Treatment of lactostasis

Treatment of lactostasis must be carried out without fail, especially if it is a pathological condition. After all, the process of breastfeeding a child not only brings pleasure to the mother, but also ensures good development and health of the baby. Therefore, in case of disruption of the normal lactation process, it is necessary to direct all efforts to restore this function. After all, the health of the child depends on how long and correctly he feeds on mother's milk.

Basic medications for the treatment of lactostasis

Medicinal treatment of lactostasis is sometimes simply necessary to restore normal feeding function, but this issue should be approached differentially, since there is a state of physiological lactostasis when treatment is not required. Therefore, it is first necessary to understand the concept of lactostasis itself and the indications for the use of certain drugs.

Lactostasis is a stagnation of milk in the mammary gland of a nursing mother, which leads to a disruption of the normal process of feeding the child. There can be many reasons for lactation disorders, which must be taken into account before choosing a treatment, because the etiological direction in treatment must be present. Among the main causes of lactostasis, the most common ones can be distinguished:

• violation of the diet with insufficient caloric content in the food of a nursing mother;
• insufficient sleep and rest;
• disruption of daily routine and stressful situations;
• improper feeding of the child or refusal to breastfeed;
• improper care of the mammary gland during lactation.

As you can see, all these reasons are exogenous, so their elimination can help many in the treatment of lactostasis. The process of development of the child in the first six months of his life occurs only due to mother's milk, which fully ensures his growth, development of all systems and normal life. If some problems arise in the mother, then the child does not get enough to eat and loses weight, which is why lactostasis must be treated. But you should be careful about the treatment process, since you should distinguish when it is only lactostasis, and when there is a secondary infection and antibiotics must be used.

Magnesia is widely used for lactostasis due to the many useful properties of this medicine. Magnesium sulfate is a drug that has a sedative, hypotensive, antispasmodic, anticonvulsant and choleretic effect. Due to these effects, when using the drug, the muscle fibers of the milk ducts relax, the milk ducts expand, and the compacted areas with lactostasis relax, which normalizes the process of milk secretion. The drug is available in ampoules in the form of a solution and powder for parenteral administration. When used, side effects are possible in the form of depression of the respiratory process due to the effect on the respiratory muscles or a marked decrease in blood pressure. But for the treatment of lactostasis, the drug is used externally in the form of a compress, so these side effects are not expressed. For a compress, you need to take several ampoules of magnesia, dilute in a glass, then moisten a gauze cloth folded in several layers, and apply to the compacted areas of the chest. You can apply dry gauze and film on top. It is better to wear loose underwear so that there is no strong compression. Such compresses should be applied at least twice a day. After such compresses, you need to massage the compacted areas and express milk.

Dimexide is widely used for lactostasis due to its pronounced properties as an excellent conducting medium, so it can be used in combination with other drugs in the form of ointments and compresses. Dimexide is a drug that also has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, and also relieves local swelling and has an anesthetic effect. The drug is available in the form of a solution in 50-milliliter ampoules and is used externally only. Side effects are rare, but allergic reactions in the form of itching, rash, and redness are possible. To treat lactostasis, it is recommended to use Dimexide as a compress, which can be combined with magnesia. To do this, take an equal amount of Dimexide and Magnesia, mix them and make the same compress. The double action of such a compress improves the effect and speeds up the treatment of lactostasis.

Oxytocin can also be used as a treatment for lactostasis. Oxytocin is a natural hormone secreted by the hypothalamus and regulates many processes in the female body during pregnancy, childbirth and lactation. Oxytocin has a selective effect primarily on the smooth muscles of the uterus, as well as blood vessels and milk ducts. At night, the natural hormone oxytocin is secreted, which promotes lactogenesis, but when its secretion is insufficient, it is necessary to use the drug instead of this hormone, then the effectiveness of the treatment is highest. Due to the effect of lactogenesis, muscle fibers relax and milk moves along the milk ducts, which helps to relax tense breasts. But, given that the drug also affects the uterus, it is necessary to use this drug very carefully and only as prescribed by a doctor, because the dosage is different for each woman. The drug is available in the form of a solution in ampoules of 1 milliliter, which is 5 thousand International Units. Side effects may include excessive contraction and tetany of the uterus, decreased blood pressure, and increased heart rate. Therefore, the drug should not be used in the case of a cesarean section in a woman or in the presence of scars on the uterus, as well as in complicated labor with bleeding. The use of oxytocin for the treatment of lactostasis is mainly in the form of a parenteral form of 1 milliliter intramuscularly, but the dose may vary.

