The breast contains highly specialized glandular tissue that supports lactation and is surrounded by fat cells, blood vessels, nerves, lymph nodes and other connective tissues--all covered by skin containing sweat glands and hair follicles. Women...
One of the more rapidly growing options for breast cancer treatment is radiation therapy--more specifically, external radiation therapy. Radiation therapy is the use of ionizing radiation to treat malignant tumors in the body, and it is used to...
Itchy skin on the breasts can be irritating and painful. There are many causes, some of them serious, therefore it is important to check with a doctor if you are unable to find relief on your own or symptoms are prolonged. There are many treatment...
Breast tenderness is one of the most common early symptoms of pregnancy. How long it lasts varies from woman to woman. In general, breast tenderness is common during both the first and last trimesters of pregnancy, due to the physical (and...
Breasts or mammary glands are made of connective tissue, fat and milk-producing lobules. They also consist of lymph vessels and lymph nodes containing white blood cells that can trap bacteria and cancer cells. Every once in a while, the orderly...
A breast pad is a small, round cotton pad that is used after you give birth to absorb leaking breast milk. Leaking through your bra and shirt can be embarrassing, and breast pads help prevent that. Sometimes, after you breast feed, some milk will...
Baby skin is sensitive after birth. It may seem like a newborn would have fresh, smooth and perfect-looking skin, but the truth is that a baby is prone to many skin imperfections for the first few months of life. A baby's immune system is still...
Skin tags are harmless, and you don't need to remove them unless they bother you. Skin tags on the breast might pose an irritation risk because they commonly occur along bra lines or under breasts where there's regular friction. Doctors most...
Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rare type of cancer that is aggressive in nature and spreads rapidly. This condition accounts for approximately 1 percent of all breast cancer cases diagnosed in the U.S., according to the American Cancer...
Breasts undergo cycles of proliferation and development throughout a women's fertile life. Bilateral breast soreness, tenderness affecting both breasts, is normal during periods of breast growth, during pregnancy and during some parts of the...
The internal structure of each breast consists of glandular tissue, made up of lobules and ducts, as well as surrounding connective tissue, fat cells, lymph vessels, blood vessels and nerves. A number of cell types work together to maintain the...
Aside from skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Older, overweight women with a family history of breast cancer are at an increased risk of developing...
With practice and support, a mother and baby can reap the benefits of breastfeeding. Breastfeeding a new baby is a natural form of feeding, but it doesn't always come naturally for mom or baby. When problems such as nipple irritation arise, a...
Herbs serve as nourishing and toning agents for the female reproductive system, and they can help treat ailments related to menopause, vaginal discharges and other disorders. Herbs can also help alleviate premenstrual symptoms, including insomnia,...
Breast size is primarily determined by genetics and body composition, which means you are likely to have large breasts if your mother's breasts are larger than average. Very large breasts may cause head, neck and shoulder pain; lead to poor...
Breast shells are a plastic disc with holes of varying sizes in the center. Some have small holes and others have large holes depending upon their purpose. Shells used for cracked or sore nipples tend to have larger holes to allow room for the...
Breastfeeding is just as challenging as it is rewarding. It's also an activity that's loaded with benefits for the baby and for the mother. New studies, according to La Leche League International, reveal that breastfeeding may reduce a woman's...
Any changes in breast health should be taken seriously and warrant a visit to the doctor. Red bumps on the breast that ooze may indicate a breast infection, breast rash or breast cancer. Establishing your baseline breast health and knowing the...
Don't delay or neglect your mammogram! The earliest sign of breast cancer can show up on a mammogram before you see or feel any change in your breast. You can't rely only on your doctor's breast exam or even your own self-exam. You need a...
The NuvaRing is a very small, flexible ring that is inserted into the vagina for contraception. The hormones in the NuvaRing are the same hormones as in the birth control pill---estrogen and progestin--according to Planned Parenthood. These...
Ductal carcinoma is a variety of breast cancer that begins in the ducts that transmit milk from the breast to the nipple. Ductal carcinomas can be difficult to detect but, if caught early, can frequently be treated with radiation and surgery. The...
The breasts each contain an extensive system of glandular tissue, surrounded by fatty tissue, blood vessels, lymph nodes, connective tissue and nerves. Diseases affecting the breast can cause inflammation, potentially leading to breast tissue and...
If your baby is fussy shortly after breastfeeding, something you ate may be at fault. Your baby may take in air while nursing, which can cause uncomfortable gas. However, certain foods that you eat may contain elements that pass through the breast...
Some women will experience side effects while on the Ortho Evra birth control patch. These side effects can range from barely noticeable or only mildly annoying to being so bothersome that they cause the woman to discontinue using the patch. Even...
A swollen breast is a common condition that occurs in babies, both male and female. One or both of a baby's breasts may become swollen, firm and lumpy within a week after birth. Although this condition may seem peculiar, the swollen breasts...
The adrenal glands, which manufacture your body's stress hormones and secrete the steroid DHEA, are two small organs positioned on top of the kidneys. The term adrenal exhaustion, while not an actual medical diagnosis, describes the possible...
It's easy to overlook calendula flowers because they're so common. A type of marigold that grows wild in several parts of the United States, marigolds help keep bugs away from vegetables such as tomatoes, so they're a common staple in many...
If you have a hard time remembering to take your birth control pill every day, talk to your doctor about Ortho Evra, the birth control patch. It's a small, beige patch that you place on your skin once a week for three weeks out of the month. It's...
Silicone breast implants can be used to augment breast size or replace breast tissue in women who have had mastectomies or traumatic injuries. While these implants can improve self-esteem and increase confidence, there are several harmful effects...
Learn about different trigger points for massage in this free video clip on holistic medicine and chiropractics.
