What is breast pain?

Breast pains are severe, sharp, stabbing, shooting or throbbing pains of the breast either felt on the outside of the breast (superficial) or deeper within the breast tissue. Pain may be a result of breast inflammation and can be accompanied by breast swelling, warmth/heat and/or redness of the skin.

Breast pain (medical term ~ mastalgia) is an indication of pathology of the breast itself or underlying organs within the thoracic cavity (thorax or chest). Less commonly, breast pain may indicate pathology at other areas with referred pain to the breast.

continue reading Causes of Breast Pains – Diagnosis of Breast Pain Symptoms

Definition of Breast Swelling

Breast swelling is an enlargement of the breast or both breasts compared to the regular breast size and may be accompanied by other symptoms like tenderness (soreness), pain, lump(s), changes of the areola or nipple and any secretion from the nipple. Swollen breasts may be a normal physiological process as seen in puberty or pregnancy or may be a sign of a medical disorder.

Tender or Sore Breast

Breast tenderness or soreness is a mild to moderate discomfort of the breast, sensitive to touch or pressure and often accompanied with redness. Tenderness and soreness should be differentiated from breast pain although this may be subjective and dependent on an individual’s pain tolerance levels.

Breast Pain

Breast pain should be differentiated from soreness or tenderness of the breast. Pain usually  indicates serious pathology that needs to be investigated and treated. Breast pain may be referred to other areas on the body like the axillae (armpits), abdomen, neck and back.

continue reading Breast Swelling – Tender, Sore & Painful Swollen Breasts