Elephantiasis : causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

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ELEPHANTIASIS

• CAUSES SYMPTOMS DIAGNOSIS TREATMENT

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INTRODUCTION TO ELEPHANTIASIS

• Elephantiasis is the general term used for the
  disease which causes extreme swelling in the arms
  and legs.
• The tissues of the Lymph system become thick and
  inflamed. This disease also goes by the name
  Lymphatic Filariasis or Elephantitis. There is
  also another type Elephantiasis, known as
  Non-Filarial Elephantitis.
• This disease almost affects the people of all age
  groups and is common in tropical regions of
  India. This disease is caused by different types
  of worms which get transmitted into the human
  body.

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CAUSES OF ELEPHANTIASIS

• The Elephantiasis Syndrome is caused by an
  infection of a nematode parasite called the
  filarial worm. The parasite gets transmitted into
  the human body by female mosquitoes, parasite
  then grows into an adult worm leading to
  Elephantiasis.
• Wuchereria bancrofti, Burgia malayi, symbiotic
  walbachia bacteria and burgia timori are the
  parasites which get transmitted through mosquito
  in lymph system causing Elephantiasis. These
  parasites feed on human blood.

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SYMPTOMS OF ELEPHANTIASIS

• The major symptom of Elephantiasis is excessive
  swelling in a body part due to the amassing of
  fluid. Some common symptoms of acute and chronic
  infection are
• Thickness of skin
• Fever
• Skin Ulceration
• Paining Testicles
• Enlarged Lymph Nodes
• Swelling in the Liver
• Pain above testicles
• White urine discharge

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TREATMENT OF ELEPHANTIASIS

• The treatment of elephantiasis includes
  medication and surgery. However, no vaccine has
  been developed to treat this disease.
• The Diethylcarbamazine otherwise known as DEC is
  the main medication used to treat this drug. This
  medicine kills the small as well as adult worms
  present in the lymph system. But this medicine is
  not a permanent cure for this disease as filaries
  grow again after some time.
• However, this medicine is only effective in the
  initial stages of infection, lymphatic
  surgery can also be done on the recommendation of
  a doctor.

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PREVENTION OF ELEPHANTIASIS

• These are some of the preventive measures that
  can be taken to protect you from transmission of
  parasite infection. 
• Regularly wash your hand with soap and water.
• Apply mosquito repellent.
• Apply antibacterial and anti-fungal cream on the
  wound.
• Maintain proper hygiene conditions around you.
• Workout to make your lymphatic system strong.
• Washing fruits and vegetables before consuming.

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COMPLICATION OF ELEPHANTIASIS

• If Elephantiasis is not treated early, it can
  lead to dangerous complications later on.
  Elephantiasis gets transmitted to other parts of
  the body, resulting in unbearable pain. Long
  term Elephantiasis causes the growth of
  tumour, impotency, and failure of the kidneys.

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