Treatment of lactostasis should be mandatory, especially if it is a pathological condition. After all, the process of breastfeeding not only brings pleasure to the mother, but also ensures the good development and health of the baby. Therefore, in case of violation of the normal lactation process, all efforts should be directed to restore this function. After all, the health of the child depends on how long and correctly it is fed by mother's milk.
The main medicines for the treatment of lactostasis
Drug treatment of lactostasis is sometimes just necessary to restore the normal function of feeding, but it should be differentiated to this question, since there is a state of physiological lactostasis, when treatment is not required. Therefore, it is first necessary to understand the concept of lactosterase itself and in indications for the use of certain drugs.
Lactostasis is the stagnation of milk in the breast of a nursing mother, which leads to a disruption of the normal process of feeding the baby. The causes of lactation can be many, which must be taken into account before choosing a cure, because the etiologic direction in treatment must be present. Among the main causes of lactostasis can be identified those that are most often found:
- violation of diet with insufficient calorie in the food of a nursing mother;
- lack of sleep and rest;
- disturbance of the daily routine and stressful situations;
- improper feeding of the child or refusal of breastfeeding;
- abnormal mammary gland care during lactation.
As you can see, all these reasons are exogenous, therefore, their elimination can help many people in the treatment of lactostasis. The process of child development in the first six months of his life occurs only at the expense of mother's milk, which fully ensures its growth, the development of all systems and normal life activity. If there are any problems with the mother, the child does not gorge on and loses weight, which is why lactostasis must be treated. But one should carefully approach the treatment process, as it should be distinguished when it's only lactostasis, and when there is a secondary infection and antibiotics should be used.
Magnesia with lactostasis is used quite widely because of the many useful remedies 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 product, the muscle fibers of the milk duct are relaxed, the milk ducts are dilated, and the densified areas with lactostasis relax, which normalizes the process of milk release. The drug is available in ampoules in the form of a solution and powder for parenteral administration. When used, side effects may occur in the form of inhibition of the breathing process due to action on the respiratory muscles or a marked decrease in blood pressure. But for the treatment of lactostasis, the drug is used externally as a compress, so these side effects are not expressed. For compress, you need to take a few ampoules of magnesia, dilute in a glass, then moisten the gauze fabric, folded in several layers, and apply to the densified sections of the breast. From above you can attach a dry gauze cloth and a film. It is better to wear loose linen so that there is no strong compression. Such compresses should be applied at least twice a day. After such compresses, massage the sealed areas and drain the milk.
Dimexide in lactostasis is used very widely because of its pronounced properties as an excellent conductive medium, so it can be used in combination with other medicines in the form of ointments and compresses. Dimexide is a drug that also has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, and also removes local edema and has an anesthetic effect. The drug is available in the form of a solution of ampoules of 50 milliliters and is used only externally. Side effects are rare, but allergic manifestations in the form of itching, rash, 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, stir them and make the same compress. The double action of such a compress improves the effect and speeds up the treatment of lactostasis.
Oxytocin in lactostasis can also be used as a remedy. Oxytocin is a natural hormone that is secreted by the hypothalamus and regulates many processes of the female body during pregnancy, childbirth and lactation. Oxytocin influences selectively primarily on the smooth muscles of the uterus, as well as vessels and milk ducts. At night, the natural hormone oxytocin is released, which promotes lactogenesis, but when its isolation is insufficient, it is necessary to use the drug in place of this hormone, then the effectiveness of treatment is the highest. Due to the effect of lactogenesis, muscle fiber relaxes and milk moves along the dairy lines, which helps relax the tight chest. But, considering that the drug also affects the uterus, it is necessary to use this remedy very carefully and only according to the doctor's prescription, because the dosage is different for every woman. The drug is issued in the form of a solution in ampoules of 1 milliliter, which is 5 yew. International units. Side effects are possible in the form of excessive contraction and tsetia of the uterus, lowering blood pressure, increasing 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 births with bleeding. The use of oxytocin for the treatment of lactostasis mainly occurs as a parenteral form of 1 ml intramuscularly, but the dose may vary.
