Encyclopedia of Homeopathy

REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEMS• 201BREAST PROBLEMSThe main problems affecting the breasts are inflammation (mastitis), breast lumps,and discharges from the nipples. Lumps occur mainly between the ages of 30 and 50,and 80 percent are benign. They should all be investigated promptly by a doctor,however. Regular self-examination and breast awareness are important for all women.Symptoms• Inflammation: possibly with tender glandsunder the arms, mild fever (mastitis), cysts(fluid-filled growths or swellings), or boils in theareola (brown areas surrounding the nipples).• Benign lump (fibroadenosis): possiblepremenstrual tenderness in the breasts.• Abscess: increasingly tender breast andhard, red, and painful spot, possiblyaccompanied by mild fever and tenderglands under the arms.• Tumor: a milky discharge (in womenwho are not pregnant or lactating) or a darkred discharge from the nipple, possiblyaccompanied by an unusual retraction ofthe nipple or an outbreak of eczemaaround the nipple.CausesInflammation of the breast may be caused bya blocked milk duct, or bacteria entering acracked nipple during lactation, or by infectionfrom an abscess or from elsewhere in the body.Most benign lumps are hormonal in origin.Conventional careMastitis and abscesses are usually treated withpainkillers and antibiotics. An abscess may besurgically incised. Ultrasound, mammography,or biopsy are used to investigate lumps.Biopsy involves either the removal of thelump or the aspiration of fluid in order toidentify cancerous cells. Discharge from thenipples may be investigated using themethods above or, in order to identifyinfection, by culturing a sample. Hormonelevels are also measured.Homeopathic medicineA physical examination and investigative testswill be carried out, and details taken of awoman’s gynecological and obstetric history.A homeopath will also study precipitativefactors affecting her general health—especiallyhormonal balances—in an attempt to identifythe underlying causes of breast problems. Thechoice of constitutional remedy will dependupon individual symptoms (see page 18).Silica is effective for abscesses; while Sulphurmay be used to treat infection that hasentered through cracked nipples, causingmastitis. Calc. phos. is prescribed for painfulbreast lumps and swelling; and Conium isused to treat hard tumors. Calc. carb. andPulsatilla are indicated for lumps orinflammation that occur premenstrually orare linked to hormonal imbalances. Otherremedies include Arnica, Causticum, andLachesis for nipple pain; and Graphites foreczema and cracked, blistered nipples.Local remedies include Belladonna, when anabscess or mastitis is developing and the breastis red, heavy, throbbing, and painful on theslightest movement; and Bryonia, if a breast ishard and painful on the slightest movement.Conium is given for a breast lump causingdiscomfort that is better for firm pressure, orfor a cyst; and Phytolacca is prescribed for cyststhat are tender before and during menstruation.LifestyleRegular self-examination of the breasts isvery important. It should be done at thesame time every month, first standing infront of a mirror to observe any visualchanges to the breasts or nipples, thenlying down to feel any lumps, thickening,or tenderness in the breasts or armpits.Breast-feeding women with mastitis shouldbathe the affected breast in hot water, thenbreast-feed with the baby positioned lowerthan the affected area of the breast soas to drain the area of milk. A fish- andvegetable-rich diet with no caffeine isadvisable for women affected by breast lumps.CAUTION• If there are changes to the nipple shapeor color, or to the skin texture or hang of thebreast, or if there is a hard or tender area orpersistent pain, see a doctor as soon aspossible.• If there is discharge from the breast that isnot associated with lactation, consult a doctor.CASE HISTORYCatherine, a 43-year-old former teacher,first started having mild mastitis aftera kidney infection. She was prescribed thecontraceptive pill, which helped. She alsofelt better when pregnant. After a coupleof miscarriages, however, the mastitisgot worse. She was given vitamin B 6 anda hormone regulator, which made thecondition worse. Catherine had anirregular menstrual cycle.PERSONAL DETAILSCatherine appeared to be easy-going, butinside she was a great worrier, and veryanxious about what others thought abouther. A highly sensitive woman, she wasdeeply moved by sad stories. At timesshe felt that she would go mad with painand discomfort.FOOD PREFERENCESCatherine had a craving for boiled eggs,especially when she was premenstrual orpregnant. She also had a desire to eatindigestible items, such as chalk, coal,and pencils, and had a sweet tooth.GENERAL DETAILSCatherine felt the cold very easily, buttended to sweat profusely in bed,particularly on the back of her head so thatthe pillow would become damp. Her feetwere often so hot that she had to stick themout of the bed during the night. She feltworse in cold, northeasterly winds, andbetter when the weather was warm and dry.PRESCRIPTION & FOLLOW-UPCatherine was prescribed a variety ofhomeopathic remedies, including Conium,Lachesis, and Phytolacca, and advisedabout dietary changes, but nothingbrought more than temporary relief.When she was given Calc. carb., however,the mastitis symptoms disappearedcompletely. After that she had theoccasional dose of Calc. carb., butremained largely free of pain anddiscomfort. During menopause, Catherinedeveloped the first symptoms of mastitisthat she had experienced in five years.She again responded well to Calc. carb.,needing just two or three doses duringmenopause. She has remained symptomfreeever since.