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Cystic Disease |
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Updated: 10/23/98 |
Cystic disease, which includes cystic mastitis, chronic cystic mastitis, and fibrocystic disease affects 15-20% of women in the 20-50 year old age bracket. It is characterized by lumps or a grandular feeling in the breast(s) and pain, all of which generally gets worse premenstrually. A less common symptom is a bloody, brown, green, or yellow discharge from the nipple. This condition is caused by hormones (estradiol and estrone) which are produced by the ovaries and settle into estrogen receptor sites causing irritation in the breasts. A well nourished liver can convert these hormones into estriol, which is non-irritating and binds up the estrogen receptor sites preventing estradiol and estrone from getting in and causing problems. Some researchers have suggested that women who have cystic disease have a higher risk of cancer. Dr. Saifer has reported in The Yeast Syndrome that Candida albicans can either result from or play a role in fibrocystic disease. Since we do not understand the exact chemistry of the hormone involvement in cystic disease, we do not know the exact treatment either. The most highly favored theories suggest that the hormones create a fluid imbalance, not unlike the fluid retention of PMS. Of course the orthodox approach to this problem is diuretics. However, if the pressure becomes unbearable in a cyst the fluid can be drawn out with a needle. Hormone imbalances could also be the culprit, and a low dose ormone therapy can help to keep the hormones stable throughout the menstrual cycle. This, however, has its long term health risks. The most common drug used in the treatment of cystic disease is danazol. This drug is also used in the treatment of endometriosis, infertility, excessive menstruation, and precocious puberty. It works by decreasing the pituitary hormones that stimulate the ovaries. This in turn means the body produces less estrogen which means there is not as much estrogen to affect the breast tissue. As with all drugs, there are side effects, several of which are unacceptable to most women. Proceeding from the most to the least common are menstrual irregularities, unnatural hair growth, nosebleeds, dizziness, hoarseness, deepened voice, flushed or red skin, muscle cramps, enlarged clitoris, vaginal burning, itch, swollen feet, decreased breast size, headache, acne, weight gain, and jaundice. Natural therapies can be used in this condition. Dr. Lendon Smith has outlined a program that may be beneficial. Tyrosine, an amino acid, helps the thyroid to produce thyroxin. This condition seems to have a heavy endocrine involvement (hence the danazol) and this indirectly implicates the thyroid. Tyrosine is present in potatoes, apples, sesame seeds, and mushrooms and is recommended by Smith as a part of the program. Smith goes on to recommend using kelp to help balance the thyroid, folic acid to protect the body from the excess of estrogen, choline, inositol and B6 to help the liver do its job, vitamin E to enhance oxygen use which inhibits estrogen, zinc to keep the copper levels down in the body (women with excessive estrogen or who are on the pill tend to have elevated copper levels), bioflavonoids to compete for the estrogen receptor sites, and magnesium to help shrink the cysts. He reports that it takes about 2 months to decrease the size and tenderness of cysts. Caffeine, soft drinks, chocolate, and nicotine should all be eliminated from the diet. A well fitting brassiere could also be worn day and night to help control the discomfort. Herbally, female hormone balancers could provide beneficial as could herbs normally reserved for males. A good place to start would be the female balancing formula of black cohosh, blessed thistle, false unicorn, ginseng, licorice, sarsaparilla, and squaw vine (Combination C-X). Another good formula is created by putting bayberry, bee pollen, black walnut, cayenne, eucalyptus, fennel, gentian, ginseng, ho shou-wu, lemon grass, licorice, myrrh, peppermint, safflower, and slippery elm (Fitness Plus) with red raspberry. The formula of black cohosh, cayenne, ginger, golden seal, gotu kola, kelp, licorice, horsetail and uva ursi (PS II Combination) can also be helpful in this condition. Additionally, Louise Tenney recommends adding such supplements as essential fatty acids (Super Oil), chlorophyll, spirulina, and lecithin. Barley grass juice powder shoudl also be considered here. As with many imbalanced hormone conditions finding the right program could take a while. The comfort is still there, however, in the knowledge that the aforementioned herbs will not cause the serious side effects of many of the orthodox therapies.
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