Natural psoralen therapy in vitiligo

Vitiligo, a condition in which the skin turns white due to the loss of melanocytes. These cells produce melanin, the pigment that gives the skin its characteristic color. (Melanocytes also impart color to the retina of the eye and the mucous membrane tissues lining the inside of the mouth, nose, genital and rectal areas). In vitiligo, the Melanocytes some are self-destroyed in different parts of body, the result is white patches on these parts. The hair that grows in areas affected by vitiligo may also turn white. It is a well known fact that there is no treatment that will completely eradicate the disease from body. When one says treating vitiligo, it is meant “bringing skin color back” weather root cause is addressed or not. One oldest known way is use of Psoralen. Psoralen is capable of high UV (Ultraviolet) absorbance. It is the UV part of sun light that does the tanning magic. Psoralens are being produced in laboratories since 1970, but before that only source of Psoralens was nature. Psoralen is the parent compound in a family of natural products known as furocoumarins. Psoralen is found in the seeds of Psoralea corylifolia, common Fig, celery, parsley and West Indian satinwood. Oral Psoralen therapy: An oral intake of Psoralea corylifolia (in powder form) along with sun exposure can help in gaining the pigment back, with the disadvantage of (a) Large no. of people will not tolerate it. Some patients experience nausea and itching after ingesting the psoralen compound. (2) It will tend to tan the whole body. And if vitiligo effected areas are not responding, the contrast ratio of these parts with normal skin will increase making the situation worse. The therapy should hence be started with only a small intakes, and with very little sun, on limited body parts only. Topical psoalen theapy: In topical psoralen therapy, psoralen is applied to vitiligo affected areas, then UVA/ SUN light is applied to gain the pigmentation. Oil extracted from Psoralean corylifolia is perhaps the oldest natural topical therapy used for this purpose. The natural psoralen in this magic herb acts and absorbs the UV portion of sunlight resulting in re-pigmentation of the skin. The disadvantage again being the non tolerance of many patients. A low dosage should be tried for this purpose. Anti-Vitiligo, a well known topical Anti-Vitiligo contains Psoralean Corylifolia in 8% weight to weight ratio with other natural herbs. Remember that sun/ UVA is must for any therapy using psoralen. No UVA - No pigmentation. Since artificial UVA sources some times are 5 times stronger than the normal sun, so UVA/ Sun burns can happen very fast. It is highly recommended that atrtificial UVA should only be used under medical supervision.

Hypochondria fearing something that does not exist

A phobia is a clinical term that is used to describe an irrational and persistent fear of certain objects, situations, activities, or persons. These fears are beyond one's control and may interfere with one's daily activities. There are many forms of phobias, and they can be a fear of something specific such as the fear of flying, or fear of social interaction. Other examples of this disorder may involve fear of small animals, closed spaces, and snakes. Medical experts estimate that at least five percent of the entire U. S. population has one or more clinically diagnosed fear disorder. A phobia usually begins at home and persists into adulthood. Some of these conditions if not treated may debilitate a person. Hypochondria or hypocondriasis is a kind of phobia that refers to an excessive preoccupation or worry about having serious ailments. Often, this kind of condition persists even after a health professional has already evaluated and established that there is really no problem with the hypochondriac's health. Hypochondria is often characterized by a person's fears that minor bodily symptoms could be signs of a severe health problem. The person afflicted with hypochondria would often undertake self-examination and self-diagnosis, which are signs of over-preoccupation with one's health and body. To hypochondriacs, every lump is cancer, every cough is lung disease, every change in one's routine may mean that one's health is on the decline. Many hypochondriacs worry about having the most severe ailments without any of the risk factors. There are no specific causes of hypochondria, it occurs in men and women with equal frequency. Other symptoms of hypochondria may include: • Misinterpretation of symptoms; • Symptoms that may shift and change; • Symptoms that may be vague or specific; • No physical disorder that can account for symptoms; and • Psychological or emotional disturbance that may last for six months or more. Depression also contributes to the development of hypochondria due to the disruption of brain chemicals called serotonin. There is a possibility that the physical symptoms that are felt by hypochondriacs are triggered by neurochemical changes or changes in the serotonin levels. Too little serotonin may cause depression and fatigue. Reduction in the serotonin levels is caused by lack of sleep, sunlight, exercise, and poor nutrition. Adjustments in one's lifestyle improve neurochemical levels and improve one's health. While it is a good thing to be aware of any changes in one's body, being too conscious may hamper one's quality of life. The stress and anxiety of always worrying about sickness may one's life miserable. People with hypochondria fail to appreciate their overall health because they never believe that they are healthy. A supportive relationship with a health professional, family members, and friends is essential in treating persons with hypochondria. There should only be one health professional that is in charge of the patient. This professional should inform the patient that there is no disease that is present and persistent medical follow-up may help control any symptoms. Hypochondriacs feel real distress, that is why it is important not to deny or challenge any symptoms. There is help available for those who suffer from hypochondria. Remedies like cognitive therapy or anti-depression medication, people with hypochondria may not have to live in fear of illness, With help, they may once again enjoy good health and quality of life that they are afraid to lose.

