The hardening of the skin on your chest area or the development of small lumps on your breast could indicate a benign change called Fibrocystic breast disease. Calling it a disease, is in fact misleading. It refers to the change that the tissues on the chest undergo during the monthly cycle due to hormonal changes.This condition occurs in women as a result of noncancerous changes in the mammarian tissues. Its incidence is very common. It is often more prominent during ovulation and just before menstruation. This disorder affects around 60% of women, especially those in the 30 to 50 age group. If you have gone through your menopause, or if you are on birth control pills, there’s reason to cheer-you are less prone to it.Know The Cause:The hormonal changes in your body are the main cause. When they occur before and during menstruation, the cells in your mammary tend to retain fluid. This kind of fluctuation over the years results in the development of cysts, which feel like lumps. They can spread throughout your chest or get concentrated in a particular area.Are You In The Risk Category?If you have a family history of the fibrocystic disease and are unable to cut down on your fat and caffeine intake, you can easily be placed in the risk category.These Are The Symptoms:The symptoms range from mild to severe. You can experience the following if you have fibrocystic breast disease:* Dense, rough, and uneven tissues in the breasts* Discomfort* Breasts feeling full* Tenderness and heaviness* Pre-menstrual swelling* Sporadic nipple discharge* PainYou will see that these symptoms would disappear once menstruation starts.Get It Diagnosed:If you have observed any of the following symptoms, don’t hesitate to go to a doctor. Your doctor will perform a physical exam of your chest to make a diagnosis. He/she may suggest an ultrasound. To exclude other possibilities, he/she may also ask you to go for a biopsy of the breasts.This Is How You Can Prevent It:Preventing the occurrence of this condition is not a difficult task at all. You can avoid caffeine and reduce your dietary fat to around 25% of the daily calorie. It is also not difficult to carry out a monthly self examination of the breasts. Along with this, ensure that you always wear a well-fitting bra.What Is The Treatment?There are no specific treatments for the particular condition other than those to minimize discomfort. Your doctor may recommend the following, which are more preventive in nature:-Wear a firm bra-Avoid caffeine and chocolate-Eliminate excessive dietary fat and limit salt intake-Take pain relievers for combating pain-Increase doses of vitamin EFor severe symptoms, you may have to undergo hormonal therapies, such as taking birth control pills, danazol (danocrine), or bromocriptine. Whatever is the treatment, you should ensure that it is taken after discussing your unique issues and needs with your doctor. With proper treatment and enough prevention, there is no need for you to feel concerned about fibrocystic breast disease at all.
14
Jan