Dear Playboy Advisor: Questions From Men and Women to the Advice Column of Playboy Magazine (21 page)

Not that we could find, though it certainly does wonders for your sex life, and it also might help you get a better night’s sleep. Your body temperature drops as you nod off, and researchers have found that if a person remains too warm, the depth and continuity of his or her sleep suffers. In that instance, losing your pajamas could be a good idea. We also located one highly questionable study that claims up to 60 percent of gynecological problems in Japan are caused by tight underwear worn to bed, but we’ll endorse the research anyway, for the sake of Japanese men. You’re also in good company: Famous nocturnal nudists include Al Gore, Pablo Picasso, Marilyn Monroe and, at one time, Alyssa Milano. “I used to sleep nude,” she once explained, “until the earthquake in Los Angeles in 1994, when I saw a neighbor in his underpants and was like, okay, that’s gross. I don’t want to be that guy. I’m going to put on clothes now.” For her male neighbors, that was the day’s second disaster.

Snoring problem

I leave on vacation in three weeks and will be staying with friends and family, mostly sharing rooms. I’ve been told by my girlfriend that I have a serious snoring problem. Should I look for my own lodging? Should I mention this up front to the people I stay with?—E.S., Newport Beach, California

If you’re sharing rooms, you may meet your match—about 50 percent of men and 25 percent of women snore. Most are over 40. We suggest you see a doctor, because serious snoring may contribute to heart disease, diabetes, stroke or hypertension. The most dangerous form is obstructive sleep apnea, characterized by heavy sawing interrupted by moments of silence when you temporarily stop breathing, followed by a snort as you wake yourself up. The most common treatments are to lose weight, treat allergies, get more sleep, attach nasal strips, avoid alcohol, tobacco and sedatives before bedtime or sew a tennis ball into the back of your pajamas to force you to sleep on your side. If none of that works, a doctor can fit you with a mouthpiece that holds your jaw forward to open your airway, or a cumbersome breathing mask that pushes air into your throat. You also may want to investigate laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty or somnoplasty to remove tissue from your soft palate.

Cracking knuckles

Has any research been done on whether cracking your knuckles causes arthritis? I’ve been doing it a dozen times a day for 30 years but haven’t had any problems.—T.C., Tallahassee, Florida

There’s no evidence it leads to arthritis, but it may harm ligaments. A study of 74 habitual knuckle-crackers found they had less grip strength and more hand swelling. However, the ability to crack could be a symptom of existing damage rather than its cause. The sound is actually the popping of a carbon dioxide bubble that forms in the joint when it’s pulled out of position. We know this because of an experiment in 1971 by the Bioengineering Group for the Study of Human Joints at the University of Leeds. The team glued a ring to the right middle finger of each of 17 volunteers, attached twine (so it could be tugged to create a crack) and had the subjects place their hands under an X-ray machine. It found that the carbon dioxide, which is released from the fluid that lubricates the joint, takes about 20 minutes to be reabsorbed, which is why you can’t crack your knuckles in succession. That’s nature’s way of keeping the rest of us sane.

A case of heartache

After my girlfriend dumped me, I had a heavy feeling in my chest. I feel better now, but I wondered: Is heartache a psychological or physiological response?—D.K., Homestead, Florida

It’s a bit of both. A doctor might say you were suffering from psychosomatic symptoms, or that you “somaticized” your grief—your body reacted to the emotional stress. This may not be much solace, but the most productive periods of our lives have been between girlfriends.

Why does her leg twitch?

Sometimes my girlfriend’s leg twitches as she falls asleep. It always startles me. What causes it?—M.F., Stowe, Vermont

The twitches are known as hypnic jerks. It’s not clear what causes them; your girlfriend’s body may be reacting to the mistaken belief that she’s falling rather than simply falling asleep. A more serious problem is periodic limb movement disorder, which is when a person’s legs or arms jerk at regular intervals, sometimes for hours, after he or she has fallen asleep. Some people never realize it occurs until their partners complain. The condition is relieved with the same drugs used to treat Parkinson’s disease.

