Suburban Imaging :: Breast Pain

My breasts hurt. Should I be worried?
If you have breast pain, you are not alone. Breast pain, also known as mastalgia, is common and accounts for 45-70% of breast-related health care visits. The good news is that most causes of breast pain are benign (non-cancerous) and usually related to hormonal changes in your body or something as simple as a poor fitting bra. Breast pain varies a lot from person to person and may feel like a dull ache, tenderness, burning sensation, sharp pain or just a sense of uncomfortable fullness. To understand what causes breast pain and what to do about it, it is important to understand a little bit about the different types of breast pain…

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Information and Answers Regarding Breast Pain
An excerpt from Solving the Mystery of Breast Pain by Judy C. Kneece, RN, OCN

Breast pain is frightening because most women associate pain with cancer. However, in reality, breast pain may be uncomfortable and annoying, but it is usually not unbearable. What seems unbearable is the fear that it may be cancer. However, less than 10 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer in one large clinical study had breast pain as a symptom of their cancer. Most breast pain is not associated with cancer but from the female hormones the body makes monthly.

But, because breast cancer could be a cause, a physician should be notified of recurring breast pain. A physician’s examination and a mammogram can help determine the cause of the pain. All recurring breast pain needs evaluation to determine its cause.

To assist your physician, it will be helpful if you understand the different kinds and characteristics of breast pain. Pain in the breast is referred to by physicians as mastalgia or mastodynia. This pain may be characterized as cyclic, noncyclic or musculoskeletal.

Cyclic Pain appears to be related to the female hormones estrogen, progesterone and prolactin. Their effects on breast tissue vary at different times of the month and life cycle. Pain related to these changes usually begins at ovulation and increases until the menstrual period begins. After menstruation, the pain decreases. Both breasts are usually involved, but occasionally, one breast will experience a greater degree of pain. Often, the pain is greatest in the upper-outer quadrants (from the nipple back toward the armpit) and sometimes radiates to the arm pit and arm. The discomfort is felt throughout the area and is often described as a dull, aching pain, as if the breast were filled with milk. Pre-menopausal women experience this pain. Menopause relieves the symptoms. This bilateral (both breasts) pain has no relationship to cancer.

Noncyclic Pain differs from cyclic pain in that it has no relationship to the menstrual cycle and the female hormones. This pain can be continuous or may only occur from time to time. The pain is usually localized to a specific area in one breast (unilateral). Described as a sharp, stabbing or burning sensation in the breast, the pain is most often found after age 30. This pain has been linked to fluid-filled cysts, fibroadenomas, duct ectasia, mastitis, injury and breast abscesses. Treatment may include withdrawing the cyst fluid, surgically removing the fibroadenoma, prescribing antibiotics, or having surgery for duct ectasia, mastitis or abscesses.

Some noncyclic pain is also related to musculoskeletal causes. The most common is pain that comes from a pinched nerve in the back, cervical or dorsal radiculitis. Often, a history of back injury, scoliosis, arthritis or osteoporosis is involved. One breast will be painful.

Tietze’s Syndrome: Another cause of breast pain originates in the area of the breast bone and ribs and is known as Tietze’s syndrome. It is commonly called painful costochondritis (inflammation of the cartilage of the ribs). This pain is localized to the medial half (closest to breastbone) and is tender when pressure is placed on the breastbone, when the rib cage is moved, or when a deep breath is taken. This pain often occurs after doing heavy lifting or activities that stretch the upper body. If the pain is from costochondritis, ibuprofen or aspirin, taken for several days on a regular basis, will usually reduce the pain.

Phlebitis: Other causes for breast pain may be from phlebitis (an inflamed vein), called Mondor’s syndrome. Even infected teeth have been shown to cause referred breast pain. Additionally, some herbal products such as Ginseng and Dong Quai will cause breast tenderness and pain as can many prescription medications.

Pain associated with cancer, is usually noncyclic, located in one breast and is often accompanied by a lump, skin retraction (dimpling), a bulge on the breast, skin changes (having an orange peel look) or a suspicious mammogram. All noncyclic pain that recurs should be examined by a physician.

Determining the Type of Pain:
If you cannot determine if your pain is cyclic or noncyclic, keep a record of the pain you experience daily and its time in your cycle. After one – two months, you will be able to tell if the pain is associated with the fluctuating hormones of your menstrual cycle (cyclic), or if it bears no relationship to hormonal changes (noncyclic).

