Elephantiasis: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments of Elephantiasis

#filariasis #LymphaticFilariasis
Welcome to our channel Power of knowledge. In this video you will learn about Elephantiasis, Cause of Elephantiasis, Symptoms and Elephantiasis and Treatment Of Elephantiasis.
So, What is Elephantiasis?
Elephantiasis, also known as lymphatic filariasis, is a rare parasitic disease that spreads to humans through mosquito bites. If a mosquito carries a specific parasite called a roundworm, this roundworm can be transmitted to humans when the mosquito bites them. Once in the human body, the roundworm matures and begins to damage the lymphatic system. This leads to the blockage of lymph nodes in the lymphatic system, causing swelling and severe pain at the infection site.

Now, let's understand how elephantiasis develops. Some roundworms complete their life cycle in both humans and mosquitoes. However, since roundworms complete their larval stage in mosquitoes, they do not harm the mosquitoes themselves. When a mosquito carrying roundworms bites a human, these roundworms migrate from the bloodstream into the lymphatic system, where they grow and reach adulthood. In the lymphatic system, lymph nodes are responsible for removing waste and toxins, including germs, from our body. If adult roundworms multiply and block these lymph nodes, they prevent the removal of waste, leading to the accumulation of waste in the lymph nodes. This causes inflammation and swelling in the lymph nodes. When this swelling becomes physically visible, it is referred to as elephantiasis.

Symptoms:
Roundworms primarily damage lymph nodes in our arms, legs, and genital areas, leading to swelling in these regions, which can be quite painful. In some cases, if roundworms produce microfilariae in the initial stages of their life cycle, these microfilariae can accumulate in the lungs, causing inflammation. This inflammation results in symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and breathing difficulties.

Diagnosis and Treatment:
Elephantiasis is diagnosed through blood and serum tests, which detect the presence of microfilariae in the blood or antibodies against them.

The treatment of elephantiasis involves supportive therapy, such as maintaining good hygiene, proper wound care, and physiotherapy exercises. In addition, some anti-parasitic drugs like diethylcarbamazine, mectizan, and albendazole are administered to kill microfilariae in the blood.
#LymphaticFilariasis #filariasis