Q I feel my testicle bag contracting, no pain, but it will not stop contracting day or night. I have seen many doctors and underwent an operation but helpless cau you please suggest some thing?

In order to produce sperms optimally, testicles need to maintain a lower temperature compared to the rest of the body. Hence, in cold climates, it is normal to testicles to shrink and move closer to the body in order to maintain an optimum temperature. However in hot climates, the testicles usually hang lower to cool off. This contraction and relaxation takes place due to the cremaster muscle and dartos fascia. Changes in the intraabdominal pressure, contraction of the abdominal muscles and most commonly, spasm of the cremaster muscle can cause contraction of the testicles. Try to keep a warm atmosphere at your home and office. Prefer boxers to briefs. See a surgeon to find out the exact cause and treat accordingly.

Q What is Schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a brain disorder that affects the way a person acts, thinks, and sees the world. People with schizophrenia have an altered perception of reality, often a significant loss of contact with reality. They may see or hear things that dont exist, speak in strange or confusing ways, believe that others are trying to harm them, or feel like theyre being constantly watched. With such a blurred line between the real and the imaginary, schizophrenia makes it difficult even frightening to negotiate the activities of daily life. In response, people with schizophrenia may withdraw from the outside world or act out in confusion and fear.

Q My 10 year old daughter continues to wet the bed. Not every night, but i thought it would stop as she grows but still hasnt. I wonder if there is something medically wrong.

If you daughter has nocturnal enuresis sometimes, it may need further evaluation, as this is not so common in teenagers. There are some factors that may affect urine control in teens. These include excessive intake of caffeine drinks like tea or coffee, deep sleep pattern which can be a normal for growing teen, excessive emotional stress or fear of something, inconsistent sleep timings etc. These things can be corrected in order to fix the problem. Other things to give consideration are certain medications, diabetes of other medical diseases, family history of parents having the same problem, urinary tract infection, etc. If she is having this problem since her childhood, then this can be considered as primary nocturnal enuresis and she can be out of 2% of girls who continues with this till they reach their teen. This thing can be improved with proper counselling to her. Making her to use bathroom before going to bed. Limiting her fluid intake before going to bed. She can be effectively treated with moisture alarms while asleep. It will be less likely that she will need medications for this. Proper counselling and educating her may motivate her to take initiation to cure herself. You may take her to physician to rule out underlying disease if any.

Q My wife is not able to absorb the sperm after relationship and thats way she is not able to get pregnant.

After sexual intercourse it is normal for some amount of seminal fluid to ooze out from the vagina. This will not affect your wifes chance of getting pregnant. However if you are trying since more than a year and have not succeed than it is necessary that both of you get yourself examined. For female examination like ultrasonography and for males semen analysis is recommended.

Q What Psychological Factors Contribute to Mental Illness?

The reasons which cause mental illness- Significant interpersonal loss and family instability, such as death of loved one, misfortune, poor relationship with family, domestic partner violence, separation, and divorce, emotional detachment have all been identified as risk factors. Financial stress, unemployment, and a drop in socioeconomic status can also be triggers for mental illness. This is also the case for a range of acute and chronic health problems, such as pain syndromes, or diagnoses of conditions like HIV or cancer. Some mental illnesses have been linked to an abnormal balance of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters help nerve cells in the brain communicate with each other. If these chemicals are out of balance or are not working properly, messages may not make it through the brain correctly, leading to symptoms of mental illness. In addition, defects in or injury to certain areas of the brain also have been linked to some mental conditions.

Q I get angry very often. How can I control my anger?

Getting angry is normal. One needs to concentrate not on "not feeling angry" or "controlling anger" but on how to manage that anger correctly. First of all try to identify the things, people, or situations that trigger anger. You can even keep a dairy. Note the ways in which you react to these situations. Then look for alternative ways of responding to the same situations. Practice this alternative adaptive response till it becomes a part of your nature. Recognizing anger and triggers, practicing alternatives and doing this persistently with positive attitude is the key.

Q What tips do you have for someone with Social Anxiety?

At first, being social when youre feeling anxious is challenging. As difficult or painful as it may seem initially, dont avoid situations that trigger your symptoms. By regularly facing these kinds of situations, youll continue to build and reinforce your coping skills. The following techniques can help you begin to face situations that make you nervous: Prepare for conversation. For instance, read the newspaper to identify an interesting story you can talk about. 1. Focus on personal qualities you like about yourself. 2. Practice relaxation exercises. 3. Adopt stress management techniques. 4. Set realistic goals. 5. Pay attention to how often the embarrassing situations youre afraid of actually take place. You may notice that the scenarios you fear usually dont come to pass. 6. When embarrassing situations do happen, remind yourself that your feelings will pass, and you can handle them until they do. 7. Develop coping skills- Hang out with people whom with you feel comfortable, Joining a group that offers opportunities to improve communication and public speaking skills, remind yourself that you can get through anxious moments, that your anxiety is short-lived. 8. Take good sleep and healthy diet. Psychiatric counselling and medicine helps to deal with anxiety. Finally positive thinking and building self-confidence is the key to fight against your anxiety. Be confident. All the best.

Q My daughter has a perforated eardrum identified by our doctor today.Can she fly with this?

Yes, absolutely. There are no restrictions on flying with perforated ear drum. Rather, person with perforated ear drum may experience less discomfort and will get adjusted to air pressure changes more easily than a person with intact eardrums. Strange but true!! But if she has undergone any surgery for eardrum repair, then you should not proceed till her doctor permit to do so.

Q I want to know about fistula.

A fistula is an abnormal connection between an organ, vessel, or intestine and another structure. Fistulas are usually the result of injury or surgery. It can also result from infection or inflammation. often occur in the area around the genitals and anus (known as the perineum). It is connection between two body cavities eg. rectum and vagina. The symptom vary with the location of fistula.

Q I have sagging breast, since 2 years. I m very concerned about my sagging breast.

There is not much you can do about sagging other than gym exercise which will tone up the muscles and make breasts firm. Wear well fitting bra and sports bra during any strenuous physical activity. Breast lift surgery may help you to recover the condition to some extent.