Breast Pain Evaluation: If you have recurring breast pain, schedule a breast exam with a physician. After a complete history and breast exam, a mammogram will probably be ordered (if over 35) to search out any cause not apparent on the exam. If the exam and the mammogram are negative (no suspicious findings), a search to determine what type of pain and how to relieve your pain should be started. If a lump or cyst is found, a biopsy may be needed to remove the suspicious area or to rule out cancer. It is important to inform your physician of any new prescription or over-the-counter medications you are taking, including herbal supplements.

Ninety percent of breast pain in diagnosed women with breast cancer is not related to cancer. Pain with breast cancer is rare, but all pain needs a thorough evaluation by a physician to be assured that cancer is not present.

For more information, see Solving the Mystery of Breast Pain. This book gives straightforward answers to these questions for the woman who wants to understand and monitor her own breast health.

Pain in left breast on upper left side towards armpit

Hi,

I just wondered if anyone has got to the bottom of this. I have the exact same thing. A painful left lateral breast that, since the pain started 3 days ago, has spread towards the armpit. I can feel lumpy tissue that wasn’t there previously but I would not say this is not a solid pea-like lump. More like matted lumpy tissue. The area is sore to the touch and sore when it is not being touched. It also generally feels like a burning sensation and is moving up towards my left shoulder.

I have had very localised pain in my chest in the same area for 6-8 months this year and have been to my GP numerous times in relation to it. I have had blood tests and an ECG. All apparently fine. I did have a scan earlier in the year (I think x-ray but it’s been a very long, hard year for me and my memory about it isn’t great) but never got the results from it. Throughout the course of the year I had felt that the pain was coming from inside the chest cavaty, leading me to believe it was more likely to be heart related. But because I am 41 years old and quite fit, my GP has always said I am worrying about nothing. 

Today I went back to my GP for the third time in a month about this and today he said he could feel lumpy matter there and has referred me for an x-ray tomorrow. Around 10 days ago I noticed that both my nipples were sore and I never get this. There is no visible change to the breast from the outside but it may be relevant that I have breast implants. I originally had these implanted to correct significant assymetry in 2005 and then 18 months ago had them replaced and a mastopexy following 5 years of constant breastfeeding. Also for around the past 2 weeks I have been overwhelmingly tired, nodding off in the afternoon when I would never normally do this.

I am really worried because I am a single parent. I’m currently sitting my finals for a masters degree and I just feel so stressed out I have googled of course and the popular opinion is that this is something cystic, not cancer. But of course, my brain won’t allow me to get the thought of cancer out of my head.

Just wondered if anyone had any answers?

Many thanks in advance.

Why do I have pain under my right rib cage?

The part of your body just below your right rib cage is known as the upper right quadrant (RUQ) — 1 of 4 quadrants that make up your tummy (abdomen).

Pain in this area can be caused by conditions that affect the organs found here, including the liver, right kidney and gallbladder.

This kind of pain isn’t usually anything to worry about, but it’s important to know what may be causing it and when to see a doctor.

Should I get medical help?

If you have pain below the right rib cage and you’re not sure why, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Is the pain persistent or severe?
2. Do you feel breathless?
3. Do you have a temperature (fever) but also feel shivery?
4. Is your poo lighter in colour and your pee darker than usual?
5. Is there blood in your poo?
6. Have you coughed up blood?
7. Have you lost weight?
8. Is your skin yellow (jaundice) at all?

If you answered yes to 1 or more of these questions, you should see a doctor immediately as these symptoms could be a sign of a serious medical condition.

If you answered no to these questions, here are some possible causes of the pain under your right rib cage.

Causes of pain under your right rib

Gallbladder problems

A sudden, sharp pain under the right rib cage can be a sign of gallstones. These are small stones of bile or cholesterol that are made in the gallbladder (a small organ located just below the liver).

Gallstones are common in adults but don’t usually cause symptoms.

However, if a stone gets blocked in a tube opening (duct) in the gallbladder, this can result in sharp, stabbing pain in the right side under your rib cage. This is known as gallstones disease, and the pain can last for up to 5 hours.

If you have gallstones disease and it’s left untreated, it can lead to swelling of the gallbladder (cholecystitis), which can cause a fever, ongoing pain and yellowing of the skin.

