The hamstring is the group of muscles that are present in the back of the thigh and a hamstring injury refers to a situation, in which a person either pulls or strains one of these muscles. While just about anybody can sustain a hamstring injury, this is more commonly seen in those people who play sports like football, soccer, tennis, basketball, or other such similar activities. Simply put, any sport in which the players need sprint, with sudden stops and starts could lead to a hamstring injury. this is probably why hamstring injury symptoms are very commonly seen in professional runners, as well as dancers.

There are several different hamstring injury symptoms, which can tell people that something is wrong and that they need to slow down. given below are some of the most common hamstring injury symptoms:

• Weakness in the muscle, which in turn leads to the inability to add any weight or pressure on to the injured leg
• Tenderness and perhaps even swelling in the area where the injury is sustained
• Pangs of sharp and sudden pain felt at the back of the thigh.
• Visible discoloration or bruises appearing at the back of the leg
• Experiencing a tearing or a popping sensation in the leg muscles

The hamstring injury symptoms mentioned above are quite common and are not necessarily a cause for concern. However, in some cases, a hamstring injury could be a major cause of concern, which requires immediate medical attention. In such instances, it is quite likely for the hamstring injury symptoms to be a bit more severe and therefore, they should never be ignored. given below are some of the more severe symptoms, which require immediate medical hamstring injury treatment:

• Visible red streaks or redness, which seems to be spreading from the spot of the injury
• Total numbness in the injured area
• The inability to walk more than a few steps, without intense pain
• Difficulty in bearing any body weight, on the injured leg
• Injuring the same muscle, on a previous occasion.

Hamstring injury rehabilitation planThe severity of a hamstring injury may range from mild to severe and therefore the treatment administered will be based on the type of injury. the immediate goal of the therapy or the treatment will be to reduce the amount of pain that is experienced, along with any swelling. In order to accomplish this goal a doctor may recommend a proper hamstring injury rehabilitation program, which includes:

• The use of crutches or a cane, to avoid exerting or putting pressure on the injured leg
• Applying cold therapy, in the form of ice packs, to reduce the swelling and gradually the pain too.
• Keeping the leg at an elevated angle for improving drainage, which reduces the swelling at a faster pace
• Wrapping up the injured leg, with a tight bandage, such as a compression bandage, or even compression shorts, which helps to reduce the swelling
• Getting adequate amounts of rest each day, which allows the injury to heal, without any interruptions.

A hamstring injury rehabilitation plan is incomplete without the right hamstring injury treatment exercises. Strengthening exercises, stretching exercises and isometrics are some of the most commonly recommended hamstring injury exercises, for faster recovery. However it is absolutely essential to learn the right technique of practicing the hamstring injury exercises from a doctor, to avoid the risks of any further injuries or problems.

In most instances, a good hamstring injury rehabilitation program should also include massage therapy to improve circulation to the hamstrings and to relax the muscles in the area. However, such options should only be considered, after gaining an approval from a doctor.

What kind of genetic liver disease can cause abnormal bleeding and bruises? Especially in infants?

Last Updated: January 12. 2011 1:00AM Dr. Paul Donohue: Your Health

Dear Dr. Donohue: in 1970, when in college, I had a friend who bruised so badly that she looked like a battered woman. The doctor at the health care center told her to take vitamin C because it strengthens cell walls. she did, and the bruising stopped.

My father died of ischemic stroke and had suffered from heart disease. My mother has had several hemorrhagic strokes. I am 60 and started taking baby aspirin. I am bruising more. I am thinking about adding vitamin C to my program. will it interfere with the baby aspirin’s blood-thinning effect?

Dear N.L.: Ever hear of scurvy? It’s not seen much these days, but in the 15th through 18th centuries, it was a common disorder and was rampant among sailors. Dr. James Lind, a British naval surgeon, experimented with groups of sailors, giving them a variety of treatments. The group given a daily lemon and two oranges recovered quickly from all the signs and symptoms of scurvy. those signs are small and large bruises, bleeding from the gums, coiled hairs, joint pains and impaired wound healing. perhaps this was behind the college doctor’s prescription of vitamin C for your friend.