Who should receive the pneumonia vaccine

Pneumonia is a common pulmonary disease and it has a high incidence in children and elderly people. Although pneumonia can also occur in adults, people with a good general health and a strong immune system usually develop milder forms of the disease. Pneumonia affects around 3 million people in the United States each year. Although there are medical treatments for pneumonia, some forms of the disease are still considered to be life-threatening. Statistics indicate that almost 5 percent of hospitalized patients diagnosed with pneumonia die as a result of complication. Pneumonia can be caused by viruses, bacteria or mycoplasmas. When pneumonia is caused by infection with viruses, the disease is milder and medical treatment is not always necessary. However, if pneumonia is caused by infection with bacteria, appropriate medical treatment is required for overcoming the disease. Even if the disease is discovered in time, pneumonia can be difficult to fully overcome with the means of medical treatments available today. The most common form of treatment for pneumonia involves the administration of antibiotics. Due to the fact that bacteria and viruses have become resistant to common antibiotics, medical treatments for pneumonia are no longer very effective. Considering the fact that some forms of pneumonia are difficult to treat, it is best to focus on preventing the occurrence of the disease. Pneumonia vaccines have proved to be very effective in the prevention of the disease. Pneumonia vaccines provide protection against a wide range of bacteria and viruses that are known to cause not only pneumonia, but also many other infectious diseases. The most common forms of pneumonia are caused due to infection with bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae. When pneumonia is caused by infection with these particular bacteria, the disease is called pneumococcal pneumonia. Pneumococcal pneumonia is a serious disease and affects a wide range of people. Statistics reveal that in the United States there are more than 200 000 new cases of pneumococcal pneumonia each year and many people eventually die from the disease. Pneumonia vaccines offer people immunity against pneumococcal infectious agents and can prevent the occurrence of many diseases: sinusitis, bronchitis, emphysema, etc. Pneumonia vaccines are recommended to a wide category of persons. People with internal disorders, people with weak immune system, people with chronic pulmonary obstructive diseases, people who have suffered surgery or prolonged medical treatments are strongly advised to have the pneumonia vaccine administered to them, as they are exposed to a high risk of developing the disease. Pneumonia vaccines are also recommended to very young children (ages over 2) and elderly people (ages over 60). For most people, a single dose of the pneumonia vaccine can offer a long-term protection against infectious agents. However, people with special conditions and elderly people need to take the pneumonia vaccine periodically. After receiving the initial dose of pneumonia vaccine, some people need to take another vaccine every 3-4 years. Pneumonia vaccines are very safe and they have mild side-effects. The common side-effects that can occur after the pneumonia vaccine are: temporary swelling, irritation or local pain. Pneumonia vaccines are the best means of fighting against pulmonary infectious diseases and they are strongly recommended to anyone.