You should see a doctor if you have pain in this area and you think it may be caused by gallstones, or if you have:

• yellowing skin
• a high temperature
• a faster heartbeat than usual
• pain that travels up to your shoulder — this could be a sign that your gallbladder is inflamed

Kidney problems

Pain under the right rib cage may also be caused by a kidney stone. This is a hard lump made from minerals in your urine that can develop in the right kidney. The medical term for this is nephrolithiasis.

Kidney stones are fairly common, with symptoms affecting around 1 in 11 people. They are slightly more common in men than women.

Like gallstones, kidney stones don’t always cause pain. However, if a kidney stone gets trapped in your urinary tract or causes an infection, this can result in severe pain which may be felt in the RUQ or your groin or lower back.

You may also need to pee more often or experience pain while peeing, and you may have blood in your urine.

Kidney stones will usually pass out of your system in your pee, so even if you experience pain, this pain should stop once the stone has been removed from your body.

However, if the pain is severe, speak to a doctor immediately who may refer you to hospital. You should also speak to a doctor about any pain caused by kidney stones if you’re:

• aged 60 or over
• pregnant
• dehydrated (this can happen more easily if you’re also being sick or have diarrhoea)
• with only 1 kidney or your kidneys are impaired in some way
• still in pain after taking painkillers (speak to a pharmacist for guidance on what to take)

A kidney infection (pyelonephritis) can also cause pain in the RUQ, especially if it affects the right kidney. But this is not as common. You may also feel weak, have diarrhoea or have a fever while feeling cold.

Kidney infections are slightly more common in women than men.

Liver disorders

The liver is a large organ, and takes up a lot of space in the RUQ. Conditions that affect the liver and may cause pain in the area include:

Abscess

This is an area of pus formed in the liver, usually the result of a bacterial infection. They are more common in people with diabetes. If you have liver abscess, you may also experience reduced appetite, a fever and weight loss.

Hepatitis

This occurs when the liver is inflamed, and can be caused by drinking too much alcohol or a viral infection. There are different types of hepatitis, and the condition can also cause a fever, itchy or yellowing skin, reduced appetite and tiredness.

Alcohol-related liver disease

This is caused by heavy drinking. You may also experience reduced appetite, diarrhoea and feel sick.

Scarred liver (cirrhosis)

This prevents the liver from functioning as it should and is caused by long-term heavy drinking or a virus that causes damage to the liver (such as hepatitis C).

Symptoms include a high temperature, yellowing of the skin or eyes, shortness of breath, black poo or blood in your vomit.

If you have symptoms of any of these conditions and are not sure of the cause, you should see a doctor.

Pancreas problems

The pancreas is a gland that sits just below the liver.

Conditions which affect it — acute pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis — can both cause pain in this area of the RUQ or towards the middle of your tummy.

Acute pancreatitis, where the pancreas is inflamed for a short amount of time, may cause a more severe pain. If you have acute pancreatitis, you may experience symptoms such as feeling or being sick or pain under the rib cage.

If you develop a sudden, severe pain, you should see a doctor quickly.

Chronic pancreatitis usually causes a more dull pain, and this inflammation over a long period of time causes lifelong damage to the pancreas. A key symptom of chronic pancreatitis is recurring, severe pain in the tummy.

You should always see a doctor if you have severe pain or develop yellowing skin.

Digestive problems

Pain under your right rib can occasionally be caused by a common condition like indigestion.

With indigestion you may also get chest pain and experience a more dull pain in your tummy following a meal. It can also make you feel bloated, have heartburn or feel sick.

If you think the pain may be caused by indigestion, you should be able to treat yourself by making changes to your diet. However, you should see a doctor if you keep getting indigestion (or think you have indigestion) and you:

• are aged 55 or older
• are being sick
• are anaemic
• have blood in your poo or vomit
• have lost weight unintentionally

These symptoms can be a sign of heartburn, while recurring indigestion can lead to complications.

Shingles

Shingles is an infection caused by the same virus as chickenpox. Shingles is common, affecting 1 in every 4 people in their lifetime.

It usually results in pain (this is the most common symptom) and then an itchy rash. The pain can be dull, sharp or more intense, and you may also have a fever or headache. These symptoms can affect many parts of your body, including the area under your ribs.

