Orchitis

Orchitis (or-KY-tis) is swelling or inflammation of one or both of your testicles (testes). Your testicles are part of your reproductive system — they make reproductive cells (sperm) and testosterone, which is a hormone. Most people assigned male at birth (AMAB) have two testicles.

What is the difference between orchitis and epididymitis?

Epididymitis is a condition that causes swelling and inflammation in your epididymis. The epididymis is a tube at the back of your testicles that carries and stores sperm.

Epididymo-orchitis is when you have epididymitis and orchitis at the same time.

How common is orchitis?

Orchitis alone isn’t common — it usually appears alongside other conditions like epididymitis. When it does appear on its own, it usually results from a mumps infection.

Symptoms

When to see a doctor

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Complications

Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.

The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:

High blood pressure.
Diabetes.
Heart failure.
Some types of heart valve disease.

Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:

Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Don't smoke or use tobacco.
Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Reduce and manage stress.

By Freedmans Health Clinic Staff

Living with atrial fibrillation?

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