Is epididymitis something you should be concerned about?

You’ve surely heard about epididymitis. But do you know how it is transmitted or what causes it? In fact, are you aware of the symptoms that may be associated with inflammation of the epididymis? Well, the Epididymitis Foundation has thought of all that and now you can find the information on their website. They take this disease very seriously and so should you, especially since the number of cases grows every year!

Epididymitis can be defined as the swelling of the epididymis associated with extreme pain; it can also represent infection of that exact structure. There are many reasons for epididymitis to happen but most commonly these causes are infections. A patient that experiences the following symptoms: pain and swelling of the scrotum and fever should immediately be investigated. There are three inflammatory diseases that affect the men of the modern century and these concern three important parts of the male body: urethra, prostate and the epididymis. They represent the most common complaints that compel men to visit the doctor and it is very important to be aware of what they represent. All three can severely affect both the urinary and the reproductive system, especially when we think about epididymitis.

The Epididymitis Foundation has also formed a forum where questions and answers are always welcome. They highlight the importance of being knowledgeable in the field and they try to present the information in as comprehensive a mode as possible. With their assistance, one can learn about the possibility of epididymitis being sexually transmitted, the result of straining, or trauma, or being associated with various other types of infections. At the same time, they also take into consideration the possibility of epididymitis being confused with testicular torsion. In that case, there is one simple maneuver that can be pursued, meaning the elevation of the scrotum in the direction of the abdomen. Called Prehn’s sign, if performed by an experienced doctor, it can help tell the difference between the inflammation of the epididymis and the torsion of the testicle. In the case of epididymitis, the patient will feel less discomfort when the scrotum is elevated; however, when torsion is present, the pain and discomfort are likely to increase. Testicular torsion is a medical emergency and must be operated on within four hours. This is why it is highly important to pay an immediate visit to the doctor when one of the symptoms appears. There are also other possibilities of differential diagnosis, including tuberculous epididymitis and also the possibility of malignant degeneration.

The etiology of the epididymitis is often established by guesswork, using the age of the patient. The disease is extremely rare in infants and children, usually being due to an anatomical abnormality. As for older men, those under 35 are suspected of a sexually transmitted infection with Neisseria gonorrhea or Chlamydia trachomatis. After 35 years, this etiology is less frequent and many of these infections are caused by Pseudomonas or other bacteria. The diagnosis depends highly on the careful medical examination, with the observing of signs and symptoms, not to mention parallel investigations. Some patients associate urethral discharge with the inflammation of the epididymis; thus, cultures must be obtain and examined for the identification of the infectious agent.

The forum organized under the name of the Epididymitis Foundation can provide all the answers you need to know about the swelling of the epididymis. You can easily find out what options you have for treatment, depending on your age and medical history. Sometimes, men under 35, who are also sexually active, are treated with ceftriaxone (single dose), and tetracycline or doxycycline. The complete period for treatment is 21 days. As for older patients, they have to undergo complex investigations, including multiple urine cultures. One common treatment consists of floroquinolones such as levofloxacin or ciprofloxacin, given for a period of 14 days. There are other treatments that can be applied, including anti-inflammatory medication to relieve the swelling and also the pain. Also, absolute bed rest is sometimes imposed, not to mention the elevation of the scrotum and local application of ice that can certainly help. Remember, epididymitis is a serious condition and it should be treated like as such! Use the forum and find out all there is to know about epididymitis and its possible complications.

Article Source: http://www.articlemonk.com

The Epididymitis Foundation was formed for your benefit. Check out their website and their forum; discover important information about epididymitis and how you can overcome this disease. The swelling of the epididymis can have a wide variety of negative effects and it is for the best that you know them all! Do not waste any more time, it’s your health at stake here.

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