But-spa with lactostasis is used as a combined treatment to improve the outflow of milk through the milk ducts due to its antispasmodic properties. The drug has a myotropic antispasmodic property, which is realized due to the action on the muscle fibers of arterial vessels, and this leads to their expansion and to a decrease in pressure. This is how the analgesic effect of no-shpa is realized in case of pain in the chest and its engorgement. An additional effect of the drug is its tocolytic effect, which makes it possible to use it even in the first days of the postpartum period. Side effects are possible in the form of allergic manifestations with skin rashes, nausea and vomiting, disorders of stool with constipation, abdominal pain. There may also be symptoms from the cardiovascular system in the form of conduction disturbances right up to the blockade, extrasystole, arterial hypotension. Possible increased sweating and drowsiness, as well as a transient asymptomatic increase in the level of hepatic enzymes. The method of administration of papaverine and the dose that is used depends on the pharmacological form. Tablets of papaverine are dosed at 10, 20, 40 milligrams. Ampoules are produced in a concentration of 2% and a volume of 2 milliliters. For complex treatment of lactostasis it is recommended to use intramuscular no-shpu or in the form of tablet forms. Such treatment should be combined with local compresses or ointments.
Lactostasis is a process of milk stagnation in the mammary glands, in which the infection process does not occur and the feeding of the child can be continued. In this case, there are condensed areas in the mammary gland, its engorgement and soreness in feeding. The body temperature of a woman can be insignificant, not higher than 38 degrees, then it is a simple process of lakstotaz. But if the process of lactostasis is prolonged, a secondary infection with the development of mastitis may be attached to the background of microtraumatism of the nipples. Then it's about inflammation. Antibiotics for lactostasis, which is accompanied by mastitis, must be used to prevent further complications, but if lactostasis is not accompanied by inflammation, it is inappropriate to apply them. The choice of antibiotic is also important for the normal process of treatment and early recovery, because for the period of taking the antibiotic, the feeding should be stopped.
Amoxiclav in lactostasis can be used as etiotropic therapy for the treatment of the inflammatory process in the mammary gland. This group of antibiotics is a priority because of 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 combined antibiotic from the group of beta-lactam antibiotics of the penicillin series. The composition of the drug includes antibiotic amoxicillin and clavulanic acid, which is an active substance possessing an overwhelming property on bacterial cells. It acts on gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms, which allows to cover almost the entire spectrum of possible pathogens. The drug is available in the form of tablets, suspensions, as well as injection solutions. Side effects of the drug are possible in the form of allergic reactions, dyspeptic phenomena, sleep disorders, irritability, as well as effects on the liver. To treat lactostasis, you can use both suspension and intramuscular injection of the drug. Dosage of 500 milligrams twice a day. The course of treatment is five to seven days.
Dostineks with lactostasis can be used as a last resort, when measures are needed to stop lactation. This is due to the specific effect of the drug and its possible effects. Dostinex is a drug whose main active ingredient is cabergoline. The effect of this drug is due to the activation of dopamine receptors in the pituitary gland, which inhibits the synthesis of prolactin - a hormone that provides the lactation process. Therefore, if lactostasis is complicated by a purulent mastitis up to the formation of abscesses, then this remedy 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 the form of tablets and dosed depending on the expected effect - the entire dose for one or two days. The appointment of this drug should be done only by a competent doctor and self-medication is not recommended.
Bromocriptine with lactostasis also has an action mechanism similar to Dostinex. It inhibits the release of prolactin and removes the function of lactation. Therefore, its use in lactostasis may be manifested by inhibition of lactation in the future. In the treatment of lactogenesis, bromocriptine can be used to prevent complications.
Malavite in lactostasis can be used as a compress, both monocomponently and with other drugs. This natural remedy, which includes many components - sage, mint, chamomile, yarrow, peony, calamus, calendula, bark of oak, birch, pine, resin of fir tree and cedar, as well as glycerin and other oils. Due to this composition the preparation has anti-edematous, anti-inflammatory action, relieves itching and soreness. The drug is available in the form of a solution for external use, so for the treatment of lactostasis it is necessary to apply the drug as a compress. For such a compress, you need to take 50 milliliters of Malavita solution and Dimexide can be added to it, then make a gauze pad and soak in the solution. Such a compress is best done several times a day and keep at least half an hour. It is necessary to carefully study the composition of the drug and, if there is an allergy to any component, this remedy can not be used.
