Breast Pain can also be called as Mastalgia, Mammalgia or Mastodynia. Breast pain may be common including dull ache, heaviness, tightness, or a burning sensation in the breast tissue. It need not be breast cancer or a serious breast disorder. There are several factors that are associated with breast pain: acid reflux, alcoholism with liver damage, angina, anxiety, benign breast tumors, Bornholm disease, breast cancer, breast cysts, breast trauma, infection during breastfeeding, cervical & thoracic spondylosis, chest wall pain, coronary artery disease, costochondritis, cyclic breast pain, more caffeine in diet, fibromyalgia, herpes zoster, mastitis, medications, peptic ulcer, pericarditis, pregnancy, pleurisy, puberty, psychological, pulmonary embolism, rib fracture, shingles, shoulder pain, sickle cell anaemia, and trauma to the chest wall.
Breast pain is classified as cyclic or non-cyclic pains
Some of the symptoms of breast pain (Cyclic):
- Pain comes cyclic as menstrual cycle
- Breasts become tender
- Swelling in breasts
- Breasts may become lumpy
- Pain may spread to underarm
Some of the symptoms of breast pain (Non-cyclic):
- It affects just one breast
- Pain may be continuous or sporadic
- Common in post-menopausal women
When should you consult a doctor?
Consult a doctor if you have signs of pain, size or shape in the breast. The doctor may conduct a clinical breast exam to diagnose the condition.
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