Living with Elephantiasis

Elephantiasis is not just a physical burden to live with but is also psychologically damaging. It can be physically painful and disabling, which reduces the ability to lead a normal life.  A serious complication of elephantiasis can be obstructed blood vessels, which limits the blood supply and causes the skin to become infected and gangrenous (end.org). Many suffers have difficulty finding jobs because of their decreased mobility, and become depended on family members. Those suffering from Elephantiasis struggle with depression because of low self-esteem from the embarrassment of their massive and asymmetrical body parts, and from the social stigma of not being accepted by society. Treatment is a long, expressive process with no guarantee for success, many suffers can not afford treatment options and must continue to live with Elephantiasis. 

 Toga Story of Living with Elephantiasis

http://youtu.be/DPldQtf7_MU

References 
http://www.end.org/whatwedo/ntdoverview/lymphatic-filariasis
https://oneinsevenpeople.wordpress.com/2012/01/25/lf-lack-of-sex-role-reversal-and-social-stigma/#more-485

Affects of Elephantiasis on the Whole Body System

The Body Systems

Elephantiasis directly effects the lymphatic system, which affects the circulatory system, immune system, and the muscular system. Lymphatic system is a subunit of the circulatory system, the immune system travels through the circulatory system, and the muscular system is dependent on the circulatory system to function. The immune system causes inflammation and scar tissue to form; the inflammation leads to excessive swelling causing a lack of blood flow increasing the chances for infections and death of tissues. The circulatory system has to work harder because an obstruction of blood supply leads to tissue damage because tissue can’t receive oxygen or lose carbon dioxide. The muscular system is affect because the inflammation causes induration which is the hardening of muscular fibers.











References 
http://www.bio.davidson.edu/courses/immunology/students/spring2006/heeren/eleph.html(text)
http://www.ehow.com/about_6549063_muscular-system-work-circulatory-system_.html(text)
http://science-art.com/image/?id=4432&m=24569&pagename=Interaction_of_human_body_systems#.VFbryiiI3WE(Picture)

Prevention of Elephantiasis

Elephantiasis is most commonly found in tropical regions of India, Africa, South Asia, and affects over 120 million people. Elephantiasis is consider one of most neglected diseases world wide. This video discusses the struggle of living with this horrible disease and ways to prevent and control the transmission of the Filariasis parasitic worm.

References
http://www.news-medical.net/health/Elephantiasis-What-is-Elephantiasis.aspx
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnWwHthkGkY(video)

How Elephantiasis is Acquired

Elephantiasis is transmitted to humans by a mosquito infected with the filariae parasite. Once a person acquires the filariae larvae transmitted by the mosquito, the larvae enters the lymphatic system, where they mature (live up to 7 years) and reproduce (produce millions of offspring). The worms will begin to block and imbalance to the lymphatic flow throughout the body causing fluid to build up; which then causes body parts to become enlarged.

 This diagram shows how the filariae worm travels from
mosquito to host. 

References 

http://howshealth.com/elephantitis-elephantiasis/(Picture)

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs102/en/

Symptoms, Treatment, and Prognosis

The first symptoms that appear after acquiring elephantiasis are similar to flu symptoms (fever, headaches, chills, sweating, vomiting), along with pain and minor swelling of groin area and lymph nodes. When elephantiasis is left untreated it leads to lymphedema (blockage of lymph vessels) which causes major swelling to lymph vessels, hydrocele (build up of fluid in saclike areas) in scrotum, and thickening of skin and tissues will also occur. The swelling and thickening starts in the lower body around the ankles, and will eventually move up the body forming large masses.

Before and after pictures for thickened tissue removal.

Diethylcarbamazine (DEC) is an oral tablet that is used treat elephantiasis by killing the parasitic worm and it can also reduce the size of lymph vessels with long term use. Two milligrams of DEC is taken three times a day, for three weeks. Several courses of DEC may be needed if the parasitic worms are not killed by the end of the three week treatment. Surgery can be preformed to remove the dead worms and excess thickened tissue; and drainage of swollen areas can be done.

Prognosis is good for early and mild cases of elephantiasis that are treated with DEC drug, and poor for later cases with high quanities of infestation of the parasitic worms.






http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Elephantitis
National Lymphedema Network. http:// www.hooked.net
http://www.eplasty.com/index.php?option=com_content&id=1078&catid=15&Itemid=116(Picture)

Physiology of Elephantiasis

The picture above shows an x-ray highlighting
the lymph system with elephantiasis.

Elephantiasis directly affects the lymphatic system and will eventually disrupt the integumentary system. The lymphatic system which is a subset of the circulatory system regulate the bodies fluids. The lymph system has a net work of lymph vessels and has an immune response which uses antibodies to attacks diseases. The integumentary system is what protects the inside of the body it consists of skin, hair, nails, and exocrine glands.

The filariae nematode worm cause an obstruction of the lymphatic vessels. (I will discuss what exactly what filariea is and how it's acquire in a future blog post.) Once the filariae invade the lymph vessels they mature and cause blockages in the lymphatic system; mostly by or in reproductive organs and the urinary system. The blockages become worse over time and lead to hyperplasia (an increase in cell production) of the connective tissues in the lowest layer of the dermis causing large masses to form. "The secondary and recurrent bacterial or fungal infections act to form the rough appearance of limbs and other parts of the body like elephant hide" (Tada).

References  
Tada, Isao. "Pathogenesis and Treatment of Chronic Symptoms with Emphasis on Chyluria and Elephantiasis." March 2011. Trop Med Health.

http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0774536.html
http://www.sciencephoto.com/media/257042/view(Picture)

Introduction

I will be discussing and explaining the pathophysiology of the disease Elephantiasis. I watched a documentary on elephantiasis; I was very intrigued and wanted to learn more about the disease. What I found most intriguing is that limbs or other body parts can swell up to 4 times their size; but will not cause death. I thought this blog would be a perfect opportunity for me to do so.

Elephantiasis is also known as lymphatic filariasis. “Elephantiasis is a condition characterized by gross enlargement of an area of the body, especially the limbs.” (Raredieseases.org). Elephantiasis effects the lymphatic system. A person can get Elephantiasis from a mosquito infected with microfilariea. I will go more in-depth on the causes and effects, the symptoms and treatments, and living and dealing with Elephantisasis in the weeks to come.

http://www.infectionlandscapes.org/2012/05/lymphatic-filariasis.html(Picture)

http://rarediseases.org/rare-disease-informatformation/rare-diseases/byID/veiwAbstract(Text)