Blog
Varicocele: What Is It, and Is Surgery Always Necessary?
Varicocele is an enlargement of the veins within the spermatic cord, which carry blood away from the testicle. The condition affects approximately 15% of men and most commonly develops on the left side due to anatomical characteristics of the venous system. Varicocele often causes no symptoms and is discovered incidentally during a urological examination or ultrasound.
Genetic testing when planning a pregnancy
Can you find out in advance whether your child is at risk of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and other inherited diseases? I explain who should consider genetic testing and how to interpret the results. You're planning to have a baby. Both of you feel healthy, and as far as you know, there is no history of serious inherited diseases in your families. So why would you need genetic testing? Some inherited risks aren't apparent from how healthy you feel. Monogenic carrier screening can help assess these risks by analyzing the DNA of prospective parents. Monogenic diseases are conditions caused by changes in a single gene. The test looks for genetic variants that can be passed on to children and, in certain combinations, may cause a disease.
Knee Joint Disorders: Diagnosis and Modern Treatment Approaches
The knee is one of the largest and most heavily loaded joints in the human body. It is subjected to significant stress during everyday activities such as walking, running, climbing stairs, and exercising. Pain, swelling, and restricted mobility may result not only from injuries but also from inflammatory, degenerative, and other pathological conditions.
Menopause: What You Need to Know and When to See a Doctor
Menopause is not a disease, nor does it mean that the body has “stopped working.” It is a natural stage in a woman’s life, associated with a gradual decline in ovarian function and estrogen levels. For most women, natural menopause occurs between the ages of 45 and 55. Menopause is diagnosed retrospectively after 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period, provided there is no other physiological or medical explanation. However, the changes associated with menopause often begin much earlier.
Do Bacteria in a Urine Test Need to Be Treated?
At first glance, the answer may seem obvious: if bacteria are detected, there must be an infection that needs to be treated. However, this is not always the case. If bacteria are present in the urine but a person has no urinary symptoms, this condition may represent asymptomatic bacteriuria. In most cases, it does not require antibiotic treatment. If symptoms are present but there are no additional signs of inflammation in the urine test, antibacterial treatment may not be indicated, and other possible causes of the symptoms should be considered and investigated.
How to Stop a Migraine Attack: Pain Relievers, Triptans, and Why Medications Do Not Always Work
Migraine can be very different from one person to another. For some patients, the pain builds gradually and responds well to a standard pain reliever. For others, a severe attack develops within an hour, with nausea, sensitivity to light, and an inability to work. In some cases, medication helps — but the pain returns several hours later.
Why Does Pain Persist Even When Test Results Are Normal?
"All my test results are normal, but the pain just won't go away." This is one of the most common situations encountered by patients with chronic pelvic pain, bladder pain syndrome (interstitial cystitis), chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS), vulvodynia, and several other chronic pain conditions. Many patients begin to wonder whether their doctor has "missed something" or whether the pain is "just psychological." In reality, there is a well-established biological mechanism known as central sensitization. According to the European Association of Urology (EAU) Guidelines on Chronic Pelvic Pain, central sensitization is considered one of the key mechanisms underlying chronic pelvic pain.
PDRN: The Procedure Everyone Is Talking About. But Does It Really Work?
PDRN has become one of the most talked-about procedures in modern aesthetic medicine. But what exactly is it, who can benefit from it, and what do current scientific evidence and clinical experience tell us?
PRP Hair Therapy: What Is It and How Does It Work?
PRP therapy is one of the most popular procedures in modern trichology. But what exactly is it, how does it work, and who can benefit from it? Let's explore what PRP therapy is and what current evidence tells us about its role in treating hair loss.
Depression and Anxiety Disorders: More Than Sadness and Worry
Depression is not laziness, and an anxiety disorder cannot be overcome through willpower alone. This article explains which symptoms require attention, when professional help is necessary, and how depression and anxiety disorders may be treated.
Psychological Distress: When Anxiety and Sadness Become an Illness
Anxiety, sadness, and irritability may be normal reactions to difficult life events. However, when emotional distress becomes a constant background and begins to interfere with everyday life, professional support may be necessary. This article explains the difference between psychological distress and a mental health disorder.
Why Do I Always Feel Tired?
Persistent fatigue, low mood, and loss of interest in everyday activities are not always caused by simple exhaustion. This article explains when rest may be enough and when these symptoms could indicate depression and require professional support.
Why Should Men Prepare for Conception?
When planning a pregnancy, most attention is often focused on the woman’s health. However, male factors contribute to approximately half of all cases of reduced fertility [1]. Sperm quality affects not only the likelihood of conception but also pregnancy outcomes and the health of the future child. Sperm production takes approximately 2.5–3 months (about 74 days). For this reason, men are advised to begin preparing for conception at least three months before attempting pregnancy.
Visual Migraine Aura
Imagine the following situation. You are reading a message on your phone, working at your computer, or talking to a colleague. Suddenly, you notice that part of the text has disappeared. A strange shimmering spot appears in the center of your vision. Within a few minutes, it transforms into a sparkling zigzag pattern resembling a lightning bolt or a kaleidoscope design. Gradually, this luminous shape enlarges, moves across your visual field, and interferes with normal vision. For many people, the first thought is entirely understandable: "Could this be a stroke?" Fortunately, the cause is far more often something less dangerous. This phenomenon is known as a visual migraine aura.
Lipid Profile: Updated Recommendations and Why Cholesterol Should Be Checked Early
Normal weight, regular exercise, and “healthy eating” do not always guarantee normal cholesterol levels, because genetics can play an important role. A lipid profile is a simple blood test that helps assess cardiovascular risk before chest pain, shortness of breath, or the need for urgent treatment appears.
Andes Hantavirus: How Real Is the Threat of a New Pandemic?
A brief overview of the Andes hantavirus outbreak: what happened, why it raised concern, and how realistic the threat of a new pandemic is.
Psychotropic Medications and New Regulations in Georgia: What You Need to Know?
Psychotropic Medications and New Regulations in Georgia: What You Need to Know? Recently, patients have expressed concern about new regulations regarding the dispensing of medications in Georgia. Let’s review the situation clearly and calmly.Why concerns have arisen Georgia has indeed introduced stricter regulations for certain psychotropic medications classified as Group I, including: tranquilizers, some mood stabilizers (such as pregabalin and gabapentin), and certain antiparkinsonian drugs (e.g., trihexyphenidyl). Antidepressants, antipsychotics, and most mood stabilizers (with some exceptions) belong to Group II.
Dysthymia. What is dysthymia?
What is dysthymia Dysthymia is a chronic depressive condition that can last for years. A person continues to work, communicate, and carry on with everyday life, but experiences persistent fatigue, low mood, and irritability.
Botulinum Toxin Treatment for Hyperhidrosis
Hyperhidrosis is not just excessive sweating, but a medical condition that can be effectively managed. When an endocrinology evaluation is needed, when a dermatologist is enough, and why botulinum toxin is considered the most evidence-based treatment - all explained in the article.
Bruxism and Botulinum Therapy
Bruxism is chronic overactivity of the masticatory muscles, not just teeth grinding. Botulinum toxin therapy reduces muscle activity, relieves pain, and helps prevent tooth damage.