If you have pain under the right rib and you have a rash you think could be shingles, see a doctor. It’s especially important to see a doctor for shingles if you’re pregnant or you have a weaker immune system.

What to do

Any pain you feel under your right rib cage isn’t usually anything to worry about, but if the pain is severe or persists, you should see a doctor as it could be caused by an underlying condition.

Key points:

• The part of your body just below your right rib cage is called the upper right quadrant (RUQ)
• Pain under your right rib cage can be caused by conditions that affect the organs in this area, including the liver and gallbladder
• Usually pain in this area is nothing to worry about, but you should see a doctor if the pain is severe or persists

UF Health, University of Florida Health

Definition

All but your lowest 2 ribs are connected to your breastbone by cartilage. This cartilage can become inflamed and cause pain. This condition is called costochondritis. It is a common cause of chest pain.

Alternative Names

Chest wall pain; Costosternal syndrome; Costosternal chondrodynia; Chest pain – costochondritis

Causes

There is often no known cause of costochondritis. But it may be caused by:

• Chest injury
• Hard exercise or heavy lifting
• Viral infections, such as respiratory infections
• Strain from coughing
• Infections after surgery or from IV drug use
• Some types of arthritis

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of costochondritis are pain and tenderness in the chest. You may feel:

• Sharp pain at the front of your chest wall, which may move to your back or stomach
• Increased pain when you take a deep breath or cough
• Tenderness when you press the area where the rib joins the breastbone
• Less pain when you stop moving and breathe quietly

Exams and Tests

Your health care provider will take your medical history and do a physical exam. The area where the ribs meet the breastbone is checked. If this area is tender and sore, costochondritis is the most likely cause of your chest pain.

A chest x-ray may be done if your symptoms are severe or do not improve with treatment.

Your provider may also order tests to rule out other conditions, such as a heart attack.

Treatment

Costochondritis most often goes away on its own in a few days or weeks. It can also take up to a few months. Treatment focuses on relieving the pain.

• Apply hot or cold compresses.
• Avoid activities that make the pain worse.

Pain medicines, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve), may help to ease pain and swelling. You can buy these without a prescription.

• Talk with your provider before using these medicines if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, liver disease, or have had stomach ulcers or internal bleeding in the past.
• Take the dose as advised by the provider. DO NOT take more than the amount recommended on the bottle. Carefully read the warnings on the label before taking any medicine.

You may also take acetaminophen (Tylenol) instead, if your provider tells you it is safe to do so. People with liver disease should not take this medicine.

If your pain is severe, your provider may prescribe stronger pain medicine.

In some cases, your provider may recommend physical therapy.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Costochondritis pain often goes away in a few days or weeks.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call 911 or the local emergency number, or go to your local emergency room right away if you have chest pain. The pain of costochondritis can be similar to the pain of a heart attack.

If you have already been diagnosed with costochondritis, call your provider if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Trouble breathing
• A high fever
• Any signs of infection such as pus, redness, or swelling around your ribs
• Pain that continues or gets worse after taking pain medicine
• Sharp pain with every breath

Prevention

Because the cause is often unknown, there is no known way to prevent costochondritis.

Images

References

Crasto JA, Vaswani RS, Pauyo T, Musahl V. Overview of sport-specific injuries. In: Miller MD, Thompson SR. eds. DeLee, Drez, & Miller’s Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 9.

Hanak JA. Tietze syndrome. In: Frontera WR, Silver JK, Rizzo TD Jr, eds. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Musculoskeletal Disorders, Pain, and Rehabilitation. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 117.

Kurz J. Costosternal syndrome. In: Frontera WR, Silver JK, Rizzo TD Jr, eds. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Musculoskeletal Disorders, Pain, and Rehabilitation. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 101.

Chest Pain | Your COVID Recovery

Breathlessness, fatigue, and chest pain are some of the most common symptoms experienced during the recovery phase of COVID infection. Having experiences of chest pain after COVID can be worrying but usually not life threatening.

Other causes of chest pain may, however, present for the first time after COVID infection, and might not be related to COVID.

It is important to seek medical advice concerning any type of new chest pain in order to explain whether or not it could lead to a potentially serious heart or lung condition.

Types of chest pain

• Non-specific/non-cardiac chest pain
  This can occur anywhere in the chest. The location may vary during repeated episodes. However, it is often felt in a localised area just below the left nipple. It may be sharp or dull. It can last a split-second to hours in duration. It is not bought on by physical activity. Causes for this type of pain are rarely identified.

