Testicular Cancer Causes and Symptoms

Testicular cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of one or both testicles. The testicles are 2 egg-shaped glands located inside the scrotum. The testicles are held within the scrotum by the spermatic cord, which also contains the vas deferens and vessels and nerves of the testicles. The testicles are the male sex glands and produce testosterone and sperm. Germ cells within the testicles produce immature sperm that travel through a network of tubules (tiny tubes) and larger tubes into the epididymis (a long coiled tube next to the testicles) where the sperm mature and are stored.

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Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of testicular cancer include:

• A lump or enlargement in either testicle
• A feeling of heaviness in the scrotum
• A sudden collection of fluid in the scrotum
• Pain or discomfort in a testicle or the scrotum
• Enlargement or tenderness of the breasts

Causes
It's not clear what causes testicular cancer in most cases. Doctors know that testicular cancer occurs when healthy cells in a testicle become altered. Healthy cells grow and divide in an orderly way to keep your body functioning normally. But sometimes some cells develop abnormalities, causing this growth to get out of control — these cancer cells continue dividing even when new cells aren't needed. The accumulating cells form a mass in the testicle. Nearly all testicular cancers begin in the germ cells — the cells in the testicles that produce immature sperm. What causes germ cells to become abnormal and develop into cancer isn't known.

Treatment
Different types of treatments are available for patients with testicular cancer. Some treatments are standard and some are being tested in clinical trials. A treatment clinical trial is a research study meant to help improve current treatments or obtain information on new treatments for patients with cancer.

7 Facts About Dysuria Symptoms and Causes

Dysuria is the medical term for pain or discomfort when urinating. Often described as a burning sensation, dysuria is caused by bacterial infections of the urinary tract. Dysuria is a common symptom of a bladder infection (cystitis). Cystitis is very common in women aged 20 to 50. An infection often starts when bacteria enter the opening where urine comes out (urethra) during sexual intercourse.



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Causes
Infection of the urinary tract (urethra, bladder, or kidneys) is the most common cause of dysuria. The most common type of infections are cystitis (bladder infection), pyelonephritis (kidney infection), prostatitis (prostate infection), and urethritis (inflammation of the tube, the urethra, that drains the bladder to the outside of the body). Other causes of dysuria include:

• Trauma: local injury or irritation due to catheter placement or sexual contact
• Anatomic obstructions/malformations: obstruction due to an enlarged prostate or urethral stricture
• Pain due to external lesions on the genitalia: Urine touching the lesion causes pain

Symptoms
Depending on the cause of dysuria, there may be other symptoms in addition to pain when urinating. Symptoms can include:

• Lower urinary tract infection (cystitis) — Frequent urination, an intense urge to urinate, loss of bladder control, pain in the lower front portion of the abdomen, cloudy urine that may have a strong odor, bloody urine
• Upper urinary tract infection (pyelonephritis) — Pain in the upper back, high fever with shaking chills, nausea and vomiting, cloudy urine, frequent urination, an intense urge to urinate
• Urethritis — A discharge from the urethra, redness around the opening of the urethra, frequent urination, vaginal discharge. Partners of people with urethritis that comes from a sexually transmitted disease often will not have any symptoms.

How to Avoid Hair Loss After Pregnancy

As your due date draws near, you’re probably looking forward to losing your big belly and extra baby weight. But there’s one thing you may not look forward to losing: Your thick, shiny pregnancy hair. It’s not your imagination. Most women find that pregnancy makes their hair thicker. And it’s not the stress of having a newborn that’s making your hair fall out!Here’s what’s up with your pregnancy hair, what you can expect, and what you can do about it.



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Is it normal to start losing your hair after giving birth?
Absolutely. Many new moms are surprised to be shedding more hair than usual in the first few months after giving birth, but it's perfectly normal. And there's no need to panic: Your hair should be back to normal around your baby's first birthday. Normally between 85 and 95 percent of the hair on your head is actively growing, while the other 5 to 15 percent is in a resting stage. After the resting period, this hair falls out – often while you're brushing or shampooing it – and is replaced by new growth. The average woman sheds about 100 hairs a day.

Why is this happening?
Not every woman experiences postpartum hair loss but, if it does happen, remember it’s a very normal and natural process. Most of us experience hair loss around the third month after birth, or a little later if you’re breastfeeding. Like almost everything else, you can blame your hormones.

Here’s what you can do

• Keep hair moussed and moist. Ssing the right products can give the illusion of fullness. Look for a volumizing mousse at the drugstore or salon. Also, always use a conditioner or a leave-in hair moisturizer after shampooing.
• Try color. Coloring your hair is always a great way to give it body. If you feel that your hairline is receding and you have dark hair, highlighting the front can act as a camouflage. Or try glossing, a treatment that gives hair all-over shine.
• Change the part. If you normally part your hair in the middle, a side part can disguise thinning hair at the temples.

