Have you ever noticed that some people's hands, especially their legs, are unusually large and swollen, like an elephant's leg? In common parlance, we call this condition "elephantiasis" or "elephantiasis". This is actually a very rare condition. In medical terms, we call it `Lymphatic Filariasis`. Don't be scared when you hear this name. So today, let's talk about what Elephantiasis is, how it develops, and what are the treatments for it.
What causes Barawa disease?
The first thing to understand is that this is not a disease that can be contracted from a single mosquito bite. To develop malaria, you must be exposed to a large number of infected mosquitoes over a long period of time in a country where a specific type of roundworm is common.
In simple terms, this is what happens: When a mosquito carrying roundworm larvae bites you, the tiny larvae enter your bloodstream. From there, they travel to your body's lymph system and begin to grow. These worms can live in your lymphatic system for years. During this time, they cause a lot of damage to your lymphatic system. This damage to your lymphatic system is the main cause of that severe swelling.
What are the main symptoms of this disease?
Often, you won't know you have this condition until you notice swelling in your body. This swelling can be accompanied by several other symptoms. See if these sound familiar to you.
| Symptom | Description |
|---|---|
| Main symptom: swelling | Abnormal enlargement of the hands, feet, genitals (e.g., testicles), and breasts in women. |
| Skin changes | The skin in the affected area becomes thick, hard, and bumpy (just like the skin of an elephant). |
| Pain | Severe pain in the swollen area. |
| Other common features | Sudden onset of fever, chills, and a feeling of weakness throughout the body. |
How do you find this, Doctor?
When you go to see a doctor with these symptoms, he or she will first do a thorough physical exam. Then , they will definitely ask about your medical history, especially if you have recently traveled to a tropical country.
In addition, you will be asked to take a blood test to check for the roundworms we talked about earlier. There is something special to remember here.
Since these parasites are active in the blood at night, this blood sample must be taken at night. Therefore, a blood test done during the day may not detect it.
What are the treatments for barawa?
The good news is that hookworm is treatable. Your doctor can give you a medicine called diethylcarbamazine (DEC). This is usually taken once a year. This medicine kills the tiny worms in your blood.
Another treatment option is to combine DEC with another drug called ivermectin. This combination is also taken once a year. Research has shown that giving these two drugs together gives better long-term results.
Things you can do to manage symptoms at home
While taking medication, there are several things you can do yourself to reduce the discomfort caused by symptoms:
- Wash and dry the swollen areas daily.
- Use moisturizers that moisturize the skin.
- Always check your skin for wounds. Only apply a medicated cream prescribed by your doctor to the wounds.
- Exercise whenever possible. Walking is very good.
- If your arm or leg is swollen, keep the swollen area elevated by placing something like a pillow on it when you are sitting or lying down.
- Sometimes, it is recommended to wrap the swollen area tightly with a bandage to prevent it from getting worse. However, you should definitely consult your doctor before doing this and only do it as he or she tells you.
In some severe cases, especially if the swelling is severe in areas such as the testicles, surgery may be necessary to relieve pressure in those areas.
Is living with the disease a challenge?
Indeed, living with rheumatoid arthritis can be challenging at times. For some people, it can be difficult to hold down a job, perform daily tasks, or even move around the house because of the difficulty moving the affected body parts.
Also, worrying about your appearance and how others view you can make you depressed. This can lead to conditions like anxiety and depression.
Don't suffer alone at times like this. It's the greatest injustice done to you. Talk openly about this with your doctor. Ask about support groups. If you can join one, it will be a great mental boost for you.
Take-Home Message
- Elephantiasis is a disease caused by a parasite that is transmitted by mosquitoes.
- The main symptom is abnormal swelling and thickening of the skin in body parts such as the limbs and genitals.
- There are effective drug treatments for this disease. So if you have symptoms, don't be afraid and see a qualified doctor.
- Symptoms can be controlled by keeping the swollen areas clean, exercising, and keeping the affected areas elevated.
- It is very important to get proper support for the physical discomfort and mental stress caused by this disease.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න