• Musculoskeletal chest pain
  This pain may be limited to a small area or to a particular area or be felt as more widespread muscle soreness (called myalgia). The affected area is tender to touch and made worse by specific movements such as turning of the chest or stretching. Myalgia is common during acute viral infections such as COVID and, together with non-specific/non-cardiac pain, may be experienced during the COVID recovery illness. This type of pain can also be associated with trying new exercises (e.g. push ups).

• Pleuritic chest pain
  This type of pain is sharp and worse on breathing in. It usually points towards an inflammation of the pleura (the lining of the lungs, causing pleurisy) or of the pericardium (the lining of the heart, causing pericarditis, in which case the pain is normally made worse by lying flat and relieved by sitting forward). It is treated with simple painkillers such as Paracetamol and anti-inflammatory medicines.

  Severe COVID infection may trigger inflammation of the heart muscle, a condition called myocarditis. This is looked for routinely in people who are advised to attend hospital for severe COVID symptoms.

  Pain from the lining of the lungs may be caused by, a blood clot (pulmonary embolism) in one or more of the arteries supplying the lungs. The onset of pain is usually sudden and may be experienced with other symptoms, such as shortness of breath. It is important to diagnose this condition so that blood thinning treatment can be started to prevent further episodes.

• Angina-type chest pain
  Angina is the most common symptom arising from narrowed or blocked heart arteries. It is typically experienced as a constricting feeling, a tightness or heaviness across the chest. It may radiate to one or both arms, to the neck, jaw or teeth.

  Stable angina is triggered by physical activity such as walking quickly or running, walking up inclines, or climbing stairs. It is relieved rapidly by slowing down or resting. It tends to be worse in the cold.

  Unstable angina is the worsening of symptoms in previously stable angina, and usually occurs at low levels of activity or at rest. Pain due to a heart attack is of similar in nature to angina, but it is usually more severe and ongoing, and may be associated with nausea, vomiting, sweating, anxiety, and feeling unwell.

When should I seek medical attention?

You should seek urgent medical attention by phoning 999 in case you are having a heart attack:

• if you experience sudden chest pain which persists for more than 15 minutes,
• if you experience sudden chest pain which is associated with nausea or vomiting, sweating, or shortness of breath,
• if you experience sudden chest pain which is associated with loss of consciousness.

You should discuss any new chest pain which has none of these features with your primary care team. Please do not ignore chest pain which is brought on by physical exertion and relieved by rest. This may be angina.

Chest Pain, Acute – familydoctor.org

90,000 Chest pain: causes and treatment

Oncologist

Zhukova

Elena Nikolaevna

11 years of experience

Oncologist, member of the Russian Society of Mammologists, member of RUSSCO (Professional Society of Oncologists and Chemotherapists), member of the European Oncological Society ESMO

Make an appointment

When a woman has chest pain, it is almost impossible to miss this phenomenon. Sharp, sharp or pulling pains can resemble a burning sensation or many tiny pricks. There may be a lot of reasons that provoked the appearance of such a symptom. Many of them are not at all as harmless as they might seem, so you should not ignore the increased breast tenderness, but seek qualified medical help.

Causes of chest pain in women

Hormonal changes

Hormonal surges are one of the most common causes, regardless of whether your chest hurts mildly or severely.

As a rule, they do not carry a threat, as they report changes in the phases of the menstrual cycle. So, from about 13 to 17 days of the cycle, chest pain may increase with approaching ovulation. Also, the chest often hurts before menstruation. This is due to the fact that, due to hormonal changes, the mammary glands begin to retain more fluid in themselves, the breast slightly increases and begins to ache.

However, if there is a sensation that was not typical before, it is better to play it safe and consult a doctor.

Delay of menstruation

With a stable monthly cycle and the absence of external factors that can provoke a delay in critical days (severe stress, lack of nutrition and sleep), chest pains often occur with the onset of pregnancy.

To confirm or refute the suspicion, it is recommended to do a pregnancy test or perform an ultrasound scan.

Taking hormonal drugs

This is often the case with hormone-based oral contraceptives.

By convincing the brain that the level of progesterone remains at a consistently high level when in fact it has not been turned on, contraceptives make the female body feel all the indicators of the cycle planned by nature: ovulation and pregnancy.

