The choice to get breast implants is highly personal, and most women don’t make the decision lightly. Whether it’s cosmetic or reconstructive, implant surgery is a major procedure, with important health implications. Women who have implants, and women considering the surgery, should be aware of the possible side effects and arm themselves with science-backed information.
Researchers and practitioners are signaling a rise in what is now being referred to as Breast Implant Illness (BII) – a potential complication of silicone breast implants. Unfortunately, the symptoms are quite diverse, and most medical practitioners don’t always connect the dots to breast implants as a possible cause.
Signs and Symptoms of BII
The medical community does not yet fully understand BII, and it can be difficult to diagnose in traditional medical practices.
The hallmark signs include a cluster of symptoms such as joint pain, unexplained fatigue, and memory loss. These symptoms are similar to many autoimmune disorders, but not all women who show signs of BII are diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder. That’s one factor that makes BII difficult to confirm. Many autoimmune disorders are difficult enough to diagnose on their own, and BII symptoms don’t follow clear patterns. Women can experience a mix of symptoms that could be due to disorders such as scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren’s syndrome, hypothyroidism, or lupus.
More symptoms of BII can include:
- Muscle pain
- Headaches
- Hair loss
- Sleep problems
- Vertigo
- Dry skin
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Cognitive impairment (“fuzzy thinking”)
- Dry eyes
What causes BII?
More research needs to be done on the link between autoimmune disorders and silicone breast implants, but current findings suggest silicone leaks from the implants to trigger an inflammatory response in the body.
Silicone implants are most likely to rupture after about six to eight years, and ruptures aren’t always noticed. Women who have previous autoimmune disorders, or a family history of them, seem to be more prone to developing BII.
Treatments for BII
Removing silicone implants and any surrounding scar tissue results in an improvement for between 60 to 80 percent of women with BII. Women experiencing symptoms of BII could consult with their healthcare provider about alternatives, such as autologous implants (implants composed of a woman’s own bodily tissue) following a mastectomy. BII has appeared in women with saline implants, but it appears to be much less common. Also, because a saline implant “deflates” faster than a silicone one, a rupture is more noticeable and therefore more likely to be addressed right away.
Lifestyle changes that reduce inflammation can help improve outcomes after implant removal. Reducing stress, following a natural-food diet, and avoiding triggers like alcohol and excess sugar are all suggested following removal of the implant.
A Link to Autoimmune Disorders
More research needs to be done with regards to the link between specific autoimmune disorders and breast implants. However, initial findings do suggest a possible link. One study found that up to 26 percent of women with implants develop an autoimmune disorder. Other women, however, experience many of the symptoms without a formal diagnosis, and researchers haven’t confirmed that the implants cause the disorders or the symptoms. Nonetheless, a woman with silicone implants is eight times more likely to be diagnosed with Sjögren syndrome and six times more likely to be diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.
Many women have compelling reasons to have breast implant surgery, but it’s important to be armed with information on possible complications. It’s also important before you undergo any surgery to enhance your immune system for faster recovery.
The Importance of Getting into the Root Cause
With the vague symptoms of BII, they can be easily linked to many health problems and even simple everyday stress. As a result, healthcare practitioners may not make the link between implants and a patient’s concerns and instead treat each symptom separately.
In order to know if you are having BII, it is important to consult with a Functional Medicine practitioner so they can help you dive into your story and map out your symptoms. Improper assessment can lead to different diagnoses and medications for you.
In Functional Medicine, the root cause of the disease is addressed rather than the symptoms. They take time in knowing you and connecting the dots to your health concerns. Symptoms of BII can also be just signs of hormonal imbalance which can be solved in a different way. If you are experiencing the said symptoms, it is better to consult the nearest Functional Medicine practitioner so you can know if you are having BII, hormonal imbalances, or other diseases that you may be having now without you knowing.
If you have any questions or you need any help when it comes to Functional Medicine, feel free to message me at jaime@adoptinghealthyliving.com.