Many people are fearful, anxious or phobic about something — a dark room, a fury cat, being on top of a tall building, or being in a small, cramped room. These fears or phobias may be exaggerated or irrational yet they cause so much distraction and distress.

In the long list of fears known to man, perhaps one of the most difficult to bear is the condition called social anxiety disorder. This disorder refers to the constant fear of being criticized by other people. People who have this problem are so self-conscious to the point that they feel that everyone around them is looking at them. In the process, socially anxious people become afraid of the world around them.

According to National Institute of Mental Health, …social phobia is characterized by overwhelming anxiety in everyday social situations. It can be any type of situation—such as fear of speaking in formal or informal situations.

Anxiety in social situations is not felt by shy, insecure people alone. Famous people like the singer Donny Osmond the brother of Marie Osmond also had social anxiety. In a very intimate interview, Donny Osmond revealed that, for years, he struggled with stage freight and would experience anxiety panic attacks right before a public performance.

Another famous person diagnosed with social anxiety disorder is singer-actress Barbara Streisand, who, in 1967, became so anxious that she forgot the lyrics of song in front of a large crowd. She was so embarrassed that she stayed away from performing in public for a long time after that moment of song amnesia.

The great actor Laurence Olivier who stunned audiences with his theatrical genius also struggled with social phobia for five years just when he was at the peak of his career.

Social anxiety disorder is not so easy to spot in a person. A person with so much insecurity and anxiety in being in the middle of a social occasion can still hide his predicament. Even with all the anxiety, that person can still act witty and gregarious.

But there are some people who literally freeze whenever they face a crowd or even a small number of people. Their excessive self-consciousness somehow paralyzes them, making them unable to function well in social circles. At first glance, people with social anxiety disorder may exhibit chronic fear, sweating, trembling, stammering, and blushing whenever they stand in front of people. They are also easily embarrassed or humiliated by even the slightest hint of being at the center of attention.

Social phobia affects more than five million Americans and is now the third most common disorder after depression and alcoholism. It affects all gender and ages but usually starts in childhood or early adolescence. It is often accompanied by depression and some have fallen into the trap of substance abuse in the hope that drugs would help them cope with their anxieties. They feel distress whenever they have this following situations

l Being introduced;
l Being teased;
l Being criticized;
l Being at the center of attention; or
l Being out of place.

One of the most common treatments for social anxiety disorder is called cognitive-behavioral therapy. Medication such as antidepressant prescriptions are used conjunction with the said therapy. Social anxiety, as well as other forms of anxiety, can be successfully treated today if a patient works with a qualified therapist or doctor. A physician can determine whether the symptoms that alarm you are due to anxiety disorder, or if these are symptoms of another medical condition. As they say, there is nothing to fear but fear itself. Commitment and determination to face one’s fears will surely lead to freedom, confidence, and a better appreciation for people and life itself.

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.

Starting from around Thanksgiving to roughly the end of Christmas, people eat more than they usually do at any other time of year. This period of time is sometimes nicknamed the season of gluttony, where even the most health and weight-conscious individuals forget about the stress of watching what they eat and dig into whatever happens to be on the table at the time. For some, avoiding the stress and anxiety that comes with turning down food during the Holidays is often enough to make them go on eating binges until the 25th comes around and all this insanity ends.

After all, a little indulgence during this relatively short amount of time isn’t going to have any harmful side effects on the body, is it? Well, medical science may have something to say about that assumption. For most, the worst things that can happen are things like indigestion, a hang-over for those among you who drink, and the need to get looser-fitting clothing. However, science says that there may be more drastic side effects than that, some of which may appear immediately, while others may manifest later on.

The immediate effects usually come in the form of flatulence and bouts of indigestion that vary in terms of intensity. Putting on a few extra pounds after a couple of meals is perfectly understandable and, for some people, even expected. Other, more dangerous side effects can appear, however. For example, it is quite possible for someone to experience nausea and drowsiness while driving home after a particularly big Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. Pain in the gallbladder and a mild dulling of alertness and reflexes can also come because of massive meals. However, these are just the preliminary things that people have to worry about.

