Mastitis Health Dictionary

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Mastitis: From 3 Different Sources

Inflammation of breast tissue, usually caused by bacterial infection and sometimes by hormonal changes. Mastitis usually occurs when bacteria enter the nipple during breast-feeding. It can also be caused by changes in levels of sex hormones in the body – for example, at the onset of puberty.

Mastitis results in pain, tenderness, and swelling in one or both breasts. Bacterial mastitis during breast-feeding also causes redness and engorgement and may result in a breast abscess.

Mastitis caused by infection is treated with antibiotic drugs and analgesic drugs, and by expressing milk to relieve engorgement. Mastitis caused by hormone changes usually clears up in a few weeks without treatment.

Health Source: BMA Medical Dictionary
Author: The British Medical Association
The term applied to in?ammation of the breast (see BREASTS, DISEASES OF).
Health Source: Medical Dictionary
Author: Health Dictionary
n. inflammation of the breast, usually caused by bacterial infection via damaged nipples. It most often occurs as acute puerperal mastitis, which develops during the period of breast-feeding, about a month after childbirth, and sometimes involves the discharge of pus. Chronic cystic mastitis has a different cause and does not involve inflammation. The breast feels lumpy due to the presence of cysts, and the condition is thought to be caused by hormone imbalance.
Health Source: Oxford | Concise Colour Medical Dictionary
Author: Jonathan Law, Elizabeth Martin

Breasts, Mastitis

Inflammation of the breast. Maybe of the new born, of puberty; associated with mumps, abscess; or occurs during breastfeeding when a milk duct may become blocked and infected by bacteria – usually Staphylococcus aureus. Mothers should suckle the baby until the breast is completely empty. Chronic mastitis is known as fibro adenosis. Should acute mastitis get out of hand, abscess may form requiring more drastic treatment such as incision to release pus.

Symptoms. Local tenderness, feverishness, general agitation. Pain following mumps. Nipple discharge. Alternatives. Where there is feverishness add Elderflowers (one part).

Tea. Combine equal parts: Comfrey leaves. Wild Thyme. German Chamomile. Red Clover. 1 heaped teaspoon to each cup boiling water; infuse 5-15 minutes. Drink freely.

Tablets/capsules. Poke root. Red Clover. Echinacea.

Powders. Formula: Echinacea 2; Red Clover 1; Poke root 1. Mix. Dose: 500mg (two 00 capsules or one- third teaspoon) thrice daily.

Tinctures. Formula. Echinacea 2; Marigold 1; Agnus Castus 2; Poke root 1. Dose: 1-2 teaspoons thrice daily, in water.

Poultice: (1) Fresh Plantain leaves beaten in pestle and mortar, applied cold. (2) Comfrey powder or Slippery Elm powder (or both) sprinkled on suitable material wrung out in boiling water and applied. (3) German Chamomile and Comfrey leaves. (Arthur Hyde, MNIMH) (4) Bring to boil, equal parts Chamomile flowers and Marshmallow leaves in milk and water. Remove when boiling point is reached. Saturate linen or suitable material. Apply every 12 hours. (Rev. John Wesley) (6) Bathe with juice of Houseleek. (Traditional, Norfolk villages)

Evening Primrose oil: internally and externally.

Poke root. An important ingredient of prescription for acute condition. ... breasts, mastitis


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