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Sometimes Penis Pain May Suggest Reiter’s Syndrome

The body is a marvelous creation, and one the complexity of which is often taken for granted. One reason that physicians may have difficulty initially diagnosing a medical problem is because one symptom can be common to so many different conditions – and often the symptom doesn’t directly correspond to the characteristics of the condition. That’s why sometimes a penis health issue, such as simple penis pain, can indicate a problem seemingly unrelated to penis health. This is essentially the case with penis pain as a possible prognosticator of a condition known as Reiter’s syndrome.

Reiter’s syndrome

More commonly known as reactive arthritis, Reiter’s syndrome causes painful swelling in the joints, usually the knees and ankles, although other joints may also be affected. In addition, there may also be an infection of the eyes that accompanies Reiter’s syndrome.

Often, however, before the joint pain starts and continuing throughout the time the condition is noticeable, a man with Reiter’s syndrome will experience penis pain. Indeed, some think that an infection in the penis, or in some other part of the body, is what is ultimately responsible for the painful arthritic characteristics. (The fact that the arthritis occurs in reaction to an infection not located in the joints is why it is sometimes referred to as reactive arthritis.) In most cases, the penis pain is not ongoing but sporadic, occurring usually during urination and/or ejaculation.

Beyond the penis pain, the prostate is also sometimes affected. This can in turn bring about chills and fever in some men. Finally, there can sometimes be skin rashes that eventually develop, sometimes occurring on the head of the penis.

Causes

But what causes the infection that ultimately brings about joint pain and swelling? There can be a number of causes. Frequently, Reiter’s syndrome has been associated with salmonella, or more accurately, with the bacteria that causes salmonella. Other bacteria that cause other forms of food poisoning also have been implicated in the penis pain that can precede Reiter’s syndrome.

There also can be a sexual component to the infection. Chlamydia, a sexually transmitted disease, can sometimes cause the infection, and this again can sometimes lead to cases of the arthritic syndrome. Men with HIV are also more prone to developing Reiter’s.

But there appears to be a strong genetic component as well. About four-fifths of cases of Reiter’s syndrome occur in people with a specific genetic type (known as HLA-B27). The genetic type does not cause the condition, but it does make it much more likely that someone who is exposed to the bacteria associated with Reiter’s will develop the condition.

Treatment

So how is Reiter’s syndrome treated? Assuming that the infection that provoked the condition still persists, it is likely that the doctor will prescribe antibiotic treatment. The arthritic issues are likely to be dealt with via a number of possible options, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, topical steroids (for skin conditions), and/or rheumatoid arthritis drugs. If the arthritis has been long lasting or severe, then physical therapy may be needed to get the body back into proper shape.

In terms of prevention, wearing condoms to help prevent the spread of chlamydia and storing food at appropriate temperatures and cooking it thoroughly can help reduce the risk of infection that can lead to Reiter’s syndrome.

Penis pain from Reiter’s syndrome might be more easily managed if penis health is maintained at a high level. This can be aided by the daily application of a superior penis health oil (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin). The best oils are those that include the full range of necessary vitamins, including A, B5, C, D, and E. In addition, look for an oil with L-arginine, an amino acid that helps produce nitric oxide. This in turn allows penile blood vessels to expand and remain open when needed.

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