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- $Unique_ID{BRK00799}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{What Type of Treatment is Available for Pain from Breast Lumps?}
- $Subject{breast breast lump lumps treatment treatments Skin Subcutaneous
- Tissue Caffeine diary products alcohol smoking smoke smoker smokers stress}
- $Volume{R-19}
- $Log{}
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- Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
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- What Type of Treatment is Available for Pain from Breast Lumps?
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- QUESTION: I have lumps in my breast that though diagnosed as not cancerous
- still cause me moments of terrible pain. What type of treatment is available
- to get me some relief?
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- ANSWER: Treatment depends on the character of the noncancerous lumps, the
- discomfort they cause and your family's medical history. Your doctor will
- always want to examine such lumps carefully (and probably will advise you to
- do so quite frequently) but may not prescribe any treatment if lumps are few,
- small, painless, and usually occur with your menstrual cycle.
- If you experience breast pain or tenderness before periods, cutting back
- on the amount of salt will help to reduce the amount of fluid your body
- retains.
- Caffeine, diary products, alcohol and smoking have all been linked to
- this condition, and eliminating them, or reducing their intake may afford some
- relief when tenderness and pain are the main complaints.
- Some authorities state that stress can make symptoms worse and recommend
- techniques to reduce it, such as meditation, exercise and biofeedback. Some
- also suggest taking vitamins E and B. If your pain persists, your physician
- may prescribe hormone medication.
- Surgery is performed only if the condition is severe. Lumps can be
- removed without disfiguring. At times even large lumps--containing fluid--can
- be drained simply, using a needle and syringe. Reducing the pressure by
- removing the fluid may also reduce your pain.
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- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
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