Men’s eating disorders – A literature review

Introduction and purpose: Eating disorders belong to the group of mental diseases characterized by significant somatic complications and high mortality. There is a common opinion that these disorders mainly affect women. Such assumptions may result in limited knowledge of the diagnosis and treatment of an eating disorder in the male population. The aim of this study is to summarize the current knowledge about eating disorders among men, including binge eating disorder (BED), anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN). Description of the state of knowledge: It turns out that the problem of eating disorders among the male sex is not so rare- it is estimated that approximately 10 million US men will experience an eating disorder at some point in their lives. The most common eating disorder among men appears to be binge eating disorder (BED). Men are also more likely to report binge eating than women. AN and BN occur much less frequently than BED in the male population. The symptoms of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa may differ between men and women. More and more often we observe a development of a certain type of muscle dysmorphia among men, the so-called “reverse anorexia". Eating disorders carry a number of medical complications such as cardiac disorders, electrolyte disturbances, digestive problems and skeletal disturbances. Therapeutic interventions in the treatment of male eating disorders should take into account gender-specific problems. Conclusions: The real number of men suffering from eating disorders may be underestimated due to the neglect of the problem in the context of the male gender. It also results in poorly developed diagnostic and support schemes for men struggling with this problem. More research is needed on the topic of eating disorders in this group of patients as it will help to develop better diagnostic and therapeutic regimens adapted to the male gender

Effect of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists on the example of semaglutide on the cardiovascular system and their role in the treatment of obesity.

Obesity nowadays affects an increasing number of people. We can talk about it when the patient's BMI is ≥ 30.0 kg/m² (BMI 25.0-29.9 kg/m² - overweight). While obesity in itself may not be a problem for people suffering from it, its complications can be global and sometimes pose a serious threat to health or even life. Its main complications in the cardiovascular system include: hypercholesterolaemia, arterial hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy, early atherosclerotic changes, heart and cerebral infarction. Treatment of obesity is based mainly on changing the patient's lifestyle - diet and physical activity, which can sometimes be problematic and difficult to apply. However, there is a new group of hypoglycaemic drugs - glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists, which can make obesity treatment easier. These drugs use the incretin effect in the body to increase insulin secretion in response to a meal containing carbohydrates and prevent postprandial hyperglycemia. In this article, we will analyze the latest studies on the effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists, using semaglutide as an example, on the cardiovascular system and on weight loss in patients

The influence of sleep disturbances on the development of insulin resistance - a literature review

Introduction and purpose of the work: Sleep is essential for the proper functioning of the body. Adequate quality and quantity of sleep affects metabolic processes, including glucose metabolism, as well as the sensitivity of tissues to insulin, the reduction of which is called insulin resistance. It leads to an increased production of glucose in order to maintain normal blood glucose levels. Insulin resistance is a modifiable risk factor of, inter alia, type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study is to summarize the current knowledge on the relationship between sleep deprivation and an increased risk of developing insulin resistance. State of knowledge: Sleep undoubtedly has a strong influence on glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. Numerous studies show that even partial sleep deprivation lowers insulin sensitivity. The available literature shows that shift work and a shifted bedtime, combined with an insufficient amount of it, lead to a significant reduction in insulin sensitivity. The positive effect of increasing the time of night rest on the sensitivity of tissues to insulin may be an element of the prevention of diseases such as obesity or type 2 diabetes. Moreover, disturbances in sleep continuity lead to formation of insulin resistance. An example would be obstructive sleep apnea, the treatment of which affects metabolic processes. Summary: Adequate sleep hygiene is an extremely important part of a healthy lifestyle. More research is needed on the relationship between sleep and the regulation of carbohydrate metabolism, due to the fact that the appropriate sleep-wake rhythm may give hope for improvement in health in people with metabolic disorders and may be an important protective factor for many diseases.&nbsp

Oral anticoagulation – current knowlegde

Vitamin K antagonists (VKA) and direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) are two groups of drugs used in the prevention of thromboembolic events. Although DOACs are currently the preferred option in such prophylaxis, there are still indications for the use of VKAs. Thromboembolic episodes may occur as a result of many cardiovascular diseases, inter alia cardiac dysrhythmias. Atrial fibrillation is an arrhythmia that may be asymptomatic or manifested by chest pain, syncope, dyspnea or fatigue. Moreover, it is associated with a high risk of serious complications. An ischemic stroke or myocardial infarction can result from poorly treated AF and may sometimes be the only symptom of an arrhythmia. Therefore, the assessment of a patient's eligibility for anticoagulation therapy is an important element in the prevention of thromboembolic events. Demographic aging and the associated comorbidity may pose a clinical problem in the treatment of atrial fibrillation. The selection of an appropriate anticoagulant therapy should be individualized to the patient's needs

The use e-learning resources by academic teachers - a Polish-Czech comparative study

The article is a result of the collaboration between Polish and Czech scientists who explore the issues of applying resources from the e-learning environment by academic teachers. The presented study was conducted in 2015 – 2016, within the project IRNet – International research network for study and development of new tools and methods for advanced pedagogical science in the field of ICT instruments, e-learning and intercultural competences. The research was aimed at learning academic teachers’ opinions on their own skills and possibilities of using various resources from the e-learning environment, as well as the ways in which they apply information and communication technologies in the educational process