7 Facts About Toxoplasmosis : Symptoms and Causes

Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. More than 60 million people in the U.S. have this parasite. Most of them don't get sick. But the parasite causes serious problems for some people. These include people with weak immune systems and babies whose mothers become infected for the first time during pregnancy. Problems can include damage to the brain, eyes, and other organs.



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Symptoms 
Most healthy people who are infected with toxoplasmosis have no signs or symptoms and aren't aware that they're infected. Some people, however, develop signs and symptoms similar to those of the flu, including:

• Body aches
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Headache
• Fever

Causes
T. gondii is the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis. You can catch it from contaminated meat. You can also get toxoplasmosis by drinking contaminated water. In rare cases, toxoplasmosis may be transmitted through a blood transfusion or a transplanted organ. The parasite can also exist in feces. This means it can be found on some unwashed produce that has been contaminated with manure. Wash your produce thoroughly to prevent toxoplasmosis.

Treatment
Once a diagnosis of toxoplasmosis is confirmed, you and your doctor can discuss whether treatment is necessary. In an otherwise healthy person who is not pregnant, treatment usually is not needed. If symptoms occur, they typically go away within a few weeks to months. For pregnant women or persons who have weakened immune systems, medications are available to treat toxoplasmosis.

Tibia Fracture Recovery : Causes and Symptoms

The tibia is a large bone located in the lower front portion of the leg. The tibia is also known as the shinbone, and is the second largest bone in the body. There are two bones in the shin area: the tibia and fibula, or calf bone. The fibula is smaller and thinner than the tibia. These two bones connect the ankle to the knee and work together to stabilize the ankle and provide support to the muscles of the lower leg; however, the tibia carries a significant portion of the body weight.




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Causes
High-energy collisions, such as an automobile or motorcycle crash, are common causes of tibial shaft fractures. In cases like these, the bone can be broken into several pieces. Sports injuries, such as a fall while skiing or running into another player during soccer, are lower-energy injuries that can cause tibial shaft fractures. These fractures are typically caused by a twisting force and result in an oblique or spiral type of fracture.

Symptoms
The most common symptoms of a tibial shaft fracture are:

• Pain
• Inability to walk or bear weight on the leg
• Deformity or instability of the leg
• Bone "tenting" the skin or protruding through a break in the skin

How long it takes to return to daily activities varies with different types of fractures. Some tibial shaft fractures heal within 4 months, yet many may take 6 months or longer to heal. This is particularly true with open fractures and fractures in patients who are less healthy. Pain after an injury or surgery is a natural part of the healing process. Your doctor and nurses will work to reduce your pain, which can help you recover faster.

7 Facts About Bradycardia : Causes and Symptoms

Bradycardia is a slow or irregular heart rhythm, usually fewer than 60 beats per minute. At this rate, the heart is not able to pump enough oxygen-rich blood to the body during normal activity or exercise. As a result, you may feel dizzy or have chronic lack of energy, shortness of breath, or even fainting spells. What's too slow for you may depend on your age and physical condition. Physically active adults (and athletes) often have a resting heart rate slower than 60 BPM but it doesn't cause problems and is normal for them.



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Symptoms
A heart rhythm that's too slow can cause insufficient blood flow to the brain with symptoms such as:

• Fatigue or feeling tired or weak
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Fainting or near-fainting spells
• Some people may feel short of breathe

Causes
Bradycardia can be caused by:

• Changes in the heart that are the result of aging.
• Diseases that damage the heart's electrical system. These include coronary artery disease, heart attack, and infections such as endocarditis and myocarditis.
• Conditions that can slow electrical impulses through the heart. Examples include having a low thyroid level (hypothyroidism) or an electrolyte imbalance, such as too much potassium in the blood.

Treatment
The treatment strategy for bradycardia depends on what is causing the slower than normal heart rate as well as the patient’s symptoms. If another medical problem, such as hypothyroidism, is causing a slow heart rate, treating it may indirectly affect bradycardia. Treating these problems with new medicines, or adjusting the doses of the medicines you are currently taking, may restore a normal heartbeat.

Prednisone Side Effects

Prednisone is a prescription steroid drug. It comes as an immediate-release tablet, delayed-release tablet, and liquid solution. You exclusively take these forms by mouth. The delayed-release tablet is available as the brand-name drug Rayos. The solution is available as a generic drug and as the brand-name drug Prednisone Intensol. The immediate-release tablet is only available as a generic drug. Generic drugs usually cost less. In some cases, they may not be available in every form as the brand-name versions.



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Important information

• Prednisone treats many different conditions such as allergic disorders, skin conditions, ulcerative colitis, arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, or breathing disorders.
• You should not take prednisone if you have a fungal infection anywhere in your body.
• Steroid medication can weaken your immune system, making it easier for you to get an infection. Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using prednisone.

