Before chronic epididymitis develops, the events preceding it must occur. Acute inflammation is the result of an infectious infection of a man, after which the disease passes into a chronic phase. But a complete cure often does not occur, after a while there is an exacerbation.
Definition
When chronic epididymitis develops, the epididymis suffers. The inflammatory process develops for a long time before a man feels unwell. However, such conditions can already lead to infertility and will be treated with an operative method. The functionality of the penis will be impaired.
The diagnosis of "chronic epididymitis" is not always deplorable, with proper therapy, the inflammatory process becomes reversible. The epididymis, called the epididymis, plays an important role in the formation of the male seed. It is located on top of the testicular excretory tract. Inside its cavity, spermatozoa are mixed with additional substances necessary for the mobility of the "gum".
Inflammation in the epididymis blocks passages, there are significant changes in the tissues of the penis: friability, swelling. In addition to infections,the formation of the disease is affected by trauma, pathology in the genitourinary system, chronic prostatitis.
Types of inflammation
Distinguish between acute and chronic epididymitis. Left or right inflammation appears randomly. The initial stage of the disease is accompanied by noticeable soreness, the period of malaise can last up to 6 weeks. Long-term complications pose a threat to men's he alth. Infertility is the result of untreated stages.
Chronic epididymitis is a complication that lasts more than 6 weeks. This disease can go into an acute phase at any time. The main factor influencing the development of inflammation is a decrease in immunity. The only exception is an injury to the scrotum from a blow, pinching or prolonged squeezing of the pelvis during a passive lifestyle.
The structure of the epididymis includes: body, pointed tail and head. The testicle is directly connected to it, so the infection quickly penetrates the scrotum, causing inflammation - orchiepididymitis.
How to determine the presence of the disease yourself?
Discomfort in the groin area is a sign of an inflammatory process. Pain in the testicles is the main symptom of chronic epididymitis. This condition can be established by probing the scrotum. Often, the discomfort increases over time, capturing the entire body tissue.
The intensity of pain for each man is different, it all depends on the degree of damage and the duration of the infection in the testicle. The disease progresses inthe time of decrease in immunity due to smoking or drinking alcohol. The appearance of the organ also changes, which can be seen upon examination. Puffiness and redness form.
In the testicular area, men often feel a burning sensation, an apparent warming at the site of redness. When an erection occurs, the symptoms intensify, causing pain and inconvenience. Often, pain appears during urination, the frequency of urges increases. Acute stages of the disease are accompanied by blood in the urine.
Mechanism of action of infection
If chronic epididymitis has formed, men need to be treated not only in relation to the penis, but also to prevent bladder diseases. The bacterial environment penetrates the ducts in an ascending way. With improper therapy, the infection will again enter the epididymis and cause a relapse of the disease.
Consider the sequence of infection of a man with sexually transmitted infections:
- Initially, bacteria enter the urethra.
- Inflammation grows in the urethra.
- Infection can move through the ducts, getting into the epididymis and bladder.
- Bacteria damage the mucosa and vessel walls. This is how blood appears in the urine.
Further progression of the disease leads to pathologies in the structure of organ tissues, swelling and severe pain. After symptoms subside, men may develop bilateral chronic epididymitis, whichover time will definitely escalate.
Epididymitis is more common in men of sexually active age. In young boys, such cases are very rare; if inflammation is detected in such patients, a version of child abuse arises. However, we must not forget that the disease can be formed due to injury.
What is observed in advanced stages of the disease
In addition to the appearance of pain and bleeding, you can notice swelling of the surrounding tissues. Periodic discharge from the urethra is also formed, which are observed at the time of early infection. If a man has already developed chronic epididymitis, symptoms appear periodically. Under the condition of the listed signs of inflammation, a fever can form.
Fever is inherent in the acute phase of epididymitis, and the symptom is observed at the time of exacerbation of the chronic form of the disease. Escherichia coli is a common source of testicular inflammation. It causes diseases in the genitourinary system: urethritis, pyelonephritis, cystitis. With such diagnoses, the risk of acquiring epididymitis increases.
Sources of inflammation of the epididymis
Chronic epididymitis is not an independent disease. It is formed due to the following factors:
- Urethritis, prostatitis, vesiculitis.
- Influenza, pneumonia, tonsillitis.
- Alcoholism, smoking, inactive lifestyle and excessive consumption of sweet, fatty.
- Infectionsgenital: chlamydia, gardnerella, mycoplasma, ureaplasma, trichomonas.
- Tuberculosis, gonorrhea.
- Injuries or prolonged squeezing of the genitals.
- Hemorrhoids, orchitis.
Some drugs can cause chronic epididymitis. These include the cardiac remedy "Amiodarone".