Countdown to summer fitness challenge how to get fit and lose weight in 6 weeks

How about those fabulous bike rides in the park! What about grilling barbeque on the deck? Are you down for a little surfing and tanning on the beach? Summer will be upon us in less than six weeks. Not only do we want to enjoy the warm months that are rapidly approaching, we want to look like we are enjoying them. It doesn’t matter if it is ten, twenty, forty, or seventy pounds, just get started! Weight loss should be slow and steady, while focusing on cutting calories and increasing exercise. It is important to refrain from overexerting yourself. Weight loss takes time. I have never been one to acknowledge or accept the idea of dieting. The true meaning of dieting is counting and managing your calories for a specific amount of time in order to reach a target weight goal. This concerns me because it is temporary. What happens when you resume your normal eating habits? You gain weight! I believe in making a complete paradigm in the way we think about food. You can do this by establishing good eating habits. Why not establish a habit of consuming 500-600 calories for breakfast instead of 1,500? If you replace muffins, bagels, pancakes, sausage, grits and bacon with fruit, turkey bacon, cottage cheese, grain cereal, or yogurt, you will probably find yourself 10 pounds lighter on breakfast alone. Do the same for lunch and dinner and lose an additional 10-20 pounds. Wait until you add exercise into the equation. Exercise for thirty minutes per day, four to five times a week and watch additional pounds drop. Of course, this takes determination and discipline. Yet, habits are habits. Once you get used to a routine of eating certain foods, it becomes second nature. Weight management not only helps you look better, but helps you feel better. You will begin to notice an increase in energy and an improvement in health. It is important to monitor the amount of cholesterol you consume. Diets high in cholesterol can lead to heart disease, heart attacks and stroke. Be sure to get a cholesterol screening on a regular basis. Eat fish at least twice a week, preferably those with darker flesh, such as, salmon, herring mackerel, and lake trout. They are high in Omega-3 fatty acids, which lower blood cholesterol. It is also important to eat foods that will not contribute to high blood pressure. Limit your alcohol intake to less than two drinks per day, limit your salt intake, and reduce the saturated fat in your diet. Saturated fat can be found in animal products like milk, cheese, and meat. Let go of the cigarettes or tobacco products! Smoking increases your risk of heart disease and stroke. Try nonfat yogurt, salsa, or nonfat sour cream instead of sour cream or butter on baked potatoes. Try substituting fresh vegetables and tomatoes sauce for creamy sauces, when eating pasta. Substitute basic breads and cereal grains for bagels, muffins, and croissants. A diet high in fruits and vegetables will help you ward off cancer and other diseases because of the cancer-fighting agents contained in them. They contain a lot of fiber and a diet high in fiber decreases your risk of developing colon cancer and other types of cancer. Fruits and vegetables also contain Vitamin A (beta carotene) and C, both of which contain cartenoids and antioxidants. Cartenoids can also be found in dark leafy vegetables, carrots, cantaloupe, papaya, sweet potatoes, and tomatoes. Additional sources of Vitamin C are strawberries, oranges, broccoli, peppers, and tomatoes. It is always best to lightly steam your vegetables. The closer they are to being raw, the higher their nutritional value. People have asked me how exercise can give you energy. It seems as though it takes your energy away because you utilize so much energy when you exercise. This is the farthest thing from the truth. The more you exercise and lose weight, the more energy you get and keep because you are carrying less weight, which takes less energy. The more you exercise, the more you are able to exercise. After you get your weight to a manageable level, monitor or keep a close eye on it. Weigh yourself everyday. That way, you can take measures or do things to nip sudden weight gain. If you find yourself five or ten pounds heavier than your target weight, you should cut back immediately. It becomes a problem when we wait until we are 30, 60, or 100 pounds overweight. It can feel like you’re fighting a losing battle when your weight gain has become too extreme. It is a good idea to make a list of different ways to incorporate walking into your daily life. If you live near a metro transit station, drive there, park your car and ride the train and walk to work. If you are a new mother, get a stroller that will enable you to burn calories while you are walking your baby. Why not take the stairs, instead of the elevator? You would be surprised at how many calories you can burn by gardening, swimming, skating, hiking, and dancing. Believe it or not, you can have fun while losing weight. Exercise, along with a positive attitude, and a healthy diet will help you to manage your weight and improve your health. Exercise does not have to be rigorous to be valuable. You will probably do yourself a disservice by exercising too hard. Take it easy. Just gradually build up your resistance to a manageable level. Always remember that if you can not talk and walk at the same time, then you are walking too fast. If you have any of the following health problems, it is a good idea to talk to your doctor before beginning any exercise program. • Heart trouble • Dizziness or faintness • Chest pains • Diabetes • High blood pressure • Arthritis How to prepare food for a good diet and low calories: • Eat Fish at least twice a week, preferable baked, broiled, or grilled. Reduce serving size to 2-3 ounces. • To reduce fat, use lean poultry and fish, as well as, lean cuts of meat such as top and bottom round and tenderloin. Avoid second servings. Feel free to replace some meats with beans or grains. • Eat at least three to five servings of fruit and vegetables a day. Fruit like kiwi, figs, apples, raspberries, and blueberries are high in fiber and nutrition. Vegetables such as, broccoli, brussel sprouts, beets, cauliflower, carrots, spinach, chili peppers, red bell peppers, squash, sweet potatoes and tomatoes have high nutritional value and are great anti-oxidants (contain cancer-fighting agents). • Eat whole-grain, whole-wheat bread, pasta, tortillas, and cereals daily • Eat cooked dry beans, peas, and lentils regularly • Eat popcorn with no added oil, salt, or butter. • Drink skim milk or 1% milk • You should drink at least 24 ounces of water per day, especially since you will be exercising. • Limit the oil you use for cooking • Steam your vegetables or sautй using wine or a half teaspoon of oil • Use herbs and spices for seasoning, instead of sauces and butter • Salads should be eaten with fat-free dressing or a combination of red wine vinegar and oil • Drink a glass of water in the morning when you wake • Limit your consumption of lean, red meat to no more than four times per month Copyright © 2006 by Pamela Jewell, M. Ed., Ed. S.

An easy way to soothe stress

Hey, listen up. It’s time to relax, chill out, and release those pent-up physical, mental and emotional tensions. When dealing with everyday stress and the probability of stress build-up, NOW is always the right time to be proactive; to beat stress before it beats you. Think of stress as a silent enemy. It can sneak up on you at any time and get you down before you even realize what’s happening. More often than not stress is accompanied by it’s close companion: higher levels of anxiety. So, what do you do? You take action, that’s what. Your very first line of defence is to establish a habit of performing a regular relaxation routine. Getting into a deep state of relaxation induces calmness to soothe your body, your mind and your emotions. And what is a state of calmness? It’s the exact opposite of stress and anxiety. As a matter of fact, you could call it the antidote to stress and anxiety. Start using this antidote. Take time out at least twice every day to do the relaxation routine outlined below. Regard this as your quality time; a time for you and you alone. Start thinking calm, feeling calm, and being calm. Relaxation Routine 1. Lie down, or sit in a comfortable armchair or recliner. 2. Take a deep breath and hold it for about five seconds. Release that breath slowly, and imagine all feelings of stress and tension leaving your body as you release the air. When the air has left your lungs, hold your breath once again for about five seconds before breathing in. As you breathe in imagine your body and mind filling with calmness. 3. Repeat this cycle of breathing a number of times until your breathing falls in a nice long, slow gentle rhythm. Allow a comfortable pause at the end of each inhalation and exhalation. 4. As you maintain the relaxing rhythm of your breathing, bring your attention to the top of your head. Imagine that all the tiny muscles in your scalp are being soothed and massaged by warm invisible hands. 5. Feel the warm hands massaging around your ears and down along the back of your neck to the tops of your shoulders. 6. Now bring your attention to your forehead. Feel those invisible fingers smoothing away any wrinkles that may be in your forehead. 7. Next, focus on your eyes. Imagine the warm fingers gentle massaging all around your eyes. Feel the relaxing warmth from the fingers spreading throughout your eyes; feel your eyes relaxing and letting go of all tensions. 8. Think of the soothing hands massaging the rest of your face. Notice how your lower jaw relaxes and notice how this cosy, warm feeling of relaxation spreads into your tongue. 9. Check your breathing once again to make sure it’s rhythm is long and slow. 10. Now bring your attention to the invisible hands and imagine them massaging and loosening your shoulders and shoulder blades. Imagine what it would be like if waves of relaxation were flowing down along your arms and into your fingertips. 11. Those massaging hands now work on your back. They soothe and loosen the muscles on either side of your spine, and then stroke smoothly down along the vertebrae. 12. Imagine what it would be like to feel a state of deep relaxation seeping downwards into your legs and feet. Imagine how all the muscles in your legs and feet would go loose and limp. 13. Allow feelings of deep relaxation and calmness to immerse your body and your mind. 14. Feel yourself drifting deeper and deeper into pleasurable feelings of calmness and tranquillity.