The higher the quantity that was eaten and the more fat content it had, the longer it takes for the meal to actually finish being dissolved by stomach acids. This causes an extra load to be placed on the body, forcing the circulatory system to pump more blood into the digestive system to keep up with the load. This deprives over areas of the body their regular supply of blood and nutrients, which results in things like nausea and drowsiness. For the average system, this is not a major problem, but for people with already strained cardiovascular systems, this can result in things like heart attacks and higher blood pressure levels.

The ability of the human mind to ignore things like being full is an evolutionary mechanism that allows humans to stock up on body fat in times of plenty. This, in theory, allows people to have a larger energy reserve when food is scarce. The body and mind does place limits on things like these, but during the Holiday season, most people are able to ignore this impulse in favor of eating more food. People find it much harder to turn down food during the Holidays, especially if they’re not participating in the usual family conversations that happen during these times. However, reducing the amount of food eaten can be critical in avoiding a number of complications that may arise from over-eating during the season.

Most people use sleeping pills as a drug to relieve stress and anxiety, muscle tension, and insomnia. A sleeping pill is a prescription medication that helps a person fall asleep or at least remain asleep. There are two categories of sleeping aids sold in the U.S today prescription and over-the-counter sleeping pills. The prescription sleeping pills contains an active ingredient called Benzodiazepines and diazepam. Over-the-counter-sleeping pills can be bought without prescription and it contains antihistamines.

Sleeping pills have been around for centuries. The earliest form of sleeping aids were the herbal potions and the opiate laudanum. Barbiturates were later introduced in the early 1900′s and this type of drug actually had 25,000 known compounds. However, barbiturates were eventually regulated due to its very addictive effects. Other sleeping pills being marketed today are known as sedatives, muscle relaxants, and nerve pills. These medications are often used for relief of depression, anxiety or those who have difficulties in sleeping. Difficulty in sleeping is caused by stress factors in life like the loss of a job, early retirement, the loss of loved ones, and financial problems.

Listed below are some of the known side-effects of sleeping pills

drowsiness
lack of concentration
confusion
irritability
anxious
headache
nausea
constipation
blurred vision
dry mouth and throat

Other concerns related to the use of both over-the-counter and prescription sleeping pills also include

drug dependence
drug tolerance
interactions with other drugs
rebound insomnia
withdrawal symptoms

Even if there have been advances in terms of the manufacturing of sleeping pills, misuse can still lead to cases of sleeping pill overdose.

There are actually alternatives to the use of sleeping pills and tranquillizers. If you think that taking sleeping pills is not for you, these healthy and non-drug alternatives might just help you deal with your sleeping problems

Drink warm milk
Take a hot water bath before you go to bed
Make your bed more comfortable
Avoid coffee, soft drinks and tea after 5 pm
Don’t drink alcohol in the evening—it can keep you awake

However, if you really must use prescription sleeping pills, please make sure to follow these safety guidelines

1.Do not take the sleeping pills when you are stressed out or have certain anxieties. Don’t use it as an instant cure for your depression, loneliness, and other emotional problems.
2.Know your medication, how often you should take it , how long and if its safe to use it even if one is taking alcohol.
3.Do not keep on taking the medication if you find it that is not suitable for you.
4.Check with your doctor when you stop taking sleeping pills or tranquillizers.
5.Never share nor borrow medication.

The main purpose of taking sleeping aids or medications that induce sleep is to provide you some temporary relief from insomnia. It is not the long-term solution to sleeping problems. The resolution of your anxieties and other problems is the best sleep inducer you can take.

Im pregnant? How can that be? I was not expecting this to happen!

These are some of the common reactions of women who became aware of their pregnancy at the very last moment. Since many women today basically missed the early signs of pregnancy, they only became aware that they are indeed pregnant after they try using a home pregnancy kit or after their gynecologists confirm it.

To avoid the hassle and drama of unwanted pregnancy, it is best for all sexually active women to become responsible enough to engage in safe sex and of course, to become aware of the early signs of pregnancy.

The following are the seven signs of pregnancy

1. Light to moderate spotting

Moderate spotting generally occurs before a womans menstrual period begins. Spotting can also be a sign of pregnancy as implantation starts. Since this type of bleeding is brownish and the flow is usually light to moderate just like the pre-menstrual spotting, some women often disregard it as an early sign of pregnancy.

2. Increased body temperature

Just like the spotting, sudden increased in body temperature is also one of the most frequently missed signs of pregnancy among women, for this also normally happens during menstrual period. If a womans basal body temperature is higher than normal, then it can be a symptom for pregnancy.

