Sciatica refers to any pain or compression of the sciatic nerve.  The sciatic nerve runs from the back of the pelvis and right down through the buttocks and both legs and ends at the feet. If something presses on the sciatic nerve it can cause a pain that runs from the lower back and down the leg; this pain can be mild to severe.

Sciatica

Causes of sciatica include slipped discs which can get temporarily moved out of place and then press on the sciatic nerve.  Acute sciatica is pain which lasts up to six weeks whereas chronic sciatica lasts longer than six weeks. Most cases clear up unaided but using painkillers, hot or cold compresses and exercise can help to alleviate symptoms. Sometimes there is a need to contact a physiotherapist especially for chronic sufferers.

Sciatic pain is different to back pain in that it also affects the legs.  Sciatica can cause weakness in the legs or feet. There is a rare condition which can cause sciatica and this is called Cauda Equine Syndrome.  This can lead to paralysis if left untreated as it can permanently damage the nervous system.  A sign of cauda equine syndrome is the sudden loss of bladder or bowel control and if this occurs immediate medical help should be sought.

Another cause of sciatica has been put down to general wear and tear.  This is why people over forty with jobs involving a physical activity are more prone to sciatica.

The testicles are found within the scrotum which is a loose sac of skin hanging down behind the penis.  The function of the testicles is to produce sperm and the male sex hormone testosterone.  Most of the time any lumps or swelling within the testicles are benign but it is natural for people to worry when they have found a lump.

Testicular torsion results in swelling of the testicles if the testicle has become twisted.  This interrupts blood flow and causes a large tender distension.  It often happens in developing boys who are experiencing puberty but has also been know to happen in men in their 20’s although it is quite rare.  Testicular torsion is a medical emergency due to the fact that it needs to be rectified by surgery within 6 hours or there is a risk that the testicle will be lost.

Symptoms of testicular torsion include nausea; vomiting; swelling of the scrotum; fever; abdominal pain; the need to urinate often; and, excruciating pain in one testicle.  The cause of testicular torsion results from a spermatic cord that is too long.  The spermatic cord is where the testicles hang from and in some boys this cord is too long leading to increased movement of the testicle which means the cord becoming twisted.  If it twists too much it will cut off the blood supply and the testicle will die.  Testicular torsion can sometimes just happen for no reason at all or it can be the result of strenuous exercise or other physical activity.

An ultrasound scan can be done to confirm suspicion of testicular torsion. Surgery needs to take place almost immediately to save the testicle.  The surgeon will have to cut the scrotum and untwist the cord.  He will then sew the cord to the scrotum to prevent this happening again.

Testicular Torsion

Scabies is an infection caused by a tiny mite that burrows under the skin usually on the hands, ankles, wrists or male genitalia.  They then live there and lay eggs.  Having these mites under the skin induces an allergic reaction which in turn causes a rash with extreme itching.  Scabies is more common in children but can occur at any age.  It is highly contagious and is spread through direct person to person contact.  The scabies mite cannot live long outside the body but sometimes it can be spread from contact with clothes, linen, etc if the infected person has just touched them.

Scabies

The rash usually develops between two to six weeks after the person has become infected.  The itching usually worsens at night or after a bath or shower when skin is hot. Sometimes burrow marks can be seen on the skin but most often they are hidden by marks caused by scratching or the rash itself.  These burrow marks are thin zigzag lines and are easier to see on hands or feet.

Scabies is treated with a scabicide which is a lotion or cream but it needs to be applied correctly or it may not work.  It needs to be applied twice with a week between each application and should be applied to cool dry skin.  The cream then should be washed off between eight and twenty four hours later.

Everyone in close contact with a person who has been diagnosed with scabies needs to be treated at the same time to make sure the infection has been completely erased.  All bed linen should be washed at a high temperature to make sure that all mites are killed.