Nipple-twisting prank between friends may have saved man’s life

Lets hear it for the boys. What started as an innocent prank between guy friends ended as a potentially life-saving discovery for one man. Now, the recipient of the practical joke is issuing an important warning to other men about an oft-overlooked, yet deadly disease. While on a trip to Las Vegas five years ago, Robert Pfleghardt and his friends were being “silly boys” and engaging in some age-old horseplay when one twisted his nipple.

The “purple nurple” took a surprising turn when Pfleghardt experienced sharp pain that lasted well beyond the trip, prompting a visit to his doctor, who discovered a lump the size of an eraser. Thanks to a mammogram, the lump was found to be breast cancer that had spread to the lymph nodes, a diagnosis that shocked the 62-year-old, telling SWNS, “Guys dont get breast cancer.” Even doctors initially thought Pfleghardt was a woman when he went in for his mammogram, an experience he called highly unusual. “They called out for Mrs Pfleghardt instead of Mr Pfleghardt,” the retired Virginia local said. “They said ‘man coming through’ because there were a lot of women, and some of them were getting scans with their tops off.” The rates for men receiving breast cancer diagnoses are low compared to women, with roughly 1 out of 100,000 males getting the potentially killer disease.

What we know

Several risk factors can increase the chances, including older age, genetic mutations, family history, previous radiation or hormone therapy treatments, obesity and certain conditions that affect the testicles which are also associated with increased breast cancer risk. However, they do face about a 19% higher mortality rate, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. This could be due to the fact that men are less likely to assume a lump in the chest is cancer, thereby delaying seeking diagnosis and treatment. While Pfleghardts doctors initially recommended a double mastectomy — a procedure to remove both breasts — his nerves swayed him to undergo a lumpectomy in January of 2022 instead.

Although the lumpectomy “had really clear lines — it was just one mass — not like a spider web,” doctors still advised a month of radiation therapy. Afterward, he was prescribed tamoxifen, a drug used to prevent breast cancer that can cause menopause-like side effects including hot flashes, night sweats and uncomfortable dryness. While Pfleghardt recently underwent a full-body scan to determine the state of his cancer, he credits the painful prank with helping him catch the harrowing health issue early on. He also forewarned others that “a lot more men get breast cancer than they know and it spreads without them realizing.” “Me and my friends still laugh about how we found out I had cancer,” he added.

My friend that pinched me saved my life. I wouldnt have found the lump otherwise, and it would have spread. Boys trips save lives. Is there any candy for diabetics? Youre likely to live longer if one of your parents has a rare trait Say what?

While hearing loss is often associated with aging — 22% of people over the age of 65 struggle to hear everyday sounds around them — it can affect people of all ages. And certain factors that mess with the ability to properly hear may take some people by surprise, including an item many reach for regularly. While it may seem like an issue to deal with if and when it happens, hearing loss can affect your health in several ways by causing feelings of social isolation, depression, anxiety and loss of confidence. However, it turns out our health can also affect how well we hear, according to Nick Andresen, a neurotologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

Key details

“Hearing loss is not always caused by aging or obvious noise exposure,” Andresen told The Post. “Noise exposure is one of the best-known causes, but it is only part of the picture.” Beyond loud sounds, factors like lifestyle habits, medical conditions, infections and even some medications may also contribute to hearing loss. Smoking Despite its increasing popularity, the health risks of smoking are well and thoroughly documented. And now, hearing loss can be added to the list, as lighting up not only increases the risk, but more exposure to cigarettes is associated with more severe loss.

“The exact mechanism is not fully understood, but it may involve reduced oxygen delivery to the inner ear and damage from toxic chemicals in cigarette smoke,” Andresen explained. Quitting may reduce or even potentially reverse some of the risk. High blood pressure While more modest of an effect than other risk factors, having high blood pressure may also affect your ears. High blood pressure can damage the small blood vessels and hair cells, which convert vibrations into nerve signals, in the inner ear.

Reduced blood flow also decreases the amount delivered to the cochlea, the hearing organ of the inner ear, which can lead to either gradual or sudden hearing loss. NSAIDS Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), like aspirin and ibuprofen, are a common drugstore treatment to provide pain relief and reduce fever. They may also contribute to hearing loss if used “regularly over many years or at higher-than-recommended doses,” according to Andresen. While the exact mechanism isnt fully understood, a higher dosage could be damaging auditory neurons that transmit sound signals from the ear to the brain.

An overdose on aspirin may also cause temporary hearing loss and tinnitus, a condition that causes a buzzing or ringing sound in the ears. “However, these effects are typically short-lived and resolve when the medication is cleared from the body,” Andresen added, while NSAIDs used at recommended doses are still very safe. Other health conditions Overall health can affect hearing, especially certain medications or conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular health, infections and head trauma that damage the delicate blood vessels and nerve cells in the ear. Andresen also warns not to underestimate the cumulative impact of everyday noises on hearing.

Why it matters

Anything from headphones to power tools and lawn mowers can have an impact. “It is best to limit exposure to loud noise as much as possible and, when unavoidable, wear hearing protection in noisy environments, such as sporting events, concerts or around loud machinery,” Andresen recommends. For most people, satisfying a sweet tooth can be as simple as picking your favorite treat. For people with diabetes, choosing a sweet treat can be a little more complicated − but experts say you dont need to bid adieu to candy just yet.

“The occasional piece of candy can absolutely fit into a healthy, balanced lifestyle for someone living with diabetes,” said Sarah Hormachea, a diabetes care and education specialist. When a person eats or drinks carbohydrates, the body breaks it down into glucose, which enters the bloodstream. In people with diabetes, the body cant effectively manage glucose, making it important to keep blood glucose levels within a healthy target range. Candy contains carbohydrates, primarily from added sugar, and can cause glucose spikes.

This doesnt mean candy cant be a part of your diet, but it does mean a person with diabetes needs to be more mindful about how candy fits into their overall eating plan. “The biggest risk of consuming excessive amounts of candy is that it can displace more nourishing foods that support energy and metabolic health, including foods rich in protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals,” Hormachea said. When candy becomes a replacement for quality carbohydrates like starchy vegetables, beans, lentils, fruits, whole grains, milk and yogurt, glucose management can be difficult. Toby Smithson, a senior manager of nutrition and wellness at the American Diabetes Association, said paying attention to how frequently you eat candy and how much you eat − particularly how many carbohydrates are in a serving − is key.

The amount and type of candy − whether it contains nuts, chocolate, protein or other sources of fat − can determine how quickly the body digests and absorbs it. Hard candies and candies without nuts or chocolate are digested and absorbed very quickly, often raising blood glucose levels within about 15 minutes. Because of this rapid effect, some candies can be used to treat low blood sugar. On the other hand, candies that contain chocolate, nuts or other sources of fat digest more slowly.

These candies may not raise blood glucose as quickly, Smithson said, but they can still have a “significant impact” on blood glucose levels. “If youre going to have candy, Id rather see something that contains some protein or fat alongside the sugar,” Hormachea said. A peanut butter cup or Snickers, she said, is better than sugar-based candies like Smarties, Life Savers, Pixy Stix or Jolly Ranchers. There are many alternatives to traditional candy, including sugar-free options and fruit, which contain carbohydrates but also deliver fiber, vitamins and minerals.

Still, experts caution that sugar-free doesnt necessarily mean better. Some of those options still contain carbohydrates and the other ingredients that can lead to an uncomfortable experience after eating. Feeling 40 at 80, with no higher risk of disease, your body still strong, and your zest for life intact—longevity certainly has its appeal. And one study found that some people may live longer if their parents possess a rare trait that only around 100,000 people have.