Breast, abscess Health Dictionary

A localised collection of pus caused by suppuration in a tissue... abscess

This is the natural way to feed a baby from birth to WEANING. Human milk is an ideal food, containing a proper balance of nutrients as well as an essential supply of antibodies to protect the infant against infections. Breast feeding also strengthens the physical bond between mother and child. For the ?rst few weeks, feeding should be on demand. Di?culties over breast feeding, discouragement from health-care providers and the pressures of modern life, especially for working mothers, can make it hard to continue breast feeding for more than a few weeks, or even to breast feed at all. Sometimes infections occur, producing soreness and even an abscess. Mothers should seek advice from their health visitor about breast feeding, especially if problems arise.... breast feeding

The term applied to a collection of pus or an ABSCESS which occurs complicating an attack of TONSILLITIS. The collection of pus forms between the tonsil and the superior constrictor muscle of the pharynx. This condition is also known as quinsy; treatment drainage of the abscess and the administration of appropriate antibiotics.... peritonsillar abscess

An ABSCESS that develops under the DIAPHRAGM, usually on the right side of the abdomen between the liver and the diaphragm. The cause may be an organ that has perforated – for instance, a peptic ulcer in the stomach or intestine. An abscess may also occur after an abdominal operation, usually when the bowel or stomach has been operated on. Antibiotics and sometimes surgery are the method of treatment.... subphrenic abscess

See MAMMOPLASTY.... breast reconstruction

See MAMMOPLASTY.... breast reduction

An ABSCESS arising in the space between the RECTUM and ischial bone (see ISCHIUM) and often resulting in a FISTULA. It may occur spontaneously or be secondary to an anal ?ssure, thrombosed HAEMORRHOIDS or other anal disease. The disorder is painful and usually accompanied by fever. Treatment is by a combination of antibiotics and surgery.... ischiorectal abscess

See: FIBROCYSTIC BREAST DISEASE. ... breast, cyst

May follow inflammation of the liver from a number of causes, the most common being a manifestation of amoebic dysentery. Through blood infection it may appear on the surface of the liver or other organs.

Symptoms: pain under the right lower rib which may be referred to the right shoulder or under shoulder blades.

Treatment. Official treatment is aspiration or opening-up the abscess followed by drainage. Whether or not this is necessary, alternative anti-bacterials such as Myrrh, Goldenseal, Echinacea and Blue Flag may be used with good effect.

Alternatives. Teas: Milk Thistle. Grape leaves. 1 heaped teaspoon to each cup of water, thrice daily. Decoctions: Echinacea, Blue Flag, Goldenseal, Parsley root. One heaped teaspoon to each cup water gently simmered 20 minutes. Half a cup thrice daily.

Tablets/capsules: Blue Flag, Echinacea. Goldenseal. Wild Yam. Devil’s Claw.

Tinctures. Formula. Fringe Tree 3; Meadowsweet 2; Goldenseal 1. One to two 5ml teaspoons, thrice daily.

Practitioner. Ipecacuanha contains emetine which is specific for liver abscess; at the same time it is effective as an anti-amoebic-dysentery agent. Where dysentery is treated with Ipecacuanha liver abscess is rare. Tincture Ipecacuanha BP (1973). Dose: 0.25-1ml.

Diet. Fat-free. Dandelion coffee. Vitamins B6, C and K. Lecithin.

Treatment by or in liaison with a general medical practitioner. ... liver – abscess

An artificial structure surgically introduced into the breast to increase its size (see mammoplasty).... breast implant

Either 1 of the 2 mammary glands, which, in women, provide milk to nourish a baby and are secondary sexual characteristics. In males, the breast is an immature version of the female breast. At puberty, a girl’s breasts begin to develop: the areola (the circular area of pigmented skin around the nipple) swells and the nipple enlarges. This is followed by an increase in glandular tissue and fat. The adult female breast consists of 15–20 lobes of milk-secreting glands embedded in fatty tissue. The ducts of these glands have their outlet in the nipple. Bands of fine ligaments determine the breast’s height and shape. The areolar skin contains sweat glands, sebaceous glands, and hair follicles.

The size and shape and general appearance of the breasts may vary during the menstrual cycle, during pregnancy and lactation, and after the menopause.

