Before chronic epididymitis forms, events that precede it must occur. Acute inflammation is a consequence of an infectious infection of a man, after which the disease goes into the chronic phase. But complete cure often does not occur, after some time an exacerbation is observed.
Definition
When chronic epididymitis forms, the epididymis suffers . The inflammatory process develops for a long time before the man feels unwell. However, such conditions can already lead to infertility and will be treated by an operative method. Genital function will be impaired.
The diagnosis of "chronic epididymitis" is not always deplorable; with proper treatment, the inflammatory process becomes reversible. An epididymis epididymis plays an important role in the formation of male seed. It is located on top of the excretory tract of the testicle. Inside his cavity, sperm are mixed with additional substances necessary for the mobility of the “live animals”.
Inflammation in the epididymis blocks the passages, significant changes in the tissues of the penis occur: friability, swelling. In addition to infections, the formation of the disease is affected by trauma, pathology in the genitourinary system, and chronic prostatitis.
Types of inflammation
There are acute and chronic epididymitis. Random inflammation appears on the left or right. The initial stage of the disease is accompanied by palpable soreness, the period of malaise can last up to 6 weeks. Long-term complications pose a threat to men's health. Infertility is the result of untreated stages.
Chronic epididymitis is a complication that lasts more than 6 weeks. This disease can go into an exacerbated phase at any time. The main factor influencing the development of inflammation is a decrease in immunity. The exception is only the injury to the scrotum from impact, infringement or prolonged pressing of the pelvis with a passive lifestyle.
The structure of the epididymis includes: body, pointed tail and head. The testicle is directly associated with it, so the infection quickly enters the scrotum, causing inflammation - orchiepididymitis.
How to determine the presence of the disease?
Unpleasant sensations in the groin area are 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 intensifies over time, capturing the entire body tissue.
The intensity of pain in each man is different, it all depends on the degree of damage and the duration of infection in the testicle. The disease progresses during a decrease in immunity due to smoking or drinking alcohol. The appearance of the organ also changes, which can be seen during examination. Puffiness and redness are formed.
In the testicle, men often feel a burning sensation, apparent warming at the site of redness. When an erection occurs, the symptoms intensify, causing pain and discomfort. Often the pain appears during urination, the frequency of urges increases. The acute stages of the disease are accompanied by blood in the urine.
The mechanism of action of infection
If chronic epididymitis has formed, men need to be treated not only with regard to the genital organ, but also the prevention of diseases of the bladder. The bacterial medium penetrates the ducts in an ascending way. With improper therapy, the infection will again fall into 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.
- In the urethra, inflammation grows.
- The infection can travel through the ducts, entering the epididymis and bladder.
- Bacteria damage the mucous membrane and the walls of blood vessels. So there is blood in the urine.
Further progression of the disease leads to pathologies in the structure of organ tissues, edema and the appearance of severe pain. After the symptoms subside in men, bilateral chronic epididymitis may form, which will eventually lead to an exacerbation.
Epididymitis is more often observed in men of sexually active age. In young boys, such cases are very rare, when inflammation is detected in such patients, a version appears about child abuse. However, we must not forget that the disease can form as a result of injury.
What is observed with advanced stages of the disease
In addition to the appearance of pain and bleeding, swelling of surrounding tissues can be noticed. Also formed periodic discharge from the urethra, which are observed at the time of early infection. If a man has already developed chronic epididymitis, symptoms appear periodically. Subject to the listed signs of inflammation, fever may form.
An increase in temperature 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 the 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, passive lifestyle and excessive consumption of sweet, fatty.
- Sexual infections: chlamydia, gardnerella, mycoplasma, ureaplasma, trichomonas.
- Tuberculosis, gonorrhea.
- Injury or prolonged genital pressure.
- Hemorrhoids, orchitis.
Some drugs can cause chronic epididymitis. These include the heart remedy Amiodarone.
Risk factors
Exacerbation of chronic epididymitis can occur with a decrease in immunity and under the influence of other provocateurs:
- Men who have an active sex life with a frequent change of partners. Inflammation is caused by 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 is present in every second partner.
