Mastalgia or painful breasts
Breast pain is very common in women and can occur at any time it is of two types.
– Cyclic mastalgia
About two-thirds of women suffers from this problem Since the pain starts and stops with the menstrual cycle, it is called “cyclical” breast pain. It is caused by the hormones that control the menstrual period; these hormonal changes can cause pain in both breasts several days before the menstrual period begins. Cyclic breast pain occurs more often in younger women. Although the condition has been reported in postmenopausal women who take hormone replacement therapy. This type of pain is not usually caused by breast cancer or other serious breast problems. The features are
– It is generally described as a heaviness or soreness that often radiates to the axilla and arm.
– Cyclic pain is usually bilateral and poorly localized.
– Pain is often relieved after the menses.
– Noncyclic mastalgia:
Breast pain that is not associated with the menstrual cycle is called Noncyclic mastalgia, It typically occurs in women older than 40. in this case pain is usually caused by a problem outside the breast, such as muscle or connective tissue strain, skin injury, spinal conditions, or problems in another organ system (eg, heart burn, chest pain). Hormonal causes include functional ovarian cysts and pregnancy. Noncyclical breast pain is caused by breast cancer in only a very small percentage of women The features are
– It is often unilateral and is described as a sharp, burning pain that appears to be localized in the breast.
Causes
Pregnancy
During pregnancy one can experience tenderness and soreness in the breasts which is a result of increased levels of progesterone and the growth of the milk ducts.
Breast infection (Mastitis):
The breast is made up of hundreds of tiny milk-producing sacs called alveoli. They are arranged in grapelike clusters throughout the breast. Once breastfeeding begins, milk is produced in the alveoli and secreted into tube-shaped milk ducts that empty through the nipple. Mastitis is an infection of the tissue of the breast that occurs most frequently during the time of breastfeeding. This infection causes pain, swelling, redness, and increased temperature of the breast. It can occur when bacteria, often from the baby’s mouth, enter a milk duct through a crack in the nipple. This causes an infection and painful inflammation of the breast.
Breast infections can be very aggressive with high fevers developing quickly. Immediate treatment is important to keep an otherwise simple mastitis from developing an abscess, requiring surgical drainage.
The key to avoiding episodes of mastitis is Continue to breast feed from the affected breast as drainage is important. Varying positions while breastfeeding may be helpful in preventing blocked ducts.
Nipple Laceration
Occasionally, with vigorous nursing or newborn biting, a nipple laceration will occur. This requires careful attention to avoid a major wound infection or breast abscess.
The nipple should be kept very clean and breast feeding on that side stopped to allow the nipple to completely heal.
Homeopathic symptoms and cure
Homeopathic remedies are prescribed on the basis of symptoms rather than conditions, as each case of a particular illness can manifest differently in different people. There are many symptoms which can be effectively treated by homeopathy few symptoms are given below. If your symptoms are matching to any of the symptoms given below, it can be cured mail the disease and symptom number at drraishyam@gmail.com to know your medicine.
1. Mastitis comes on suddenly with a high fever, red face and breast, and is worse on the right side.
2. Breast pain is much worse from any movement and patient is cranky.
3. Breast pain occurs even from going downstairs and nipples are sore, cracked.
4. Nipples are very cracked and sore to the touch.
5. Patient feels chilly, sensitive, and touchy and experience splinter like pains and a foul, cheesy discharge from your breast.
6. Pain that radiates to back and is unbearable between nursing.
7. Pain radiates to entire body and swollen lymph nodes in the armpit
8. Burning pains in the breast at night swollen lymph nodes in the armpit.