Paracetamol and ibuprofen in lactostasis can be used as anti-inflammatory and antipyretic agents if the body temperature of a woman is increased. These drugs belong to the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and can be used symptomatically, in case of hyperthermia in the background of lactostasis or in complex therapy with an inflammatory reaction. Side effects are possible in the form of effects on the liver, stomach, and allergic reactions. Use during breastfeeding can affect the baby, since the drug is excreted with milk. Do not use more than 500 milligrams of the drug at a time.
Chlorophyllipt with lactostasis can also be used for topical treatment. This is a natural preparation from the leaves of eucalyptus, which has a pronounced antibacterial property against the bacteria of the group of staphylococci. This can be used to prevent the formation of mastitis in the presence of lactostasis. The drug also removes the edema and softens the compacted areas of the breast. The medicine comes in the form of an alcohol solution, so you can use compresses, 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 entry into breast milk. For the compress, you need to wet the gauze fabric in chlorophylliptine solution and attach to the chest.
Chlorhexidine with lactostasis can also be used for compresses, as an antiseptic in combination with other drugs. This drug from the group of antiseptics for external use, which prevents secondary infection, as well as improves blood circulation in affected areas and relieves edema. For compresses, it can be combined with Dimexide, No-shpa and Magnesia in equal amounts of each and make external compresses. This combination treatment is more effective than monocomponent.
Lecithin in lactostasis can be used as an additional supplement to improve not only lactation, but also the general condition of a woman, the normalization of the level of vitamins and trace elements in the ration of a nursing mother. Lecithin, along with other vitamins - B1, B6, B9, PP, E - is part of the drug Lecithon. The preparation is available in the form of a solution for internal use. Dosage - one tablespoon three times a day.
The progestogen with lactostasis is used very often, since it has a specific effect on the breast tissue and the process of milk release. Progestogen is a gel, which includes a progestogen progestin. It is a female sex hormone that penetrates the breast tissue and reduces vascular permeability, relieves edema 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 use it twice a day. The progestogen is not absorbed into the systemic circulation and does not cause adverse reactions. After the restoration of normal lactation, the drug is not recommended.
Iodine mesh with lactostasis can be used only in the absence of external traumatized areas of the skin and in the absence of signs of inflammation. Do not apply iodine to the areola and nipple area. In general, the use of such a method is somewhat unjustified due to the fact that there may be an allergic reaction, even if earlier there were no manifestations.
Ointments with lactostasis are convenient to use because of their local action and pronounced effect. There are many different drugs that can be used to improve blood circulation and lymph flow and thus, the edema is removed and the condensed areas of milk stagnation in the ducts resolve. All ointments should be applied to clean dry skin, avoiding the areas of areola and nipple.
Menovazine with lactostasis can be used for severe pain and itching of the skin. The composition of the drug includes alcohol, menthol, anesthesin and novocaine, so the analgesic effect of the drug is revealed. It can be used as a symptomatic agent, but not as the main drug for treatment. You can combine with breast massage and physiotherapy procedures. You can not use ointment if you have an allergy to novocaine.
Ointment Vishnevsky with lactostasis has a local-irritant effect and antimicrobial. The composition of the drug includes phenol, xylene, other components and alcohols, so the use of 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.
Levomekol with lactostasis, some doctors do not recommend to use, because the composition of the ointment includes the antibiotic levomitsetin, which, with the continuation of the feeding of the child can have a negative effect on his body. Therefore, in case of using this remedy, it is necessary to exclude the feeding of the baby and express the milk.
Ointment Arnika with lactostasis has a very good effect with the correct and systematic use. The drug is a homeopathic ointment that has a decongestant effect, antispasmodic, desensitizing. Also, the drug activates lactogenesis processes, stimulating the release of milk along the ducts, and thus normal lactation is restored. At the beginning of the treatment, the ointment can be used up to five times a day, and then three times a day.
Troxevasin in lactostasis is often used for complex treatment and withdrawal of symptoms. This agent acts on small capillaries and veins and improves venous outflow from the breast, which helps to reduce edema and restores the normal function of the dairy moves. Use in the form of a gel, which must be applied twice a day.
Lyoton in lactostasis also acts by improving microcirculation, and also has an anti-inflammatory effect. It also needs to be used twice a day.
Ichthyol ointment with lactostasis is used with the symptomatic and preventive goal of preventing secondary infection. It has an antimicrobial effect, which helps prevent the development of mastitis against lactostasis. The drug is not absorbed when it is applied topically, so the effect on the baby is minimal.
