Many health-conscious men can recite their cholesterol counts, blood pressure readings, and PSA levels without even glancing at their medical records. But few of these well-informed gents can tell you if they have diverticular disease of the colon, even though it's an extremely common condition. That's understandable, since the most prevalent form of the problem, diverticulosis, produces few if any symptoms. Still, when complications develop, blissful ignorance about diverticulosis abruptly gives way to an unwelcome education about the pain of diverticulitis or the bleeding of diverticulosis. It's a learning experience that's particularly unfortunate, since diverticular disease is largely preventable.

Your ...

Sildenafil (Viagra) opened a lot of eyes when it revolutionized the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) in 1998. The drug was accepted so rapidly that when two similar medications, tadalafil (Cialis) and vardenafil (Levitra) were approved in 2003, they caused hardly a blink. From the very beginning, though, visual disturbances were listed among the side effects of all three ED pills. Although most of these side effects are mild and temporary, one can be serious and permanent.

The ED pills were originally intended for intermittent use prior to sexual intercourse. That's still the major role for the drugs, and since ...

Sleep is an essential part of life, refreshing the mind and restoring the body. But in our fast-paced, global, 24/7 world, a good night's sleep is taking on endangered species status. Over the course of the 20th century, the average American lost about two hours of sleep a night, and the trend is likely to continue.

Although some people function remarkably well on as little as four or five hours of sleep, most adults need seven to eight hours. Sleep deprivation can be very harmful. Daytime sleepiness, impaired concentration and judgment, depression and irritability, and diminished performance both on the ...

I'm 67. Recently, I noticed a soft swelling behind my left knee. I saw an orthopedist who told me I have a Baker's cyst. He said I don't need any tests or treatments, but I worry that it may interfere with my tennis. Should I ignore it or get treatment?