Elephantiasis, or elephantiasis of the legs, is a disease in which the limbs grow and become huge due to the fact that the skin and subcutaneous tissue are very thickened in them. What exactly becomes the cause of such a pathology, and how it can be treated, we will discuss in the article.
Congenital elephantiasis of the legs: causes
In a medical environment, elephantiasis is also called lymphodema. It is based on a violation of the state of the lymphatic channel, which stops the outflow of lymph from the tissues and, accordingly, leads to their increase. In this case, muscle tissue is impregnated with proteins, which causes fibrous changes in the subcutaneous tissue.
In medicine, there are primary (congenital) and secondary (acquired) elephantiasis of the legs.
The occurrence of congenital lymphodema is provoked by a genetic predisposition and problems in the formation of the lymphatic system of the child. By the way, most often this pathology occurs in women. And it can manifest itself both from childhood and in adulthood.
Acquired elephantiasis
Depending on the species, elephantiasis of the legs has various reasons. So, one of the prerequisites for the described pathology is considered to be human infection with Bancroft's larvae . These are parasitic worms, which belong to the class of nematodes. They live in the lymphatic system of people, also affecting the subcutaneous tissue. And they are carried by mosquitoes that live in countries with a subtropical and tropical climate. It is there that the parasitic elephantiasis of the legs is especially common (a photo of this pathology can be seen in the article).
Filaria in the lymphatic ducts are woven into tangles, which, in fact, causes a slowdown in the outflow of lymph. In addition, they provoke the compaction of the walls of blood vessels, which leads to their blockage as a result of thrombosis or stenosis. Thrombosed lymphatic vessels, by the way, often burst.
The foci of necrosis available in such cases become a favorable environment for the development of coccal infection, which leads to the occurrence of abscesses.
In addition, as a result of the vital activity of parasites, especially in the event of their disintegration, substances appear that cause an increase in the sensitivity of the skin in the form of rashes, inflammations, etc.
Are there any other reasons that can cause elephantiasis?
Doctors also refer to the appearance of malignant formations in the lymph nodes, their purulent inflammation (lymphadenitis), limb injuries, and erysipelas , to the causes of the acquired disease - elephantiasis of the legs .
Sometimes the impetus for the development of the described disease is surgery or some medical procedures, for example: radiotherapy, cosmetic venectomy, liposuction, arterial reconstruction, etc.
How is the disease manifested?
Elephantiasis of the legs is not a fatal ailment, but it can lead to disability and greatly disrupt the normal course of life in a patient. In order not to miss the first symptoms of the disease, you need to know how they look.
- Pathology begins to develop with a small soft edema that appears from the back of the foot. He, like normal swelling, intensifies in the evening, and after a long rest or in the morning disappears.
- After some time, such edema no longer passes after rest, keeps constantly, spreading to the upper part of the lower leg or thigh, and at the same time become more dense. The shape of the limb now resembles a cylinder.
- In the area of ββedema, skin folds are formed, which give it the appearance of an ivory skin.
- Subsequently, the skin changes: it becomes inflamed, reddens, becomes covered with cracks and trophic ulcers.
To the signs described above, you can add keratinization of the skin, the appearance of warts and chronic dermatitis. The legs feel heavy, fatigue increases, pain occurs.
When to see a doctor
As you probably already guessed, you should contact specialists already at the initial stage of the disease. That is, as soon as you notice that the swelling on your legs does not go away in the morning, and when you lightly press it, it turns out to be soft and supple, you should see a doctor, otherwise the elephantiasis of your legs will grow steadily. Treatment at an early stage has the greatest chance of success.
Your doctor will need to differentiate your disease from others with similar symptoms (varicose veins, deforming osteoarthrosis, etc.). To do this, you will have to do lymphoscintigraphy, computed tomography, ultrasound and radiography.
Do not forget to mention in a conversation with a doctor your vacation in hot countries, if there was one, so that a specialist can exclude infection with filarias, which was mentioned above.
How is elephantiasis treated?
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 that the patient bandage the affected area with an elastic bandage to reduce swelling, wear compression stockings or knee-high socks, as well as undergo massage and physiotherapy exercises. Good reviews are also available on regional barotherapy (this is a type of vacuum massage). A positive effect on the pathology of electrophoresis with trypsin and lidase and phonophoresis with apizartron has been noted.
In addition to these procedures, the patient is also prescribed the drug "Venoruton" and ointment "Troxevasin".
Treatment of elephantiasis of the legs in a stable, deforming or fibrous stage, as a rule, is carried out by surgical methods. So, with the palliative method, the affected tissues are partially excised and drainage modifications are used in order to improve lymph outflow. This method is especially popular in the treatment of the elderly and children.
In the advanced stage, they use the radical method: excision of the skin, connective tissue and fascia. True, such operations can have complications and require a long stay in the hospital.
Some tips for patients with elephantiasis
Treatment of elephantiasis of the legs cannot be successful if the patient does not reduce the load on the legs. During operation, pauses of 15 minutes should be made, and it is better if at this time it is possible to take a horizontal position and slightly raise the legs. At night, itβs also worth putting a soft roller under them.
You should not sit cross-legged, wear tight shoes and clothes - all this slows down the flow of lymph. And the question of the possibility of visiting baths and saunas will be decided by the attending physician.
In addition, patients should remember that herbal medicine and folk remedies are not suitable for the treatment of elephantiasis. If you rely only on them, the optimal time for starting treatment will be gone, and you may not wait for the result. There are no funds for the so-called cleansing of the lymphatic system in modern medicine! Remember this and do not waste time!
Are preventative measures possible for elephantiasis?
Although the disease, elephantiasis of the legs in an unreleased stage, as a rule, has positive predictions, measures to help prevent its development will not be superfluous. This is especially true for those families where there have already been cases of this disease.
Doctors advise to include chicory with ginger, tea brewed from lingonberry leaves with honey, and cranberry juice in the menu.
If even small swelling appears on the legs, a light massage of the feet should be done and the legs should be lifted for 10-15 minutes.
A prerequisite is wearing comfortable shoes and an active lifestyle. Do not get involved in salty and spicy foods and start treating injuries, erysipelas and burns. Watch your weight, and the use of any drugs to reduce swelling on your legs should be agreed with your doctor, otherwise the consequences may be dire! Be healthy!