Section
13
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BREAST DISCOMFORT (Breast Tenderness)
SYMPTOMS—There is tenderness and discomfort in the breast.
CAUSES—Breast tenderness is a common characteristic of the premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and early pregnancy. If caused by PMS, the tenderness may occur regularly every month; if associated with early pregnancy, missed periods and a positive home pregnancy test will reveal that.
The cause is generally the natural cycles of your reproductive hormones, which are estrogen and progesterone. They signal the milk-producing glands in the breast to grow and areas around them to expand with blood and other fluids to nourish the cells. This can result in stretched nerve fibers and a sense of pain.
Then there are fibrocystic changes, which include lumps and cysts (see "Breast Cyst" for more information).
TREATMENT—
• For breast tenderness, apply vitamin E on the area, and be sure to include enough essential fatty acids in the diet (5 gm, 3 times a day). Flaxseed oil, sunflower seed oil, or wheat germ oil are best.
• Selenium is an antioxidant and helps prevent breast tenderness.
• Using caffeine products is linked to breast tenderness.
• Discomfort and soreness in the breast is also a symptom of fibrocystic breast disease (see "Breast Cyst)."
ENCOURAGEMENT—Since Jesus came to dwell with us, we know that God is acquainted with our trials and sympathizes with our griefs. Obey God's Ten Commandment law, by faith in Jesus Christ, and you will have a much happier life.
BREAST INFLAMMATION
SYMPTOMS—Painful and hard swelling in the breast. There is restlessness, throbbing, burning pain, and possible fever.
CAUSES—Injury or improper diet are among the causes of inflamed, swollen, caked breasts, or sore nipples.
TREATMENT—
• Soak a cloth in a mixture of 1 pint of linseed oil and 4 ounces of spirits of camphor, and cover the entire affected area. Apply as often as needed.
• Hot and cold applications of dry cloths help relieve the soreness and inflammation. Give these continually until relieved. Then apply the mixture again.
• When the breast is swollen, give a poultice slippery elm, with a little lobelia added to it.
• Drink a tea of goldenseal, black cohosh, and ginger.
• Go on a short fruit and vegetable juice fast, and clean out the bowels.
—Also see "Breast Discomfort" and "Breast Cyst."
ENCOURAGEMENT—As the Son of man, Christ gives an example of obedience to God's holy law; as the Son of God, He gives us power to obey that law.
BREAST CYST (Fibrocystic Breast Disease; Cystic Mastitis)
SYMPTOMS—Discomfort, soreness, tenderness, lumpiness, and possible felt lumps and cysts in the breast. These will be round lumps which move freely and are either firm or soft.
The symptoms are the most prominent before the monthly, and almost entirely absent during pregnancy.
CAUSES—This is the most common breast problem that women have; over 50% of adult females have it. This is most frequent in women of child-bearing age, and primarily occurs between the ages of 30 and 50.
When there is too much fluid in the breast, instead of moving it out of the breast, the lymph system stores it in small spaces, here and there. Eventually, fibrous tissue surrounds them and thickens, forming cysts. These cysts frequently swell just before the monthly, causing pain.
These cysts may change in size; but, although tender, they move freely. In contrast, a cancerous growth generally does not move freely, is usually not tender, and does not leave.
It is important to regularly examine each breast for lumps, and determine what kind they are. It is best to do this weekly.
It is known that the risk of breast cancer is three times as great in women with cysts.
Breast cysts rarely appear after the age of 50, when estrogen levels are less.
Hormonal imbalance, abnormal production of breast milk (caused by high levels of estrogen), and an underactive thyroid can induce cysts.
Other causative agents are listed below.
TREATMENT—
• Eat a low-fat, high-fiber diet, including more raw foods. Emphasize fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Do not eat nuts which have been heated.
• The trace element, germanium, is important. It is found in garlic and onions.
• Research shows that milk and dairy products have high estrogen levels. It is best to avoid them, for the cyst problem can always lead to a cancerous condition.
• Avoid a diet high in meat, eggs, butter, and cheese.
• White-flour products should be avoided.
• Do not eat chocolate, animal products, cooked oils, fried foods, sugar, salt or drink beverages with alcohol or caffeine.
• Do not use nicotine products. They stimulate the growth of cysts.
• Not using caffeine and applying primrose oil will help reduce the cysts.
• Methylxanthines (which include caffeine, theophylline, and theobromine), found in caffeine and chocolate foods have, been found to induce breast disease.
• Keep the weight low. It is more difficult to locate tumors in larger breasts.
• If you have an underactive thyroid, do what is needed to strengthen it, since hypothyroidism (which see) has been linked to fibrocystic disease.
• Breast congestion can be caused by padded bras. Do not overheat the breasts; this can lead to breast cancer.
• Excess clothing on the trunk, and not enough on the extremities, is a significant cause of female problems of various types.
• Drink enough water, so it is easier for the blood and lymphatic system to care for the milk glands.
Here is additional advice, to help you avoid problems with benign breast changes:
• Regularly take B vitamins, vitamin C, calcium, and magnesium. These vitamins help regulate the production of prostaglandin E, which in turn slows down prolactin activity. Prolactin activates breast tissue.
• Do not use diuretic drugs. Instead, drink more water to help improve kidney function.
• Do not use highly salted foods.
• Some find that applying cold water to the breasts helps when they are painful. But others find that alternating very warm and cold works better. This can be done via heating pads, cold cloths, showers, etc.
• Gentle breast massage will help move liquids out of the breast area into the lymph passages.
• Dong quai helps regulate hormonal levels. Goldenseal helps heal infections. Red clover cleans the blood. Chlorophyll helps clean the liver and prevent formation of cysts. Germanium and CoQ10 provide oxygen to the cells and prevent free radical damage. Flaxseed oil helps prevent breast cancer.
—Also see "Cancer."
ENCOURAGEMENT—When you open your eyes in the morning, thank God that He has kept you through the night. Thank Him for all His blessings. Live your days in the presence of God; and, by faith in Christ, obey His Ten Commandment law.
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