Cause Various chest pains, first step in treatment ' Identify the pain cycle'
Aug 04, 2024
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Breast pain is largely divided into periodic or irregular pain. If breast pain occurs periodically, it is associated with changes in menstrual cycle and hormone levels.
"In most cases, breast pain is non-cancerous (positive) pain, and it is very rare that the cause of the pain is breast cancer," said Han Sang-ah, a professor of breast thyroid surgery at Gangdong Kyunghee University Hospital. "Hormone levels change, causing pain by inflating the duct or mammary gland, or causing swelling or cysts unrelated to breast cancer."
The pain that occurs at this time is dull and heavy on the breast, swelling or filling of the breast, and sometimes lumps are touched. It usually affects both breasts and can spread pain to the armpits. It usually appears in their 20s and 30s, and in their 40s during the menopause transition. It may also appear after menopause due to hormonal imbalances.
▶ Contraceptives, antidepressants, caffeine, etc. also affect hormones
Hormones change most significantly by menstruation, but they can also be changed for a variety of other causes. Hormonal drugs such as oral contraceptives and oral contraceptives, SSRI antidepressants, hypertension drugs, and some antibiotics can also affect hormones
. In addition to drugs, the sensitivity of breast tissue to circulating hormones is affected by the imbalance of fatty acids in cells, causing pain.
Professor Han Sang-ah said, "Caffeine intake can also have a significant impact on breast pain"In some cases, if you reduce or stop caffeine intake, breast pain will improve," he stressed.
▶ Pain caused by external factors such as trauma and surgery is irregular
Among breast pain that is not regular and occurs without patterns, a typical case is pain that occurs after menopause. It is also caused by hormones, but it is different from the pain that occurs during menstruation. You can feel the tightness of the breast, and it can also feel burning or stabbing pain. There is no constant pattern, so it can be persistent or intermittent. Generally, it is felt in the local area of one breast, but it is also felt as a whole breast.
Another cause of irregular breast pain may be trauma, previous breast surgery, etc. Also, people with large breasts can experience breast pain, which is accompanied by pain in the neck, shoulders, and back. Finally, excessive use of the arm can cause pain in the chest wall or ribs when pulling the chest muscles and spread to the breast, which can be arthritis (wolf cartilage) that affects the cartilage of the chest.
▶ If the pain gets longer and worse, imaging is required
Breast pain is often relieved naturally. However, if the pain persists every day for more than two weeks, if the pain occurs only in certain areas of the breast, if it worsens over time, if the pain interferes with daily life, such as waking up, etc., it is necessary to conduct an imaging examination after consultation with a specialist.
To evaluate breast condition, mammography and mammography are performed. Mammography is useful for identifying breast masses or abnormal areas, and mammograms can reevaluate abnormal areas found in mammography by generating breast images with sound waves. Conversely, even if mammography results show normal, ultrasound may be necessary to observe areas where pain is concentrated. If abnormal lesions are seen by imaging, a biopsy can be performed.
▶ There are also treatments such as painkillers, breast cancer treatments, and supplements
Breast pain treatment is performed by removing the underlying cause or exacerbation factor and confirming the pattern of change. In order to reduce stimulation as breast tissue fluctuates, bras are worn to reduce pain, and they are controlled by changing contraception methods, discontinuation of menopause hormone therapy, or dose control. Nonsteroidal painkillers (NSAID) are sometimes used when the pain is severe. Tamoxifen, which is used as a treatment and prevention drug for breast cancer, may also be helpful. However, tamoxifen is not a preferred method because it has a higher chance of side effects. Supplements, not treatments, can also help. Studies have shown that vitamin E is effective in reducing pain, and it is known that evening flower species freedom can reduce pain by changing the fatty acid balance of cells.
▶ Various causes are useful for recording pain dates, stress, etc
It is helpful to bring a detailed record when visiting a hospital in case of breast pain. It is recommended to evaluate and record the date of pain and the degree of pain on a scale of 1 to 10 points, and if you have other symptoms even if it seems irrelevant to breast pain. Recording major stress and recent changes in life is also helpful. Preparing a list of medications, vitamins, and supplements you are taking can also help a lot in determining the cause of breast pain and determining treatment through examination.
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