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Home :: Family Health :: Elephantiasis Elephantiasis - Elephantiasis symptom, treatment, causesElephantiasis is the massive swelling of body parts (particularly legs, arms and scrotum) due to obstructed drainage of lymph (the watery fluid between tissue cells) from them. The skin covering the affected parts becomes thickened and darkened, so that it resembles elephant hide. Most elephantiasis results from blockage of lymphatic vessels by worms that cause FILARIASIS people suffering from the disease are found in tropical regions where this parasitic infestation is prevalent. Treatment is by correction of any underlying cause {anthelmintic drugs will eradicate filariasis, for example!, If the cause cannot be eliminated, or elephantiasis persists, elevation and elastic bandaging of affected parts may help to relieve the swelling. Elephantiasis is a disease that is characterized by the thickening of the skin and underlying tissues, especially in the legs and genitals. Elephantiasis is caused by a parasitic disease. It primarily affects the legs and genitals, resulting in baggy, thickened and ulcerated skin, along with fever and chills. In most areas, the lymphatic damage associated with elephantiasis has other causes including certain sexually transmitted diseases, tuberculosis, an infectious disease called leishmaniasis, repeated streptococcal infections, leprosy, and environmental factors such as exposure to certain minerals. In some cases, no cause can be identified. There are a few different causes of elephantiasis, but the agents responsible for most of the elephantiasis in the world are filarial worms: white, slender round worms found in most tropical and subtropical places. They are transmitted by particular kinds (species) of mosquitoes, that is, bloodsucking insects. Elephantiasis can be very painful and uncomfortable and reduces the sufferer's ability to lead a normal life. A serious complication of elephantiasis can be obstructed blood vessels, which limit blood supply and cause the skin to become infected and gangrenous. Elephantiasis is also called lymphatic filariasis, elephantias , abnormal enlargement of any part of the body due to obstruction of the lymphatic channels in the area, usually affecting the arms, legs, or external genitals. Elephantiasis due to lymphatic filariasis may also be referred to as "true" elephantiasis. This form of elephantiasis is caused most commonly by the Wuchereria bancrofti parasite, but also can be caused by Brugia malayi and Brugia timori. Other situations that can lead to elephantiasis are: a protozoan disease called leishmaniasis a repeated streptococcal infection the surgical removal of lymph nodes (usually to prevent the spread of cancer) a hereditary birth defect Causes and symptoms. This disease is more intense in people who never have been exposed to lymphatic filariasis than it is in the native people of tropical areas where the disease occurs. This is because many of the native people often are immunologically tolerant. Medicines to treat lymphatic filariasis are most effective when used soon after infection, but they do have some toxic side effects. In addition, the disease is difficult to detect early. Causes of ElephantiasisThe common causes and risk factor's of Elephantiasis include the following:
Symptoms of ElephantiasisSome sign and symptoms related to Elephantiasis are as follows:
Treatment of ElephantiasisHere is list of the methods to treat Elephantiasis:
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