Title : what is mastitis?-What breastfeeding mothers need to know
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what is mastitis?-What breastfeeding mothers need to know
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Mastitis is the inflammation of breast tissue in one or both
of the mammary glands. Mastitis usually affects breastfeeding women. For this
reason, mastitis is also known as lactation mastitis. Mastitis usually occurs
within the first three months after giving birth. It is rare in women who are
not breastfeeding.
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| image source; wikiherb.info |
Types of mastitis
There
are two types of mastitis: infectious mastitis and non-infectious
mastitis.
Non-infectious mastitis
Non-infectious
mastitis is caused by milk stasis i.e breast milk that stays within the breast
tissue. This milk stays in the breast tissue because one of the milk ducts is
blocked or because there is a breastfeeding problem. If it is not treated, the
milk that remains in the breast tissue can become infected causing infectious
mastitis.
Infectious mastitis
Infectious
mastitis is usually caused by bacterial infection. If it is not treated
immediately, it can lead to breast abscess.
What causes mastitis?
Causes of non-infectious mastitis
Non-infectious
mastitis is usually caused by milk stasis. This milk stasis occurs because
breast milk that is being produced does not come out during breast feeding.
Milk stasis is caused by the following:
· The baby is not being breastfed frequently
· The baby had difficulties when trying to suck breast milk
· The baby is not attached to the breast properly by the
mother during breastfeeding.
· The milk ducts of the mother are blocked because of external
pressure applied on the breast for example tight bras and clothes.
Causes of infectious mastitis
Infectious
mastitis is caused by bacteria. Bacteria does not grow in fresh breast milk. It
can only invade the breast tissues when there is milk stasis. The bacteria can also get into the breast tissue through the cracks on the mother’s breast
tissue.
Women
who are not breastfeeding may also develop mastitis. This it not common. But it
is caused by bacteria invasion. It is believed that women with a low immune
system may be susceptible to bacterial infection.
Women
who want to undergo breast piercing should do it with a professional because it
can lead to bacterial infection if not done by a professional.
Signs and Symptoms
A symptom is
anything that a patient feels and can report, while a sign is something that is
visible by a health care worker.
Below are the
signs and symptoms for mastitis.
· Red
swollen area of the breast
· Nipple
discharge which may contain little streaks of blood
· Lumps
found in the breast
· Pain
is felt when the breast it touched
· Sometimes,
there is a burning sensation in the breast.
· The
affected area or breast is warm or hot when touched
· Headache
and pains
· Fever
· Shivering
· Depression
· tiredness
Method of evaluation and diagnosis
Usually,
evaluation is done when a woman presents with the signs of mastitis.
Evaluation of the woman’s breast has to take place in a private setting, maybe
in the examination room.
Mastitis
can be diagnosed by a doctor or a nurse. The doctor or nurse will usually ask
the patient about the symptoms she is feeling and pair it to any sign he sees
in order to confirm a suspected case of mastitis. In cases where the symptoms
are very severe and the woman is not responding to treatment, the doctor/nurse
may take a breast milk specimen and send to the laboratory for analysis in
order to determine the specific bacterial infection.
If
the health care team suspect that the problem is resulting from poor breast
feeding habits, the health care team may ask the mother to demonstrate how she
breast feeds her child at home and her hygiene and sanitation during breast
feeding will be questioned and evaluated in order to be able to come up with
the solution to address the infection.
Complication
If
non-infectious mastitis is not addressed, it may become infected and cause
infectious mastitis. Similarly, if infectious mastitis is not treated, it may
lead to breast abscess and the accumulation of pus in the breast.
There
is the complication of recurrence of mastitis after the first case. This may
occur because the first case was not properly treated.
G) Treatment of mastitis
· Antibiotics:
the doctor or nurse in charge will
prescribe antibiotics.
· Pain
killers: pain killers such as acetaminophen
and ibuprofen will help in relieving the pain caused by mastitis.
· Adjusting
breastfeeding techniques and breast hygiene: if
the breast abscess was caused by poor breastfeeding techniques, the mother has
to learn how to position the baby properly. The mother should also ensure that
she empties her breast completely and clean the breast properly.
· Fluid and fruit intake should be increased. The mother
should also get enough bed rest.
· Surgery: surgery may be performed to remove the duct that is
infected. It is usually done under general anaesthesia.
Sources:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mastitis/basics/definition/con-20026633
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/mastitis/Pages/Introduction.aspx
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