Achieving success with your health and fitness don t give up when you slip up

It is Sunday night. As your head hits the pillow, you decide that this week you really will stick to your diet and exercise regimen. You will not have your usual doughnut in the morning at the coffee shop. You plan to have a salad for lunch and skip dessert after dinner all week. You will also head for the gym after work before going home three times this week. It seems like a reasonable plan and you have every intention of sticking to it. But as you pick up your coffee on Monday morning, you just can’t help ordering a doughnut too. And since you have already ruined your diet for the day, you grab a fast food meal for lunch, skip the gym and have a big bowl of ice cream after dinner. If this sounds at all familiar to you, read on. The truth is a lot of people have this mindset when it comes to their health and fitness. They tend to give up when they slip up. But in reality, people who find success will fail many times before they succeed, no matter what their goal. Consider one of the greatest inventions of Thomas Edison. It has been said that it took him 10,000 attempts to make a working light bulb. Lesser inventors would have quit after ten, one hundred or even one thousand trials. But Edison defined failure as a step toward his goal, not a reason to give up on it. It was as if he realized that he would have to find 9,999 ways not to make a light bulb before he could achieve his goal. Try applying this method to your health and fitness. Realize that you will make countless mistakes on your way to achieving your objectives. There will be many missed workouts and loads of poor food choices along your road to success. Remember that you will find many ways not to achieve your goal before you triumph over it. The trick is to learn from these mistakes and move on. Realize what went wrong and how you can avoid similar situations in the future. Can you make coffee at home so you are not tempted to buy a doughnut at the coffee shop? Can you find an exercise buddy who will make you less likely to miss workouts? Can you make an activity-based date instead of a meal-based date with your friends or significant other? From now on, when it comes to your goals, don’t use failure as an excuse to quit. Instead, see it as a way not to achieve your goal. Then, get back on the right path and keep at it until you get to where you want to be. copyright 2006 Jennifer D. Wetmore, DPT

Self improvement

No matter what part of society you operate in, mental health care is one of the most ignored issues that there is. I know this might seem like an excessive generalization, but think about it. If people are sick - even if they just have a minor cold - they often go to the doctor. At the very least, they might take a sick day. With mental health disorders, however, illness is ignored until it reaches a critical level. Basically, mental illnesses are completely acceptable as long as you can still function in your job. If you constantly had sinus pain, congestion, and a runny nose, people would think that you were insane if you didn't go to the doctor. Nonetheless, there are people with neurotic conditions that last their whole lives who never seek any mental health counseling. This is why it is so important to educate people on the importance of health mental. Mental health outreach is crucial. Everyone, from victims of torture and horrible physical abuse to people who have grown up in a fairly normal and healthy environment, runs into a psychological issue at some point in their life. It is estimated to be practically epidemic in our society. Depression mental health issues account for hundreds of thousands of missed workdays every year, and suicide has become a common preventable cause of death. If you know someone who has a psychological health problem, it is important that you do everything in your power to get them into therapy. Undiagnosed mental health problems can put an incredible strain on the patient and the community. Unfortunately, our society has an absence of mental health support. There is emergency mental health care available almost everywhere, but once you're out of that critical stage, unless you have extremely good insurance, it is hard to be covered. The philosophy is basically to give you a pill and forget about it. Back even a couple decades ago, health care mental was much better. People could get full courses of therapy to help them deal with chronic mental health problems. The problem is that the pharmaceutical companies and the health care providers are more concerned with profit than with people. It is cheaper to write out a prescription for Prozac than to actually get to the root of a mental issue. Until our society changes its attitudes about psychological health, things will only continue to get worse. SO...What do we do? You and i can take the matter of mental health, and self improvement, and take care of ourselfs, if the problem is not too bad. Self esteem, confidence, including the power of 'positive thinking' can all be improved, with tools like NLP, a "mind tool",what i like to call it, which changed a person like 'Anthony Robbins',to great heights, as we all know. But even the best garden in the world, needs to be maintained..to stay in good shape. From Sukbinder SINGH The-Better-Mind. Self Improvement Made Easy.

