |
| Q: |
How often can I take VIAGRA? |
| A: |
For most patients, VIAGRA should be taken once a day as needed. In
patients taking certain protease inhibitors (such as for the treatment
of HIV), it is recommended to not exceed a maximum single dose of 25 mg
of VIAGRA in a 48-hour period. |
| Q: |
Can I cut my pills in half? |
| A: |
VIAGRA pills are not designed to be cut in half, so there is no way to
know if half a pill is effective. Cutting pills in half is not
recommended. |
| Q: |
Who should not take VIAGRA? |
| A: |
VIAGRA is only for patients with ED. VIAGRA is not for newborns,
children, or women. Do not let anyone else take your VIAGRA. VIAGRA must
be used only under a healthcare provider's supervision. Before you start
any treatment with VIAGRA, be sure to ask your healthcare provider if
your heart is healthy enough. If you're a man who uses nitrate drugs,
like nitroglycerine, never take VIAGRA. The combination of VIAGRA and
nitrates can make your blood pressure suddenly drop to unsafe levels.
You could get dizzy, faint, or even have a heart attack or stroke.
Nitrates are found in many prescription medications that are used to
treat angina (chest pain due to heart disease) such as:
- Nitroglycerin (sprays, ointments, skin patches or pastes, and
tablets that are swallowed or dissolved in the mouth)
- Isosorbide mononitrate and isosorbide dinitrate (tablets that are
swallowed, chewed, or dissolved in the mouth)
Nitrates are also found in recreational drugs such as amyl nitrate or
nitrite ("poppers"). If you are not sure if any of your
medications contain nitrates, or if you do not understand what nitrates
are, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
|
| Q: |
What if VIAGRA doesn't work? |
| A: |
While VIAGRA is effective in up to 4 of 5 men, it's not effective for
everyone. If it doesn't work for you, contact your healthcare provider
to discuss other treatment options. |
| Q: |
Can I take VIAGRA with alcohol? |
| A: |
Drinking alcohol can temporarily impair the ability to get an
erection. To get the maximum benefit from your medication, you are
advised not to drink large amounts of alcohol before taking VIAGRA. |
| Q: |
Can I take VIAGRA after eating? |
| A: |
Yes, but taking VIAGRA after a high-fat meal (such as a cheeseburger
and french fries) may cause the medication to take a little longer to
start working. |
| Q: |
What are the side effects of VIAGRA? |
| A: |
Like all medications, VIAGRA can cause some side effects. These are
usually mild and don't last longer than a few hours. Some of these side
effects are more likely to occur with higher doses of VIAGRA. With
VIAGRA, the most common side effects are headache, facial flushing, and
upset stomach. VIAGRA may also briefly cause bluish or blurred vision or
sensitivity to light. In the rare event of an erection lasting more than
4 hours, seek immediate medical help. |
| Q: |
Will VIAGRA make me have an erection for hours? |
| A: |
VIAGRA works by helping you get an erection in response to sexual
stimulation. Once a man takes VIAGRA and has sex, his erection will go
away after intercourse, just like it would normally. VIAGRA takes about
30 minutes before it's ready to work, and remains ready to work for
about 4 hours after that. Take your time and go at your own pace. In the
rare event of an erection lasting more than 4 hours, see your doctor. |
| Q: |
I tried VIAGRA once, but it didn't work. Does this mean it's not for
me? |
| A: |
For most men, VIAGRA works the first or second time they try it.
VIAGRA may work better the third or fourth time you take it, so it's
important to keep trying. Also, you should follow your doctor's
instructions closely when taking VIAGRA. |
| Q: |
What if I haven't had sex in a while? |
| A: |
Because sexual activity can be demanding on the heart, doctors
sometimes determine that for men with certain heart conditions, sex is
not recommended, with or without medication for ED. Patients who are in
poor cardiovascular health should talk to their doctor before engaging
in any strenuous activity. If you are not sure of your cardiovascular
health, talk to your doctor. |
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PROPECIA - the
first FDA-approved pill to treat hair loss in men.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
| Q: |
What is PROPECIA? |
| A: |
PROPECIA is a medical breakthrough—the first pill that
effectively treats male pattern hair loss on the vertex (at top
of head) and anterior mid-scalp area. |
|
| Q: |
What is some of the most important information I need to know about
PROPECIA? |
| A: |
PROPECIA is used for the treatment of male pattern
hair loss on the vertex (at the top of the head) and the anterior
mid-scalp. PROPECIA was studied in men aged 18 to 41 with mild to
moderate amounts of hair loss. There is not sufficient evidence that
PROPECIA works for recession at the temporal areas. PROPECIA
is for use by men only. Further, women who are or may potentially
be pregnant must not use PROPECIA because the the active ingredient may
cause abnormalities of a male baby’s sex organs. In addition, a small
number of men experience certain sexual side effects. PROPECIA can
affect a blood test called PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) for the
screening of prostate cancer. If you have a PSA test done, you should
tell your doctor that you are taking PROPECIA. |
| Q: |
Does PROPECIA really work? |
| A: |
Based on two 24-month vertex studies of men aged 18 to 41 with mild to
moderate hair loss, the clinical results of PROPECIA are impressive:
83% maintained their hair based on hair count (vs. 28% with placebo),
66% had visible regrowth as rated by independent dermatologists (vs. 7%
with placebo), 80% were rated as improved by clinical doctors (vs. 47%
with placebo), and most men reported an increase in the amount of hair,
a decrease in hair loss, and improvement in appearance.
You may need to take PROPECIA daily for 3 months or more to see
visible results. PROPECIA may not regrow all your hair. And if you stop
using this product, you will gradually lose the hair you have gained.
