Live life like the lion you really are

The is something majestic about lions. You feel it every time you are next to them. They have a sense of royalty. They boasts with authority and confidence. They never doubt their God given role. 

They know who they are. They will never compromise their being for whatever reason. Not even during starvation do they lose their pride. They are lions and they know it. They roar so loud as if they don't care who their noise may upset. They do it because indeed they don't care. After all, they are the Kings of the jungle. 

If I should learn anything from them is the importance of knowing your identity. Knowing who you are. Your identity is not determined by your surroundings or circumstances. A lion knows who he is whether he is living under captivity at the Pretoria National Zoo Park or roaming around with freedom at the Kruger National Park. Your identity is given to you by God. It's your birth right. Is not a man made gift that may expiry with time nor is it a spouse's gift that may be reclaimed when love ends. 

It is important to know who you are in this life. Once you know that you realise that your circumstances are not so significant because they are subject to change. You will not be trouble by the friends that change like seasons nor the people that talk behind your back. When you know who you are you will walk and boast with pride not for what you have but for who you are. Identity gives one a sense of pride, belonging, confidence, dignity and joy. 

Be a lion today. Know who you really are in this world. Know your God given role and fulfill your purpose with pride. It's not where you are in life but who you are.... 
I know who I am in Christ. I know I'm the head and not the tail. I'm blessed going out and I'm blessed coming. Find your identity in Christ. Find your God given talent and purpose and you will live a joyful life of contentment.

Men's health : What is a varicocele and how can it affect your fertility?

VARICOCELE

The veins in your testes (like those in the legs) have valves that help blood to flow upwards towards your heart. If your valves stop working, blood pools in the veins, which buldge or dilate, this is called varicoceles.

Who usually gets a varicocele?

It is usually first noticed in males between puberty and the age of 35, especially in late adolescence. About 15% of all men have varicocele. For many it is not a problem and does not require treatment. But nearly 40% of men who have fertility problems have a varicocele. If it is associated with infertility, it may need to be treated.

Who do varicocele cause fertility problems?

Varicoceles raise the temperature in the testicles, which may affect the production of sperm, as well as sperm movement and/or shape. It may also affect other aspects of sperm function. However, it is unknown by what mechanism varicoceles may impair fertility.

What are the symptoms and signs?

The patient is usually aware of a lump, especially when standing, but it disappears when lying down. The lump may have a bluish appearance through the skin; it is soft to feel, like a bunch of grapes or a “bag of worms”. 

Degree of discomfort or pain varies considerably from one person to another, with others experiencing no form of discomfort while others experience a dragging pain, especially in hot weather or after exercise.

What is the risk?

A primary varicocele is basically a relatively minor problem without serious consequences. However, in some men the discomfort is such that a surgical treatment is required – others can live with a very mild discomfort.

What are the treatment options?

No treatment is necessary for a varicocele that is not causing any discomfort.

For mild discomfort and swelling, the patient can wear firm-fitting underpants or a jockstrap. Keep in mind that the discomfort and swelling tends to disappear when lying down.

There is no medication proven to treat varicocele hence when treatment is necessary, surgical management is employed.

Surgical treatment?

Surgery is recommended if the varicocele is causing significant discomfort, or is associated with a reduced size of the testicle or with infertility.

It must be noted that varicocele may recur after surgical treatment, and that in the case of infertility there is no guarantee that it will improve a man’s chance of fathering a child.

Types of surgery?

Your specialist urologist will decide on the method to treat the varicocele after discussing them with you. 

The urologist may choose an operation to tie off the swollen veins and get rid of a varicocele, or any operation to block the swollen veins.

What are the risk of surgery?

Risk to a specific type of surgery include building up of fluid in the scrotum (hydrocele) and damage to an artery.

Varicocele may return after treatment.

Risk to any surgery include infections, pain, allergic reaction to the anaesthetic used and prolonged hospital stay which on its own has complications.

What will happen if varicocele is not treated?

There is not much research available to speculate. Some men will experience discomfort or testicle shrink and others have no problems.