Breast Health

FIBROCYSTIC BREAST CHANGES

BREAST PAIN

PROBLEMS: You are being treated for breast pain or breast lumpiness that is from breast changes that are painful, but not cancerous. You have probably had an extensive examination by your health care provider, perhaps mammography, perhaps sonography, and perhaps a biopsy.

CAUSE: The cause is unknown, but it is probably related to estrogen because women who are having menstrual periods are affected. Some early research indicated that high caffeine in coffee, tea, chocolate or soda intake was the cause. This has not been found to be the case, however many health care providers and women feel they have some relief from pain when they eliminate these items from their diet. Certainly, these items are not essential foods.

PREVENTION: None known

TREATMENT PLAN:

Comfort

• Be fitted for a very good fitting bra. This will help eliminated breast movement as a source of pain.
• Try ice packs for 20 minutes every few hours on your breasts as you can. Some women find that heat on there breast relieves pain.

MEDICATIONS: There are a number of medication that have been found to relieve breast pain from fibrocystic breast changes such as drugs that decrease or stabilize estrogen like oral contraceptive pills or danizol.

Vitamins such as Vitamin E 400-800 mg, or Vitamin A 150,000IU daily or B6 50 - 60 mg per day..

ACTIVITY: There are no activity restrictions.

DIET: Eliminate or decrease salt to decrease water retention when swelling of breast near your period causes pain.

Try eliminating caffeine from your diet. Foods high in caffeine include coffee, tea, chocolate and carbonated soda’s. Even decaffeinated drinks contain caffeine. This does not help everyone, but it might help you.

YOU HAVE BEEN PRESCRIBED:________________________________________________________

YOU NEED TO TAKE:__________________________________________________________________

YOU NEED TO NOTIFY THE OFFICE IF YOU HAVE_______________________________________________

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