Treating testicular cancer is based mainly on the stage and type of cancer. Among the different stages of tumors, pure seminomas and non-seminomas are treated differently. This is because pure seminomas are germ cell tumors and non-seminomas are mixed germ cell tumors. Before testicular cancer forms into a specific tumor, it goes through stage 0 or carcinoma in situ. Stage 0 As mentioned above, Carcinoma In Situ (CIS) is a stage 0 cancer that has not spread outside the testicle. If a biopsy to test for testicular cancer shows CIS, the best form of treatment is surgery. However, doctors might not recommend treating it immediately. They might examine the stage with physical exams, ultrasound, and blood tests to obtain the tumor marker levels. The tumor marker levels show whether the cancer is invasive and spreading to the nearby areas. If left untreated, the cancer might turn into any of the two types of tumors mentioned above. Let’s look at both the types of testicular cancer stages and the possible ways to treat them. Seminomas Stage I This form of cancer can be cured in almost every patient. Stage I states that cancer has formed into a tumor but is still localized and has not spread to the nearby areas.

A successful and healthy pregnancy is possible when both the man and woman are equally healthy and fertile. When it comes to men, there are certain factors that can affect their fertility. These factors are mentioned below: Libido : Libido is also known as sex drive. It suggests a person’s interest in having sexual intercourse with their partner. Erectile dysfunction : Erectile dysfunction can also be called impotence. A man is said to have erectile dysfunction when he is unable to maintain an erection. Sperm count : Semen quality is derived from sperm count, which describes the number of sperm cells present in a given portion of semen. Sperm motility : Sperm motility is the ability of a sperm to move to the egg for successful conception. Testosterone levels : Testosterone is the male sex hormone that is responsible for the development of the male reproductive tissues. Low testosterone levels in men can make them infertile. The above-stated factors can affect fertility in a man. There can be multiple causes of infertility in men, which may include genetics, health, underlying diseases, and dietary contaminants. Men can now combat the causes of infertility and work toward gaining great health and becoming fertile by following these steps:

To promote the smooth functioning of vital organs and neural networks, a balanced supply of essential vitamins and nutrients is necessary on a regular basis. An imbalance can disrupt the normal routine and lead to complications. If left unchecked, it may even be fatal in some cases. Hyperkalemia is a condition in which a person has high levels of potassium in the blood. Potassium is one of the most commonly found chemical compounds in the body. It plays a key role in neuromuscular and heart function which is why high levels can affect the heart, vital nerves, and various muscle groups. Common symptoms of hyperkalemia include muscle weakness, muscle spasms, fatigue, shortness of breath and hyperventilation, nausea, paralysis, tingling sensation, irregular heart rhythm, confusion, seizure, and coma. Note that extremely high levels of potassium can be fatal. Causes of hyperkalemia Kidney problem is one of the main causes of hyperkalemia. Some additional factors may contribute to the development of this condition. Some factors that may trigger hyperkalemia are: Addison’s disease This condition is a result of the adrenal glands not producing sufficient hormones. The imbalance in hormone production also triggers a change in the natural potassium levels in the body which is why Addison’s disease can result in hyperkalemia.

In normal cases, high prolactin levels are observed in nursing and pregnant women. Prolactin is produced by the pituitary gland. This gland is a small structure located in the brain, and along with prolactin, it secretes other hormones as well. The primary function of the prolactin hormone is to enhance the development of the breasts and to initiate lactation or breastfeeding. A blood test to check for high prolactin levels is usually prescribed in the case of irregular menstrual periods, breast milk leakage (especially if the woman is not nursing a baby), and infertility. Read on to know more about the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of high prolactin levels. Causes High prolactin levels or hyperprolactinemia is caused by multiple factors, including disease of the hypothalamus, kidney disease, pituitary tumor, hypothyroidism, and Cushing’s disease. Additionally, certain medications can also lead to high prolactin levels in the body. Prolactin levels are regulated by dopamine. So, medications that affect dopamine levels can interfere with prolactin levels as well. Medications that are prescribed for gastrointestinal and psychiatric disorders may lead to high prolactin levels. These medications include tricyclic antidepressants, antipsychotics, blood pressure medication, metoclopramide, verapamil, acid blockers, estrogens, serotonin reuptake inhibitors, phenothiazines, risperidone, and anti-nausea medications.

Menstruation or periods start during puberty and go on until menopause occurs. A woman experiences irregular periods or oligomenorrhea when there is a hormonal imbalance, a change in the method of contraception she takes, when she takes up endurance exercises, or due to hormonal changes when she approaches menopause. Irregular menstruation is quite common during puberty and menopause. However, if it occurs during the reproductive years, it is important to seek medical care. Read on to know more about the symptoms, causes, and complications of irregular menstruation. Symptoms of irregular menstruation Usually, menstrual cycles last for around 28 days. However, in some cases, cycles can vary between 24 and 35 days. In most cases, women have 11 to 13 menstrual cycles in a year; each cycle lasts for around 5 days. However, in certain cases, the cycles can last for between 2 to 7 days. In the beginning, when menstruation starts during puberty, it usually takes about 2 years for a regular cycle to be established. For most women, menstruation becomes regular after puberty with the nearly the same length of time between two consecutive periods. Irregular periods occur when the length of time between consecutive cycles and the amount of blood shed varies a lot.