During pregnancy, oestrogen and progesterone, secreted by the ovary and placenta, cause the milkproducing glands to develop and become active and the nipple to become larger.

Just before and after

childbirth, the glands in the breast produce a watery fluid known as colostrum.

This fluid is replaced by milk a few days later.

Milk production and its release is stimulated by the hormone prolactin.... breast

A cancerous tumour of the breast. The incidence is raised in women whose menstrual periods began at an early age and whose menopause was late; in those who had no children or had their first child later in life; in those with mothers or sisters who had breast cancer; and in those who are obese. The disease is also more common in countries in which the typical diet contains a lot of fat. One form of breast cancer has a genetic component; 2 genes called BRAC1 and BRAC2 have been identified and appear to be involved in this type of breast cancer.

The first sign of breast cancer may be a painless lump. Other symptoms may include a dark discharge from the nipple, retraction (indentation) of the nipple, and an area of dimpled, creased skin over the lump. In 90 per cent of the cases, only 1 breast is affected. The cancer may be suspected after discovering a lump during breast self-examination or mammography. If a lump is detected, cells will be collected from it by needle aspiration or surgical biopsy. If the lump is cancerous, the treatment given depends on the woman’s age, the size of the tumour, whether or not there are signs of spread to the lymph nodes, and the sensitivity of the tumour cells to hormones, as assessed in the laboratory. A small tumour, with no evidence of having spread outside the breast, is removed surgically. Lymph nodes in the armpit are also commonly removed at the same time. Surgery may be combined with radiotherapy and/or anticancer drugs.

Secondary tumours in other parts of the body are treated with anticancer drugs and hormones. Regular check-ups are required to detect recurrence or the development of a new cancer in the other breast. If the cancer recurs, it can be controlled, in some cases, for years by drugs and/or radiotherapy.... breast cancer

Abscess of the liver caused by Entamoeba histolytica and often containing socalled “anchovy sauce” fluid.... amoebic liver abscess (ala)

A set of investigations aimed at the early detection of breast cancer. It includes self-screening by monthly examination of the breasts, and formal programmes of screening by palpation and mammography in special clinics. In the UK the NHS o?ers regular mammography examinations to all women between 50 and 64 years of age; in 1995–6, 1.1 million women were screened – 76 per cent of those invited. More than 5,500 cancers were detected – 5.3 per 1,000 women screened.... breast screening

An abscess or pus pocket around the apex of the root of a tooth...sometimes called a gumboil... periapical abscess

See CHEST, DEFORMITIES OF.... pigeon breast

An ABSCESS occurring in the cellular tissue behind the throat (PHARYNX). It is the result in general of disease in the upper part of the SPINAL COLUMN.... retropharyngeal abscess

Abscess with collection of pus on one or either side of the anus. May be associated with ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease or TB. Boil-like swelling.

Symptoms: bursting and throbbing pain, worse sitting down. Hot bath relieves.

Alternatives. Teas: Holy Thistle, Marigold petals, dried flowering tops. Clivers, Nettles. Wormwood. Oat husk. Thyme. 1 heaped teaspoon to each cup boiling water infused for 10-15 minutes. 1 cup 2-3 times daily.

Decoctions: Echinacea. Goldenseal. Juniper berries. Wild Indigo. 1 teaspoon to each cup water simmered gently 20 minutes. Half a cup 2-3 times daily.

Powders. Formula. Echinacea 1; Stone root half; Wild Yam half. Dose: 500mg (two 00 capsules or one- third teaspoon) thrice daily.

Liquid extracts. Echinacea 1; Goldenseal quarter; Stone root quarter; Marshmallow 1 and a half. Mix. Dose: 15-30 drops, in water, 2-3 times daily before meals.

Tincture. Tincture Myrrh BPC (1973). 15-40 drops, in water or honey, 3 times daily before meals. Topical. Aloe Vera juice, fresh leaf or gel. Comfrey, Chickweed or Marshmallow and Slippery Elm ointment. ... abscess anal

Sweat root. Polemonium reptans L. Root.

Action: diaphoretic, expectorant, alterative, astringent.