No-shpa is used for lactostasis as a combined treatment to improve milk flow through the milk ducts due to its antispasmodic properties. The drug has a myotropic antispasmodic property, which is realized by acting on the muscle fibers of the arterial vessels, and this also leads to their expansion and pressure reduction. This is how the analgesic effect of no-shpa is realized for chest pain and engorgement. An additional effect of the drug is its tocolytic effect, which allows it to be used even in the first days of the postpartum period. Side effects are possible in the form of allergic reactions with skin rash, nausea and vomiting, stool disorders with constipation, abdominal pain. There may also be symptoms from the cardiovascular system in the form of conduction disorders up to blockade, extrasystole, arterial hypotension. Increased sweating and drowsiness are possible, as well as a transient asymptomatic increase in the level of liver enzymes. The method of using papaverine and the doses used depend on the pharmacological form. Papaverine tablets are dosed at 10, 20, 40 milligrams. Ampoules are available in a concentration of 2% and a volume of 2 milliliters. For the complex treatment of lactostasis, it is recommended to use no-shpa intramuscularly or in tablet form. Such treatment should be combined with local compresses or ointments.

Lactostasis is a process of milk stagnation in the mammary glands, during which there is no infection and breastfeeding can be continued. In this case, there are compacted areas in the mammary gland, its engorgement and pain during feeding. The woman's body temperature may be insignificant, not higher than 38 degrees, then we are talking about a simple process of lactostasis. But if the process of lactostasis is long, against the background of microtrauma of the nipples, a secondary infection with the development of mastitis may join. Then we are talking about inflammation. Antibiotics for lactostasis, which is accompanied by mastitis, must be used to prevent further complications, but if the process of lactostasis is not accompanied by inflammation, then it is inappropriate to use them. The choice of antibiotic is also important for the normal treatment process and a speedy recovery, because breastfeeding should be stopped for the period of taking antibiotics.

Amoxiclav for lactostasis can be used as an etiotropic therapy for the treatment of the inflammatory process in the mammary gland. This group of antibiotics is a priority due to the effect on many types of bacteria and at the same time, their use during feeding is safe for the child due to the rapid elimination of these drugs. Amoxiclav is a combination antibiotic from the group of beta-lactam antibiotics of the penicillin series. The drug contains the antibiotic amoxicillin and clavulanic acid, which is an active substance that has a suppressive property on bacterial cells. It acts on gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms, which allows you to cover almost the entire spectrum of possible pathogens. The drug is available in the form of tablets, suspension, and injection solution. Side effects of the drug are possible in the form of allergic reactions, dyspeptic phenomena, sleep disorders, irritability, and effects on the liver. For the treatment of lactostasis, both a suspension and intramuscular administration of the drug can be used. Dosage: 500 milligrams twice a day. The course of treatment is five to seven days.

Dostinex for lactostasis can be used as a last resort when measures are needed to stop lactation. This is due to the specific action of the drug and its possible effects. Dostinex is a drug whose main active ingredient is cabergoline. The effect of this drug occurs due to the activation of dopamine receptors in the pituitary gland, which inhibits the synthesis of prolactin, a hormone that ensures the lactation process. Therefore, if lactostasis is complicated by purulent mastitis up to the formation of abscesses, then this drug can be used for a better treatment effect. With physiological lactostasis, the use of this drug can cause irreversible cessation of lactation. The drug is available in tablet form and is dosed depending on the expected effect - the entire dose over one or two days. This drug should be prescribed only by a competent doctor and self-medication is not recommended.

Bromocriptine in lactostasis also has a mechanism of action similar to Dostinex. It inhibits the release of prolactin and removes the lactation function. Therefore, its use in lactostasis can manifest itself in the suppression of the lactation process in the future. In the treatment of lactogenesis, bromocriptine can be used as a preventive measure for the formation of complications.

Malavit for lactostasis can be used as a compress, both monocomponent and with other drugs. This is a natural medicine, which includes many components - sage, mint, chamomile, yarrow, peony, calamus, calendula, oak bark, birch, pine, fir and cedar resin, as well as glycerin and other oils. Due to this composition, the drug has an anti-edematous, anti-inflammatory effect, relieves itching and pain. The drug is available in the form of a solution for external use, so to treat lactostasis, it is necessary to use the drug as a compress. For such a compress, you need to take 50 milliliters of Malavit solution and you can add Dimexide to it, then make a gauze pad and soak it in the solution. It is better to do such a compress several times a day and keep it for at least half an hour. It is necessary to carefully study the composition of the drug and if you are allergic to any component, you cannot use this product.

