How to Treat Torsion of the Testis in the Wilderness
Identify symptoms of testicular torsion., Call for help immediately., Take pain medication., Secure the testicle., Rest as much as possible., Decrease movement., Drink only as necessary., Attempt manual detorsion., Acknowledge your risk., Protect...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Identify symptoms of testicular torsion.
You may have had testicular torsion in the past or this could be your first experience with it.
Identifying the symptoms quickly and getting medical attention can help you minimize the risk of more harmful outcomes, such as loss of your testicle.The symptoms and signs of testicular torsion include:
Sudden and severe pain in the scrotum Swelling of the scrotum Abdominal pain Nausea and vomiting Higher testicle position than normal Testicle positioning at an unusual angle Painful urination Fever -
Step 2: Call for help immediately.
If you experience any of the signs of testicular torsion, it is absolutely vital to call for help as soon as possible because you have a six to eight hour window before before damage begins to occur.This can minimize your risk of losing your testicle or harming your ability to have children.Check to see if you or another person has cell phone reception.
This can be a particular problem in the wilderness.
Getting to the highest point visible may help you.
If you or no else has phone reception, get to the nearest ranger station.
Rangers often have satellite phones and medical equipment that may help comfort you while you wait for emergency medical personnel.
Testicular torsion requires medical treatment and often surgery, so it’s vital that you contact medical personnel as soon as possible., Testicular torsion is often very painful.
Taking an over-the-counter pain medication may help reduce pain until you can see a doctor and get treatment for the condition.
Take aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen sodium for the pain.
Ibuprofen or naproxen sodium may help relieve related swelling. , Testicles that are not secured to the scrotum can cause torsion.Securing your testicles to your body until you can get out of the wilderness may minimize the risk of your testicle(s) further rotating on itself.Wrap a towel or other fabric around the affected testicle.
You may need to secure this to your body in order to maintain stability.
Keeping the testicle secure and restricting movement can alleviate some of the pain experienced when walking or sitting. , Movement or vigorous activity can cause testicular torsion.Rest to minimize the risk of further rotating your scrotum.Before you move to a ranger station or another more secure location in the wilderness, rest for a bit.
This may help calm you down as well. , If you have to move to get to a ranger station or more secure location, walk as slowly as possible.This can minimize the possibility of further rotating your scrotum and may alleviate discomfort.Walk on ground that is as level as possible and take care with each step.
If you are with others, ask them to support you while you walk. , Drinking excessive liquids can add pressure to your bladder and genital area, and urination may be painful.
Drink only as necessary so as not to increase pain of further rotate your testicle.
If you are taking a pain reliever, only drink enough to get the pill into your system. , If you cannot get to a doctor quickly because you are in an especially remote area, consider trying to rotate your testicle back into its proper position.
Be aware that this can be quite painful and doesn’t come without risks.Place your testicles in your hands as though you are holding a book.
Turn your testicles from the midline of your body towards the outside, or medial to lateral sides.Use an action that is similar to opening a book.If manual detorsion is too painful or your experience symptoms such as vomiting or fainting, discontinue the procedure immediately.
Manual detorsion doesn’t replace getting proper medical attention.Successful detorsion s marked by reduction in pain and lower position of the testes in the scrotum. , Knowing your relative risk for experiencing testicular torsion may help prevent it.
Although in some cases there is no clear cause or risk for testicular torsion, the following factors may make your more likely to have testicular torsion:
Age.
Torsion is most common in babies and at the onset of puberty.Defects to the connective tissue in the scrotum.Injury to the scrotum.Family historyPrior cases of torsion, Torsion can often occur following a minor injury or even during sleep.Protecting your testicles with athletic cups or more supportive underwear may help minimize your risk for torsion.Wear an athletic cup whenever you play contact sports such as football or soccer.Wear either “tighty whiteys” (briefs) or boxer-briefs to help support your testicles and minimize the risk of your testicles rotating.Wear underwear while you sleep. , Exercise or other activities that are especially vigorous can cause testicular torsion.
Stay away from any activity that may move your testicles in a manner that could promote torsion.If you are a runner or play sports that involve a lot of running, consider wearing more supportive undergarments to minimize your risk.
Be aware that general physical activity will not cause torsion, as it can occur when you are sitting, standing, sleeping, or doing exercise.In fact, a typical presentation of torsion is to be awoken in the early morning or at night with scrotal pain. , Cold temperatures can exacerbate your risk for testicular torsion.
Keeping your body—and testicles—at their normal temperature may help minimize your risk for developing the condition.Try not to sit on cold surfaces, especially during the winter.
You might want to avoid other surfaces that don’t conduct as much heat, such as rocks or stones.If you are out in the wilderness during the winter, make sure to wear proper clothing to keep your testicles from getting cold.
Wear pants and supportive underwear that keep your testicles close to your body. , In many cases, surgery can prevent testicular torsion.Discuss this option with your doctor if you know you are at risk or have experienced testicular torsion in the past.
The surgical procedure, which requires staying in the hospital, will attach both sides of your testicles to the inside of the scrotum.See a urologist, who is a specialist for male genitalia, to discuss your options. -
Step 3: Take pain medication.
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Step 4: Secure the testicle.
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Step 5: Rest as much as possible.