3. Nausea

Nausea or morning sickness is one of the most common signs of pregnancy. This basically happens during the first to two weeks of pregnancy. Although the feeling of nausea and vomiting oftentimes occur anytime within the day, these can trigger when one least expects it.

4. Missed period

A missed period is probably the most obvious indication that a woman is pregnant. When this happens, women tend to immediately look for other signs of pregnancy or better yet, confirm their condition by means of reliable pregnancy home kit.

5. Frequent urination

A pregnant woman may not notice her frequent trips to the comfort room, but others can easily notice this, thus, an indication of pregnancy. This symptom happens because the uterus begins to swell and pressure on the bladder eventually occurs.

6. Tender breasts and nipples

Tender and swollen breasts and nipples are signs of menstrual bleeding, but these can also be indications that a woman might be pregnant. A woman may notice such soreness during sleeping, exercising, and even while getting dressed. Apart from soreness and tenderness of the breast as possible signs of pregnancy, a woman may also notice that her nipples darken in color.

7. Exhaustion or fatigue

A sudden feeling of fatigue or exhaustion is also one of the early signs of pregnancy. A woman can tell if shes pregnant when she easily becomes exhausted and tired even after doing little or no activity at all.

These are just seven of the many early signs of pregnancy. Since the symptoms explained above are perhaps the most obvious indications that a woman is pregnant, one should confirm pregnancy by immediately consulting a gynecologist. Keep in mind that not all signs of pregnancy apply to every woman, hence, a trip to the gyne can definitely save one from the paranoia of possible pregnancy.

Migraines are thought to be caused by the dilation and constriction of arteries in the head. These can be extremely painful headaches. The pain is often limited to one side of the head, and may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting.

Most often, visual migraine, just like regular migraine headaches, can be brought about by stress, fatigue and changing estrogen levels. It occurs more often in females and more often during adolescence and menopause. On rare occasions these visual attacks are associated with other more serious problems.

Ocular or visual migraine is the most common type of migraine. It is believed to be caused by the same problem that leads to classical migraine vascular spasm. Instead of the spasm affecting the surface of the brain, these episodes affect the ocular blood supply or the blood supply to the vision center in the brain. Generally, people don’t associate this visual distress with migraine because migraine is commonly associated with headaches. But one can have a visual migraine with no headache at all although 40-50 of visual migraines are associated with a mild headache shortly after the vision clears.

The symptoms for ocular migraines include blurred vision usually more on one eye. The blurriness is unique because there might be an awareness of something happening in the blurred area, like shimmering, or flashes, or heat waves rising off a hot roadway. This kind of blurriness is called a positive scotoma blind spot. It is termed as positive because there is something happening in the blind spot that we see. It typically begins in the peripheral vision, and usually consists of a semi-circular, jagged, shimmering light, which enlarges and becomes more central. After ten to thirty minutes, the disturbance just fades away. The visual disruption is caused by spasm and dilatation of small blood vessels in the part of the brain where vision is processed. The sufferer may or may not feet a mild headache over the brow area after the disturbance. Many ocular migraine sufferers complain only of fatigue after the visual disturbance.

In many cases, migraines are believed to be brought on by stress. “Friday night” headache often follows the stress relief of a frenetic week during which the blood vessels in the head relax and constrict. Visual migraines usually occur after extended periods of reading, watching television, computer work, or other close work that requires the eyes. This type of headache usually disappears after a period of rest. In some cases, headaches may be caused by eyestrain related to eyeglasses.

Doctors will routinely record a complete history and perform thorough physical checking to rule out systemic causes of the migraine. Ophthalmologists should be consulted to verify that no eye-related problems are bringing on the headache. Stress relief, control of blood pressure, or medications to maintain appropriate hormone levels may also be necessary. New glasses or different work lighting may be also prescribed by your doctor. Proper care of the body, a well-balanced diet, proper lifestyle choices and regular exercise may also help reduce visual migraines.

In these busy times, we may take persistent headaches for granted. After all, we are living in an environment where stress is nothing out of the norm. But don’t be too careless, if you feel something wrong, be it a simple headache, or a short dizzy spell, consult a health professional immediately for proper medical evaluation.