There is not sufficient evidence that PROPECIA works for recession at
the temporal areas. If you haven’t seen results after 12 months of
using PROPECIA, further treatment is unlikely to be of benefit.
|
| Q: |
How does PROPECIA work? |
| A: |
The causes of hair loss are not well defined; however, researchers
have found that men with male pattern hair loss have increased levels of
DHT in the balding area of their scalps. Human hair normally follows a
cycle of growth, falling out, and new growth. But increased levels of
DHT are believed to contribute to the shortening of the growth phase,
and a shortening of the time it takes for the hair to fall out. This
results in thinning of the hair on the scalp.
Finasteride (the active ingredient in PROPECIA) blocks the formation
of DHT, and in this way appears to interrupt a key factor in the
development of inherited male pattern hair loss in men. PROPECIA has
been proven to effectively lower DHT in the scalp.
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| Q: |
What is DHT? |
| A: |
DHT is one of many male hormones in the body. DHT is developmentally
important early in a man’s life; however, it appears to be a cause of
hair loss, as men get older. DHT shrinks the hair follicle until it no
longer produces visible hair. |
| Q: |
Who should not take PROPECIA? |
| A: |
PROPECIA is for the treatment of male pattern hair loss in MEN
ONLY. Further, women who are or may potentially be pregnant must
not use PROPECIA and should not handle crushed or broken tablets of
PROPECIA because the active ingredient may cause abnormalities of a male
baby’s sex organs. PROPECIA tablets are coated and will prevent
contact with the active ingredient during normal handling. |
| Q: |
If I think I have genital herpes, is it necessary to get tested? |
| A: |
Yes. Once you know you have genital herpes, there are steps you can
take to reduce its impact on your life. You can take medication to
shorten outbreaks or to help suppress them before symptoms ever appear.
You can practice safer sex. Through local support groups, you can talk
to others who have genital herpes. Your doctor or other healthcare
provider can help you with all of these steps, but only if you talk to
him or her about the symptoms that make you think you may have genital
herpes. |
| Q: |
Can PROPECIA help maintain my hair count? |
| A: |
PROPECIA is proven to maintain hair count in most men. It’s the
medical breakthrough men have been waiting for. In clinical studies,
hair count was maintained in men taking PROPECIA, while men taking a
placebo (a pill with no medication) continued to show progressive hair
loss. |
| Q: |
Can PROPECIA increase as well as maintain my hair count? |
| A: |
At 24 months, 66% of the men in our studies regrew hair at the top of
the head (vs. 7% with placebo) as determined by an expert panel of
dermatologists. An assessment by the study investigators rated 80% of
men on PROPECIA as improved (vs. 47% with placebo). This was not just
“peach fuzz,?but real hair—and growth occurred in both the vertex
(at top of the head) and anterior mid-scalp area. There is not
sufficient evidence that PROPECIA works for recession at the temporal
areas. |
| Q: |
How long will it take for PROPECIA to work? |
| A: |
PROPECIA begins to block the formation of DHT almost immediately;
however, because hair grows slowly, visible results from PROPECIA take
some time. In clinical trials, most men began to see the first benefit
of PROPECIA—slowing hair loss—as early as 3 months. After 6 months,
men may begin to experience regrowth. If PROPECIA does not work within
12 months, further treatment is unlikely to be of benefit. |
| Q: |
Can I get better results by taking PROPECIA more than once a day? |
| A: |
Take PROPECIA as prescribed, and always follow your doctor’s
instructions. PROPECIA won’t work any faster or better if you take a
tablet more than once a day. |
| Q: |
How long do I have to take PROPECIA? |
| A: |
You need to take PROPECIA for as long as you want to continue to
benefit from use. If you stop taking PROPECIA, you will likely lose any
hair you have gained within 12 months of stopping treatment. |
| Q: |
What about long-term use of PROPECIA? |
| A: |
PROPECIA has been tested for 2 years in clinical studies of 1,200 men. |
| Q: |
Does PROPECIA have any side effects? |
| A: |
PROPECIA may cause side effects. In clinical studies, side effects
from PROPECIA were uncommon and did not affect most men. A very small
number of men experienced certain sexual side effects, such as less
desire for sex, difficulty in achieving an erection, and a decrease in
the amount of semen. Each of these side effects occurred in less than 2%
of men. These side effects were reversible and went away in men who
stopped taking PROPECIA. |
| Q: |
How does PROPECIA compare with other products available for the
treatment of hair loss? |
| A: |
PROPECIA is the only pill indicated for male pattern hair loss. Merck
has not conducted clinical trials comparing PROPECIA with other
medicines and therefore cannot make any comments. You should discuss
this issue with your doctor. |
| Q: |
How is PROPECIA supplied? |
| A: |
PROPECIA is available as a 1-mg tablet. This tablet is tan in color
and is octagonal (has 8 sides). The tablet is film-coated, rounded, and
has a somewhat elevated surface. Each tablet is marked with a
“stylized P?logo on one side and PROPECIA on the other. The tablets
are supplied as individual bottles of 30 tablets and in PROPAK? a
carton of 3 bottles, each containing 30 tablets for a total of 90
tablets. |
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MEN's
HEALTH CENTRAL - HAIR LOSS ... THE REAL FACTS
PROPECIA - the first FDA-approved
pill to treat hair loss in men.
Everyone experiences some
hair loss every day. In fact, it is normal to lose up to 100 hairs a
day. However, for many people, hair loss becomes excessive. Excessive
hair loss can be caused by factors such as heredity, disease, injury, or
old age.
The most common type of
hair loss (95% of cases) is androgenetic alopecia, which involves
thinning hair or balding of the scalp. Androgenetic alopecia is caused
by a characteristic passed down from parents to children (heredity) and
may also be called male-pattern baldness or female-pattern baldness.
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