Uses: Feverish conditions, bronchitis, pleurisy, coughs, tuberculosis.

Preparation. Decoction: 1oz to pint water, gently simmer 20 minutes. Dose: half a cup every 2 hours for febrile conditions; otherwise thrice daily. ... abscess root

Musician’s breast.

Alternatives:– External treatment. Lotion – few drops Tincture Arnica in eggcup of water. Aloe Vera or Comfrey cream. Marshmallow and Slippery Elm ointment. ... breast, guitar nipple

Commonest form of cancer in women. Overall mortality remains about 50 per cent at five years. Appears to run in families. Strikes hard unmarried women. Married women who have no children. Those who do not nurse their babies, or who are infertile and have no child before thirty. Eight out of ten chest lumps are benign.

Symptoms. A small lump comes to light while washing, a discharge from the nipple, change in nipple size and colour, irregular contour of the breast surface. Though tissue change is likely to be a cyst, speedy diagnosis and treatment are necessary. Some hospital physicians and surgeons are known to view favourably supportive herbal aids, and do not always think in terms of radical mastectomy. Dr Finlay Ellingwood, Chicago physician (1916) cured a case by injection of one dram Echinacea root extract twice a week into the surrounding tissues.

The condition is believed to be due to a number of causes including suppression of ovulation and oestrogen secretion in pregnant and lactating women. A high fat diet is suspected of interference with the production of oestrogen. Some women are constitutionally disposed to the condition which may be triggered by trauma or emotional shock. Increase in incidence in older women has been linked with excessive sugar consumption. “Consumption overwhelms the pancreas which has to ‘push it out’ to all parts of the body (when broken down by the digestive process) whether they need it or not. The vital organs are rationed according to their requirements of nutrients from the diet. What is left over has to ‘go into store elsewhere’. And the breast is forced to take its share and store it. If it gets too much, for too long, it may rebel!” (Stephen Seely, Department of Bacteriology and Virology, Manchester)

“Women who nurse their babies less than one month are at an increased risk for breast cancer. The longer a woman breast-feeds – no matter what her age – the more the risk decreases. (Marion Tompson, co-founder, The La Leche League, in the American Journal of Epidemiology)

Lactation reduces the risk of pre-menopausal breast cancer. (Newcomb P.A. et al New England Journal of Medicine, 330 1994)

There is currently no treatment to cure metastatic breast cancer. In spite of chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy survival rate has not diminished. Herbs not only have a palliative effect but, through their action on hormone function offer a positive contribution towards overcoming the condition. Their activity has been widely recorded in medical literature. Unlike cytotoxic drugs, few have been known to cause alopecia, nausea, vomiting or inflammation of the stomach.

Treatment by a general medical practitioner or oncologist.

Special investigations. Low radiation X-ray mammography to confirm diagnosis. Test for detection of oestrogen receptor protein.

Treatment. Surgery may be necessary. Some patients may opt out from strong personal conviction, choosing a rigid self-disciplined approach – the Gentle Way. Every effort is made to build up the body’s natural defences (immune system).

An older generation of herbalists believed tissue change could follow a bruise on the breast, which should not be neglected but immediately painted with Tincture Arnica or Tincture Bellis perennis.

Vincristine, an alkaloid from Vinca rosea (Catharanthus roseus) is used by the medical profession as an anti-neoplastic and anti-mitotic agent to inhibit cell division.

Of possible therapeutic value. Blue Flag root, Burdock root, Chaparral, Clivers, Comfrey root, Echinacea, Figwort, Gotu Kola, Marshmallow root, Mistletoe, Myrrh, Prickly Ash bark, Red Clover, Thuja, Wild Violet, Yellow Dock.

Tea. Equal parts: Red Clover, Clivers, Gotu Kola, Wild Violet. 1 heaped teaspoon to each cup boiling water; infuse 5-15 minutes. 3 or more cups daily.

Decoctions. Echinacea, Blue Flag root, Queen’s Delight, Yellow Dock.

Tablets/capsules. Blue Flag root, Echinacea, Poke root, Mistletoe.

