Elephantiasis: Case Study

Jessica Beadles Dry. Stephen Brown Anatomy and Physiology 2 7/07/2013 Abstract With this case study, I am presenting to the class the medical condition called Elephantiasis. Included in this presentation is a definition of the disease, early symptoms, treatment options and known preventative measures that can be taken to protect yourself from this horrible condition that alters the active dally living Definition Elephantiasis is the end stage lesion of affiliates; characterized by extensive swelling usually of the external genitalia and legs.

It is usually the end symptom of filial worms present for years which block the lymph nodes. Signs, Symptoms and Affected Population Elephantiasis is a growing endemic that is mostly affecting the tropical countries where insects are a huge problem.

In most other climates the insect population is killed off almost completely with the colder temperatures especially frozen temperatures, hence why there are no bugs In Antarctica.

In tropical areas Insects live to grow and mature all year round which offers them uninterrupted life cycles and makes the disease infected insects so much harder to eradicate. Elephantiasis is caused by a couple of different things such as the bite of a mosquito, or that of a biting fly infected either of which is infected with a worm parasite. What this worm parasite does Is it works its way Into the body and causes a blockage that interrupts the regular lymphatic system flow.

When this blockage happens, the lymph gets backed up In the upper, lower or genitalia extremity regions of the Infected Individual causing an abnormal accumulation of watery fluid in the tissues, better known as severe edema.

The skin of the affected tissue area can become darker than the rest f the body, and grow in thickness. Sometimes the enlarged extremity or genitalia region can develop hard, bumpy nodules in addition to feelings of fever, chills, vomiting, painful swollen lymph nodes, increase In sweat production, and red streaks on the skins.

The red streaks on the skins also Indicate celluloses which means that ten lymph tattles are Indicate Treatment Options The most common treatment option is often continuous rounds of antibiotic therapy, most likely the antibiotic called Disincline. The antibiotic treatment used to treat elephantiasis must be administered for a consecutive 8 months. If the retirement is not administered for the full 8 months and for any as long as symptoms are apparent, the parasitic worms will return a year after treatment.

Another treatment option is the use of antibacterial drugs, such as Allowable, which is simply put a broad spectrum De-wormer commonly used in domestic animals. Severe cases of the parasitic infection that has taken over any of the extremities or genitalia must be amputated due to the lack of blood flow and circulation. Some cases have been known to be remedied by the use of chemotherapy which uses low dose radiation to kill the parasitic worms in the body, but this is an extreme retirement seeing to how chemotherapy can sometimes do more harm than good for the body.

Prevention The only absolute prevention is to avoid the tropic countries that are plagued with this problem, but if there is an absolute need to travel in these areas, precautions include; Use of a bug repellent spray, preferable one that is DIET free. These sprays can be found in health food stores, or any place that sells camping and outdoor equipment.

Particular ingredients that are used to make bug repellent spray safe to spray on your body include citronella, cedar and lemongrass, all of which are natural repellents.