Mastitis is an inflammation of breast tissue that is usually caused by a blocked milk duct or bacterial infection entering through cracked or damaged nipples. It causes breast pain, swelling, warmth and redness, and sometimes fever. Risk factors include previous mastitis, sore or cracked nipples, tight bras, and stress. Treatment involves antibiotics, pain relievers, continuing breastfeeding, and lifestyle changes like proper latching and breastfeeding techniques.

1. Mastitis
By
Hamida Begum

2. Overview
 Mastitis is an inflammation of breast tissue that sometimes involves an
infection. The inflammation results in breast pain, swelling, warmth and
redness. You might also have fever and chills.
 Mastitis most commonly affects women who are breast-feeding (lactation
mastitis). But mastitis can occur in women who aren't breast-feeding and
in men

3. Contin..,
 Lactation mastitis can cause to feel run down, making it difficult
to care for baby. Sometimes mastitis leads a mother to wean her
baby before she intends to. But continuing to breast-feed, even
while taking an antibiotic to treat mastitis, is better.

4. Definition
 Inflammation of the mammary gland in the breast or
udder, typically due to bacterial infection via a damaged
nipple or teat.

5. Sign and symptoms
 Signs and symptoms of mastitis can appear suddenly. They may include:
 Breast tenderness or warmth to the touch
 Breast swelling
 Thickening of breast tissue, or a breast lump
 Pain or a burning sensation continuously or while breast-feeding

6.  Skin redness, often in a wedge-shaped pattern
 Generally feeling ill
 Fever of 101 F (38.3 C) or greater

7. Causes
 Milk that is trapped in the breast is the main cause of mastitis. Other
causes include:
 A blocked milk duct. If a breast doesn't completely empty at feedings,
one of milk ducts can become clogged. The blockage causes milk to back
up, leading to breast infection.

8. Contin..,
 Bacteria entering breast. Bacteria from skin's surface and
baby's mouth can enter the milk ducts through a crack in the skin
of nipple or through a milk duct opening. Stagnant milk in a
breast that isn't emptied provides a breeding ground for the
bacteria.

9. Risk factors
 Risk factors for mastitis include:
 Previous bout of mastitis while breast-feeding
 Sore or cracked nipples — although mastitis can develop without broken
skin
 Wearing a tightfitting bra or putting pressure on your breast when using a
seat belt or carrying a heavy bag, which may restrict milk flow

10. Contin..,
 Improper nursing technique
 Becoming overly tired or stressed
 Poor nutrition
 Smoking

11. Complications
 Mastitis that isn't adequately treated or that is due to a blocked
duct can cause a collection of pus (abscess) to develop in your
breast. An abscess usually requires surgical drainage.
 To avoid this complication, talk to your doctor as soon as you
develop signs or symptoms of mastitis.

12. Prevention
 To get breast-feeding relationship with infant off to its best start — and
to avoid complications such as mastitis — consider meeting with a
lactation consultant. A lactation consultant can give tips and provide
invaluable advice for proper breast-feeding techniques.
 Minimize your chances of getting mastitis by following these tips:
 Fully drain the milk from breasts while breast-feeding.

13. Contin..,
 Allow baby to completely empty one breast before switching to
the other breast during feeding.
 Change the position use to breast-feed from one feeding to the
next.
 Make sure baby latches on properly during feedings.
 smoking cessation.

14. Diagnosis
 Physical examination.
 History
 Culture of breast milk for antibiotic.
 Mammogram
 Ultrasound
 Biopsy

15. Treatment
 Mastitis treatment might involve:
 Antibiotics. In case of infection, a 10-day course of antibiotics is usually
needed. It's important to take all of the medication to minimize chance of
recurrence.
 Pain relievers. Doctor may recommend an over-the-counter pain reliever,
such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB,
others).
 It's safe to continue breast-feeding if you have mastitis. Breast-feeding
actually helps clear the infection. Weaning the baby abruptly worsen signs
and symptoms.

16. Life Style changes
 Teach proper technique of breast feeding.
 Avoiding prolonged overfilling of breast with milk before breast-feeding.
 Teach mother properly infant latches and expressing a small amount of milk by
hand before breast-feeding might help.
 Massaging the breast while breast-feeding or pumping, from the affected area
down toward the nipple.

17. Contin..,
 Making sure the breast drains completely during breast-feeding and apply
warm and moist heat to the breast before breast-feeding or pumping milk.
 Breast-feeding on the affected side first, when infant is hungrier and sucking
more strongly.
 Varying breast-feeding positions.

18. Lifestyle and home remedies
 To relieve discomfort:
 Avoid prolonged overfilling of your breast with milk before
breast-feeding
 Apply cool compresses or ice packs to breast after breast-feeding
 Wear a supportive bra
 Rest as much as possible