Ask the Doctor: Stabbing Breast Pain; Endometriosis; Polyarthritis
Q: I’ve recently been experiencing occasional stabbing pain in my breasts. Might this be a sign of a serious problem?
A: Report the pain to your doctor, who can assess whether the pain you are experiencing is related to an underlying health problem. Assuming there isn’t one, it is likely that what you’re describing is non-cyclic breast pain, which tends to occur mainly in postmenopausal women. It often isn’t clear what is causing the pain, but it is more common in women who have benign tumors called fibroadenomas or breast cysts. Previous breast trauma or surgery also makes women more susceptible to non-cyclic breast pain. And, if you have large breasts, you also may suffer pain that radiates to your neck and shoulders (wearing a more supportive bra can help if this is the reason for your breast pain). Certain drugs and supplements also may be involved—for example, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which are a type of antidepressant, and ginseng.
Non-cyclic breast pain also may be referred pain that originates elsewhere even though it feels like it is centered in the breast. Culprits may include the heartburn that results from gastroesophageal reflux disease, the heart condition angina, gallstones, or a condition called costochondritis (inflammation of the cartilage that connects the ribs to the sternum). If you have one of these health conditions (or your doctor diagnoses you with one of them while evaluating your breast pain), taking steps to manage the underlying cause should help ease your discomfort.
Q: My niece, who has endometriosis, was referred to a cardiologist by her gynecologist. How is endometriosis related to heart health?
A: Research published in March 2016 revealed a strong association between endometriosis, a condition in which tissue that normally is found inside the uterus grows outside the uterus, and coronary heart disease (CHD). In the study, women with endometriosis had higher risks of heart attack, angina, and undergoing coronary procedures including angioplasty, stenting, and coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Heart risks were highest in women 40 years old or younger with endometriosis. Women who had had their endometriosis treated by hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) or oophorectomy (removal of the ovaries) had a higher risk of CHD than women who did not receive these procedures. The relationship between endometriosis and CHD is not fully understood. However, seeing a cardiologist gives your niece the opportunity to have her heart health evaluated by a specialist who can recommend actions she can take to prevent CHD or to keep if from progressing if she is diagnosed with the condition.
Q: My mother’s doctor told her she has polyarthritis. Will you explain this condition?
A: The term “polyarthritis” is not a specific type of arthritis; rather, it refers to pain that is present in five or more joints. Polyarthritis is most commonly found in patients who have autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus (a condition commonly referred to simply as “lupus”). Osteoarthritis, gout, and fibromyalgia are other conditions that may cause pain in multiple joints.
When a patient has pain in several joints, it is important to be evaluated by a rheumatologist or other specialist who can make an accurate diagnosis, since different causes of polyarthritis may require very different treatments. For example, rheumatoid arthritis is treated with medications that target the body’s immune response, but these medications aren’t effective for osteoarthritis, a condition caused by wear and tear.
—Editor-in-Chief Orli R. Etingin, MD
The post Ask the Doctor: Stabbing Breast Pain; Endometriosis; Polyarthritis appeared first on University Health News.
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