Formula. Echinacea 2; Gotu Kola 1; Poke root 1; Mistletoe 1; Vinca rosea 1. Mix. Dose: Powders: 500mg (two 00 capsules or one-third teaspoon). Liquid extracts: 1 teaspoon. Tinctures: 2 teaspoons. Thrice daily and at bedtime. According to progress of the disease, increase dosage as tolerated.

Maria Treben’s tea. Parts: Marigold (3), Yarrow 1; Nettles 1. Mix. 2 teaspoons to each cup boiling water. 1 cup as many times daily as tolerated.

William Boericke, M.D. recommends Houseleek. E.H. Ruddock M.D. favours Figwort.

Topical. Treatments believed to be of therapeutic value or for use as a soothing application.

(1) Cold poultice: Comfrey root.

(2) Poultice of fresh Marshmallow root pulped in juicer.

(3) Injection of Extract Greater Celandine (Chelidonium), locally, gained a reputation in the Eclectic school.

(4) The action of Blood root (Sanguinaria) is well known as a paint or injection.

(5) Ragwort poultice: 2oz Ragwort boiled in half a pint potato water for 15 minutes. See: POULTICE.

(6) Popular Russian traditional remedy: Badiaga (Spongilla fluviatilis), fresh water sponge gathered in the autumn; dried plant rubbed to a powder. Poultice.

(7) Maria Treben’s Poultice: Carefully washed fresh Plantain leaves, pulped, and applied direct to the lesion.

(8) If lymph glands are affected, apply Plantain poultice to glands.

(9) Dr Brandini’s treatment. Dr Brandini, Florence, used 4 grains Citric Acid (prepared from lemons) in 1oz (30ml) water for ulcerated cancer of the breast considered incurable. “The woman’s torments were so distressing that neither she nor other patients could get any rest. Applying lint soaked in the solution, relief was instantaneous. Repeated, it was successful.”

(10) Circuta leaves. Simmered till soft and mixed with Slippery Elm bark powder as a poultice morning and night.

(11) Decoction. Simmer gently Yellow Dock roots, fine cut or powdered, 1oz to 1 pint, 20 minutes. Saturate lint or suitable material and apply.

(12) Yellow Dock ointment. Half ounce Lobelia seed, half ounce Yellow Dock root powder. Baste into an ointment base. See: OINTMENT BASE.

(13) Infusion, for use as a wash. Equal parts: Horsetail, Red Clover, Raspberry leaves. 1oz to 1 pint boiling water infuse 15 minutes.

(14) Dr Christopher’s Ointment. Half an ounce White Oak, half an ounce Garden Sage, half an ounce Tormentil, half an ounce Horsetail, half an ounce Lemon Balm. Method: Boil gently half an hour in quart water, strain. Reduce to half a pint by simmering. Add half a pound honey. Bring to boil. Skim off scum. Allow cool. Apply: twice daily on sores.

(15) Dr Finlay Ellingwood. Poke root juice. “Fresh juice from the stems, leaves and roots applied directly to diseased tissue. Exercises a selective action; induces liquefaction and promotes removal, sometimes healing the open wound and encouraging scar formation. Masses of such tissue have been known to be destroyed in a few weeks with only a scar, with no other application but the fresh juice. Produces pain at first, but is otherwise harmless.”

(16) Lesion painted with Mandrake resin. (American Podophyllum)

(17) Dust affected parts with Comfrey powder. Mucilage from Comfrey powder or crushed root with the aid of a little milk. See: COMFREY.

(18) Dr Samuel Thomson’s Cancer Plaster. “Take heads of Red Clover and fill a kettle. Boil in water for one hour. Remove and fill kettle with fresh flower heads. Boil as before in the same liquor. Strain and press heads to express all the liquor. Simmer over a low fire till of the consistency of tar. It must not burn. Spread over a piece of suitable material.”

(19) Wipe affected area with cut Houseleek. (Dr Wm Boericke)

(20) Chinese Herbalism. Take 1-2 Liang pulverised liao-ko-wang (Wickstroemia indica), mix with cold boiled water or rice wine for local compress. Also good for mastitis.

(21) Italian women once used an old traditional remedy – Fenugreek tea.

(22) A clinical trial of Vitamin D provided encouraging results. Patients with locally advanced breast cancer were given a highly active Vitamin D analogue cream to rub on their tumours. “It was effective in one third of the tumours,” said Professor Charles Coombes, clinical oncologist, Charing Cross Hospital, London.

