Gynecology and Mammology >>>> Signs and treatment of mastitis

Signs and treatment of mastitis.

The inflammatory process that develops in the tissues of the mammary gland is called "mastitis". There are a number of factors, the presence of at least one of which can initiate the development of inflammation:

Infectious agents that enter the bloodstream into the breast tissue during generalized infection or existing infectious foci in the body,
Injuries to the nipple, leading to colonization of the pathogenic microflora of the mammary ducts,
Breast infection during breastfeeding or when expressing milk,
Stagnation in the ducts of the breast milk (lactostasis),
Hormonal disorders,
Physiological features of the development of the breast,
Low level of immune defense.

The ways of penetration of pathogens into the breast tissue are the bloodstream, the lymphatic system, damage to the integrity of the skin of the breast and nipple area. The main infectious agents that trigger the inflammatory process are staphylococci, but in some cases the role of the pathogen in the development of mastitis can be played by streptococci, E. coli, mycobacteria, fungi and many other conditionally pathogenic microorganisms.

Signs of mastitis:

Painful lumps in the breast area,
Hyperemia of breast tissue,
Temperature rise up to 38-40 in Celsius,
An increase in the size of the lymph nodes.

The danger of developing mastitis is that the inflammatory process does not necessarily affect only the ducts of the mammary gland and the nipple area. It tends to spread to the adjacent breast tissue, passing from a serous form to a purulent form. Purulent inflammation affects the vascular system of the mammary gland, leads to vascular thrombosis, necrotic changes in tissues and, as a result, to the gangrenous form of mastitis. The development of mastitis can be acute or chronic. When chronic process signs of mastitis felt not so sensitive, the temperature is kept low grade (37 in Celsius ).

The choice of treatment methods for mastitis depends on the stage of the inflammatory process and on the form of its development (serous, infiltrative, purulent). With serous or infiltrative inflammation, drug therapy is performed:

Broad-spectrum antibiotics,
Detoxification measures (electrolyte solutions),
Means for suppressing lactation,
Immunostimulants to increase the body's resistance.

Purulent forms of mastitis involve surgical treatment in order to drain the purulent focus and create conditions for the outflow of purulent exudate.

Prevention of mastitis is aimed at preventing the development of inflammatory processes in the tissues of the mammary gland and consists of several rules: