Orchitis- Ayurvedic Treatment, Diet, Exercises, Research Papers, Yoga & Pranayama

Introduction

Orchitis is the inflammation of one or both testicles. Bacterial or viral infections can cause orchitis. Orchitis is most often the result of a bacterial infection, such as a sexually transmitted infection. In some cases, the mumps virus can cause orchitis. In some cases, bacterial orchitis will be associated with epididymitis — an inflammation of the coiled tube (epididymis) at the back of the testicle that stores and carries sperm.

Orchitis causes pain and can affect fertility. Medication can treat the causes of bacterial orchitis and can ease some signs and symptoms of viral orchitis. But it can take several weeks for scrotal tenderness to disappear.

Signs & symptoms

  • Swelling in one or both testicles
  • Pain ranging from mild to severe
  • Fever
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • General feeling of unwellness (malaise)

Causes

Orchitis can be caused by a bacterial or viral infection. Sometimes a cause of orchitis can’t be determined.

Bacterial orchitis

Most often, bacterial orchitis is associated with epididymitis. Epididymitis usually is caused by an infection of the urethra or bladder that spreads to the epididymis.

Often, the cause of the infection is a sexually transmitted infection. Other causes of infection can be related to having been born with abnormalities in the urinary tract or having had a catheter or medical instruments inserted into the penis.

Viral orchitis

The mumps virus usually causes viral orchitis. Nearly one-third of males who contract the mumps after puberty develop orchitis, usually four to seven days after onset of the mumps.

Orchitis which is not sexually transmitted can develop in people:

  • Not being immunized against mumps
  • Having recurring urinary tract infections
  • Having surgery that involves the genitals or urinary tract
  • Being born with an abnormality in the urinary tract 

Risk of sexually transmitted orchitis include:

  • Multiple sexual partners
  • Sex with a partner who has a sexually transmitted disease
  • Sex without a condom
  • A personal history of sexually transmitted disease

Pathophysiology

Orchitis is one of the genitourinary infections to result mostly from a viral pathogen. Mumps orchitis occurs in many of the adults infected with the mumps virus. Other viruses that can cause the disease include coxsackie B, mononucleosis and varicella. Unlike the majority of genitourinary infections, viral particles are spread to the testicle by the hematogenous route. Granulomatous orchitis is rare and results from hematogenous dissemination of tuberculosis, fungi and actinomycosis.

Diagnosis

Medical history

Physical examination

STI screening test

Urine examination

USG

Treatments

Treatment solely depends on the cause of orchitis.

Bacterial orchitis

Antibiotics are needed to treat bacterial orchitis and epididymo-orchitis. If the cause of the bacterial infection is an STI, your sexual partner also needs treatment.

Viral orchitis

Treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms and it includes:

  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB etc) or naproxen sodium (Aleve)
  • Bed rest and elevating your scrotum
  • Cold packs

Prognosis

Most cases of both viral and bacterial orchitis show excellent prognosis with treatment without any complications.

Complications

  • Testicular atrophy
  • Scrotal abscess formation
  • Infertility

Disease & Ayurveda

            Kurandaroga

Nidana

        Causative factors for the vitiation of Pittadosha

Purvaaroopa

            Not mentioned

Samprapti

        Due to causative factors, Pittadosha gets vitiated and circulate in the system. When it gets lodged in the vrushana/phalakosa, kurandaroga develops.

Lakshana

            Pain and swelling in the testicles

Divisions

            Not mentioned

Prognosis

Chikithsa

Samana

Lepanam with Rookshana dravyas

Saindhavadi lepa

Erandatailadi taila intake

Intake of yogas with Indravaruni

Lepana with eeswarimuladi yoga

Sodhana

Siravedha

Virechana

Commonly used medicines

            Guggulupanchapalachoornam

            Sukumaram kashayam

            Punarnavadi kashayam

            Amrutotharam kashayam

Brands available

AVS Kottakal

AVP Coimbatore

SNA oushadhasala

Vaidyaratnam oushadhasala

Home remedies

Rest in bed

Lie down so that your scrotum is elevated

Apply cold packs to your scrotum as tolerated

Avoid lifting heavy objects

Diet

  • To be avoided

Heavy meals and difficult to digest foods – cause indigestion.

Junk foods- cause disturbance in digestion and reduces the bioavailability of the medicine

Carbonated drinks – makes the stomach more acidic and disturbed digestion

Refrigerated and frozen foods – causes weak and sluggish digestion by weakening Agni (digestive fire)

Milk and milk products – increase kapha, cause obstruction in channels and swelling

Curd – causes vidaaha, inflammation and thereby many other diseases

  • To be added

Light meals and easily digestible foods

Green gram, soups, fresh fruits and vegetables

Freshly cooked and warm food processed with cumin seeds, ginger, black pepper, ajwain etc

Behaviour:

Protect yourself from extreme climate changes.

Better to avoid exposure to excessive sunlight wind rain or dust.

Maintain a regular food and sleep schedule.

Avoid holding or forcing the urges like urine, faeces, cough, sneeze etc.

Avoid a sedentary lifestyle. Be active

Wear loose and cotton clothing, especially innerwears.

Yoga

Regular stretching and mild cardio exercises are advised in mild cases, if the person is comfortable. Also, specific yogacharya including naadisuddhi pranayama, bhujangaasana, pavanamuktasana is recommended.

Regular exercise helps improve bioavailability of the medicine and food ingested and leads to positive health.

 Yoga can maintain harmony within the body and with the surrounding system.

Pavanamuktasana

Nadisudhi pranayama

Bhujangasana

All the exercises and physical exertions must be decided and done under the supervision of a medical expert only.

Research articles

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19378875/

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