Side Effects
Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, heartburn, trouble sleeping, increased sweating, or acne may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he/she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor right away if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: muscle pain/cramps, irregular heartbeat, weakness, swelling hands/ankles/feet, unusual weight gain, signs of infection, vision problems, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, black/bloody stools, severe stomach/abdominal pain, mental/mood changes, slow wound healing, thinning skin, bone pain, menstrual period changes, puffy face, seizures, easy bruising/bleeding.

10 Ways to Relieve Constipation in Newborns

Infant constipation is not very common. However, your baby might have infant constipation if he or she has: hard or pellet-like bowel movements, bowel movements that appear difficult to pass, causing your baby to arch his or her back or cry. If your newborn seems constipated, contact his or her doctor for advice. But keep in mind that the normal amount of bowel movements an infant passes varies depending on his or her age and what he or she is eating. Infants also have weak abdominal muscles and often strain during bowel movements.


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Causes
Although it's rare for a baby on an all-liquid diet to experience constipation, it can happen. Exclusively formula-fed babies are much more likely to have trouble from constipation. Formula can firm up poop much more than breast milk can. If your baby has a milk-protein allergy or intolerance, she could end up constipated. A milk-based formula could cause this, as well as the dairy in mom's diet that's passed through the breast milk. This also carries over to any other kinds of dairy an older baby could consume, such as yogurt and cheese.

When a baby is around 6 months, pediatricians often give parents the green light to offer a variety of baby food. What your baby eats will largely determine the kind of poop you can expect. And many different foods could contribute to constipation. Start by considering your ABCs -- applesauce, bananas, and cereal. Too much of any of these, especially rice cereal, can get you into trouble.

Linzess Side Effects

Linzess is a prescription medication used in adults to treat irritable bowel syndrome with constipation and chronic idiopathic constipation. "Idiopathic" means the cause of the constipation is unknown. It is not known if Linzess is safe and effective in children less than 18 years of age. Linzess works by increasing the secretion of chloride and water in the intestines, which can soften stools and stimulate bowel movements.



Side Effects
Diarrhea, bloating, gas, or stomach pain may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Also, stop taking this medication and tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including severe diarrhea.

What happens if I miss a dose?
Skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose. Before you take Linzess, make sure to tell your doctor about your medical conditions, including if you are:

• Pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Linzess will harm your unborn baby.
• Breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Linzess passes into your breast milk.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

What is the GOLO Diet?

Losing weight is something that many of us are worried about. This is reflected in the fact that the weight loss industry is now a billion dollar global industry. Unfortunately, because of the proliferation of so many companies and products, it can be really overwhelming to determine exactly what does and does not work, and it would be impossible to test everything out. Another issue is that different programs and products take different approaches on how to make you lose weight. So how do you choose between all of those options? One program that has been getting a lot of attention lately is GOLO diet.



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How Does it Work?
GOLO works to optimize your body's insulin levels, keeping them steady all day so you can burn fat, maintain energy, and eliminate the crashes that cause hunger and cravings. The official site also reports an average weight loss of 48.6 pounds in a year. So is it a matter of just monitoring your blood sugar levels and eating foods that have a low glycemic index?

Side Effects
The GOLO website tells us that "There are no known side effects and no adverse events have been reported in over 5 years of sales of the Release supplement," and that it’s safe for pre-diabetics and type 2 diabetics.As a result, if you experience any side effects at all, authoritative websites like WebMD and Examine.com tell us they probably won’t be worse than mild digestive upset. Specifically, this relates to magnesium, zinc, chromium, inositol, and salacia. This doesn't necessarily always apply to GOLO's Release supplement as they have a proprietary compound blend.

7 Facts About Smegma : Causes and Symptoms

Our bodies do a good job of cleaning themselves, and sometimes that involves creating unusual substances and scents. Sometimes, a change in the smells or substances could be more serious. This can be the case with smegma. Smegma is a buildup of dead skin cells, oil, and other fluids on the tip of the penis or in the folds of the vagina. The buildup can grow over time, and if it’s not taken care of, it can lead to painful side effects.



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Causes
Smegma is caused by shredded skin cells, dead epithelial cells, mixing with skin oil secretions, such as sweat and naturally-produced lubricants. Smegma may build up if it is not washed away properly. This may cause problems, thus good personal hygiene is necessary to avoid such problems.

