Breast Soreness: Reasons & Treatment
Being a woman is tough!
No matter how much we are celebrated as daily life heroes, the metaphors and praises showered on us compares zero to the pain we experience in our lifetime – the pain of periods, the pain of childbirth and that of a variety of other physical conditions as sore and sensitive breasts.
Sore Breasts: Is there a reason to worry?
The medical term for breast pain or soreness is “Mastalgia” and believe it or not almost all women irrespective of their age, experience some sort of breast pain at least once in their lifetime. Hormonal changes in adolescents, pregnant ladies, breastfeeding mothers and women in menopause can cause breast soreness. However out of 70% women that speak of breast pain only 15% need medical attention. The urgency for medical attention needs however to be determined on the basis of severity of pain and area affected.
Breast Pain Types, Causes & Treatment
Cysts
Fluid in the mammary gland or the milk duct can solidify to form cysts. A cyst feels like a lump and enlarges during period days. However post menopause most cysts disappear. Wearing ill fitted bra can be one major cause that can lead to cyst formation. Often people confuse a cyst with a tumour. A cyst is not cancerous however if not attended to at the right time, it may lead to other complications.
Diagnosis:
A mammogram can easily help detect a cyst.
Treatment:
The treatment to breast cysts is painless. Fine needle aspiration is a process which involves inserting a needle into the lump to withdraw fluid from the sac.
Costochondritis
Common to women above the age of 40, it is a condition of inflamed cartilage that connects the ribs to breast bone. This condition is triggered from arthritis. The pain surging from around the backbone and neck area leads to sensitivity in breast region leading to severe pain. In some cases, it can also lead to swelling of breasts.
Diagnosis:
Sharp pain in the back and chest region, hyper sensitivity of breast, mild swelling and zero lumps.
Treatment:
Painkillers and
anti-inflammatory medications. In case of acute cartilage soreness, surgery might be necessary.
Mastitis
Mastitis is a kind of breast infection from clogged milk ducts. It is common amongst breastfeeding mothers.
Diagnosis:
Lactating mothers with super sensitive breasts, swelling of breast, redness and rashes
Treatment:
Probiotic can prevent mastitis. Antibiotics can help reduce mastitis.
Unfitted Bras
The variety of fashionable bras can lead to acute breast soreness. Check whether the bra sits stiff on your back, if the underwire is causing bulge outs from the sides, if you sense chest pain – discard the bra immediately.
Other reasons for breast soreness include medication, injury, fatty acid imbalance etc. To avoid any kind of complications caused by sore breasts, it’s best to undergo mammogram once a year. Checking for lumps and other solid depositions in and around the breast region can help prevent unwanted complications later in life.
