what is breast implant illness

Breast implant illness (BII) is a term used to describe a wide range of symptoms that occur after getting breast implants. It is not yet recognized as an official medical diagnosis, but it may change as researchers are just starting to study BII. The exact cause of BII is unknown, but some researchers suspect that it may be caused by an autoimmune or inflammatory reaction to parts of the breast implant, such as silicone, or by bacteria growing on an implant surface and causing infection. Symptoms of BII can vary from person to person and can resemble autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Some of the most common symptoms include chronic fatigue, joint and muscle pain, brain fog, and gastrointestinal problems. There are currently no commonly used tests to diagnose BII, and removal of the implants may or may not make the symptoms associated with BII go away. It is important to rule out causes unrelated to the breast implants, such as autoimmune conditions, hypothyroidism, menopause, and fibromyalgia, which can cause similar symptoms.