Umhlume is a Zulu word that means abnormal growths in the human body, such as genital warts and fibroids. These growths can appear on various parts of the body, such as the genitals, the uterus, the skin, or the bones. Umhlume can be caused by various factors, such as infections, hormonal imbalances, genetic disorders, or environmental toxins. Umhlume can affect one’s health and well-being, and may require medical attention or treatment.
In this blog post, we will explore what causes umhlume and how they can be prevented or treated. We will also provide some statistics or facts about umhlume prevalence and impact in South Africa and beyond.
What Causes Umhlume
Infections
One of the most common reasons on what causes umhlume is infections by certain viruses, bacteria, fungi, or parasites that can infect the skin or mucous membranes. These infections can cause inflammation, irritation, and abnormal cell growth, leading to the formation of umhlume.
Some of the common infections that can cause umhlume are:
Human papillomavirus (HPV): This is a group of more than 100 viruses that can infect the skin or mucous membranes, especially the genitals. Some types of HPV can cause genital warts, which are umhlume that appear on the penis, vulva, anus, or cervix.
HPV can also cause cervical cancer, which is a type of umhlume that affects the cells of the cervix. HPV is transmitted through sexual contact and can be prevented by using condoms and getting vaccinated.
Herpes simplex virus (HSV): This is a virus that can cause oral or genital herpes, which are infections that cause blisters or sores on the mouth or genitals. These blisters or sores can be umhlume that are painful and contagious.
HSV is transmitted through direct contact with the infected area and can be prevented by using antiviral medications and avoiding contact during outbreaks.
Candida albicans: This is a fungus that normally lives in the mouth, throat, gu, but can cause infections when it overgrows or spreads to other parts of the body.
Candida albicans can cause yeast infections, which are umhlume that cause itching, burning, and discharge. Candida albicans can also cause oral thrush, which is an umhlume that causes white patches on the tongue and mouth.
Candida albicans can be prevented by maintaining good hygiene, eating a balanced diet, and avoiding antibiotics or steroids that can disrupt the natural balance of the fungus.
Schistosomiasis: This is a parasitic infection that is caused by worms that live in freshwater snails and can penetrate the skin of humans who come into contact with contaminated water. Schistosomiasis can cause urinary or intestinal umhlume, which are growths that affect the bladder, urethra, kidneys, liver, or intestines.
Schistosomiasis can also cause genital umhlume, which are growths that affect the genitals or reproductive organs. Schistosomiasis can be prevented by avoiding contact with contaminated water, treating infected people and animals, and improving sanitation and water quality.
Hormonal imbalances
Another possible reason on what causes umhlume is hormonal imbalances, which are changes in the levels of hormones that regulate the growth and development of tissues in the body.
Hormones are chemical messengers that are produced by glands and organs and travel through the bloodstream to affect various functions in the body. Hormonal imbalances can cause umhlume by stimulating or inhibiting the growth of certain cells or tissues, leading to abnormal or excessive growths.
Some of the hormonal imbalances that can cause umhlume are:
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): This is a condition that affects women and causes the ovaries to produce more male hormones than normal, which can interfere with the menstrual cycle and ovulation.
PCOS can cause ovarian cysts, which are umhlume that are fluid-filled sacs that develop on the ovaries. PCOS can also cause other symptoms, such as acne, hair growth, weight gain, infertility, or diabetes. PCOS can be treated by using hormonal medications, lifestyle changes, or surgery.
Endometriosis: This is a condition that affects women and causes the endometrium, which is the tissue that lines the uterus, to grow outside the uterus, such as on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or pelvic organs.
Endometriosis can cause endometrial implants, which are umhlume that are patches of endometrial tissue that bleed and cause pain, inflammation, and scarring. Endometriosis can also cause other symptoms, such as heavy periods, pelvic pain, infertility, or bowel or bladder problems. Endometriosis can be treated by using hormonal medications, painkillers, or surgery.
Thyroid disorders: These are conditions that affect the thyroid gland, which is a small gland in the neck that produces hormones that regulate the metabolism, growth, and development of the body.
Thyroid disorders can cause hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, which are conditions that occur when the thyroid gland produces too much or too little thyroid hormone, respectively. Thyroid disorders can cause thyroid nodules, which are umhlume that are lumps that form on the thyroid gland. Thyroid disorders can also cause other symptoms, such as weight changes, mood swings, fatigue, or heart problems. Thyroid disorders can be treated by using medications, radioactive iodine, or surgery.
Menopause: This is a natural process that occurs in women and marks the end of their reproductive years, usually between the ages of 45 and 55. Menopause causes the ovaries to stop producing estrogen and progesterone, which are hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.
Menopause can cause uterine fibroids, which are umhlume that are noncancerous tumors that grow in the wall of the uterus. Menopause can also cause other symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, dryness, mood changes, or osteoporosis.
Menopause can be managed by using hormone replacement therapy, herbal remedies, or lifestyle changes.
Genetic disorders
Another possible reason on what causes umhlume is genetic disorders, which are inherited mutations or defects that affect the structure and function of cells in the body.
Genes are segments of DNA that carry the instructions for making proteins, which are the building blocks of cells and tissues. Genetic disorders can cause umhlume by altering the normal growth and development of cells or tissues, leading to abnormal or excessive growths.
Some of the genetic disorders that can cause umhlume are:
Klinefelter syndrome: This is a condition that affects males and causes them to have an extra X chromosome, which is one of the sex chromosomes that determine the sex and sexual characteristics of a person.
Klinefelter syndrome can cause gynecomastia, which is an umhlume that is the enlargement of breast tissue in males. Klinefelter syndrome can also cause other symptoms, such as small testicles, low testosterone, infertility, or learning difficulties. Klinefelter syndrome can be treated by using testosterone therapy, breast reduction surgery, or fertility treatments.
Turner syndrome: This is a condition that affects females and causes them to have only one X chromosome, instead of the normal two. Turner syndrome can cause ovarian cysts, which are umhlume that are fluid-filled sacs that develop on the ovaries.
Turner syndrome can also cause other symptoms, such as short stature, webbed neck, heart defects, or kidney problems. Turner syndrome can be treated by using growth hormone therapy, estrogen therapy, or surgery.
Marfan syndrome: This is a condition that affects the connective tissue, which is the tissue that supports and binds other tissues and organs in the body. Marfan syndrome is caused by a mutation in the FBN1 gene, which encodes a protein called fibrillin-1, which is a component of the connective tissue.
Marfan syndrome can cause aortic aneurysms, which are umhlume that are bulges or weak spots in the wall of the aorta, which is the largest artery in the body. Marfan syndrome can also cause other symptoms, such as long limbs, scoliosis, vision problems, or joint problems. Marfan syndrome can be treated by using medications, lifestyle changes, or surgery.
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: This is a group of conditions that affect the connective tissue, especially the collagen, which is a protein that provides strength and elasticity to the connective tissue.
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is caused by mutations in various genes that encode different types of collagen or enzymes that process collagen. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome can cause skin tags, which are umhlume that are small, soft, flesh-colored growths that hang from the skin.
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome can also cause other symptoms, such as stretchy skin, loose joints, bruising, or bleeding. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome can be treated by using medications, skin care, or surgery.
See also: Signs of isichitho in a relationship
Conclusion
Umhlume is a Zulu word that means abnormal growths in the human body, such as genital warts and fibroids.
Umhlume can be caused by various factors, such as infections, hormonal imbalances, genetic disorders, or environmental toxins. Umhlume can affect one’s health and well-being, and may require medical attention or treatment.
In this blog post, we have explored some reasons on what causes umhlume and how they can be prevented or treated.