Lactostasis is understood as a condition when breast milk stagnates in the ducts of the mammary glands of a nursing woman. This problem can occur at any stage of breastfeeding, both immediately after the baby is born, and after a year. In addition, it can either occur once, or be repeated after a certain period of time. Lactostasis is capable of causing significant discomfort to a young mother, as well as jeopardizing the entire process of breastfeeding. The complex treatment of this condition includes physiotherapeutic procedures. In this review, we will look at how to detect lactostasis in a nursing mother, symptoms of this manifestation and treatment methods.
Why arises
What is lactostasis? Why can he even appear? There are a number of reasons for this condition. One of the main ones is the incorrect attachment of the baby to the chest. The baby should be turned to face the mother’s chest, the head and torso should be in the same plane. The baby's mouth should cover most of the areola. If the baby is correctly applied to the breast, the mother does not feel pain. An exception is only the first stages of feeding. If the baby is not applied correctly, the chest will not be empty completely. As a result, breast milk may stagnate in the ducts. This condition is called lactostasis.
Another common cause of milk stagnation is feeding the baby not by demand, but by the hour. Milk can arrive, but it does not reach the child. The result is lactostasis.
Other reasons
There are also a number of negative factors that can cause lactostasis in a nursing mother. Treatment may depend on the cause of the disease.
Breast milk stasis usually occurs as a result of the following conditions:
- Infectious diseases of the respiratory tract in the mother (the cause in this case also lies in swelling of the tissues).
- Hyperlactation (high milk content in the mammary glands). This condition, as a rule, develops as a result of irrational frequent decantation.
- Swelling of the breast tissue can occur when wearing improperly selected clothes. Bra seams can exert excessive pressure.
- Injury to the chest (tissue can swell in the area of the impact, the ducts are compressed, and the milk does not leave as it should).
- Anatomical features: in many women, the ducts of the mammary glands are too narrow or excessively convoluted.
- Sagging breasts.
- Sleep on the side or stomach with squeezing mammary glands.
- Physical overstrain.
- Psycho-emotional stress.
Stagnation of milk in the duct can cause an increase in pressure throughout the lobule. As a result, tissue edema occurs, which can go into painful compaction. Milk, having no outflow paths, can be partially absorbed into the blood. This causes an increase in body temperature. Due to prolonged hypertension in the lobules, milk production decreases until lactation is completely stopped. This condition is called total lactostasis.
Symptoms
Let's dwell on this in more detail. Identifying this condition is not difficult. First of all, a woman usually pays attention to pain in a certain area of the mammary gland. Along with this there is a feeling of heaviness and bursting. When palpating, a painful seal may appear. Also, an increase in temperature to subfebrile (37-38 degrees) and febrile (38-39) values can be noted. The disease can be accompanied by a state of chills. Many sick mothers first notice weakness, and only then pay attention to the fever, and after that they try to find the cause of this condition. Even at home, a woman may well palpate a painful lump deep in the breast.
It should be noted that not every mother will be able to independently discover the seal. In this case, consult a doctor. Some women do not even have a fever. With lactostasis, feeding is accompanied by severe pain. Over time, the seal may increase in size, the skin over it turns red. If at this stage you do not provide the woman with medical care, an infection can enter the stagnant milk. As a result, mastitis develops. This can lead to accumulation of pus in the mammary gland.
Therapy
What is lactostasis and how to treat it? To eliminate this ailment, experts recommend nursing mothers to express milk using a breast pump. First of all, it is worth noting that with stagnation in the early stages, a woman can cope with the problem on her own. Simply put the baby to the chest. The easiest method of treating milk stagnation is frequent application. In this case, it is necessary to ensure that they are correct. Then the manipulations discussed will be more effective. The baby should be positioned so that his chin is directed towards the seal. Thanks to this, additional massage will also be carried out. With stagnation in the upper segments, it is recommended to apply the child upside down. In this case, the young mother will have to work hard, but the result will not be long in coming.