Diet. “A diet rich in cereal products (high in dietary fibre) and green leafy vegetables (antioxidants) would appear to offer women some protection against breast cancer due to the relation between fibre and oestrogen metabolism. Meat-free diet. In a study of 75 adolescent girls, vegetarians were found to have higher levels of a hormone that women suffering from breast cancer often lack. (Cancer Research) Supplements. Daily. Chromium. Selenium (600mcg). Zinc chelate (100mg morning and evening). Beta carotene. “Low levels of Selenium and Vitamins A and E are shown in breast cancer cases.” (British Journal of Cancer 49: 321-324, 1984).

Vitamins A and D inhibit virus penetration in healthy cell walls. Multivitamin combinations should not include Vitamin B12, production of which in the body is much increased in cancerous conditions. Vitamins B-complex and C especially required.

Note: A link between sugar consumption and breast cancer has been reported by some authorities who suggest that countries at the top of the mortality table are the highest also in sugar consumption; the operative factor believed to be insulin.

Screening. Breast screening should be annual from the age of forty.

General. Mothers are encouraged to breast-feed children for the protection it offers against mammary malignancy. (Am.J. Obstet. Gyn. 15/9/1984. 150.)

Avoidance of stress situations by singing, playing an instrument. Adopt relaxation techniques, spiritual healing and purposeful meditation to arouse the immune system; intensive visualisation. Avoid the carcinogens: smoking, alcohol.

Information. Breast Cancer Care. Free Help Line. UK Telephone: 0500 245345. ... cancer - breast

A localized collection of pus in a bone (see osteomyelitis).... bone abscess

A type of mammoplasty.... breast enlargement surgery

Usually contracted in a tropical country during foreign travel. Likely to be associated with amoebic dysentery by the organism Entamoeba histolytica from contaminated drinking water or decaying foods (uncooked vegetables), foods exposed to flies. Onset of the disease may not be apparent until years after original infection. It presents with tenderness over the liver. On palpation, liver area is tender and the diaphragm elevated.

Symptoms. Fever, sweating, constitutional upset.

Differential diagnosis: diverticulitis, Crohn’s disease, salmonella, carcinoma, bacillary dysentery.

Alte rnative s:– Blue Flag, Boneset, Burdock, Chaparral, Echinacea, Elecampane, Elder flowers, Eucalyptus, Fringe Tree, Milk Thistle, Marshmallow, Queen’s Delight, Thyme (garden), Wild Indigo, Wild Yam, Yarrow, Yellow Dock.

Tea. Combine: equal parts, Yarrow, Burdock leaves, Marshmallow leaves. 2 teaspoons to each cup boiling water: infuse 10-15 minutes; 1 cup freely.

Decoction. Echinacea 2; Fringe Tree bark 1; Yellow Dock root 1. 2 teaspoons to 2 cups water gently simmered 20 minutes. Half a cup freely.

Formula: Combine: Echinacea 2; Fringe Tree bark 1; Boneset 1; Goldenseal quarter. Dose: Liquid Extracts: 2-4ml. Tinctures: 4-8ml. Powders: 500mg (two 00 capsules, or one-third teaspoon). In water, honey, or cup of Fenugreek tea.

Cold puree. Pass Garlic corm through food blender. Eat with a spoon as much as tolerated. Blend with adjutants: carrots, raisins, apple. ... amoebic liver abscess

May be from hormonal imbalance for which Agnus Castus is almost specific.

Rosemary. 1 teaspoon leaves to cup boiling water; infuse 15 minutes. Half-1 cup 2-3 times daily.

Tea. Formula. Equal parts leaves, Agnus Castus, Rosemary, Balm. 1-2 teaspoons to each cup boiling water; infuse 15 minutes; 1 cup 2-3 times daily.

Evening Primrose oil. 10 drops (or 2 × 250ml capsules) 3 times daily.

Poke root. Internally and externally.

Yorkshire gypsy device: fix a cabbage or a rhubarb leaf beneath brassiere.