Paracetamol and ibuprofen can be used for lactostasis as anti-inflammatory and antipyretic agents if the woman's body temperature is elevated. These drugs belong to the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and can be used symptomatically, in case of hyperthermia against the background of lactostasis or in complex therapy for an inflammatory reaction. Side effects are possible in the form of an effect on the liver, stomach, and allergic reactions. Use during breastfeeding can affect the child, since the drug is excreted in milk. It is not recommended to use more than 500 milligrams of the drug at a time.

Chlorophyllipt can also be used for local treatment of lactostasis. This is a natural preparation made from eucalyptus leaves, which has a pronounced antibacterial property against staphylococcus bacteria. This can be used to prevent mastitis in the presence of lactostasis. The preparation also relieves swelling and softens compacted areas of the mammary gland. The medicine is available in the form of an alcohol solution, so compresses can be used, but only if there is no inflammatory process, because the drug has a warming effect. Also, in the case of using an alcohol solution, it is necessary to take into account the absorption of alcohol and possible penetration into breast milk. For a compress, you need to wet a gauze cloth in a solution of chlorophyllipt and apply it to the chest.

Chlorhexidine for lactostasis can also be used for compresses, as an antiseptic in combination with other drugs. This is a drug from the group of antiseptics for external use, which prevents secondary infection, and also improves blood circulation in the affected areas and relieves swelling. For compresses, it can be combined with Dimexide, No-shpa and Magnesia in equal quantities of each and make external compresses. Such combined treatment is more effective than monocomponent treatment.

Lecithin for lactostasis can be used as an additional supplement to improve not only lactation, but also the general condition of the woman, normalizing the level of vitamins and microelements in the diet of a nursing mother. Lecithin, along with other vitamins - B1, B6, B9, PP, E - is part of the drug Leciton. The drug is available in the form of a solution for internal use. Dosage - one tablespoon three times a day.

Progestogel is very often used for lactostasis, as it has a specific effect on the breast tissue and the process of milk secretion. Progestogel is a gel that contains the gestagenic drug progesterone. This is a female sex hormone that penetrates the breast tissue and reduces vascular permeability, relieves swelling and normalizes the mitotic activity of milk duct cells. The drug is available in the form of a gel, so it is convenient to apply and should be used twice a day. Progestogel is not absorbed into the systemic bloodstream and does not cause side effects. After the restoration of normal lactation, it is not recommended to use the drug.

An iodine mesh for lactostasis can only be used in the absence of external traumatized areas of the skin and in the absence of signs of inflammation. At the same time, iodine cannot be applied to the areola and nipple. In general, the use of such a method is somewhat unjustified due to the fact that there may be an allergic reaction, even if there were no manifestations before.

Ointments for lactostasis are convenient to use due to their local action and pronounced effect. There are many different drugs that can be used to improve blood circulation and lymph flow, and thus, swelling is removed and compacted areas of milk stagnation in the ducts are absorbed. All ointments should be applied to clean, dry skin, avoiding the areola and nipple areas.

Menovazin for lactostasis can be used for severe pain and itching of the skin. The drug contains alcohol, menthol, anesthesin and novocaine, so the analgesic effect of the drug is revealed. It can be used as a symptomatic remedy, but not as the main drug for treatment. It can be combined with breast massage and physiotherapy procedures. The ointment cannot be used if you are allergic to novocaine.

Vishnevsky ointment for lactostasis has a local irritant and antimicrobial effect. The composition of the drug includes phenol, xylene, other components and alcohols, so use for lactostasis can be irritating to thin skin. Therefore, this ointment can be used in extreme cases and with caution. You can use this ointment to prepare other gels and combinations with other components.

Some doctors do not recommend using Levomekol for lactostasis, since the ointment contains the antibiotic levomycetin, which can have a negative effect on the baby's body if breastfeeding continues. Therefore, if you use this product, you must stop breastfeeding the baby and express milk.

Arnica ointment for lactostasis has a very good effect when used correctly and systematically. The drug is a homeopathic ointment that has an anti-edematous, antispasmodic, desensitizing effect. The drug also activates lactogenesis processes, stimulating the release of milk through the ducts, and thus normal lactation is restored. At the beginning of treatment, the ointment can be used up to five times a day, and then three times a day.

Troxevasin is often used for complex treatment and symptom relief for lactostasis. This drug acts on small capillaries and veins and improves venous outflow from the breast, which helps reduce swelling and restores normal function of the milk ducts. It is used in the form of a gel that should be applied twice a day.

Lioton also works for lactostasis by improving microcirculation and has an anti-inflammatory effect. It should also be used twice a day.