Despite its high reliability, contraceptives have a great effect on the hormonal system of a woman, and therefore you cannot prescribe them yourself. A competent gynecologist will quickly select the drug that is most suitable for a particular patient.

Breastfeeding

Often, women have chest pain during breastfeeding. This may mean that the baby does not eat all the milk produced by the mother’s body, and it remains in the ducts. In order to prevent milk stagnation and the formation of an inflammatory process, you should express it yourself.

Another reason may be the wrong capture of the nipple by the baby, the situation will be helped by the nurses of the maternity hospital or the obstetrician-gynecologist.

Menopause

Often, a woman’s chest hurts during the period of her entry into menopause, which is accompanied by large-scale hormonal changes in the body.

The symptom occurs due to the growth of fat cells at that time, as well as exacerbation of other diseases, one of the signs of which is a very sore chest.

Injury to chest

If the bottom of the chest or the top hurts, the right breast or the left one hurts, and in general the chest experiences at least some pain after a blow or bruise, it is recommended to consult a specialist – a traumatologist, mammologist or oncologist – so that he excludes the likelihood of serious consequences.

Diseases of the mammary glands

If your chest suddenly starts to hurt, and pregnancy, menopause and other common causes are excluded, then, most likely, one of the diseases occurs, and you should urgently see a gynecologist or oncologist.

• Mastopathy – overgrowth of glandular tissue. It is accompanied by seals in the chest area and is treated with medication or surgery.
• A cyst is a neoplasm with fluid inside it.They require careful study by a mammologist, oncologist, gynecologist or surgeon to determine the risks of rupture and prescribe treatment.
• Benign tumor – tissue overgrowth, as a result of which the chest hurts, pulls. It is often treated surgically.
• Mastitis is an inflammation associated with an abnormality in breastfeeding or hormone function.
• Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that requires inclusion in the examination of an oncologist.

Chest pain treatment

It is extremely important to immediately go to a specialist when the first pains in the chest appear. If a symptom is provoked by any disease, such efficiency will not allow its intensive development.

It is equally important to find a truly competent specialist who works with proven and reliable diagnostic equipment. It is precisely on the accuracy of the testimony of the latter that largely depends on how correct the diagnosis will be and, therefore, the optimal course of treatment is selected.

A large staff of highly qualified therapists, gynecologists, oncologists, surgeons and ultrasound diagnostics specialists have been assembled at Medicina JSC (Academician Roitberg’s clinic).Conveniently located in the center of Moscow, the building of the medical center has many convenient access roads, in particular, it is distinguished by the close location of the metro stations Tverskaya, Chekhovskaya, Novoslobodskaya, Belorusskaya and Mayakovskaya.

Reception of specialists is carried out by appointment. To get a consultation, just call the round-the-clock phone +7 (495) 775-73-60 or leave a request for an appointment in the form of a write-back on the main page of the clinic’s website https: // www. medicina.ru.

Unpleasant sensations in the mammary glands can be symptoms of anxiety diseases

Myth # 1. Chest pain is normal

This is what most women think. But this is a deceptive and dangerous delusion. “Any pain is a signal from the body about a malfunction of a particular system,” says a senior researcher at the Russian Cancer Research Center. N.N.Blokhin, RAMS Galina Korzhenkova. – Pain in the mammary glands is most often caused by an imbalance in estrogen and progesterone.Violation of hormone levels is accompanied by swelling of the glandular tissue, which causes a feeling of discomfort, tension, soreness, and a sensation of increasing breast size. A change in the state of the glandular and connective tissue of the organ can subsequently lead to the development of mastopathy and other diseases. Pain is always a reason to see a doctor who will help determine its cause and advise remedies to eliminate complaints. Wearing the right underwear, a healthy lifestyle, a balanced diet is the key to breast health. “

By the way, nervous, irritable women, who are often exposed to stress and anxiety, are more likely to suffer from chest pains. Due to chronic overwork, disruption of work and rest in a woman’s body, hormonal levels are disturbed. And stress or a nervous breakdown causes a real “hormonal storm” in the body. The mammary gland immediately reacts to the slightest changes in the endocrine system, and, as a rule, this is manifested by chest pains. “A number of drugs can cope with this situation.Recently, special gels with progesterone have appeared, which restore hormone deficiency – they can be used externally. But not all forms of mastopathy require treatment, only its extreme manifestations need to be treated, ”says Dr. Korzhenkova.