Vitamins for the treatment of lactostasis are recommended for use in complex therapy, especially if the nutritional diet of the nursing mother does not adequately provide all the nutrients. If lactostasis is triggered by a stressful situation or insufficient diet, then the use of vitamins should be mandatory. In this case, the use of complex vitamins in combination with trace elements - Vitrum, Supradin, Undevit, Quadevite is recommended.
Physiotherapeutic treatment
Physiotherapeutic treatment of lactostasis has a very good healing effect due to its active effect on the vessels and parenchyma of the gland. The main effect of such procedures is to improve the lymph flow and circulation, which relieves swelling, pain and inflammation. You can use many methods, but in the absence of contraindications to such methods of treatment. The main contraindications are acute mastitis, mastopathy, malignant formations 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 the acute process.
Darsonval with lactostasis is a very good remedy for the treatment of neglected cases. Darsonval is a method that involves the use of a dosed pulse current that, with the help of a sensor, acts on the areas of densified milk ducts. This reveals the mechanical, thermal and physical effects of the current, which leads to the resorption of the compacted areas.
UHF with lactostasis has a directional effect due to direct action of the beam on the affected areas, and reveals mainly the thermal effect. This improves the lymph drainage and swelling is removed. For treatment it is necessary to pass the entire course of 8-10 procedures, and their duration is small, which does not bring much discomfort.
Magnetotherapy with lactostasis can also use with high priority a high-intensity pulsed magnetic therapy, which has a more purposeful effect.
Electrophoresis in lactostasis is a very effective method of treatment, since any medications that can easily penetrate deep into the parenchyma of the breast can be used. Electrophoresis is the method by which drugs penetrate the skin with ions under the influence of tension. In this case, you can use Magnesia, Dimexide, Malavit and other antiseptics, and anti-inflammatory drugs. This accelerates their effect and improves the effect of these drugs.
Treatment of lactostasis at home
Considering the fact that lactostasis is a benign process with which one can cope in simple ways, treatment of lactostasis at home can be used quite often with the use of medications. In doing so, you can use a lot of tools that are available and have a good effect.
Compresses for lactostasis can be used not only from medicines, but also from those that are available at home at hand. In this case, they can be used in combination with medicinal plants.
Alcohol compress with lactostasis improves microcirculation due to warming effect and normalization of lymph flow. But do not forget about the possible harm of such a compress for the child. For cooking, you need to take alcohol, wet the gauze in it, you can also add aloe juice, and apply as a compress.
Camphor compress with lactostasis also has a warming effect and a tonic. But you should avoid further feeding the baby, because camphor can cause tachypnea in a child or simply give up breast because of a strong eruptive effect.
Cabbage compress with lactostasis is a very popular home remedy. Cabbage leaf is known for its anti-edematous effect in any trauma, and in this case it also restores local circulation and improves the outflow of milk. To prepare the compress, you need to take a cabbage leaf from the middle of the head, rinse it in warm water and put on the chest, fixing the top with linen. This compress is best done at night.
Honey with lactostasis can also be used as a tool, because it has a wide spectrum of action and many useful components. It is recommended to use a honey cake. To do this, you need to take honey in a semi-solid state, make a small cake of it and put it on your chest. Such a compress should be covered from above with a food film, which improves the warming effect. The duration of therapy is at least two hours per day.
Beet with lactostasis can also be used as a means of alternative treatment. To make a compress, you need to take one beet, rub it on a grater and attach it to your chest, applying a piece of gauze. Keep such a compress for about twenty minutes, then the anti-inflammatory effect of such a compress will be expressed.
Salted milk and cottage cheese with lactostasis are also used as a decongestant home remedy. For cooking, take 50 milliliters of warm milk and add a tablespoon of salt to it. Apply this solution with gauze if there is no damage to the skin of the breast. Hypertensive milk solution can remove swelling in a matter of hours. Curd is also used as a compress.
Breast pump with lactostasis must necessarily be combined with all medicament and alternative means. After all, it is necessary not only to improve the outflow of milk through the milk ducts, but to eliminate the milk that is stagnant and may be the source of further infection. The use of such a breast pump should be correct, according to the instructions. It is very good to combine this with a massage.