Stymulacja nauki polskich i czeskich uczniów za pomocą narzędzi e-learningu

The article is a result of the collaboration between Polish and Czech scientists who explore the issues of applying the resources from e-learning environment by academic teachers. The presented studies were conducted in 2015-2016 within the IRNet project – International research network for study and development of new tools and methods for advanced pedagogical science in the field of ICT instruments, e-learning and intercultural competences in Poland (University of Silesia in Katowice, Faculty of Ethnology and Educational Science in Cieszyn) and the Czech Republic (University of Ostrava, Pedagogical Faculty). The undertaken research was aimed at learning the opinions of academic teachers on their preparation for distance classes and for the stimulation of students’ learning process. In the studies, the constructivist perspective was applied, which highlighted (in the educational process) the learner’s activity resulting in the subject builds their educational reality. What was referred to due to the comparative nature of the research was Harold J. Noah’s model of comparing the quality of University education. The cases of Poland and the Czech Republic were discussed

Supporting the learning of Polish and Czech students by digital tools

The article presents the results of exploring the purposes of using digital tools to support student learning at universities. This comprises some identified types of digital tools and the frequency of their use by academic staff, which varies due to their level of digital literacy. Then the collected data is provided concerning the numbers of academic staff using basic electronic communication methods. The above data were collected in Polish and Czech universities and later compared to each other. The presented study was conducted over the period 2015 – 2016 within the IRNet project – International research network for study and development of new tools and methods for advanced pedagogical science in the field of ICT instruments, e-learning and intercultural competences in Poland (University of Silesia, Faculty of Ethnology and Educational Science in Cieszyn) and the Czech Republic (University of Ostrava, Pedagogical Faculty). The undertaken research was aimed at recognizing academic teachers’ activities concerning their support in university students’ learning process

The role of magnesium deficiency in the pathogenesis of hypertension and the influence of magnesium supplementation on blood pressure – literature review

Magnesium is a macronutrient that is very important for the proper functioning of the human body. Deficiency of this element is crucial in the development of many disorders in the proper functioning of many organ systems. The optimal level of magnesium has a significant influence on the functioning of the cardiovascular system, among others. Although the factors showing the mechanism of lowering blood pressure by magnesium ions are not fully understood, the influence of the correct concentration of magnesium in the human body on cardiovascular protection is beyond doubt. Magnesium supplementation produces positive effects in the functioning of blood vessels and in maintaining blood pressure within the normal range. In our article, we focused on the role of magnesium in maintaining normal blood pressure at the molecular, cellular and tissue levels, as well as on the impact of magnesium supplementation on reducing blood pressure

The role of Vitamin D in the prevention and treatment of inflammatory skin diseases – atopic dermatitis and psoriasis - literature review

Vitamin D is an important substance that has a pleiotropic range of action in the human body. Its important role is to influence the cells of the immune system and regulate the body's inflammatory response. Many physiological processes at the immune level have been discovered to prove this. Vitamin D deficiency is common and results mainly from limited sun exposure at certain latitudes or from insufficient dietary supply. This likely increases the risk of many diseases, including autoimmune diseases. Numerous evidence shows that also in skin diseases such as AD or psoriasis, the level of calcitriol is of great importance, and its supplementation in the prevention and treatment of these diseases promotes frequent remissions and improves the clinical condition of patients. Therapy with high doses of vitamin D analogues can be effective and safe. The exact knowledge of the properties of this vitamin probably allows for its real and effective use in the treatment of skin diseases. However, numerous large-scale studies are still needed to more accurately determine the dosage, effects of this therapy and to use this preparation with certainty and the highest possible effectiveness in everyday medical practice

Influence of selenium deficiency on the development of thyroid disorders - a literature review

Introduction and purpose: Selenium is essential for the proper course of many physiological and biochemical processes in the human body. It plays a large role in ensuring proper immunoendocrine function. The organ with the greatest amount of selenium per gram of tissue is the thyroid gland. This element builds enzymes involved in antioxidant processes - peroxidase, as well as deiodinases involved in the metabolism of thyroid hormones. There are scientific reports showing a beneficial effect of selenium supplementation in autoimmune diseases of the thyroid gland. The aim of this study is to summarize the current knowledge on the relationship between selenium deficiency and the development of thyroid dysfunction. Description of the state of knowledge: There is a correlation between selenium deficiency and the functioning of the thyroid gland. It has been shown that selenium levels are often lowered in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis. Research shows that selenium supplementation may lower TPOAb and TgAb antibody levels in patients with Hashimoto's disease. In patients with Graves' orbitopathy, administration of selenium resulted in delayed progression of orbitopathy and less disease severity. There are reports that supplementation with this element may also increase the effectiveness of antithyroid drugs in patients with Graves-Basedow disease. There was also an association between selenium deficiency and the development of goiter and thyroid nodules. Conclusions: Selenium plays an important role in the proper functioning of the thyroid gland. Although the specific role of selenium in the pathogenesis of thyroid disease is still under investigation, there are numerous reports saying that its deficiency may affect it. More research is needed on the relationship between selenium concentration and the regulation of thyroid function, because introducing it into the treatment regimen of thyroid disorders may give hope for better therapeutic effects