Liquid Extract Blue Cohosh BHP (1983): 0.5-1ml, Thrice daily. Alternative: Liquid Extract Rosemary BHP (1983): 2-4ml. Thrice daily.

Vitamins. All-round multivitamin and mineral supplement. Vitamin C (1g daily). Vitamin E (400iu daily). ... breast (female) tenderness, pain

Most lumps are harmless, including cysts (adenosis) and benign tumours. Not forerunners of cancer. Largely due to hormone imbalance. Fluid may be aspirated from a cyst. Thickened patches of fibrous tissue are freely movable and occur chiefly during years of menstruation depending upon the presence of oestrogen. An accurate diagnosis is necessary by a competent authority. Excessive sugar consumption suspected.

Prominent cyst formations have been reduced, even eliminated by Poke root, internally and externally, though surgery is sometimes indicated. Diuretics influence the kidneys to expel more body fluids and are sometimes helpful to reduce size. Cold water packs may be applied to the affected area two or more times daily, as practical.

Alternatives. Tea. Formula. Equal parts: Ground Ivy, Clivers, Horsetail. One heaped teaspoon to each cup boiling water; infuse 15 minutes. 1 cup morning and evening.

Poke root. Tablets, powders. Tincture. 5-10 drops in water 3 times daily.

Evening Primrose oil. Two 500mg capsules, 3 times daily. Trials carried out by departments of Surgery at the University of Wales and the University of Dundee found Evening Primrose oil effective and safe. Poultice. Poke root. Horsetail.

Diet. As salt favours retention of fluid in cystic tissue it should be restricted.

Supplements. Daily. Beta carotene; B-complex; B6, Vitamin C 1g; Zinc. Vitamin E contra-indicated.

Treatment by or in liaison with a general medical practitioner. ... fibrocystic breast disease (fbd)

A device used to draw milk from the breasts in order to relieve overfull breasts during lactation, to express milk for future use, or to feed a baby who is unable to suckle.... breast pump

See abscess, dental.... tooth abscess

an infection in the bone around the apex of a tooth. An acute abscess is extremely painful and if left untreated may cause swelling of the jaw and sometimes the face. A chronic abscess may be completely asymptomatic. An abscess invariably results from damage to and infection of the pulp of the tooth. Treatment is drainage and *root canal treatment or extraction of the tooth; antibiotics may give temporary relief. If left untreated, the infection may spread, resulting in severe complications and even mortality.... apical abscess

A pus-filled sac in the tissue around the root of a tooth. An abscess may occur when bacteria invade the pulp (the tissues in the central cavity of a tooth) as a result of dental caries, which destroys the tooth’s enamel and dentine, allowing bacteria to reach the pulp. Bacteria can also gain access to the pulp when a tooth is injured. The infection in the pulp then spreads into the surrounding tissue to form an abscess. Abscesses can also result from periodontal disease, in which bacteria accumulate in pockets that form between the teeth and gums.

The affected tooth aches or throbs, and biting or chewing is usually extremely painful. The gum around the tooth is tender and may be red and swollen. An untreated abscess eventually erodes a sinus (channel) through the jawbone to the gum surface, where it forms a swelling known as a gumboil. As the abscess spreads, the glands in the neck and the side of the face may become swollen, and fever may develop. Treatment may consist of draining the abscess, followed by root-canal treatment of the affected tooth, but in some cases extraction of the tooth is necessary. Antibiotics are prescribed if the infection has spread beyond the tooth.

An abscess in a periodontal pocket can usually be treated by the dentist scraping away infected material.... abscess, dental

A collection of pus, surrounded by inflamed tissues, within the brain or on its surface. The most common sites are the frontal and temporal lobes of the cerebrum in the forebrain.

Brain abscesses may occur after a head injury, but most cases result from the spread of infection from elsewhere in the body, such as the middle ear or sinuses.

Another cause is an infection following a penetrating brain injury.

Multiple brain abscesses may occur as a result of blood-borne infection, most commonly in patients with a heart-valve infection (see endocarditis).

Symptoms include headache, drowsiness, vomiting, visual disturbances, fever, seizures, and symptoms, such as speech disturbances, that are due to local pressure.

Treatment is with antibiotic drugs and surgery.

A craniotomy may be needed to open and drain the abscess.