- A passive lifestyle with daily work in a sitting position contributes to a violation of blood flow in the groin.
- Active sports increase the risk of injury to the scrotum from the seat of a motorcycle or bicycle.
- Immunity problems, blood diseases, HIV.
- Genitourinary surgery.
- Congenital factors cause chronic epididymitis. The treatment of these forms of diseases lasts a lifetime.
Diagnostics
When chronic epididymitis is detected, treatment should be carried out in a clinic under the supervision of a specialist. Laboratory tests are immediately prescribed to confirm the alleged disease. They include: analysis of urine for bacterial inoculation and general, smear from the urethra, blood. Additionally, ultrasound and nuclear scanning may be required. Be sure to inspect the affected body itself.
Assignment of analyzes:
- According to a urine test, the type of infection is determined. Bacteria can be present in several species, which complicates the construction of the correct treatment.
- A smear helps to establish sexually transmitted infections in the active phase of the infection.
- In the blood, an increased content of leukocytes is observed at the time of inflammation.
- Conducting ultrasound diagnostics helps to establish pathologies in the structure of the penis and its connecting channels. Often the cause of epididymitis is looping of the testicle.
How to fight?
Not all men are ready to admit the presence of a disease in the genital area. After all, such an act will affect physical intimacy. But with an infectious infection, it is urgently necessary to exclude sexual contacts, a partner can suffer. After the treatment, she will again transmit the infection to the “grief-lover”.
It is important to know how to treat chronic epididymitis. Bacteria kill with antibiotics. But before prescribing the drug, the sensitivity of the drugs is revealed and the most effective one is chosen among them. Injuries are eliminated in an operational way, and stagnant processes are removed using therapeutic methods.
The type of the drug and the dose are selected by the urologist, andrologist, infectious disease specialist. From antibiotics choose: "Doxycycline", "Ceftriaxone", "Azithromycin". The drug "Ibuprofen" helps relieve inflammation. Prescribe drugs against infections: "Fluoroquinolone", "Levofloxacin", "Ofloxacin", "Trimethoprim".
Preventive actions during inflammation
With the development of pain in the groin area, it is recommended to carry out treatment in a supine position. This way normal blood flow is achieved, the morbidity of inflamed tissues is reduced, and the likelihood of discomfort is removed. During a sitting posture, a soft tissue roller should be placed under the scrotum.
When observing puffiness, 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 will help relieve unpleasant symptoms if there are no signs of swelling of the testicle.
With exacerbation of chronic epididymitis, laser-magnetic treatment is prescribed. It helps to reduce the active phase of the disease, quickly removes unpleasant symptoms, increases the resistance of organ tissues to re-infection. If there is a suspicion of purulent formations in the scrotum, they resort to an operative method of struggle: large areas are excised with a scalpel, and small ones are fought with the notch method. The latter measure is effective as a prophylaxis of the initial stages of microforming of tissues.
Natural substances
Treatment of chronic epididymitis in men can be carried out using folk methods. Suitable herbs sold in pharmacies are:
- Backache - a grassy plant of the buttercup family. A natural remedy is added to alcohol tinctures and released in a dry form for the preparation of decoctions. The grass has an anti-inflammatory effect. You will have to make the medicine yourself: 1 teaspoon of dry matter per 200 g of water. It is necessary to boil the mixture and leave for 15 minutes.
- Horsetail has antibacterial properties. Take up to 3 tablespoons of grass per cup of water. The mixture needs to be boiled and left for 10 minutes. After using the resulting medicine as a drink.
- Echinacea herb helps restore immunity and defeat infection. The preparation 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 the symptoms subside.
Warning actions
Suspicions of a man with epididymitis should encourage a visit to a doctor. Self-medication, as well as a complete rejection of diagnosis, leads to a terrible diagnosis - infertility. Athletic men are advised to select clothing that supports the scrotum. Lovers 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 malaise in the groin area. Infections are also not recommended to drift, relying on the strength of immunity. Symptoms of infection will pass, and the bacterial environment will gradually develop.