Rheumatism as a cause of epididymitis
Rheumatological diseases are another possible cause of acute epididymitis.This applies above all to the rheumatic form of seronegative (rheumatoid factor negative) spondylarthritis, such as ankylosing spondylitis or psoriatic arthritis. They are characterized by inflammatory back pain, which occurs mainly at rest, and the involvement of other joints in the body. However, so-called reactive arthritis can also occur in the context of infectious diseases, such as chlamydia infection. This usually occurs two to three weeks after the actual infection and, in addition to inflammation of large joints, can also lead to inflammation of internal organs such as the epididymis.
Are there also psychological causes for epididymitis?
In almost all cases, with the exception of infants, an infection can be identified as the underlying cause of epididymitis. However, it can happen that despite extensive diagnostics no cause of the inflammation can be found. In these cases a psychosomatic genesis of the symptoms is possible. The exact nature of this connection and the relevance of this cause is currently the subject of research. You want to know what psychosomatics is exactly?
Symptoms of epididymitis
The syptomas usually develop slowly during the course of the disease. Depending on the age of the affected person, different causes, such as a urinary tract infection, come into consideration. While sexually transmitted diseases are the most common cause in young men, recurrent urinary tract infections are the underlying cause in older men.
In diagnostics, testicular torsion must always be excluded, where the rotation of the testis causes the vascular supply to be cut off. In most cases, in addition to inflammation of the epididymis, the testicles are also involved (orchitis). In addition to securing the urinary tract, antibiotic and analgesic treatment is essential in therapy. If the therapy is started promptly, complications (abscess, blood poisoning) or consequential damages such as infertility rarely occur.