Ichthyol ointment for lactostasis is used for symptomatic and prophylactic purposes to prevent secondary infection. It has an antimicrobial effect, which helps prevent the development of mastitis against the background of lactostasis. The drug is not absorbed when applied locally, so the effect on the child is minimal.

Vitamins for the treatment of lactostasis are recommended to be used in complex therapy, especially if the diet of a nursing mother does not provide all the nutrients. If lactostasis is provoked by a stressful situation or insufficient diet, then the use of vitamins should be mandatory. In this case, it is recommended to use complex vitamins in combination with microelements - Vitrum, Supradin, Undevit, Quadevit.

Physiotherapy treatment

Physiotherapeutic treatment of lactostasis has a very good healing effect due to its active influence on the vessels and parenchyma of the gland. The main effect of such procedures is to improve lymph flow and blood circulation, which relieves swelling, pain and inflammation. Many methods can be used, but in the absence of contraindications to such methods of treatment. The main contraindications are acute mastitis, mastopathy, malignant tumors or any suspicion of infection with a significant temperature reaction. But any physiotherapeutic procedures should be carried out only after an ultrasound examination to exclude an acute process.

Darsonval for lactostasis is a very good treatment for advanced cases. Darsonval is a method that involves the use of a dosed pulsed current, which, with the help of a sensor, acts on areas of compacted milk ducts. In this case, the mechanical, thermal and physical action of the current is detected, which leads to the resorption of compacted areas.

UHF for lactostasis has a targeted effect due to the direct action of the beam on the affected areas, and mainly reveals a thermal effect. This improves lymph flow and the swelling is removed. For treatment, it is necessary to undergo a full course of 8-10 procedures, and their duration is short, which does not bring much discomfort.

Magnetic therapy for lactostasis can also be used with the primary priority of high-intensity pulsed magnetic therapy, which has a more targeted effect.

Electrophoresis for lactostasis is a very effective method of treatment, since you can use any medications that will easily penetrate deep into the parenchyma of the breast. Electrophoresis is a method by which medications penetrate the skin with ions under the influence of voltage. In this case, you can use Magnesia, Dimexide, Malavit and other antiseptics and anti-inflammatory drugs. This accelerates their effect and improves the action of these drugs.

Treatment of lactostasis at home

Considering the fact that lactostasis is a benign process that can be dealt with in simple ways, lactostasis treatment at home can be used quite often with the use of medications. In this case, you can use many means that are available and have a good effect.

Compresses for lactostasis can be used not only from medicinal products, but also from those products that are at hand at home. In this case, they can be used in combination with medicinal plants.

An alcohol compress for lactostasis helps improve microcirculation due to the warming effect and normalization of lymph flow. But one should not forget about the possible harm of such a compress for a child. To prepare, take alcohol, soak a gauze cloth in it, you can also add aloe juice, and apply as a compress.

Camphor compress for lactostasis also has a warming and tonic effect. But further feeding of the child should be avoided, as camphor can cause tachypnea in the child or simply refusal to breastfeed due to a strong irritating effect.

A cabbage compress for lactostasis is a very popular home remedy. Cabbage leaf is known for its anti-edematous effect in case of any injuries, and in this case it also restores local blood circulation and improves milk flow. To prepare the compress, take a cabbage leaf from the middle of the head, rinse it in warm water and place it on the chest, securing it with underwear on top. It is better to do this compress at night.

Honey for lactostasis can also be used as a handy remedy, because it has a wide range of effects and many useful components. It is recommended to use a honey cake. To do this, take honey in a semi-solid state, make a small cake out of it and apply it to the chest. Such a compress should be covered with cling film on top, which improves the warming effect. The duration of therapy is at least two hours a day.

Beetroot can also be used as a folk remedy for lactostasis. To prepare a compress, take one beetroot, grate it and apply it to the chest, applying it to a piece of gauze. You need to hold such a compress for about twenty minutes, then the anti-inflammatory effect of such a compress will be expressed.

Salted milk and cottage cheese are also used as a decongestant home remedy for lactostasis. To prepare, take 50 milliliters of warm milk and add a tablespoon of salt. Apply this solution with gauze if there is no damage to the skin of the chest. A hypertonic milk solution can relieve swelling in a matter of time. Cottage cheese is also used as a compress.

A breast pump for lactostasis must be combined with all medications and folk remedies. After all, it is necessary not only to improve the outflow of milk through the milk ducts, but to eliminate the milk that has stagnated and can be a source of further infection. The use of such a breast pump must be correct, according to the instructions. It is very good to combine this with massage.

