• Telephone: (+44) 07985 184476

8th August 2020 Breast Implant Illness

A small percentage of women who have had breast implants are experiencing a variety of non-specific symptoms ranging from fatigue to rashes.

In the light of health statements regarding breast implants, it is being taken more seriously and cases are being studied in greater depth. There are more women coming forward who experienced symptoms that varied from person to person. In some cases when seeking another opinion, it was discovered that their implants had ruptured.

Apart from those with ruptured implants, there are others who have symptoms which may indicate their body having an autoimmune reaction to the breast implants.

Breast Implant Illness symptoms

The symptoms experienced by some women include: fatigue, chest pain, hair loss, headaches, chills, photosensitivity, chronic pain, rash, body odor, anxiety, brain fog, sleep disturbance, depression, neurologic issues and hormonal issues, uncontrollable cough, chocking sensation, asthma, acid reflux, spasms in throat, gastro problems, metalic and sour taste in the mouth, and vertigo.

Maybe because this is a new area of health implications, the symptoms are all grouped together under the umbrella term Breast Implant Illness.

Although there is currently no test for BII, women are self diagnosing based on the increasing numbers of reports by other women on social media such as Facebook groups.

Cause of implant illness

Some particular breast implants have been banned from use, but the silicone used is not associated with cancer and there is no direct evidence of BII (See the the Baaps website by clicking here). The sysmptoms are being taken seriously and the ASAPS and ASERF are working on a diagnostic test.

The implant develops a ‘capsule’ of scar tissue around it, this scar tissue can be the cause of some physiological symptoms, the body reacting to what is effectively a foreign body and launching a response to defend itself from the ‘attack’.

With more awareness of the implants effect, there are useful resources available for women to find the information they need, and more importantly, the medical assistance.

A cure for breast implant illness

With the studies into BII in the early stages, a cure is not yet available. However a proportion of women who have the implants removed, do report an improvement in their wellbeing.

If you feel that your implants are making you ill, seek medical help – don’t be afraid to get a second or third opinion, but find sympathetic doctors who will be more likely to know what to look for and which medical checks to make.

You are important, and your health matters, no matter what your reason was for chosing implants.

«     »