Interest is growing around Breast Implant Illness (BII) in the medical community. Although it is not a officially known as a medical condition, many women report a range of symptoms after undergoing breast implant surgery. In some cases, symptoms begin to appear immediately after surgery, however in other cases, they can also appear years after the implants are placed. Symptoms of Breast Implant Illness (BII) are associated with autoimmune and connective tissue disorders, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and scleroderma.
Below we share more details about the symptoms of this condition, its possible causes and the recommended treatments.
Symptoms of Breast Implant Illness
The symptoms of breast implant disease may differ in each case. Some of the symptoms reported by affected women are the following:
Brain fog, memory issues
Joint and muscle pain
Chronic fatigue
Dry eye and skin
Easy bruising
Hormonal imbalances
Insomnia
Anxiety
Skin rashes
Depression
GI issues
Persistent infections
Headaches
Numbness or tingling sensations
Ear ringing
Thyroid dysfunction
Hair loss
Allergies
Swollen lymph nodes
Heart palpitations
Shortness of breath
Liver dysfunction
Gallbladder problems
Leaky Gut/ Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Nausea
Chronic Inflammation
Slow muscle recovery
It is important to note that these symptoms can be vague and may overlap with other medical conditions, making the precise diagnosis of breast implant illness challenging.
Possible Causes and Mechanisms
Data from the FDA shows that there are currently 9,458 reported women affected by breast implants but these numbers tend to be under-reported due to lack of awareness. We reviewed the data and found 500,000 memberships worldwide including 431 BII Facebook groups, 1,149 BII YouTube videos, and 161 BII branded Instagram profiles dedicated to helping women with Breast Implant Illness.
The cause of breast implant illness remains unknown among the medical community. One of the most accepted theories indicates that it is due to the immune system rejecting breast implants. Other theories claim that some of the materials used in the production of the breast implant affect the health of a number of women.
Treatment and Management Options
Treatment for breast implant disease varies according to each patient and their symptoms. Some specialists choose to treat the symptoms separately while others recommend explantation or removal of the breast implants permanently. This surgery is effective in some cases, however, it is not a complete guarantee of symptom relief.
Conclusion
Breast implant disease remains in its initial stages of research. Many studies and tests must be carried out in order to offer a better understanding of this pathology. Its causes, symptoms and treatments continue to be explored.
It is important to go to a specialist if you consider that you are being affected by this condition. Together you can discuss the symptoms and the best treatment options for your specific case.
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