Vitamin C is involved with the synthesis of collagen, one of the major support tissues in the body. It’s a powerful antioxidant, neutralizing oxidants, which are byproducts of cell metabolism that wreak havoc in the body. It aids in the absorption of iron. It keeps the immune system healthy. It stops the bleeding and bruising of scurvy by strengthening capillaries, the smallest of blood vessels. I find no information that it interferes with aspirin’s anti-platelet effect. Platelets form clots that sometimes occur in arteries and obstruct blood flow. The result can be a heart attack or a stroke.

With your mother’s history of hemorrhagic (bleeding) strokes, you should consult your doctor before launching into daily aspirin.

Dear Dr. Donohue: My 51-year-old son has been diagnosed with a Zenker’s diverticulum. he has seen many specialists, but none has spoken of a cure. he has difficulty swallowing. Is there any relief?

Dear M.F.: The loss of tissue elasticity, along with weakening of the swallowing muscles, sets the scene for the bulging of the throat lining through the throat muscles to create a pouch. That’s a Zenker’s diverticulum. Food gets caught in the pouch, and no effort on a person’s part can dislodge it. Difficulty swallowing and an increased production of saliva result. Food decomposes in the pouch. Eventually it’s regurgitated into the mouth and creates a foul odor.

Surgery corrects the situation. A newer technique is the use of a flexible scope, introduced through the mouth, that permits repair without an incision.

Dear Dr. Donohue: I am a 63-year-old male. I work out three or four times a week, doing aerobic exercise and weight training. during a routine physical, I was diagnosed with low testosterone. My doctor scheduled me for bimonthly injections in his office.

Recently a friend told me that her husband was diagnosed with low testosterone and that his doctor prescribed a pill. Is testosterone available as a pill?

Dear T.V.: Testosterone is available as a pill. however, oral testosterone isn’t the best way to correct a deficiency. It doesn’t reliably provide sustained blood levels of the hormone. To overcome this obstacle, doctors choose other methods of delivering it or prescribe a testosterone that has been chemically altered.

Write to Dr. Paul Donohue at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475.

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Dear Dr. Donohue — In 1970, when in college, I had a friend whobruised so badly that she looked like a battered woman. the doctorat the health care center told her to take vitamin C because itstrengthens cell walls. she did, and the bruising stopped.

My father died of ischemic stroke and had suffered from heartdisease. my mother has had several hemorrhagic strokes. I am 60 andstarted taking baby aspirin. I am bruising more. I am thinkingabout adding vitamin C to my program. will it interfere with thebaby aspirin’s blood-thinning effect? — N.L.

Answer — Ever hear of scurvy? It’s not seen much these days, butin the 15th through 18th centuries, it was a common disorder andwas rampant among sailors. Dr. James Lind, a British naval surgeon,experimented with groups of sailors, giving them a variety oftreatments. the group given a daily lemon and two oranges recoveredquickly from all the signs and symptoms of scurvy. those signs aresmall and large bruises, bleeding from the gums, coiled hairs,joint pains and impaired wound healing. Perhaps this was behind thecollege doctor’s prescription of vitamin C for your friend.

Vitamin C is involved with the synthesis of collagen, one of themajor support tissues in the body. It’s a powerful antioxidant,neutralizing oxidants, which are byproducts of cell metabolism thatwreak havoc in the body. It aids in the absorption of iron. Itkeeps the immune system healthy. It stops the bleeding and bruisingof scurvy by strengthening capillaries, the smallest of bloodvessels. I find no information that it interferes with aspirin’santi-platelet effect. Platelets form clots that sometimes occur inarteries and obstruct blood flow. the result can be a heart attackor a stroke.

With your mother’s history of hemorrhagic (bleeding) strokes,you should consult your doctor before launching into dailyaspirin.

Dear Dr. Donohue — my 51-year-old son has been diagnosed with aZenker’s diverticulum. He has seen many specialists, but none hasspoken of a cure. He has difficulty swallowing. is there anyrelief? — M.F.

Answer — the loss of tissue elasticity, along with weakening ofthe swallowing muscles, sets the scene for the bulging of thethroat lining through the throat muscles to create a pouch. That’sa Zenker’s diverticulum. Food gets caught in the pouch, and noeffort on a person’s part can dislodge it. Difficulty swallowingand an increased production of saliva result. Food decomposes inthe pouch. Eventually it’s regurgitated into the mouth and createsa foul odor.

Surgery corrects the situation. a newer technique is the use ofa flexible scope, introduced through the mouth, that permits repairwithout an incision.

Write Dr. Donohue at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, Fla.32853-6475.