Untreated, brain abscesses can cause permanent damage or can be fatal.

Despite treatment, scarring can cause epilepsy in some cases.... brain abscess

prolonged jaundice lasting several weeks after birth in breast-fed babies for which no other cause can be found. It improves with time and is not an indication to stop breast-feeding.... breast-milk jaundice

a chronic abscess of bone that develops from acute bacterial *osteomyelitis. The classic appearance on X-ray is a small walled-off cavity in the bone with little or no periosteal reaction. Treatment is by surgical drainage and antibiotics. [Sir B. C. Brodie (1783–1862), British surgeon]... brodie’s abscess

see abscess.... cerebral abscess

a collection of pus around the kidney, usually secondary to *pyonephrosis but also resulting from spread of infection from other sites. It is more likely to occur in individuals who are immunosuppressed or have diabetes mellitus. Percutaneous or open surgical drainage are usually necessary but occasionally nephrectomy may be needed if the kidney is severely infected.... perinephric abscess

Disorders affecting the breast that are mostly minor and respond readily to treatment. The most important causes of problems are infection, such as mastitis, tumours, and hormonal changes. Breast cysts, fibroadenomas, other noncancerous tumours, or, more rarely, breast cancer may occur. Breast pain and tenderness is common just before menstruation or when a woman is taking hormones. Before menstruation, breasts may become bigger and lumpy. Such lumps shrink when menstruation is over. Hormonal disorders may, rarely, cause galactorrhoea (abnormal milk production). In men, gynaecomastia may result from hormonal disturbance or treatment with certain drugs.... breast, disorders of the

Any mass, swelling, or cyst that can be felt in the breast tissue.

At least 90 per cent of lumps are noncancerous; the rest are breast cancer.

Many women have generally lumpy breasts, with the lumps more obvious in the days before a period.

Once known as fibrocystic disease or fibroadenosis, this is now considered to be a variation of normal.

Lumpy breasts do not increase the risk of developing breast cancer.

However, any new, distinct, or separate lump should be assessed by a doctor.

In a young woman, a single lump is most likely to be a fibroadenoma.

This noncancerous growth is usually round, firm, and rubbery, causes no pain, and can be moved about beneath the skin using the fingertips.

In an older woman, a lump is more likely to be a noncancerous, fluid-filled breast cyst.

Regular breast self-examination may detect any changes.

Treatment depends on the cause and type of lump.

Cysts can be drained in a simple outpatient procedure.

Other lumps can be removed surgically.... breast lump

Visual and manual examination of the breasts carried out by a woman to detect lumps

and other changes that might be an indication of early breast cancer. To carry out self-examination, the breasts should be checked in a mirror for any dimpling of the skin or changes in the nipples or breast size and shape. Then, with one arm behind the head, and using small circular movements, the breast should be gently but firmly pressed. The entire breast, armpit area, and nipple should be examined. Regular self-examination helps a woman to become familiar with the appearance and feel of her breasts; any changes should be reported to a doctor without delay.... breast self-examination

Soreness or tenderness of the breasts, often with a feeling of fullness. Breast tenderness is an extremely common problem. In most women it is cyclical, varying in severity in response to the hormonal changes of the menstrual cycle. It is usually most severe before a period (see premenstrual syndrome). It tends to affect both breasts and may be aggravated by stress or caffeine in drinks. Breast tenderness can also be noncyclical and may be caused by muscle strain or mastitis. During lactation, it may be due to engorgement with milk. Rarely, tenderness may be due to a breast cyst or breast cancer. However, examination by a doctor will exclude any underlying problems. Women with large breasts are more likely to suffer from both cyclical and noncyclical breast tenderness.

Cyclical tenderness may be relieved by reduced caffeine intake, relaxation

exercises for stress, a well-fitting bra, or weight loss to reduce breast size.

If these measures do not work, hormonal treatment may be recommended.... breast tenderness

a localized abscess that arises in the periodontal tissues and is usually an acute manifestation of periodontal disease. It appears as a pocket of pus in the tissues of the gum but not around the apex of the tooth.... periodontal abscess

(amoebic abscess) an abscess of the liver caused by infection with *Entamoeba histolytica. See dysentery.... tropical abscess