Massage for lactostasis relaxes the muscle fibers of the milk ducts, stimulates their contraction, and thus improves the contraction of these fibers and milk is better released from the milk ducts, and then lactation itself improves. In this case, compacted areas in the chest can be massaged and the outflow of milk from these areas can be normalized. Massage also improves blood circulation and lymph flow from the chest, and this in turn relieves breast swelling. The result of this method depends on the correctness of all components of the massage and subsequent expression of milk. How to massage the chest for lactostasis? First of all, the movements should be neat and light to avoid pain and injury. The technique for this procedure involves stroking, rubbing, kneading with neat smooth movements. With the fingers of both hands, you need to make massaging movements from the tops to the nipple. Such movements promote the outflow of milk in the direction of the milk ducts. Next, you need to stroke around the gland in the direction of the armpits - to the places of lymph outflow. After such a massage, it is necessary to express milk and you can put a warm heating pad on your chest, which relaxes muscle fibers and improves blood circulation. The massage course should be carried out during the week twice a day. It is recommended to carry out such a massage after using compresses and medicinal ointments, which complements their effect.

Treatment of lactostasis at home can also be successful with the correct and comprehensive use of various means.

Treatment of lactostasis with herbs

The use of herbal compresses has a very good effect not only due to the local action, but also due to the effect on the whole body, the sedative effect. This helps to normalize increased nervous excitability, improve sleep and increase the amount of prolactin in the blood due to this. Many herbal infusions and compresses are used.

Arnica has a very good effect on lactostasis due to its tropism to the mammary gland tissue. This is a plant that can be used as a compress by infusing it in hot water. Treatment should be carried out in the morning and evening, by applying the compress to the affected areas.

Chamomile for lactostasis can be used as a compress and instead of a soothing tea. Chamomile has many useful fatty acids that can penetrate the skin and normalize lactation processes with relaxation of the milk ducts. To prepare a compress, you need to steam the herb and make a compress from the infusion. You can take it internally in parallel with the use of honey.

Sage is used for lactostasis due to its antispasmodic effect, as well as its ability to reduce pressure in blood vessels and improve blood flow from the area of inflammatory tissue. To prepare a compress, you need to infuse sage leaves in a small amount of water and apply several times throughout the day.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy in the treatment of lactostasis can be used for complex treatment and has advantages due to the minimal effect on the child. The effect of homeopathic remedies in the treatment of lactostasis is expressed more quickly when using local forms of drugs, but systemic drugs in appropriate dilutions can also be used.

Acidum nitricum is a homeopathic remedy of inorganic origin (nitrate acid). This remedy improves local blood circulation in the mammary gland, and is especially effective for cracked nipples and breast pain. This remedy is available in the pharmacological form of homeopathic granules and is dosed seven granules twice a day. Precautions - when treating pregnant women, you need to consult a doctor. Side effects of the drug are possible in the form of grinding teeth and a metallic taste in the mouth.

Pulsatilla compositum is a homeopathic remedy of natural origin. This remedy is a predominantly systemic remedy for improving lactation, since the plant stimulates active secretion of milk. The drug is available in the pharmacological form of a homeopathic solution in ampoules and is dosed in half a teaspoon twice a day for lactostasis. Side effects are not common, but stool disorders, dyspeptic phenomena and allergic reactions may occur, and at first there may be a feeling of breast enlargement and a strong influx of milk, which requires a reduction in the dose. Precautions - the drug cannot be used in case of an acute process in the uterus.

Belladonna is a single-component drug that has a very pronounced antispasmodic effect due to the blocking of cholinergic receptors in muscle fibers. For the treatment of lactostasis, it is recommended to use an ointment, which is especially effective in cases of severe swelling and a feeling of heaviness in the chest.

Arnica ointments and Traumeel ointment are used as local homeopathic remedies. These remedies show high efficiency and minimal harm after just a few uses. Traumeel ointment can be used five times a day, with a further reduction to three times.

Surgical treatment

Surgical treatment of lactostasis can be used only in the development of complications. If we are talking about infection and the development of purulent mastitis and abscess, then it is necessary to use surgical treatment. Also, lactostasis with slow and protracted treatment can lead to the formation of galactocele. This is a cyst formed by an expanded milk duct lined with epithelium and containing milk. Such cysts significantly disrupt the process of further feeding and can become purulent, which may also require surgical treatment. In the normal course of lactostasis without complications, surgical treatment of such a pathology is not required.

Treatment of lactostasis must be carried out without fail, since this process is accompanied by many unpleasant and painful sensations for the mother, as well as disruption of the normal nutrition of the child. There are many means for treatment, both medicinal - ointments, compresses, tablets, and folk. The choice of the method of treatment relies on the woman herself, but one should not forget about the general rules of feeding and breast care.