Is Breast Implant Illness Real? Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
The term breast implant illness (BII) is commonly used by surgeons and women to describe the various symptoms experienced after a breast implant procedure. Also known as an autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (AI/ISA), this condition remains a topic of debate in the medical community. This blog post aims to shed light on the symptoms, causes, and current understanding of BII.
Symptoms of Breast Implant Illness
The most frequently reported symptoms of breast implant illness include:
Mental issues like memory loss, difficulty in concentration, brain fog, and forgetfulness. Sleep disturbances such as insomnia and inability to properly sleep. Chest pain and chronic pain accompanied by chills. Headaches that may be followed by hair loss. Hormonal changes. Skin issues like rashes, eczema, and changes in pigmentation. General fatigue and trouble sleeping. Neurological disturbances.Causes of Breast Implant Illness
Despite the absence of a recognized medical condition, numerous potential causes have been proposed, including:
Reaction to a foreign object introduced into the body. Immune response to specific compounds such as silicone. Reaction due to particular insertion methods for breast implants and surgical instruments.Treatment for Breast Implant Illness
Owing to the lack of conclusive evidence about the cause and symptoms of BII, treatment approaches differ widely among experienced surgeons. Some common practices include:
Re-education of the implants and the surrounding scar tissue. Avoidance of replacing old implants with new ones to prevent additional discomfort. Total removal of both the implants and the capsule to avoid spread of silicone in the body.However, replacing the implants with new ones is not a widely recommended practice, as it can cause further discomfort and risks.
Final Thoughts
While there is currently no concrete evidence to classify breast implant illness as a recognized medical condition, ongoing research is continually striving to understand and address this issue. As researchers gather more data and develop better diagnostic methods, it is likely that we will see a clearer picture of what BII truly entails.