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Mastitis is an inflammation of the breast tissue that usually affects lactating women. It can be caused by a blocked milk duct or bacterial infection. The symptoms include a red, sore area of the breast and pain when the breast is touched. Mastitis is diagnosed through physical examination and may involve testing breast milk. Treatment for non-infectious mastitis involves breastfeeding more frequently and expressing milk. Infectious mastitis requires antibiotics in addition to breast care techniques. Complications can include recurrence or developing a breast abscess if not properly treated.
Mastitis is an inflammation of the breast tissue that usually affects lactating women. It can be caused by a blocked milk duct or bacterial infection. The symptoms include a red, sore area of the breast and pain when the breast is touched. Mastitis is diagnosed through physical examination and may involve testing breast milk. Treatment for non-infectious mastitis involves breastfeeding more frequently and expressing milk. Infectious mastitis requires antibiotics in addition to breast care techniques. Complications can include recurrence or developing a breast abscess if not properly treated.
Mastitis is an inflammation of the breast tissue that usually affects lactating women. It can be caused by a blocked milk duct or bacterial infection. The symptoms include a red, sore area of the breast and pain when the breast is touched. Mastitis is diagnosed through physical examination and may involve testing breast milk. Treatment for non-infectious mastitis involves breastfeeding more frequently and expressing milk. Infectious mastitis requires antibiotics in addition to breast care techniques. Complications can include recurrence or developing a breast abscess if not properly treated.
or both mammary glands inside the breast. Mastitis usually affects lactating women - women who are breastfeeding, producing milk. Hence, it is often referred to as lactation mastitis. The patient feels a hard, sore spot inside the breast. Mastitis can occur as a result of an infection or a blocked milk duct.
Two types of mastitis
Non-infectious mastitis - this is usually caused by breast milk staying within the breast tissue - milk stasis - because of a blocked milk duct or a breastfeeding problem. If left untreated, the milk left in the breast tissue can become infected, leading to infectious mastitis. Infectious mastitis - this is caused by bacterial infection. It is important to receive treatment immediately to prevent complications, such as an abscess in the breast.
What are the symptoms of mastitis?
In the vast majority of cases only one breast is affected. The following signs or symptoms, which may develop rapidly, could be present (a symptom is something the patient feels or reports, while a sign is something other people, including the doctor identify): An area of the breast becomes red. The affected area of the breast hurts when touched. The affected area feels hot when touched. A burning sensation in the breast which may be there all the time, or only when breastfeeding.
What are the causes of mastitis?
Causes of non-infectious mastitis Non-infectious mastitis is usually caused by milk stasis (milk is produced, but then remains in the breast, rather than coming out during feeding). Milk stasis may have the following causes: The baby is not attaching to the breast properly during feeding. The baby has difficulties suckling the milk out of the breast. The baby is being breastfed infrequently. Milk ducts may be blocked because of pressure on the breast caused by, for example, tight clothing.
Causes of infectious mastitis
Bacteria do not generally thrive in fresh human milk. However, if the milk ducts are blocked and the milk stagnates the likelihood of infection grows. Experts believe that bacteria which exist on the surface of breast skin enter the breast through small cracks or breaks in the skin. They also suggest that bacteria in the baby's mouth may get into the mother's breast during a breastfeed. However, nobody is completely sure how bacteria get into the breast.
Infectious mastitis in women who are not
lactating Women who are not lactating (not producing milk, not breastfeeding) may develop infectious mastitis - this is not common. Those who do develop non-lactating infectious mastitis tend to be regular smokers in their late 20s to early 30s. Experts believe that smoking may damage the milk ducts, making them more susceptible to infection.
How is mastitis diagnosed?
Mastitis is fairly easy to diagnose. A GP (general practitioner, primary care physician) will carry out a physical examination and ask the patient questions about her symptoms. When symptoms are severe, or if the woman does not respond to treatment, the doctor may take a small sample of breast milk for testing. Tests will usually determine whether there is a bacterial infection, as well as the type of bacteria. Identifying the type of bacteria helps the doctor select the most targeted treatment.
How is mastitis diagnosed?
If the health care professional believes the mastitis is caused by a breastfeeding problem, the patient may be asked to demonstrate how she breastfeeds. It is important that the mother does not feel she is being blamed or judged. Breastfeeding sometimes requires some practice. Inflammatory breast cancer, a rare form of breast cancer, can also have similar symptoms of redness and swelling. In some rare cases a biopsy may be taken to rule out breast cancer.
What are the treatment options for mastitis?
Non-infectious mastitis - some self-care techniques usually resolve non-infectious mastitis. These include: The mother needs to make sure she is drinking plenty of liquids. The mother needs to make sure she is resting enough. Symptoms of pain and/or fever can be alleviated with OTC (over the counter) acetaminophen (paracetamol, Tylenol). Some of it will pass through the breast milk, but not enough to harm the baby. Do not take Aspirin while breastfeeding. Feed the baby more frequently. If you cannot feed the baby more frequently, express the milk more often if the breasts feel full. During a feed, start with the affected breast. This will drain it more. After a feed gently express any leftover milk.
What are the treatment options for mastitis?
Infectious mastitis - treatment includes an antibiotic , as well as the techniques listed above for non-infectious mastitis. The antibiotic may be passed on through the breast milk to the baby. The baby may produce runny stools and become restless. This does not damage the baby, and the effects will disappear as soon as treatment is completed.
What are the complications of mastitis?
Recurrence - women who have had mastitis are more likely to get it again, compared to other women. In most cases recurrence is due to late or inadequate treatment. Abscess - if the mastitis is not treated properly there is a risk that a collection of pus (abscess) can develop in the breast. Abscesses usually require surgical draining.