Symptoms
Smegma is a secretion of the oil glands around the genitals. For men, smegma often appears under the foreskin of the penis. In women, it’s most likely to appear between the folds of the vagina’s labia or around the clitoral hood. Smegma has several distinct characteristics:

• thick, cheese-like consistency
• white in color (can be darker depending on natural skin tone)
• unpleasant smell

Milk Allergy : Symptoms and Causes

People of any age can have a milk allergy, but it's more common in infants. Many kids outgrow it, but some don't. When a baby is allergic to milk, it means that his/her immune system, which normally fights infections, overreacts to proteins in cow's milk. Every time the child has milk, the body thinks these proteins are harmful invaders and works very hard to fight them. This causes an allergic reaction in which chemicals like histamine are released in the body.



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Symptoms
Immediately after consuming milk, signs and symptoms of a milk allergy might include:

• Hives
• Wheezing
• Vomiting

Signs and symptoms that may take more time to develop include:

• Loose stools, which may contain blood
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal cramps
• Runny nose

Causes
All true food allergies are caused by an immune system malfunction. Your immune system identifies certain milk proteins as harmful, triggering the production of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to neutralize the protein (allergen).
There are two main proteins in cow's milk that can cause an allergic reaction:

• Casein, found in the solid part (curd) of milk that curdles
• Whey, found in the liquid part of milk that remains after milk curdles

What is Enuresis? : Causes and Symptoms

Enuresis is a pattern of involuntary discharge of urine by a child age 5 and over. It can be psychologically stressful and a source of embarrassment for a child, but not physically harmful. Enuresis puts a child at risk of being a target for name-calling and teasing from peers, which can damage a child's self-esteem and place him or her at risk of rejection.


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Symptoms
The history is essential in making the proper diagnosis and should address the following:

• Hydration history
• Daytime voiding pattern
• Toilet training history
• Number and timing of episodes of bedwetting
• Behavior, personality, and emotional status

Causes
Primary bed wetting is usually due to a delay in the maturation of the part of the nervous system that controls bladder function. Another cause for children who urinate during the night may be a deficiency of the antidiuretic hormone ADH. The presence of this hormone concentrates urine and prevents the bladder from filling up during sleep. Young children do not have a mature signaling mechanism between the bladder and the brain to become aware of a full bladder. Consequently, they fail to wake up and may wet their bed.

7 Facts About G6PD Deficiency : Causes and Symptoms

G6PD deficiency is an inherited condition in which the body doesn't have enough of the enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, or G6PD, which helps red blood cells (RBCs) function normally. This deficiency can cause hemolytic anemia, usually after exposure to certain medications, foods, or even infections. Most people with G6PD deficiency don't have any symptoms, while others develop symptoms of anemia only after RBCs have been destroyed, a condition called hemolysis. In these cases, the symptoms disappear once the cause, or trigger, is removed. In rare cases, G6PD deficiency leads to chronic anemia.


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Causes
G6PD deficiency occurs when a person is missing or does not have enough of an enzyme called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. This enzyme helps red blood cells work properly.
Red blood cell destruction can be triggered by infections, severe stress, foods (such as fava beans), and certain drugs, including:

• Antimalarial drugs
• Aspirin
• Nitrofurantoin
• Quinidine
• Sulfa drugs

Symptoms
Symptoms of G6PD deficiency can include:

• rapid heart rate
• shortness of breath
• urine that is dark or yellow-orange
• fever
• dizziness
• jaundice, or yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes

What is Tachypnea: Causes and Symptoms

Tachypnea is the medical term for rapid and shallow breathing, often confused with hyperventilation, which is breathing that is rapid but deep. Both disorders are caused by a buildup of carbon dioxide in the lungs, which causes a buildup of carbon dioxide in the bloodstream. Whenever this happens, the blood becomes more acidic than usual, and this alerts the brain that something is wrong. In response, the brain signals the respiratory system to pick up the pace to try to fix the imbalance and stabilize the blood's pH back within its normal range. The normal breathing rate for a healthy resting adult is in the range of 8-16 breaths per minute.



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Causes
Rapid, shallow breathing can be caused by infections, choking, blood clots, diabetic ketoacidosis, heart failure, or asthma.

Infections
Infections that affect the lungs, such as pneumonia or bronchiolitis, can cause difficulty breathing. This means shorter and more rapid breaths.

Choking
When you choke, an object partially or completely blocks your airway. If you can breathe at all, the breaths will not be deep or relaxed. In cases of choking, immediate medical attention is crucial.

Blood Clots
A pulmonary embolism is a blood clot in the lung. This can lead to hyperventilation, along with chest pain, coughing, and rapid or irregular heart beat.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis
This serious condition occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin. As a result, acids called ketones build up in your body. This often leads to rapid breathing.

Symptoms
Obviously, the most pronounced symptom is breathing that is fast and shallow. When the lungs have too much carbon dioxide, it creates a feeling like you can't get enough air. Other symptoms may include a bluish-gray tint of the skin, nails, lips, or gums, lightheadedness, chest pain, fever, a chest that caves in with each breath, or breathing that gets worse over time.