Breast distension

Distracting pain in the breast can be seen in physiology and pathology. Most of them Physiological breast tenderness is related to emotional tension. If the breast distension persists and does not alleviate, or even worsens, or if you find a lump with an irregular shape, unclear edges, and poor mobility when touching the breast, you should go to the hospital for examination and treatment as soon as possible.

1. Pathological

(1) Mammary gland hyperplasia: The main cause of the disease is the imbalance of endocrine hormones. The breast tissue is very sensitive to hormones, and breast tenderness is often the first symptom of patients with breast hyperplasia. Breast hyperplasia can be accompanied by breast lumps, menstrual disorders (delayed, low volume, light color), nipple discharge, emotional changes (bad temper, upset, irritability, nervousness), and so on. Therefore, normal breast tenderness should be distinguished from breast hyperplasia to avoid delay in treatment.

(2) Mastitis: Mastitis is divided into lactation mastitis and non-lactation mastitis. Common acute mastitis mostly occurs in lactating women, especially primiparous women. It is an acute breast inflammation caused by bacterial infection during lactation, with typical local manifestations of redness, swelling, heat, and pain. Symptoms such as chills, fever, fatigue, and poor appetite may appear throughout the body. If a breast abscess is formed, the ultrasound can show fluid level, and the pus can be extracted by a puncture.

(3) Breast cancer: Breast cancer occurs mostly in women between 40 and 60 years old, and the incidence rate is higher in women before and after menopause. Early breast cancer is often painless, and painful breast cancer is often indicated as advanced. Studies have shown that in postmenopausal women with breast pain accompanied by thickened glands, the detection rate of breast cancer will increase. Of course, when the tumor is accompanied by inflammation, pain or tenderness can also be present. If the advanced tumor invades the nerve or axillary lymph node swelling and oppresses or invades the brachial plexus, shoulder pain may occur. Breast cancer is also accompanied by breast lumps, nipple discharge, nipple changes, skin changes, and axillary lymphadenopathy.

2. Physiological

(1) Puberty breast tenderness and pain: puberty breast development begins with swelling of the nipples, and the breast tissue under the nipples appears pea-to-fava bean-sized round induration, with slight tenderness. After menarche, the breasts will disappear on their own as they mature.

(2) Breast swelling and pain during the premenstrual period: More than half of women have breast fullness, hard, tenderness before menstrual cramps; in severe cases, the breasts can be swollen and painful due to slight vibration or collision, and the original granular or nodular sensation It is more obvious and generally relieves after menstrual cramps.

(3) Breast swelling and pain during pregnancy: Some women have breast hyperplasia and breast enlargement around 40 days after pregnancy, which may cause breast swelling and pain. In severe cases, it can continue throughout the pregnancy.

(4) Breast swelling and pain after childbirth: Breast fullness, induration, and pain often occur 3 to 7 days after childbirth.

(5) Breast swelling and pain after an abortion: After an abortion, some women complain of breast swelling and pain, and may palpable lumps.

(6) Breast swelling and pain after sex: breast congestion and swelling are not easy to subside, or the subsidence is not complete, breast tenderness and pain.

Treatment principles

1. Pathological breast tenderness should be treated according to the cause.

2. Physiological breast tenderness

(1) Tension should be relieved;

(2) Medication: Some Chinese patent medicines that promote blood circulation and dissipate blood stasis have a certain effect;

(3) Physiotherapy: For physiological breast pain, hot compresses such as hot water bottles can be used to relieve breast pain.

Reference:

Guo Xiaoqin. The effect of breast acupoint massage on reducing breast pain and promoting milk secretion. "CNKI; WanFang", 2007

Chen Xiaofeng, Du Qiulan. Using self-care theory to reduce postpartum breast pain. "CNKI", 2003

 Xiao Hong, Gong Liangchen, Luo Meihua, etc. Comparison of the effects of two methods for preventing postpartum breast pain. "CNKI; WanFang", 2008

Hou Yanwen, Li Yan. Research progress on nursing intervention to relieve postpartum breast pain. "CNKI; WanFang", 2008

Zhang Jing, Gong Lili, Zhang Shaofen, Chen Xing, etc. The effect of Kuntai capsule on the quality of life, breast tenderness, and vaginal bleeding in early menopausal women. "CNKI", 2008

乳房肿胀

乳房肿胀可见于生理及病理，大多数的生理性乳房胀痛与情绪紧张相关。如果乳房肿胀持续不缓解，甚至越发严重，或者触摸乳房时，发现有形态不规则、边缘不清、活动度差的肿块时，应及早去医院检查诊治。