Treatment of mastitis (breast inflammmation)

Mastitis is an inflammation in the mammary gland, most often appearing in women, although the development of the disease in men is not excluded. Most often women who breastfeed suffer from the disease – mastitis develops in about 15% of them.

Mastitis often develops due to the activity of pyogenic microorganisms, most often belonging to streptococci or staphylococci. The infection usually penetrates the mammary glands through the cracks on the nipples, due to them bacteria enter the body. Factors contributing to the development of mastitis are violations of hygiene rules, weakening of immunity, insufficiency of the ducts of the breast, lactostasis, improper pumping of milk, tight underwear, hypothermia, abnormalities of the nipples, etc.

In the early stages of mastitis the symptoms do not bring much discomfort – the pain is mild, and the temperature rise is insignificant. Over time the symptoms increase, that is why it is better to contact a breast physician when the first unpleasant sensations appear, without waiting for pronounced symptoms. 

Depending on the reasons that provoked the development of mastitis there are two forms of the disease: lactational and fibrocystic. Lactational mastitis develops during breastfeeding, fibrocystic is more characteristic for women of any age, as well as for men.

By the nature of the disease mastitis can be serous infiltrative or suppurative. First serous mastitis develops, in the absence of treatment, it flows into infiltrative, and then - into suppurative. In severe cases in the absence of treatment the development of sepsis or gangrenous mastitis is not excluded.

The appearance of at least one of the symptoms of mastitis, even mild, is an important reason for an urgent visit to the breast physician. The thing is that the symptoms of breast diseases may be similar, and therefore an accurate diagnosis of "mastitis" can be made only by a specialist. In addition it is important to exclude concomitant diseases of the mammary glands, which could provoke the development of mastitis.

The process of diagnosis includes questioning the patient, examination and palpation of the mammary glands. It is also possible to conduct ultrasound of the mammary glands and laboratory tests to determine the bacteria that caused mastitis.

In the initial stages mastitis is treated with medication, including antibiotics to destroy the bacteria that provoked the disease. In the case of  suppurative mastitis surgical intervention is often necessary, in which the suppurations are opened and cleaned. Whether it is possible to continue breastfeeding during mastitis treatment is a decision that is made by the doctor individually in each case.

If you are concerned about one of these symptoms - do not delay contacting a doctor! 

The cost of mastitis treatment depends on the form and stage of the disease. You can find out the prices in advance here. Your doctor will provide you with more detailed information on this issue during your initial consultation.

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