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Mastitis - Is An Inflammation of Breast Tissue That Sometimes

Mastitis is an inflammation of breast tissue that is sometimes caused by an infection. It causes breast pain, swelling, warmth and redness, and can also result in fever and chills. Mastitis most commonly affects breastfeeding women and is usually caused by a blocked milk duct or bacteria entering through cracks in the nipple or duct openings. Without adequate treatment or if a blocked duct causes an abscess to form, complications can arise. Maintaining proper breastfeeding technique and fully draining the breasts can help prevent mastitis.

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Larr Sumalpong
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128 views

Mastitis - Is An Inflammation of Breast Tissue That Sometimes

Mastitis is an inflammation of breast tissue that is sometimes caused by an infection. It causes breast pain, swelling, warmth and redness, and can also result in fever and chills. Mastitis most commonly affects breastfeeding women and is usually caused by a blocked milk duct or bacteria entering through cracks in the nipple or duct openings. Without adequate treatment or if a blocked duct causes an abscess to form, complications can arise. Maintaining proper breastfeeding technique and fully draining the breasts can help prevent mastitis.

Uploaded by

Larr Sumalpong
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Mastitis –IS AN INFLAMMATION OF BREAST TISSUE THAT SOMETIMES

INVOLVES AN INFECTION. THE INFLAMMATION RESULTS IN BREAST PAIN,


SWELLING, WARMTH AND REDNESS. YOU MIGHT ALSO HAVE FEVER AND
CHILLS.
Mastitis most commonly affects women who are breast-feeding (lactation mastitis). But
mastitis can occur in women who aren't breast-feeding and in men.

Lactation mastitis can cause you to feel run down, making it difficult to care for your
baby. Sometimes mastitis leads a mother to wean her baby before she intends to. But
continuing to breast-feed, even while taking an antibiotic to treat mastitis, is better for
you and your baby.

Complications

MASTITIS THAT ISN'T ADEQUATELY TREATED OR THAT IS DUE TO A BLOCKED


DUCT CAN CAUSE A COLLECTION OF PUS (ABSCESS) TO DEVELOP IN YOUR
BREAST. AN ABSCESS USUALLY REQUIRES SURGICAL DRAINAGE.

Causes
 A BLOCKED MILK DUCT. IF A BREAST DOESN'T COMPLETELY EMPTY AT
FEEDINGS, ONE OF YOUR MILK DUCTS CAN BECOME CLOGGED. THE
BLOCKAGE CAUSES MILK TO BACK UP, LEADING TO BREAST INFECTION.
 BACTERIA ENTERING YOUR BREAST. BACTERIA FROM YOUR SKIN'S
SURFACE AND BABY'S MOUTH CAN ENTER THE MILK DUCTS THROUGH A
CRACK IN THE SKIN OF YOUR NIPPLE OR THROUGH A MILK DUCT
OPENING. STAGNANT MILK IN A BREAST THAT ISN'T EMPTIED PROVIDES
A BREEDING GROUND FOR THE BACTERIA.

Symptoms
 BREAST TENDERNESS OR WARMTH TO THE TOUCH
 BREAST SWELLING
 THICKENING OF BREAST TISSUE, OR A BREAST LUMP
 PAIN OR A BURNING SENSATION CONTINUOUSLY OR WHILE BREAST-
FEEDING
 SKIN REDNESS, OFTEN IN A WEDGE-SHAPED PATTERN
 GENERALLY FEELING ILL
 FEVER OF 101 F (38.3 C) OR GREATER

Risk factors

 PREVIOUS BOUT OF MASTITIS WHILE BREAST-FEEDING

 SORE OR CRACKED NIPPLES — ALTHOUGH MASTITIS CAN DEVELOP


WITHOUT BROKEN SKIN

 WEARING A TIGHTFITTING BRA OR PUTTING PRESSURE ON YOUR


BREAST WHEN USING A SEAT BELT OR CARRYING A HEAVY BAG,
WHICH MAY RESTRICT MILK FLOW

 IMPROPER NURSING TECHNIQUE

 BECOMING OVERLY TIRED OR STRESSED

 POOR NUTRITION

 SMOKING

Prevention

 FULLY DRAIN THE MILK FROM YOUR BREASTS WHILE BREAST-


FEEDING.

 ALLOW YOUR BABY TO COMPLETELY EMPTY ONE BREAST BEFORE


SWITCHING TO THE OTHER BREAST DURING FEEDING.

 CHANGE THE POSITION YOU USE TO BREAST-FEED FROM ONE


FEEDING TO THE NEXT.

 MAKE SURE YOUR BABY LATCHES ON PROPERLY DURING


FEEDINGS.
 IF YOU SMOKE, ASK YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT SMOKING CESSATION.

ALWAYS CONSIDER MEETING WITH A LACTATION CONSULTANT. A LACTATION


CONSULTANT CAN GIVE YOU TIPS AND PROVIDE INVALUABLE ADVICE FOR
PROPER BREAST-FEEDING TECHNIQUES.

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