If you have breast implants, you may sometimes experience strange symptoms that you can't explain. You may wonder what's going on. When you talk to your doctor about these discomforts, you may not be able to find a clear cause. Today we are talking about a condition called ' Breast Implant Illness ', which is a common complaint among many people who experience this condition, but which has not yet been fully medically diagnosed.
Simply put, what are breast implants?
A breast implant is a surgically placed implant inside your breast or under your chest muscles. It is usually made of silicone gel or a sac filled with saline . Breast implants are one of the most common cosmetic surgeries performed worldwide.
These come in a variety of shapes and textures. For example:
There are several reasons why someone might decide to have breast implants.
- After a breast is removed due to cancer: The surgery to remove breast tissue due to serious conditions such as cancer is called a mastectomy . These are then used to restore the breast to its original shape.
- Gender affirmation: When breasts are considered an important part of one's identity.
- To increase self-confidence: This helps some people increase their self-confidence about their body.
- Natural breast asymmetry: Most people's breasts are slightly different in size. But sometimes the difference is too much. This asymmetry can be corrected with surgery.
Is there really a disease called 'Breast Implant Illness'?
This is the most important question. Currently, 'Breast Implant Illness' is not a formal medical diagnosis. That is, there is no specific disease with this name mentioned in medical books.
Instead, it is used as a general term to describe a range of seemingly unrelated symptoms seen among breast implant recipients.
This condition is known by several other names. For example, the name Autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA) is also used.
However, research on this is now happening rapidly. Therefore, it is possible that this will be recognized as an official disease in the near future. It is also important to remember that these symptoms can occur regardless of the type of implant used.
Who is most at risk for this condition?
Anyone who has had a breast implant can develop this condition. However, some studies have shown that the risk is slightly higher if you or someone in your family has autoimmune diseases , which are diseases in which the body's immune system attacks its own cells.
Also, your risk may be increased if you already have the following conditions:
- Common allergies
- Migraines
- Chronic fatigue
- Chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia
What are the symptoms of 'Breast Implant Illness'?
The symptoms can vary greatly from person to person. And, these symptoms can affect your entire body. So far, people with this condition have reported more than 50 symptoms.
These symptoms are usually similar to those of autoimmune diseases. They can affect your mental functioning, your musculoskeletal system, and your entire body.
| Characteristic type | Common symptoms |
|---|---|
| Physical | Joint and muscle pain, muscle weakness, chronic fatigue, difficulty breathing, skin rashes, hair loss, dry mouth and eyes. |
| Mental & Neurological | Memory loss, difficulty concentrating (brain fog), anxiety, depression, headaches. |
These symptoms can start right after the implant is inserted, or they can appear years later. Therefore, if you have these symptoms, don't immediately rule out breast implants.
What causes this? And how does a doctor diagnose it?
The exact cause of 'Breast Implant Illness' has not yet been discovered, but there are several things that medical experts suspect.
The main suspicion is that the body's immune system is acting against this implant. It's as if the immune system, which is like our body's security soldiers, thinks this implant is an 'enemy' and starts attacking it. The reason for this may be the silicone material itself.
Another theory is that bacteria accumulate on the surface of the implant (biofilm) , which causes chronic infection and inflammation.
How does a doctor detect this?
Currently, there is no test that can definitively diagnose 'Breast Implant Illness'. So your doctor will first check to see if there are other conditions that could be causing your symptoms. For example, they will run tests to rule out things like arthritis and Lyme disease .
Sometimes, this condition, called 'Breast Implant Illness', can occur together with an autoimmune disease such as lupus , rheumatoid arthritis , or scleroderma .
What are the treatments for this?
The main and most effective treatment for 'Breast Implant Illness' is surgical removal of the breast implant.
The most important thing is to completely remove not only the implant, but also the scar tissue that has formed around it. This procedure is also called an en bloc capsulectomy .
Most often, the surgery is performed through an incision under the breast or around the nipple. The implant and scar tissue are then removed and the skin is sewn back together.
Some people may want to replace the removed implant with a new type of implant. But remember, these symptoms can occur with any type of implant. This means that even if you get a new implant, the symptoms may still come back. So talk to your doctor before making that decision.
How is the situation after treatment?
This is the good news. After breast implant removal, most people report a significant reduction in symptoms. Some people even recover completely. This recovery is usually seen within the first three months after surgery.
According to the results of two small studies, between 69% and 89% of women who had their implants removed experienced a reduction in symptoms. The following symptoms were particularly noticeable:
- Fatigue
- Memory and attention problems
- Chest pain
- Anxiety
- Joint pain
- Dry eyes
When should you see a doctor?
If you have any concerns about your breast implant, for example if it seems to have burst, see your doctor immediately. Also, talk to your doctor about any of the symptoms we've discussed in this article, especially if you've recently developed symptoms that resemble those of an autoimmune disease, such as chronic fatigue.
Another important thing is that not every plastic surgeon is aware of 'Breast Implant Illness'. Therefore, it is very important to find a doctor who listens to your problem, trusts you, and takes this condition seriously.
Take-Home Message
- 'Breast Implant Illness' (BII) is a name given to a variety of symptoms that some people who have had breast implants experience. It is not yet an official medical diagnosis.
- This can include a wide range of symptoms, such as joint pain, chronic fatigue, memory loss, anxiety, and skin problems.
- Although the exact cause of this is unknown, it is suspected to be caused by a reaction of the body's immune system to the transplant.
- The main treatment is surgery to completely remove the appendix and surrounding scar tissue. For many people, this reduces symptoms.
- If you have symptoms like these, it is very important to discuss your concerns with a doctor who will listen carefully to your concerns.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න