Myth No. 2. Pain in the mammary glands does not require treatment

If nothing is done to eliminate pain, mastopathy may develop. Experts note that today up to 80% of Russian women can be diagnosed with mastopathy. In recent years, it has been proven that the duration of pain in benign breast diseases is a risk factor for cancer as well.

The nature and intensity of pain can be very diverse: severity, tingling, burning, burning, pressure, acute pain, discomfort. These processes may, among other things, be accompanied by an increase in body temperature.

The main danger is that the pain can be prolonged, but not very intense: a woman gets used to it over time and does not attach due importance to it. And as a result – either does not go to the doctor at all, or does it very late.

By the way, combined oral contraceptives can also be the cause of chest pain.After all, any contraceptive contains in its composition a certain concentration of hormones. At the beginning of their intake, the body adapts to an additional dose of estrogen from the outside, which can cause soreness in the mammary glands. However, in modern drugs, the doses of hormones are very small, and if they were selected correctly, the pain should not last long. If they do not go away after 3 months after starting the use of the drugs, you should consult a doctor who will adjust the course and select the appropriate medications, taking into account the age and general condition of the body.

IN THE GROUP OF RISK FOR MASTOPATHY WOMAN …

– with higher education and high socio-economic status;

– with no pregnancy or late pregnancy;

– refused to breastfeed;

– with late menopause.

Myth No. 3. Chest pain is a sign of a terrible disease

Chest pain is not always a sign of a serious disease, including cancer.However, this is a serious signal that you need to see a doctor and find out its cause. The reason may be not only fibrocystic mastopathy, which occurs in every third woman in our country, but also pronounced premenstrual syndrome, improper use of contraceptives, as well as natural hormonal changes associated with puberty, pregnancy, and the onset of menopause. Chronic gynecological diseases, disordered sex life, and insufficient thyroid function also play a significant role.Cancer is extremely rare in a healthy breast.

However, the risk of breast cancer in women with long-term breast pain (mastalgia) without adequate therapy is five times higher than in women without it. Therefore, if you experience regular pain in the mammary glands, you need to see a doctor and find out the reasons.

– Gynecologists today diagnose benign changes in the mammary gland in 42–58% of patients. Even if there are no complaints, any woman should do an ultrasound of the mammary glands once a year, ” says a professor at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at I.I.M. Sechenova Tamara Ovsyannikova.

– And women over 35-40 years old should have mammography. I compare this analysis with OSAGO – it is obligatory, – adds Galina Korzhenkova.

By the way, experts refute the myth that the likelihood of developing breast cancer increases in women with a large bust. There is no connection here. And even men have breast cancer, ”says Galina Korzhenkova.

CHEST PAIN IS NORMAL IF IT’S . ..

Puberty

Menopause or pre-climax

Pregnancy

Premenstrual syndrome

Lactation

Taking a number of drugs

MEZH

9002 A social campaign against breast cancer “October in a Rose Light” is being held in Moscow.It aims to raise awareness among girls and women about the risk of disease and existing methods of prevention and diagnosis, as well as to raise awareness of the importance of regular health care among girls and women. Today it is known that early diagnosis can achieve a complete cure in 94% of cases.

Within a month, each woman will be able to undergo free examinations using innovative diagnostic equipment in a number of clinics in the capital. In addition, until October 12, bright pink lighting will decorate the facades of houses on Novy Arbat, Tverskaya and Tverskaya-Yamskaya streets and will color the paths of Gorky Park and the Bauman Garden.

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World Breast Cancer Day in Moscow will be greeted with an original action. On Sunday, October 12, at the Central Park of Culture and Leisure. M. Gorky opens an unusual museum in the form of a six-meter female torso made of modern plastic materials. Inside the giant torso, all those gathered will be able to visually familiarize themselves with how the female mammary gland works, what is the mechanism of cancer formation, how it metastasizes and destroys women’s health.

Two mobile medical complexes will operate near the museum: diagnostic and treatment and mammography, where women will be able to undergo a free examination on October 12 from 10.00 to 16.00. The exhibition itself awaits visitors from 12 to 26 October 2014. “We are holding this action in October, because October is the month of fighting breast cancer all over the world. Breast cancer is the most common tumor in women in the world. Every third cancer on Earth is a breast tumor. It is very important that breast cancer can be treated well if it is detected early, ”says the Moscow Department of Health.