Obesity and poor male sexual health

Obesity is one of the reasons why a lot of people suffer from many health ailments. Being obese or having too much fat than what the human body needs can lead to many health conditions like type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, sleep apnea, and stroke. Moreover, obese men are at high risk of developing blood vessel blockage that may cause erectile dysfunction (ED) and hamper their sexual health. Studies show that over 80 percent of men who reported having experienced ED were overweight or obese. These conditions may affect the achievement or sustainment of an erection because of the impact on the complex interaction of sensory information, nerves, blood vessels, and hormones. The vascular tissues of the blood needs to be filled with blood after the nerves have carried sexual stimulation messages to the brain. ED occurs when the body experiences a disruption in any of the factors that leads to an erection. One of the disruptions that may occur is the blockage of arteries that deliver blood to the tissues of the penis. Aside from excessive weight and fat in the body, other obesity-linked factors that adversely affects a person's health include the presence of high blood pressure, high levels of trigylycerides, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or the accumulation of bad cholesterol which is also associated with low levels of high-density lipoprotein. Because of these dangers, it is important to determine the right amount of body fat that a person can have at any given time. Many health professionals use the body mass index (BMI) to determine if individuals are carrying too much fat. It is based on one's height and waist, and estimates whether one's weight is healthy or not, and if one is overweight and obese. These health experts say that a healthy BMI for individuals is between 19 and 26. A BMI of 27 to 30 is regarded as overweight, while 30 above is classified as obese. If one's BMI is below 19, it may lead to health problems like osteoporosis, malnutrition, liver disease, and inadequate absorption of nutrients from the intestines. BMI applies to individuals, regardless of their sex, age, frame size or muscle mass. Many health and relationship specialists suggest the following steps to overcoming obesity and for improving sexual health: Meet up with a doctor and get information regarding safe diet pills, surgeries, or diet plans available for addressing obesity. Change or remove every food item in your diet which makes you fat. Motivate yourself and engage in regular exercise and outdoor activities. Talk to your partner about your performance problem and work out a plan to solve it together. Find out simpler ways to make love. Position yourself in such a way that your partner doesn't feel suffocated. Give each other emotional support. Overweight and obese men should remember that there are no shortcuts to good health. People who are overweight or obese should consider in a change in lifestyle and food regimen. Doctors and other health professionals should be consulted to develop a plan that might work for certain individuals. Men with weight problems must start and maintain an exercise program to shed of unwanted pounds and improve cardiovascular health. Improvements in these areas may lead to improved overall health, enhanced well-being, and optimum sexual health.

Testicular injuries great balls on fire

Boys will be boys. They are naturally physically active. They run a lot and get involved in brawls and fights most of the time. They are sports-minded and energetic. They always appear to be strong and mighty. But there is one vulnerable part in a man's body that needs to be treated tenderly: the crotch. Though testicular injuries are uncommon, men must not discount the fact that such accidents could occur. Men who regularly engage in sports such as basketball, cycling, or lifting weights are aware of this fact. Some sports can expose a man's testicles to possible injuries. Unlike other parts and organs of the body, the testicles are not protected by bones and muscles. They hang in a sac outside the body called the scrotum and, as such, make the said body part a prime target for accidents. However, because the testicles are loosely attached to the man's body and are made of a spongy material, they are able to absorb most collisions without permanent damage. Testicles, although sensitive, can bounce back pretty quickly and minor injuries rarely have long-term effects. The good news is that sexual health functions or sperm production will most likely not be affected if you have a testicular injury. Definitely, it will cause pain if the testicles are struck or kicked, which may lead to a feeling of nausea for a short time. For minor testicular injury, pain should gradually subside in less than an hour and any other symptoms should go away. In the meantime, over-the-counter pain relief can make you feel better or you may do some simple remedies such as lying down, applying ice packs to the affected area or wearing supportive underwear. However, avoiding strenuous activity for a while and taking it easy for a few days can be of great help. Symptoms of a much more serious injury that needs to be addressed as soon as possible are the following: · Pain doesn't subside or you experience extreme pain that lasts longer than an hour; · Swelling or bruising of the scrotum or a puncture of the scrotum or testicle; · Continued nausea and vomiting; and · Fever. Two of the most serious testicular injuries are testicular torsion and testicular rupture. Testicular torsion is not a common injury but usually affects males between 12 to 18 years old. In the case of testicular torsion, the testicle twists around, cutting off its blood supply. This can occur due to a serious trauma to the testicles, strenuous activity, or even for no apparent reason. It is very critical to see a doctor as soon as possible - within six hours of the time the pain starts. Unfortunately, after six hours, there is a much greater possibility that complications could result, including reduced sperm production or the loss of the testicle. The problem may be fixed by a doctor manually untwisting the testicle. If that doesn't work, surgery will be necessary. On the other hand, testicular rupture is a rare type of testicular trauma. This can happen when the testicle receives a forceful direct blow or when the testicle is crushed against the pubic bone causing blood to leak into the scrotum. Testicular rupture, like testicular torsion and other serious injuries to the testicles, causes extreme pain, swelling in the scrotum, nausea and vomiting. To fix the problem, surgery is necessary to repair the ruptured testicle. Consulting a doctor will require the length of time pain is being experienced by the patient and how severe the discomfort is. To rule out a hernia or other problem as the cause of the pain, the doctor will examine the abdomen and groin. Moreover, the doctor will look at the scrotum for swelling, color, and damage to the skin and examine the testicle itself. A urine test to rule out urinary tract infection or infection of the reproductive organs may also be conducted. Being involved in sports activities and living an active lifestyle are great ways to stay fit and relieve stress. Just make sure you are wearing support and protective gear to avoid testicular injury especially when the game turns rough and reckless.