Introduction:
In this blog you can found information about elephantiasis,videos, iamges and more.
Topics:
-What is elephantiasis?
-Symptoms
-Causes
-Affected population
-Types of elephantiasis-Images
-The case of huang chuncai
-Videos
Elephantiasis - What is Elephantiasis?
Elephantiasis is a disease that is characterized by the thickening of the skin and underlying tissues, especially in the legs, male genitals.
In some cases the disease can cause certain body parts, such as the scrotum, to swell to the size of a softball or basketball. "Elephantitis" is a common mis-hearing of the term, from confusing the ending ''-iasis'' (process or resulting condition) with the more commonly heard ''-itis'' (irritation or inflammation).
Elephantiasis of leg due to filariasis. Luzon, Philippines. Image Credit: CDC
The proper medical term is Elephantiasis, and it is caused by filariasis or podoconiosis.
Elephantiasis leads to mark swelling of the lower half of the body.
Elephantiasis caused by lymphatic filariasis is one of the most common causes of disability in the world.
Elephantiasis puts at risk more than a billion people in more than 80 countries. Over 120 million have already been affected by it, over 40 million of them are seriously incapacitated and disfigured by the disease.
One-third of the people infected with the disease live in India, one third are in Africa and most of the remainder are in South Asia, the Pacific and the Americas. In tropical and subtropical areas where lymphatic filariasis is well-established, the prevalence of infection is continuing to increase.
A primary cause of this increase is the rapid and unplanned growth of cities, which creates numerous breeding sites for the mosquitoes that transmit the disease.
Taked from: http://www.news-medical.net/health/Elephantiasis-What-is-Elephantiasis.aspx
Symptoms:
Elephantiasis is characterized by the gross enlargement of a limb or areas of the trunk or head. There is an abnormal accumulation of watery fluid in the tissues (edema) causing severe swelling. The skin usually develops a thickened, pebbly appearance and may become ulcerated and darkened. Fever, chills and a general feeling of ill health (malaise) may be present.
Elephantiasis may also affect the male and female genital organs. In a male, there may be enlargement of the scrotum, and the penis may be retracted under skin which has become thickened, nonelastic, hot and painful. The spermatic cords may become thickened.
The external parts of the female genital organs (vulva) may also be affected by elephantiasis. A long, tumorous mass covered by thickened and ulcerated skin may develop between the thighs. There may also be an enlargement of the lymph nodes of the legs.
Causes:
The extreme enlargement of the limbs and other areas of the body characterized by elephantiasis, is the result of obstruction of the lymph flow and possibly of blood circulation. The lymphatic blockage can be due to recurrent attacks of a bacterial infection which causes inflammation of the lymphatic vessels (streptococcal lymphangitis). When the lymphatic obstruction is large enough, back pressure in the lymphatic channels produces dilation of the superficial vessels, resulting in extreme swelling. Without medical intervention, the cycle continues until the affected area is grotesquely enlarged. Death of surrounding tissues may also occur from an obstructed blood supply (gangrene).
Recent studies have shown that a possible cause of elephantiasis in Africa may be related to the red soil on which certain barefooted populations live. It is believed that small chemical particles found in the soil may enter the skin through the bare feet. These particles then lodge in the lymphatic tissues and produce irritating effects. The traumatized tissue is then vulnerable to streptococcal infection.
Affected Population:
Elephantiasis is most commonly found in African nations.
Taked from: http://elephantiasis.freeyellow.com/
types of elephantiasis
- Lymphatic Filariasis: It is the most common form of elephantiasis which is caused by a parasitic disease resulting from a bite from an infected mosquito. Lymphatic filariasis affects people primarily in the tropics and is concentrated in Africa. It is estimated that 122 million people spread over 80 countries are affected by Elephantiasis.
- Nonfilarial Elephantiasis: This is second type of elephantiasis. It is non-parasitic. It is more common in Africa. It is caused by repeated contact with volcanic ash in the area. Primarily barefooted population receives chemicals from the soil into their feet, and the chemicals travel to the lymphatic vessels and irritate and block them.
IMAGES:
Huang Chuncai suffers from an extreme condition that has grotesquely deformed his face. It’s an affliction that has caused him to be called “China’s Elephant Man.”
Exceptionally large tumors have stunted his growth, left his bones undeveloped, caused his spine to buckle and restricted his breathing–a life-crippling condition that has prevented Huang from leaving his small village, according to our National Geographic Channel, which has been airing Huang’s story in the United States. (Full details on NGC’s China’s Elephant Man website.)
Photo courtesy of NGC
Burdened with one of the world’s most extreme cases of neurofibromatosis (NF), Huang’s face was covered with massive tumors weighing a total of 50 pounds.
The Channel documentary followed Huang and the surgery he received to alleviate some of his suffering. Watch this video excerpt:
Huang is healing very well from his last surgery, NGC reports in an update on its website. “Doctors hope that he will be ready for his next operation within the next six months.”
Risks of next operation
There are two main risks that accompany the next operation: the position of the tumor and blood loss. NGC adds. “The tumor is currently positioned against his brain, making it difficult for doctors to perform the surgery. Due to the nature of neurofibromatosis, the tumor is clustered in several locations, like bundle of grapes, throughout his flesh.”
“The risk of rapid blood loss also poses a complicated problem. Because neurofibromatosis grows in clusters, the area where it is concentrated needs a lot of blood, and the veins correspondingly expand to serve it. These can become enormous-several inches thick-and if accidentally cut, would result in rapid blood loss”.
Professor Xu, who has treated five other neurofibromatosis cases, says because the size of the portion of the tumor they intend to remove is slightly smaller than the last two operations, it should not necessarily be any more dangerous, NGC continues.
“Plastic surgery may or may not be feasible: Each operation causes great strains on the body, and Xu would need to determine how Huang’s body reacts to the surgeries before moving ahead. Xu believes Huang will need at least three weeks to recover in the hospital after his next operation,” NGC says.
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