Whiskey as disinfectant

Let’s say you were deep in the wilderness and you cut yourself. Would whiskey work as a disinfectant?—E.D., Terre Haute, Indiana

In a pinch, sure. Sip the rest to ease your pain. Whiskey also has been recommended for toothaches and insomnia and as an elixir (mix it in hot water with sugar). In an experiment at the Georgetown University Medical Center, whiskey and scotch killed bacteria better than gin, rum or vodka, but the booze had to be at least 80 proof. In a similar study at Oregon State, scientists found that wine—in this case, a chardonnay and a pinot noir—killed salmonella and E. coli within an hour. Researchers began the study after hearing about a food-poisoning outbreak aboard a cruise ship on which guests who’d had wine with dinner didn’t seem to get sick. The alcohol in the wine apparently weakens the walls of the germ cells, allowing the acid to penetrate and kill them.

Spotting a concussion

How can you tell if you have a concussion?—R.T., San Antonio, Texas

Too many weekend athletes make the mistake of thinking they have to be knocked out to get a concussion. Common symptoms are a persistent low-grade headache, vision disturbance, dizziness, confusion, amnesia, ringing ears, nausea and difficulty concentrating. You may also have a stiff neck, convulsions, unusual sleepiness and/or difficulty speaking or using your arms. If you believe you’ve suffered a concussion, stop playing immediately. As one doctor says, “You can ice your ankle, but you can’t ice your brain.” Most concussions are treated with rest and Tylenol, and full recovery can take a month or longer. There are no strict rules as to when you can compete again, but your doctor will give you guidance. You want to avoid having multiple concussions—after one, you’re three times as likely to suffer another. One study of 2,500 retired NFL players found that those who suffered multiple concussions have a greater risk of developing clinical depression. It’s not clear if there’s a connection to Alzheimer’s or stroke.

When to get a physical

How often should a guy get a physical? I’m 38, and my wife wants me to go every year. Also, what are the best tests to ask for?—R.L., Chicago, Illinois

You should have a physical every other year in your 40s and every year starting at 50. The American Heart Association recommends that men and women have their fasting lipid profile (which measures cholesterol levels, an indicator for heart disease) checked at least every five years after the age of 20 and their fasting blood glucose (which helps predict the risk of diabetes) checked every three years after the age of 45. Dr. Raul Seballos of the Cleveland Clinic, who specializes in preventive medicine, says an important gauge of health is your waist circumference, measured over your belly button. It has been found to be a better indicator than body-mass index (weight in relation to height) of an increased risk for heart disease and diabetes. A waist of more than 40 inches in men or 35 inches in women is cause for concern. Seballos suggests that each exam also include a prostate-specific antigen test, which screens for prostate cancer. The test is sometimes inaccurate and no one agrees on the best treatment if your PSA is high, but Seballos says it’s useful to establish a baseline to make sure levels don’t spike (see below). He also recommends a test for highly sensitive C-reactive protein, which your liver produces. An elevated result indicates you have inflammation somewhere in your body; the location can be pinpointed with further tests. Finally Seballos suggests having the level of vitamin D in your blood checked. It helps absorb calcium, and a deficiency can indicate trouble.