There are multiple types of lipodystrophy; it can be inherited (genetic) or acquired. The inherited form of lipodystrophy can be congenital (present since birth) or may develop over a period during childhood. It may lead to loss of fat throughout the body or only in one area of the body. There are two main types of lipodystrophy: partial and generalized. Acquired generalized lipodystrophy is also known as Lawrence syndrome, and acquired partial lipodystrophy is also called as progressive lipodystrophy or Barraquer-Simons syndrome. Partial or localized lipodystrophy : This form of lipodystrophy is not usually related to abnormal health. In this, only one area of the body is affected. Generalized lipodystrophy : In this type of lipodystrophy, the fat tissue in the entire body is affected. When not diagnosed early, generalized lipodystrophy is mistaken for fat or weight gain. Read on to know about the causes and symptoms of this disorder. Causes Genetic mutations inherited from one generation to the next is one of the possible causes of inherited lipodystrophy. The exact cause of lipodystrophy is not known. However, there are certain triggers that may lead to this disorder. These include infections such as pneumonia, hepatitis, infectious mononucleosis, and measles. Autoimmune diseases in which the immune system attacks the body may also trigger lipodystrophy.

Living with a chronic, degenerative condition can be incredibly taxing on the individual suffering from it and their families, as there is no permanent cure to put a stop to the gradual deterioration the patient has to undergo. One such progressive ailment, which is known to affect one in 10,000 people in the country and affects the mind and body alike, is the Huntington’s disease. This disease is an inherited condition as it occurs due to the defective gene that the child inherits from their parents. Huntington’s disease is characterized by the progressive breakdown of the nerve cells in the brain, which, in turn, affects the individual’s functional abilities and causes movement, thinking, and psychiatric disorders. One of the prominent symptoms of Huntington’s disease is chorea, and like all the other symptoms associated with this condition, it gradually worsens over time. Chorea is basically a movement disorder that causes involuntary, unpredictable body movements, which can range from minor ones like fidgeting to severe uncontrolled movements of the arms and legs. It is known to be a symptom occurring in several other health conditions as well, and the treatment of the same depends on the type of chorea the patient suffers from.

Fibromyalgia is a syndrome affecting the soft tissues and muscles causing pain and discomfort. The symptoms of fibromyalgia include sleep problems, painful tender joints, chronic muscle pain, and fatigue. Diagnosing fibromyalgia The doctors check 18 specific points on a person’s body to examine how many of them are painful when pressed firmly. Newer diagnosis methods don’t require examining a tender pressure point. Instead, fibromyalgia can be easily diagnosed if a person has had widespread pain for more than three months without any underlying condition that could cause the pain. Apart from this, the following are some of the diagnostic procedures tests that can be used to confirm fibromyalgia: Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) – The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a type of blood test that measures the response of erythrocytes (red blood cells). It examines how quickly the red blood cells settle at the bottom of the test tube containing the blood sample. Red blood cells usually settle very slowly. However, faster-than-normal rate indicates inflammation in the body. Cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) – The immune system produces cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibodies, which are autoantibodies produced by the immune system to fight infections. This test detects and measures the amount of CCP antibodies in the blood.

A severe but treatable disorder, vitreomacular adhesion (VMA) impacts the central jelly-like part of the eyeball and the macula situated on the retina. One of the most sensitive parts of the retina, the macula enables one to see the finer details. As one grows older, the jelly-like substance in the eye starts to shrivel. Eventually, it separates from the retina. However, sometimes, the jelly doesn’t completely pull away and glues to the macula, causing vitreomacular adhesion. It can strongly hold on to the macula, pulling it. When this happens, it begins to affect the vision of a person. In medical terms, this is known as symptomatic VMA. Often, VMA is observed in individuals over the age of 50. It happens to be quite common in patients older than 70 years of age. Interestingly, it is more likely to affect women and people who are nearsighted. If left untreated, it can further cause distorted vision, and some cases elevate the risk of blindness. Symptoms of VMA If one is experiencing any of the following symptoms, they should notify their doctor immediately: Dull, unclear vision Wavy vision, that is, objects look distorted Micropsia, that is, a condition where things appear smaller than they actually are The doctor will diagnose VMA with the help of optical coherence tomography (OCT).

A rare and severe type of epilepsy, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) begins during childhood years, that is, between the age of 2 and 6 years. Children with LGS frequently suffer from different forms of seizures, which might trigger developmental delays and learning difficulties, which can range from moderate to severe. Moreover, some kids might even have behavioral issues. Lennox-Gastaut syndrome can be challenging to treat; however, several clinical trials are underway to design effective treatment plans. In the meantime, it is essential for parents to seek appropriate medical help, and, at the same time, provide their child with unconditional emotional and practical support. Causes of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome The exact cause of this disease is still undetermined, but medical investigators believe that the following conditions can be responsible for it: Cortical dysplasia, where certain nerve fibers in the brain fail to align properly while the child is still in the womb Brain infections such as encephalitis, meningitis, and rubella Tuberous sclerosis, where noncancerous growths develop in multiple organs, including the brain West’s syndrome, a condition where seizures start during infancy Lack of oxygen during birth Serious injuries to the brain during pregnancy or delivery, which could be possibly caused due to premature birth or low birth weight Certain types of genes Treating Lennox-Gastaut syndrome The treatment plan for LGS will depend on factors such as the frequency and intensity of the seizures.