9 cause of lactostasis, symptoms and treatment
Lactostasis is a pathology that leads to the formation of a plug in the milk duct, which prevents the release of milk.
If treatment is not carried out in a timely manner, then an increase in temperature and severe swelling of the chest are observed. In addition, the pain increases significantly. To prevent the development of more serious complications, you need to know the causes and symptoms of the disorder, as well as how to deal with lactostasis.
Many women suffer from this pathology after childbirth. It is characterized by a deterioration in milk production during feeding and often leads to serious problems for the newborn and the mother.
Causes of occurrence
Lactostasis cannot develop on its own. The wrong behavior of a young mother and her mistakes when feeding. The child can provoke the occurrence of this pathology.
Among the most common causes and mistakes, it is necessary to highlight the following:
- poorly organized feeding;
- infrequent feeding of the child;
- incorrectly selected underwear;
- severe pressure on the chest;
- cessation of breastfeeding;
- previous injury;
- fatigue, depression, psychological and mental problems;
- features of the structure of the chest;
- hypothermia.
It is worth noting that women who prefer to sleep on their stomachs are also at risk of developing lactostasis.
Symptoms
Treatment should be carried out immediately after the first signs of lactostasis. Let’s look at the clinical signs of lactostasis. Most patients complain of discomfort and soreness in the chest, pain during palpation; redness, varicose veins, fever and general malaise.
Treatment
Treatment should be carried out in a timely manner. It should be comprehensive and include the use of medications and alternative methods.
Drug therapy involves the use of drugs in tablet form, as well as in the form of ointments and creams. In addition, you can use folk remedies (but only after consultation with your doctor), massage and physiotherapy methods.
Determining a more accurate course of treatment largely depends on the characteristics of the development of the problem in the patient.
We warn you in advance that when treating with tablets, you must stop breastfeeding. Because the drugs can affect the newborn. For pain relief, it is recommended to take only non-steroidal drugs.
To achieve maximum effect, strictly follow the recommendations of your doctor, because improper treatment can lead to various types of complications, namely:
- mastitis and abscess;
- complete cessation of lactation;
- deterioration in the quality of breast milk.
The development of an infectious and inflammatory process is especially dangerous, since literally in 5-7 days it leads to the formation of an abscess. In the case of a complicated course of mastitis, surgery is required, namely, opening and drainage of the abscess with subsequent administration of antibacterial agents.
What is prohibited
What can and cannot be done with lactostasis in a nursing mother? Pay special attention to this so as not to harm yourself and the child.
First of all, it is important to exclude the consumption of large amounts of water, since the presence of excess fluid in the body can lead to an increase in the amount of milk secreted. But this does not mean that you should completely refuse to drink, because without fluid intake, your health can only worsen.
If possible, do not refuse to feed. Lactation is very difficult to stop on your own, but breastfeeding helps to normalize it. Moreover, lactostasis does not occur with normal feeding.
