Elephantiasis of the legs: causes, treatment

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2018-03-28 02:08:11

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Elefantes, or elephantiasis of the legs – a disease in which the limbs grow and acquire enormous dimensions from the fact that they strongly thickened skin and subcutaneous tissue. What becomes the cause of such pathology is, and how it can be treated, we will discuss in the article.

Congenital elephantiasis of the legs: causes

In a clinical environment elephantiasis is also called lymphodema. It is based on violation of a condition of the lymphatic stream, which stops the outflow of lymph from the tissues and, consequently, causes them to increase. Muscle tissue thus impregnated with proteins, which causes fibrotic changes in the subcutaneous tissue.elephantiasis legs

In medicine, there are primary (congenital) and secondary (acquired) elephantiasis of the legs.

The Occurrence of birth lymphedema is triggered by a genetic predisposition and problems in the formation of the lymphatic system of the child. By the way, most often this disease occurs in women. And to show she can both childhood and adulthood.

Acquired elephantiasis

Depending on the view, the elephantiasis of the legs has different causes. So, one of the prerequisites for the described pathology is the human infection by larvae of filaria Bancroft. This worms are parasites, which belong to the class of nematodes. They live in the lymphatic system of humans, affecting also and subcutaneous tissue. And spread them mosquitoes that live in countries with subtropical and tropical climates. There is especially prevalent parasitic elephantiasis of the legs (photo of this pathology can be seen in the article).

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Filaria in the lymphatic ducts weave through the tangles of that, in fact, causes a reduction in lymph drainage. In addition, they cause the seal of the vessel walls, which leads to their blockage as a result of thrombosis or stenosis. Trombirovania lymphatic vessels, by the way, often broken.

Foci of necrosis present in such cases, be a favorable environment for the development of coccal infection that leads to abscesses.

In addition, as a result of the activity of parasites, especially in the case of their collapse, appear substances that cause skin sensitivity such as rashes, inflammation etc.elephantiasis of the legs causes

Are There any other reasons that can cause elephantiasis?

Doctors have purchased causing the disease elephantiasis of the legs, are also included, and the appearance of malignant tumors in the lymph nodes, their purulent inflammation (lymphadenitis), limb injury, erysipelas.

Sometimes the impetus for the development of this disease is surgery or some medical treatments, such as radiation therapy, cosmetic venectomy, liposuction, arterial reconstruction, etc.

How disease manifests

Elephantiasis of the legs is not a fatal disease, but it can lead to disability and severely disrupting the daily life of the patient. Not to miss the first symptoms, you need to know about how they look.elephantiasis legs photo

  • Pathology begins to develop with a small soft swelling that appears on the back side of the foot. He, like ordinary edema, increased towards evening, and after a long vacation or in the morning disappears.
  • Some time Later, such swelling did not go after the rest, kept constantly spreading to the upper part of the tibia or femur, and become more dense. Form limbs now resembles a cylinder.
  • In the swelling formed skin folds, which give him the appearance of elephant skin.
  • Subsequently, the skin changes: it becomes inflamed, red, covered with cracks and venous ulcers.

To the above characteristics, you can add the keratinization of the skin, the appearance of warts and chronic eczema. In the legs a feeling of heaviness, increased fatigue, there is pain.

When to call the doctor

As you've probably guessed, to refer to specialists should be already at the initial stage of the disease. That is, as soon as you notice that the swelling on your feet doesn't pass by morning, and when gently pressed it is soft and pliable, you should visit the doctor, or the elephantiasis of the legs will continue to grow. The treatment at an early stage has the most chance of success.

The Doctor will need to differentiate your condition from others with similar symptoms (varicose veins, deforming osteoarthritis, etc.). It will have to do lymphoscintigraphy, computed tomography, ultrasound and x-ray.

Don't forget to mention in conversation with the doctor and your holiday in tropical countries, if such there were, to specialist could rule out infection with filarial mentioned above.how to treat elephantiasis legs

How is the treatment of elephantiasis

How to treat elephantiasis of the legs, depends on the stage of elephantiasis. At the beginning of the development of the disease the doctor will recommend the patient to cover the affected area with an elastic bandage to reduce swelling, wearing compression socks or stockings, as well as through massage and physical therapy. Good reviews there are on a regional of hypobaric hypoxic stimulation (this type of vacuum massage). Noticed a positive impact on the pathology of the electrophoresis with lydasum and trypsin and phonophoresisapizartron.

In addition to these procedures, the patient is also prescribed a drug called "Venerate" ointment "Caffeine".

Treatment of elephantiasis of the feet in the stable, or deforming the fibrous stage, usually carried out by surgical methods. So, when palliative method partially excised the affected tissue and apply drainage modifications in order to improve the flow of lymph. Especially popular this method in the treatment of the elderly and children.

Advanced use of a radical method: excision of the skin, connective tissues and fascia. However, such operations can have complications and require a long hospital stay.treatment of elephantiasis legs

Some tips for patients with elephantiasis

Treatment of elephantiasis of the feet can not be successful, if the patient does not, reduce the load on the legs. During work it is necessary to pause for 15 min, and better if at this time you have the opportunity to take a horizontal position and gently lift the leg. The night also stands to put under them the soft cushion.

It is Not necessary to sit with his legs, wearing tight clothes and shoes – all this slows the flow of lymph. And the question of visiting the baths and saunas will solve the doctor.

In addition, patients should be remembered that herbal medicine and folk remedies are not suitable for the treatment of elephantiasis. If you rely on them, the optimal time to start treatment gone, and you can not wait. Funds for the so-called cleansing of the lymphatic system in modern medicine there is! Remember this and don't waste time!disease elephantiasis legs

Possible preventive measures for the disease elephantiasis

Although the disease elephantiasis of the feet in the running stage has a generally positive prognosis measures that will help to prevent its development, will be not superfluous. This applies particularly to those families where already there were cases of this disease.

Doctors advise to include in the menu endive with ginger tea brewed from the leaves of bilberry with honey, and cranberry juice.

If the legs appear even a small swelling, should I do a light massage of feet and lift the leg for 10-15 min.

It is Obligatory to wear comfortable shoes and active lifestyle. Avoid salty and spicy foods and start treatment of injuries, erysipelas and burns. Watch your weight, and the use of any medicines to reduce edema in the legs coordinate with the doctor, otherwise the consequences could be disastrous! Be healthy!


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DE: https://www.tostpost.com/de/gesundheit/23910-elephantiasis-der-beine-ursachen-behandlung.html

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Alin Trodden - author of the article, editor
"Hi, I'm Alin Trodden. I write texts, read books, and look for impressions. And I'm not bad at telling you about it. I am always happy to participate in interesting projects."

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