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Step 6: Decrease movement.
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Step 7: Drink only as necessary.
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Step 8: Attempt manual detorsion.
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Step 9: Acknowledge your risk.
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Step 10: Protect your testicles.
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Step 11: Avoid overly vigorous activity.
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Step 12: Maintain body temperature.
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Step 13: Undergo attachment surgery.
Detailed Guide
You may have had testicular torsion in the past or this could be your first experience with it.
Identifying the symptoms quickly and getting medical attention can help you minimize the risk of more harmful outcomes, such as loss of your testicle.The symptoms and signs of testicular torsion include:
Sudden and severe pain in the scrotum Swelling of the scrotum Abdominal pain Nausea and vomiting Higher testicle position than normal Testicle positioning at an unusual angle Painful urination Fever
If you experience any of the signs of testicular torsion, it is absolutely vital to call for help as soon as possible because you have a six to eight hour window before before damage begins to occur.This can minimize your risk of losing your testicle or harming your ability to have children.Check to see if you or another person has cell phone reception.
This can be a particular problem in the wilderness.
Getting to the highest point visible may help you.
If you or no else has phone reception, get to the nearest ranger station.
Rangers often have satellite phones and medical equipment that may help comfort you while you wait for emergency medical personnel.
Testicular torsion requires medical treatment and often surgery, so it’s vital that you contact medical personnel as soon as possible., Testicular torsion is often very painful.
Taking an over-the-counter pain medication may help reduce pain until you can see a doctor and get treatment for the condition.
Take aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen sodium for the pain.
Ibuprofen or naproxen sodium may help relieve related swelling. , Testicles that are not secured to the scrotum can cause torsion.Securing your testicles to your body until you can get out of the wilderness may minimize the risk of your testicle(s) further rotating on itself.Wrap a towel or other fabric around the affected testicle.
You may need to secure this to your body in order to maintain stability.
Keeping the testicle secure and restricting movement can alleviate some of the pain experienced when walking or sitting. , Movement or vigorous activity can cause testicular torsion.Rest to minimize the risk of further rotating your scrotum.Before you move to a ranger station or another more secure location in the wilderness, rest for a bit.
This may help calm you down as well. , If you have to move to get to a ranger station or more secure location, walk as slowly as possible.This can minimize the possibility of further rotating your scrotum and may alleviate discomfort.Walk on ground that is as level as possible and take care with each step.
If you are with others, ask them to support you while you walk. , Drinking excessive liquids can add pressure to your bladder and genital area, and urination may be painful.
Drink only as necessary so as not to increase pain of further rotate your testicle.
If you are taking a pain reliever, only drink enough to get the pill into your system. , If you cannot get to a doctor quickly because you are in an especially remote area, consider trying to rotate your testicle back into its proper position.
Be aware that this can be quite painful and doesn’t come without risks.Place your testicles in your hands as though you are holding a book.
Turn your testicles from the midline of your body towards the outside, or medial to lateral sides.Use an action that is similar to opening a book.If manual detorsion is too painful or your experience symptoms such as vomiting or fainting, discontinue the procedure immediately.
Manual detorsion doesn’t replace getting proper medical attention.Successful detorsion s marked by reduction in pain and lower position of the testes in the scrotum. , Knowing your relative risk for experiencing testicular torsion may help prevent it.
Although in some cases there is no clear cause or risk for testicular torsion, the following factors may make your more likely to have testicular torsion:
Age.
Torsion is most common in babies and at the onset of puberty.Defects to the connective tissue in the scrotum.Injury to the scrotum.Family historyPrior cases of torsion, Torsion can often occur following a minor injury or even during sleep.Protecting your testicles with athletic cups or more supportive underwear may help minimize your risk for torsion.Wear an athletic cup whenever you play contact sports such as football or soccer.Wear either “tighty whiteys” (briefs) or boxer-briefs to help support your testicles and minimize the risk of your testicles rotating.Wear underwear while you sleep. , Exercise or other activities that are especially vigorous can cause testicular torsion.
Stay away from any activity that may move your testicles in a manner that could promote torsion.If you are a runner or play sports that involve a lot of running, consider wearing more supportive undergarments to minimize your risk.
Be aware that general physical activity will not cause torsion, as it can occur when you are sitting, standing, sleeping, or doing exercise.In fact, a typical presentation of torsion is to be awoken in the early morning or at night with scrotal pain. , Cold temperatures can exacerbate your risk for testicular torsion.
Keeping your body—and testicles—at their normal temperature may help minimize your risk for developing the condition.Try not to sit on cold surfaces, especially during the winter.
You might want to avoid other surfaces that don’t conduct as much heat, such as rocks or stones.If you are out in the wilderness during the winter, make sure to wear proper clothing to keep your testicles from getting cold.
Wear pants and supportive underwear that keep your testicles close to your body. , In many cases, surgery can prevent testicular torsion.Discuss this option with your doctor if you know you are at risk or have experienced testicular torsion in the past.
The surgical procedure, which requires staying in the hospital, will attach both sides of your testicles to the inside of the scrotum.See a urologist, who is a specialist for male genitalia, to discuss your options.
About the Author
Kimberly Webb
Experienced content creator specializing in hobbies guides and tutorials.
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