Risk factors
Exacerbation of chronic epididymitis can occur with a decrease in immunity and under the influence of other provocateurs:
- In men who have an active sex life with frequent changes of partners. Inflammation is formed when a bacterial infection of the urethra. With a large list of infections, you can catch a new disease with a 100% probability by contacting more than two women per month. Gardnerella are present in every second partner.
- A passive lifestyle with daily work in a sitting position contributes to impaired blood flow in the groin.
- Active sports increase the risk of injury to the scrotum from the seat of a motorcycle, bicycle.
- Immune problems, blood diseases, HIV.
- Surgeries on the organs of the genitourinary system.
- Congenital factors cause chronic epididymitis. Treatment for these forms of disease continues throughout life.
Diagnostics
When chronic epididymitis is detected, treatment should be carried out in a clinic under the supervision of a specialist. Immediately appoint the delivery of laboratory tests to confirm the alleged disease. They include: urinalysis for bacterial culture and general, a smear from the urethra,blood. Additionally, ultrasound and nuclear scanning may be required. The affected organ itself must be examined.
Assignment of tests:
- According to the study of urine, the type of infection is determined. Several types of bacteria can be present, making it difficult to design the right treatment.
- Smear helps identify active sexually transmitted infections.
- In the blood, an increased content of leukocytes is observed at the time of inflammation.
- Carrying out ultrasound diagnostics helps to establish pathologies in the structure of the penis and its channels. Testicular torsion is often the cause of epididymitis.
How to fight?
Not all men are ready to admit to having a disease in the genital area. After all, such an act will affect physical intimacy. But in case of an infectious infection, it is urgent to exclude sexual contacts, the partner may suffer. After undergoing therapy, she will again transmit the infection to the “unfortunate lover.”
It is important to know how to treat chronic epididymitis. Bacteria are destroyed by antibiotics. But before prescribing the drug, the sensitivity of the drugs is detected and the most effective one is chosen among them. Injuries are eliminated in an operative way, and stagnant processes are removed by therapeutic methods.
The type of drug and the dose are selected by the urologist, andrologist, infectious disease specialist. From antibiotics choose: "Doxycycline", "Ceftriaxone", "Azithromycin". A drugIbuprofen helps relieve inflammation. Anti-infection drugs are prescribed: Fluoroquinolone, Levofloxacin, Ofloxacin, Trimethoprim.
Prevention during inflammation
With the development of pain in the groin area, it is recommended to treat in the supine position. In this way, normal blood flow is achieved, the traumatism of inflamed tissues is reduced, and the likelihood of discomfort is removed. During the sitting posture, you need to put a soft tissue roller under the scrotum.
When observing swelling, it is recommended to apply a cold compress. Use ice and other items from the refrigerator wrapped in a towel. The procedure is carried out no more than 30 minutes. A sitz bath with warm water can help alleviate symptoms if there are no signs of testicular swelling.
In case of exacerbation of chronic epididymitis, laser-magnetic treatment is prescribed. It helps to reduce the active phase of the disease, quickly removes unpleasant symptoms, and increases the resistance of organ tissues to re-infection. If purulent formations in the scrotum are suspected, they resort to an operational method of struggle: large areas are excised with a scalpel, and small ones are fought by notching. The latter measure is effective as a prevention of the initial stages of tissue microfestering.
Natural substances
Treatment of chronic epididymitis in men can be carried out using traditional methods. Suitable herbs sold in pharmacies:
- Pulsatilla is a herbaceous plant of the buttercup family. natural remedyadded to alcohol tinctures and released in dry form for the preparation of decoctions. The herb has an anti-inflammatory effect. You will have to make the medicine yourself: 1 teaspoon of dry matter per 200 g of water. You need to boil the mixture and leave for 15 minutes.
- Horsetail has antibacterial properties. Take up to 3 tablespoons of herbs per cup of water. The mixture must be boiled and left for 10 minutes. Then use the resulting medicine as a drink.
- Echinacea herb helps restore immunity and defeat infection. The remedy is prepared similarly to the previous one, only a quarter of a spoon of peppermint is added to the mixture. The product has no contraindications and can be used every day until symptoms subside.
Preventive actions
Suspicion of epididymitis in a man should prompt a visit to the doctor. Self-treatment, as well as a complete rejection of diagnosis, leads to a terrible diagnosis - infertility. Athletic men are advised to choose clothes that support the scrotum. Fans of sitting around the clock in a chair need to resort to daily active workouts.
Pain in the early stages of chronic epididymitis may be completely absent. A slight discomfort becomes the only sign of the development of malaise in the groin area. Infections are also not recommended to be left to chance, relying on the strength of immunity. Symptoms of infection will pass, and the bacterial environment will gradually develop.