The finger of life

I’m due for a physical but am reluctant to get the prostate exam. Is it absolutely necessary that the doctor stick a finger up my ass?—K.L., Farmington Hills, Michigan

Most tumors begin in the area of the gland he can feel with his finger, so he’s looking for lumps. As an alternative you can request a PSA test. Whether either method is necessary is a topic of debate among physicians because there’s no way to tell if a tumor will kill you quickly or hang out for years, and aggressive treatment can have serious side effects. In 2002 a government task force noted that “screening is associated with important harms, including frequent false positives and unnecessary anxiety, biopsies and potential complications of treatment of some cancers [such as impotence or incontinence] that may never have affected a patient’s health.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, of every 100 men over the age of 50 who have a PSA screening, 85 have a normal reading (including a small number who have a tumor that is missed) and 15 have a high reading that requires further tests. Of those 15, three will have cancer. Clinical trials are under way to determine whether men screened annually are less likely to die of prostate cancer than those who never get tested. On a related note, a study of 1,453 men by researchers in Seattle found that those who reported drinking four or more glasses of red wine each week had a 50 percent lower chance of developing prostate cancer.

Sweat problem

I perspire too much, but only when I’m not in a relationship. Whenever I have a girlfriend, it stops. Is this extra sweat designed to send out pheromones, or am I just insecure? Do you know how to correct it? It can be embarrassing.—W.L., Dallas, Texas

That’s an interesting hypothesis. Do single guys sweat more? A substance in men’s perspiration, androstenol, has been found to be pleasant to women, but it appears only in fresh sweat, and the woman must already be in your personal space to smell it. Once your sweat hits the air, it releases a steroid, androstenone, that has been shown to turn women off or, at best, has no effect. More likely, you’re suffering from hyperhidrosis, which is thought to affect three percent of Americans. It can be caused by anxiety or a variety of conditions, such as diabetes and nerve damage. Usually it occurs all over the body. Primary hyperhidrosis, believed to be genetic, typically affects only the armpits, palms, face and/or feet.
It occurs whether you are nervous or relaxed. Sweathelp.org describes some treatments. For example, getting Botox shots in each armpit every six months has been found to be effective in treating excessive sweat there. In your case, a stronger antiperspirant such as Certain Dri or Secret Platinum may help, or you can get a prescription for Drysol. One trick: Apply antiperspirant at night to your dry pits, then add another coat in the morning. For some reason this seems to improve the protection.

Ordering Viagra online

Some websites will mail you a supply of Viagra without your having to see a doctor. Is it legal to get the drug that way?—P.L., Roanoke, Virginia

Many states have cracked down on doctors who write new prescriptions without seeing patients, but just as many allow it. That’s why so many websites are able to offer Viagra and other drugs. Typically, a site will ask you to fill out a questionnaire about your medical history, which is forwarded to a physician for review. If he doesn’t see (or chooses to ignore) red flags such as heart disease, he writes the prescription and charges you for the “visit.” The scrip can only be filled by the site’s pharmacist, who isn’t offering any bargains. Sites based entirely overseas may not bother with the prescription, but because they’re outside the jurisdiction of the FDA, you have no assurance of what you’re actually getting, or its quality. Before you buy any prescription drug online, check with the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy at nabp.org to determine if the site is legitimate. The primary reason to see a physician is that your erection difficulties may indicate a more serious problem. Because an Internet consultation is a one-way conversation, an online doc could miss important symptoms.

Can Ecstasy harm your sex life?

Are there any good things to say about Ecstasy? Does it benefit sick people the way marijuana does?—J.B., Knoxville, Tennessee

Before the drug was outlawed in the 1980s, some psychotherapists experimented with X on severely depressed patients. As you may know, it’s a warm, energetic high, but it has dark lows, which is why you hear talk after rave weekends of “Suicide Tuesday” hangovers. Used regularly, Ecstasy may hurt your love life. A survey of 768 young adults in Italy and England found that those who had taken Ecstasy more than 20 times were three times as likely as nonusers to report a loss of libido. This may be because the drug, over time, damages the neurons that regulate the
production of mood-elevating serotonin. Researchers can’t say precisely how much is too much and how often is too often, or even what the long-term effects might be. Also remember that because it’s illegal, you’re dealing with a street drug. While Ecstasy is relatively easy to make, it’s harder to purify. Pills sold as Ecstasy have included amphetamine, ephedrine, caffeine and ketamine. Proceed with caution.