How to Properly Alternate Ice and Heat Therapy for Intense Epididymitis Pain

"The lower part of the body suddenly falls and hurts, walking with legs crossed, sitting with needles, sleepless at night"—having had this experience, the probability is that epididymitis comes to the door. The inflammation that this kind of male is peculiar is painful, resulting in a rise of fidget, because many people are bashful at speaking out, carry hard, and accentuate illness instead.

In fact, epididymitis is not terrible; it is like the "cold" of the male reproductive system, mostly caused by bacterial infection, urinary tract infection, retrograde, long-term urine, decreased immunity, or perineal trauma. It may also be induced. 

To cope with epididymitis, we need to master the rhythm of local nursing, when to apply ice, and when to choose warm physiotherapy, which involves the skills to relieve the pain of epididymitis. 

Next, I will talk to you about how to choose local ice compresses and warm physiotherapy correctly when the pain of epididymitis is unbearable. 

First Stage: Use Local Ice Therapy Within 48 Hours of Epididymitis

In the early stage of epididymitis, the epididymis is in the "acute inflammation period," with local vasodilation, congestion, and swelling, and inflammatory substances continue to breed; at this time, hot compresses will aggravate symptoms. 

Instead, local ice therapy is needed. Hypothermia can constrict blood vessels, reduce swelling, inhibit the release of inflammatory substances, and relieve the pain of epididymitis. It is like closing the main gate first when the water pipe leaks, which is the "key to relieve pain" in the acute stage.

Correct ice compress method: 

Preparation: Use sealed ice bags or plastic bags filled with ice, wrapped with 2-3 layers of towels (preferably not piercing). The skin of the perineum is delicate, and direct contact with the ice bag is strictly prohibited to avoid frostbite; if there is no ice bag, the frozen wet towel can be used instead. 

Control the time and frequency: ice for 15 minutes each time, repeat at an interval of 2 hours, 6-8 times a day. When the pain is severe, it can be increased appropriately, but it is necessary to ensure the rest time of the skin so as to avoid the local blood circulation being affected by ice for too long. 

Raising the scrotum: lie in bed during ice compress, use a triangular towel or a special support belt to support the scrotum higher than the heart, reduce epididymal congestion, and cooperate with ice compress. During the acute period, one needs to lie in bed absolutely, avoid sitting for a long time, walk or engage in strenuous exercise, and prevent inflammation aggravation. 

Precautions during ice application: 

Common errors in the acute stage: First, a hot compress within 48 hours of morbidity, which will aggravate swelling and pain; second, ice packs are too thin. Special attention should be paid to replacing the ice bag towel in time after it is wet and keeping it dry and clean; if the skin is numb and purple when it is applied, stop immediately, which is a sign of frostbite. 

Second Stage: After 48-72 Hours, Switch to Warm Therapy for Epididymitis

After 48-72 hours of epididymitis, the pain and swelling tend to be stable. At this time, inflammatory substances need to be discharged through the blood circulation, and warm physiotherapy becomes the "main force of recovery." 

Warm stimulation can dilate local blood vessels, accelerate blood flow, promote inflammation absorption, relieve spasm of the vas deferens, and gradually subside tightness and pain, just like using warm water to open frozen water pipes, which is safe and effective. 

Correct method of warm physiotherapy: 

Warm sitz baths are the first choice: use a special bidet, pour 104℉ warm water (the back of the hand can be warm but not hot), and the water level should not exceed the perineum. Take a sitz bath for 20 minutes each time, once a day in the morning and once a day in the evening, taking into account the effect and rest. 

Add auxiliary ingredients as required: In case of bacterial infection, a 1:5000 potassium permanganate solution (light pink water) can be added to assist sterilization. If the concentration is too high, it is easy to irritate the skin. After the sitz baths, gently wipe with a clean towel to keep the perineum dry.

External application of a hot towel is a substitute: when a sitz bath is inconvenient, soak the towel in warm water of 104℉, wring it out, and apply it to the scrotum, changing it every 5 minutes to keep the temperature for 20 minutes each time. Towels should be used exclusively, and they should be scalded and disinfected with boiling water before use. 

Precautions during warm physiotherapy 

The water temperature should not exceed 113℉ to avoid scalding; it is necessary to continue to wear loose cotton underwear to reduce epididymal friction and keep the scrotum lifting habit until the pain disappears completely.

Beyond Physical Therapy, You Can't Ignore These Ways

Ice compresses and warm physiotherapy can relieve pain, but complete rehabilitation needs to cooperate with drug treatment and life care; a multi-pronged approach can be effective.

Follow medical supervision and don't buy drugs by yourself:

Bacterial epididymitis should follow the medical supervision of levofloxacin, cefixime, and other antibiotics and must be taken according to the course of treatment, not stopped when the pain resolves, in order to prevent recurrence. 

When the pain is severe, it can be relieved by taking ibuprofen and celecoxib for a short time, but these analgesics cannot be relied on for a long time. In terms of Chinese patent medicines, the Diuretic and Anti-inflammatory Pill from Dr. Li's clinic is prominent in the chronic or convalescent stage, which can promote diuresis, remove dampness and heat, diminish inflammation, relieve pain, and improve local circulation. 

It is suitable to be combined with Western medicine to consolidate the curative effect, and the specific administration should follow the medical supervision.

Living habits: 

Key points of life care: wear loose cotton underwear, change it every day, wash it with warm water, and prohibit irritating cleaning products; avoid spicy food, and eat more wax gourd, mung bean, and other diuretic foods; prohibit sexual life in the acute stage, and use condoms within 3 months of recovery to avoid reinfection. 

Relax: 

Psychological adjustment can not be ignored: anxiety after illness can easily aggravate pain, forming a vicious circle. Epididymitis is a common disease that can be recovered from quickly after timely treatment. 

At ordinary times, they can communicate with relatives and friends, take a walk to relax, or relieve anxiety through deep breathing and meditation. Optimism can accelerate recovery. 

Conclusion 

The following "danger signals" should be treated immediately: the pain is not relieved after ice compresses, hot compresses, and medication, or testicular induration, persistent fever exceeding 101.3℉, swelling aggravation, etc. At this time, abscesses and other problems need to be checked, and epididymectomy or abscess drainage may be needed in severe cases.

Male reproductive health need not be closely guarded; timely medical treatment for physical discomfort, mastering the correct nursing methods, is necessary to reduce pain. If epididymitis is dealt with properly, it can be passed smoothly. 

Hope that male friends pay attention to their own health and stay away from disease.