Acute Mastitis

According to modern medical literature1,2, the primary known causes of acute mastitis are generally as follows:

  1. Pathogenic bacteria: Usually Staphylococcus aureus, followed by Escherichia coli (E. Coli). There are two primary routes of infection: First, when newborn sucks on the nipple, it may cause varying degrees of chapped, eroded, or small ulcers. At the same time, these lesions are accompanied by blood and milk, creating the necessary conditions for the growth of bacteria. Bacteria can spread to the breast parenchyma along the lymphatic vessels through these lesions, causing retrograde infection. Secondly, through the opening of the mammary duct, the pathogen can ascend to the breast lobules, then spread to the interstitial fluid of the mammary gland, forming an infection.
  1. Milk stasis: This is the most important pathogenic factor, and causes can include congenital dysplasia of the nipples, congenital obstruction of the mammary ducts, history of breast hyperplasia, insufficient breastfeeding experience of the mother, as well as other factors that prevents milk from being fully emptied, resulting in milk stasis. Milk stasis creates conditions for bacterial reproduction and causes mastitis.
  1. Decreased immunity: The body’s immunity decreases after childbirth, which also renders it prone infection.

Basic symptoms of acute mastitis1,2:

Breast surface swelling with severe pain, accompanied by lumps in the breasts which feel particularly hard and tender to touch.  Local breast appearance of redness, swelling, heat, and pain.  General fatigue and weakness, and even chills or high fever reaching up to 38-40 degrees in severe cases.  Axillary lymph nodes are swollen and tender on the affected side.  Feelings of wavy fluctuation may accompany formation of abscess.

Features of TCM treatment of acute mastitis:

Manual techniques are applied directly act on the acupoints on the patient’s breast surface to clear the breast collaterals, promote the discharge of pus, reduce milk stasis, and promote local blood circulation, in order to relieve inflammation and pain.  Corresponding natural Chinese herbal medicine is applied externally and internally to achieve rapid and immediate effects!  The fever will drop on the same day, possibly down to normal. Our treatment is definitely faster and more thorough than using antibiotics, and avoids side effects of antibiotics such as hardening of the lumps, and prevention of breastfeeding during intake of antibiotics.  It is currently the fastest and most effective green therapy for the treatment of acute mastitis during breastfeeding.

References:
[1] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mastitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20374829
[2] https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/acute-mastitis

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