The breast is one of the most delicate parts of the female body. Many disorders can occur throughout life. Therefore it is essential to take care of the breast correctly since adolescence.
The breast is formed by a glandular part that is developed during puberty and further develops during pregnancy and lactation.
The connective tissue is formed by two layers, one thicker and one thinner and deeper, which are separated by a fibrous layer bound to the clavicle.
The adipose tissue, subject to a drastic decrease in volume during pregnancy and lactation. After this phase, the breast will no longer be able to recover the previous amount of fat.
Around the nipple is the areola, a pigmented area that covers the sebaceous glands.
The breast, therefore, changes in size and shape during life.
Breast pain, also known as mastalgia, affects most women at some point in life. It can manifest itself in different forms, with a sense of heaviness, intense pain, burning sensation in every part of the breast, and the surrounding areas. Many times, pain is considered a sign of a severe problem such as, for example, breast cancer but in itself is rarely an indication of its presence.
The causes of breast pain can be related to hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle. Changes in hormone levels can cause breast pain in cases where:
- The menstrual cycle is still active (you are not yet in menopause), or you are following hormone replacement therapy.
- Pain is often felt in the same period every month, generally from one to three days before menstruation and fades after their term.
To mitigate the pain, wear a specific sports bra is advisable, even at night and during physical activity. Take pain relievers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, or apply ibuprofen gels. If you are unable to relieve pain, it is advisable to consult your family doctor who will be able to prescribe medicines to control hormone levels.
|
|
|
|
There are various types of breast lumps, some of which cause pain:
- fibroadenoma, a hard and smooth nodule that can change position in the breast and, in general, is more common among young women
- cyst, formation containing a fluid substance that develops in the breast tissue, more common in women over 35 years
- mastitis and breast abscesses
Most breast lumps are not a concern, but you need to consult your family doctor to make sure that they are not the sign of severe illness such as cancer. The therapy depends on the type of nodule; in some cases, no treatment is needed.
|
It occurs when the tissue of which the breast is made (breast tissue) becomes inflamed due to a bacterial infection. Either due to causes related to breastfeeding, reddening, swelling, and causing pain. Mastitis can also cause:
- redness and swelling of the over-heated breast tissue
- breast sensitivity
- formation of a lump or substantial area in the breast tissue
- secretion from the nipples
- flu-like disorders, such as soreness, fever, and chills
If mastitis is suspected, it is advisable to contact the family doctor because if no treatment is taken, such as antibiotics, an abscess could occur.
|
|
|
|
Breast pain can result from damage (injury) to the muscles or joints in the chest area. Instead, it can be transmitted by the nerves in the chest area, giving the sensation that the pain develops from the breast. Some examples of damage that cause breast pain include:
- stretching of a thoracic muscle
- injury to the neck, shoulder or back
- costochondritis, inflammation in the area of joint of the ribs (ribs) to the bones of the rib cage
Breast pain can be caused by injury if it is felt to be concentrated at one point and if it gets worse with movement. It may be useful to wear a specific sports bra and take pain medication if advised by your doctor. Sometimes, if the pain persists, injections of corticosteroid drugs and local anesthetics may be necessary.
|
Choosing the right bra is not just a matter of aesthetics. The bra should support the breasts without tightening and without changing its shape. Some bras are only suitable for wearing a few hours and on special occasions. A wrong bra produces tension and pain in the breast, shoulders, and even the neck.
Your bra is not right when:
- Your braces keep falling. If the straps continue to slide even after adjusting them, they are not supportive, and you should try buying a narrower bra.
- Instead, if you have shoulders marked with straps, it means that the band of your bra does not give you the support it should, so your belts sink into your shoulders. Try a different model or broader braces.
- When the middle part of the bra rises between the two cups, it is a sign that you are not wearing the right bra. This part of the bra should rest on the chest. If there is space, the cup size is too small.
|
|
Problems related to medicines
|
Sometimes breast pain can be a side effect of some medicines:
- contraceptives, most of those based on hormones such as, for example, contraceptive pills, patches, injections, and intrauterine devices, can cause breast tension
- antidepressants, such as sertraline
- antipsychotics (used to treat certain mental illnesses) such as haloperidol
It is a good rule to make sure, reading the information leaflet of the drug you are taking if breast pain or tension falls within the side effects. It is necessary to consult a family doctor if the pain becomes particularly intense, as it may be required to change the medication.
|
The most recent studies confirm with clarity that eating the right foods makes the body stronger in the fight against free radicals. The diet helps to develop those defenses that act as a barrier to cancers in a frightening increase.
The incisiveness of breast cancer, in fact, is incredibly lower in eastern countries, where the diet is based on a massive intake of phytoestrogens. They are hormone-like substances that regulate and balance the hormone dosage. Phytoestrogens are, therefore, essential for improving the blood circulation of the mammary gland. Also are useful to mitigate all disorders related to premenstrual syndrome, menopausal hot flashes, mood swings, swelling associated with our natural female physiology.
The phytoestrogens indicated for a healthy and beautiful breast are contained in fruit and vegetables, in fish, and in some medicinal herbs. Broccoli, cabbage, turnips, seasonal fruit, wheat germ, borage, carrot, ginseng, fennel, hops, alfalfa, milk thistle.
We can buy capsules of these elements in high concentration or better put on the table everyday foods that contain vitamins and mineral salts in quantities with very high antioxidant properties.
A word should be spent on soy, which we can consume in the form of milk, sauce, cheese (tofu), and even spaghetti if we like Chinese cuisine.
It has now been established that soy has a specific beneficial property precisely to combat inflammation of the tissues of the breasts.
|
|
The topic that matters most is the prevention of breast cancer. With an early diagnosis, today, we can really intervene in a minimally invasive way, in this type of pathology.
Many breast disorders can be effectively combated if diagnosed early. Here is an overview with related checks that experts recommend based on age.
- 20 years old. A period characterized by a massive production of estrogens: slight breast tensions can occur. The risk of cancer is minimal unless there is a family predisposition.
- 30 years old. Hormones are still in full swing. The mammary gland may always be very stimulated, and this can lead to pain and tension. The possible formation of small cysts should not be underestimated.
- 40 years old. The most frequent ailment at this age is the sense of premenstrual breast tension. Furthermore, small infections can give rise to nipple secretions. Breast cancer risks increase in the case of genetic or family predisposition or living in polluted environments. From now on, it is advisable to undergo a specialist examination, mammography, and ecography every year.
- 50 years old and over. Pain and tension in the breast can still occur, even if the predisposition to this kind of disorder is considerably reduced over the years. The risk of cancer is high and increases significantly in women who practice hormone replacement therapy. A specialist examination is recommended every year, accompanied by mammography and ultrasound.
|
|
When to consult a family doctor
Regardless of age and condition, it is always advisable to consult the family doctor in the presence of such symptoms.
- the pain is particularly intense, to prevent the carrying out of normal activities
- the pain gets worse or does not stop
- you experience symptoms of an infection such as swelling, redness and overheating of the breast or fever appears
The family doctor, examining the breast and inquiring about the present disorders, will try to trace the cause of the pain or prescribe an X-ray or an ultrasound at a specialized center. Having to perform such further tests could cause a specific alarm. Still, these are healthy controls that are not only used to ascertain breast cancer. In fact, most women who undergo these tests do not appear to have cancer.
|