Recommendations
Is it possible to somehow prevent lactostasis (code for ICD-10 091 - mastitis)? Many qualified professionals recommend taking a warm shower before feeding. Water jets should be directed to the area between the shoulder blades and to the area where the seal is localized. Warm jets of water will provide a kind of massage, as a result of which the ducts and muscles in a state of spasm will be relaxed. You can also try using a compress instead of a shower. It is applied for 15-20 minutes before the intended feeding.
Specialists recommend the use of camphor alcohol compresses. However, it is worth noting that this tool can reduce the level of lactation. Restoring it to its original state can be extremely difficult. This method is fully justified and can be used if lactostasis is caused by hyperlactation.
Before and after feeding, doctors advise a gentle massage. Previously, it was believed that stagnation of milk in the breast can only be “broken”, thereby causing excruciating pain to a young mother. Such a massage often left a lot of bruises. Too gross mechanical effects can cause swelling of the delicate tissue of the mammary gland, which subsequently leads to a series of lactostases.
Ultrasound
Traditional methods of treating milk stagnation are far from always effective. Therefore, many are interested in how ultrasound is used for lactostasis.
This technique has many advantages:
- Ultrasonic exposure is directly on the area of the focus of compaction. Not all recovery techniques have this feature.
- Ultrasound on the mammary glands with lactostasis does not do any harm to soft tissues and other structures.
- The effect on stagnation of milk is carried out by massage of a microtype.
In tissues treated with ultrasound, an improvement in blood circulation and an acceleration of metabolic processes are also observed. This has a positive effect on all the functions of the body of a young mother.
Features of the technique
The use of ultrasound in medicine is quite widespread. It consists in the influence of frequency fluctuations up to 3000 kHz, which must be strictly dosed. Ultrasound can only be used under the supervision of a mammologist. He will be able to determine all the features of a woman's condition.
Due to the influence of waves of the ultrasonic range, it is possible to achieve a mechanical, thermal and physico-chemical effect. In fact, the presented method plays the role of an irritant that is capable of triggering the body's natural defense mechanisms. As a result, accelerated tissue regeneration is observed.
Is ultrasound effective for lactostasis? Patient reviews confirm that the painful sensations when using this technique pass quite quickly.
Contraindications
This issue should be given special attention. Despite its high efficiency, ultrasound with lactostasis can not always be used.
Mammologists distinguish the following contraindications to the conduct of such physiotherapy:
- lesions of the nervous system;
- cancerous tumors and malignant tumors;
- exacerbation of mastitis.
Less serious contraindications include hormonal disorders. The problem is that some of their forms lead to the development of cancer. Therefore, in this case, you can not use ultrasound for lactostasis. Contraindications also include cystic diseases (breast fibroadenomatosis).
Exploratory survey
Before you start using ultrasound for lactostasis, you must definitely undergo a medical examination. Only on the basis of analyzes, a mammogram and the results of an ultrasound, the doctor will be able to prescribe the appropriate therapy. This will help prevent the development of complications and eliminate lactostasis in a nursing mother. Treatment usually includes a whole course of physiotherapy, as well as taking medication.
At home
What is lactostasis? Is it possible to deal with this condition at home? Doctors are strongly advised to use special complexes of vitamins and minerals. These drugs will help improve the general condition of the young mother.
How is mastitis treated in a nursing mother? Again, 091 is the lactostasis code for ICD-10. The most effective technique is ultrasound. Subject to a number of recommendations, it can even be used at home. Some preparation is required. Firstly, you should refuse to take hormonal drugs. It is also not recommended to drink alcohol before the procedure. This can worsen the general condition of the body and minimize the therapeutic effect of the treatment.
So that ultrasound with lactostasis is as effective as possible, it is recommended to massage the breast with gentle relaxing movements before the procedure. This will speed up the process of resorption of milk.
Conclusion
In this review, we examined what lactostasis in a nursing mother is, the symptoms of this condition and treatment methods. Before carrying out any procedures, it is better to consult a specialist. Take care of yourself and your baby!