Massage with lactostasis relaxes the muscular fibers of the milk duct, stimulates their contraction, and thus the reduction of these fibers improves and the milk is better excreted from the milk duct, and then lactation itself improves. Thus the condensed sites in a breast can be massaged and normalize outflow of milk from these sites. Also, massage improves blood circulation and lymph drainage from the chest, which in turn removes the swelling of the breast. The result of this method depends on the correctness of all the components of the massage and the subsequent expression of milk. How to massage the breast with lactostasis? First of all, the movements should be neat and light to avoid pain and trauma. The technique of this procedure is to use stroking, rubbing, kneading with accurate smooth movements. The fingers of two hands need to be massaged from the tops to the nipple. Such movements contribute to the outflow of milk precisely in the direction of the milk moves. Next, you need to spend stroking around the gland in the direction of the armpits - to the places of lymph drainage. After such a massage, you must necessarily express the milk and you can put a warm warmer on the chest, which relaxes the muscle fibers and improves blood circulation. The course of massage should be carried out during a week two times a day. To conduct such a massage is recommended after the use of compresses and therapeutic ointments, which complements their effect.
Treatment of lactostasis at home can also be successful with the correct and comprehensive use of various drugs.
Treatment of lactostasis with herbs
The use of compresses from herbs has a very good effect not only due to local action, but also due to the effect on the entire body, the sedative effect. This helps to normalize the increased nervous excitability, improve sleep and increase the amount of prolactin in the blood due to this. Use a lot of infusions of herbs and compresses.
Arnica with lactostasis has a very good effect due to tropism to the breast tissue. This plant, which can be used as a compress by tincturing it in hot water. Treatment should be done in the morning and in the evening, by applying a compress to the affected areas.
Camomile with lactostasis can be used as a compress and instead of soothing tea. Chamomile has many useful fatty acids that are able to penetrate the skin and normalize lactation processes with relaxation of the milk ducts. To prepare the compress you need to steal the grass and make a compress from the present. Ingestion can be done in parallel with the use of honey.
Sage with lactostasis is used because of its spasmolytic effect, and also because of the property to reduce pressure in the vessels and improve the outflow of blood from the site of the inflammatory tissue. To prepare a compress, you need to insist the leaves of sage in a small amount of water and apply throughout the day several times.
Homeopathy
Homeopathy in the treatment of lactostasis can be used for complex treatment and has advantages due to minimal effect on the child. The effect of homeopathic remedies in the treatment of lactostasis is more pronounced when using local forms of drugs, but systemic drugs can also be used in appropriate dilutions.
Acidum nitrikum is a homeopathic remedy of inorganic origin (nitrate acid). This remedy improves local blood circulation in the mammary gland, and is especially effective for cracking the nipple and breast tenderness. This drug is released 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 a grinding of teeth and a metallic taste in the mouth.
Pulsatilla compositum is a homeopathic remedy of natural origin. This remedy is the preferred systemic remedy for improving lactation, as the plant stimulates the active release of milk. The drug is released in the pharmacological form of the homeopathic solution in ampoules and when lactostasis is dosed by half a teaspoon twice a day. Side effects are not common, but there may be stool disorders, dyspeptic phenomena and allergic reactions, and at the first time, a feeling of breast enlargement and strong milk arrival, which requires a dose reduction, is possible. Precautions - it is impossible to use the drug for an acute process in the uterus.
Belladonna is a one-component preparation 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 ointment, which is especially effective for pronounced edema and a feeling of heaviness in the chest.
As local homeopathic remedies, ointments from Arnica and Traumeel ointment are used. These tools show high efficiency and minimal harm after several times of use. Traumeel ointment can be used five times a day, with a further reduction to three times.
Surgery
Operative treatment of lactostasis can be used only in the development of complications. If it is a question of infection and development of purulent mastitis and abscess, then surgical treatment should be used. Also, lactostasis with slow and prolonged treatment can lead to the formation of galactocele. It is a cyst, formed by an enlarged dairy duct inside which the epithelium is lined and milk is contained. Such cysts significantly violate the process of further feeding and can be inflated, which may also require surgical treatment. With normal lactostasis without complications, surgical treatment of such pathology is not required.
Treatment of lactostasis should be mandatory, as this process is accompanied by many unpleasant and painful sensations for the mother, as well as a violation of the normal nutrition of the child. There are a lot of drugs for treatment, like medicamentous - ointments, compresses, tablets, and folk. The choice of a method of treatment relies on the woman herself, but one should not forget about the general rules of feeding and caring for the breast.