In Russia in 2013 60 701 new cases of breast cancer were detected, in Moscow – 5782 cases.In the structure of the incidence of breast cancer in Moscow, women aged 40–60 years accounted for 43.2% of cases, and at the age of 60–69 years – 24.5%.

How to treat intercostal neuralgia – recommendations of a practitioner

The main symptoms of intercostal neuralgia

Intercostal neuralgia (thoracalgia) is a pain syndrome that occurs when the intercostal nerves are inflamed, irritated or compressed.The main symptom of intercostal neuralgia is pain in the left or right side of the chest.

Causes of the disease:

• hypothermia of the body;
• diseases of the nervous system and pathology of the thoracic spine;

90,061 chest injuries;

• infectious and allergic diseases;
• oncology;
• hormonal disorders, weakened immunity;
• diseases of the heart and internal organs;
• anemia, lack of vitamins, intoxication of the body.

Intercostal thoracic neuralgia in women can be caused by wearing tight underwear.

Symptoms of the disease

The main manifestation of pathology is pain (paroxysmal, encircling) with localization in the right or left side of the sternum. With active action and coughing, the soreness increases.

If the cause is overstrain of one or more muscles, the pain increases when bending forward. In some cases, the disease is accompanied by numbness or burning along the nerves, radiating to the back, lower back and scapula.

Depending on which nerves are affected, the syndrome may resemble stomach aches and pains in acute appendicitis. With the defeat of the upper segments of the sternum, the patient will complain of a feeling of a foreign body in the pharynx, which interferes with the swallowing process.

On our website Dobrobut.com you can make an appointment with a doctor who will tell you about the signs of intercostal neuralgia in the back and the methods of its treatment.

Intercostal neuralgia of the chest during pregnancy

The main reasons for this condition in a pregnant woman are hormonal changes, an enlarged uterus and a large amount of fluid in the body.In some cases, the disease develops against the background of infringement of the nerve endings in the spine, posture disorders and a lack of vitamins of group B. Intercostal neuralgia of the chest during pregnancy is manifested by pain syndrome, which increases with active movements. In addition, discomfort may appear in the area of ​​the liver, spleen, stomach and shoulder blades.

Heart pain and intercostal neuralgia: differences

Heart pain, as a rule, does not increase with a change in body position, inhalation and exhalation.The condition is characterized by a jump in blood pressure and an increase in heart rate. Nitroglycerin will help eliminate pain.

Intercostal neuralgia is characterized by increased pain when inhaling and exhaling, turning the torso, coughing and sneezing. Palpation of the intercostal spaces increases the pain syndrome. Nitroglycerin will not help in this case. The doctor will tell you how to relieve acute pain in intercostal neuralgia during the consultation.

It is important to distinguish intercostal neuralgia from other serious diseases that can lead to death in time.The latter include:

• myocardial infarction, angina pectoris;

90,061 lung diseases;

• all kinds of tumors;
• ankylosing spondylitis;
• shingles.

Diagnosis and treatment of intercostal neuralgia

After examining the patient and collecting anamnesis, the doctor will prescribe an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, ECG, lung X-ray and consultation of narrow-profile specialists (if necessary). It is very important to exclude cardiovascular disease.

The main goals of the treatment of intercostal neuralgia are:

• pain relief;
• elimination of the root cause of the disease;
• Elimination of inflammation (pinching) of the nerve.

How to alleviate the suffering of a patient and what to do with intercostal neuralgia at home, the doctor will tell you.

Treatment regimen: drug therapy (antibiotics, pain relievers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, vitamins), gentle movement regimen, physiotherapy and reflexology.Massage for intercostal neuralgia is well combined with exercise therapy.

Treatment of intercostal neuralgia at home

Rubbing. For this purpose, you can use an alcoholic infusion of valerian or birch buds. Rub the juice of black radish into the affected area.

Warming up will give a good effect. However, direct exposure to the affected area should be avoided. Compresses with steamed flax seeds are recommended.

Infusions. Inside, doctors recommend taking a decoction of mint or lemon balm.

Baths with sage. 3 tbsp. l. sage, pour a glass of boiling water. Let the broth brew for 60 minutes, strain. The resulting infusion is added to the bath.