Mastitis

 

Mastitis
What is it?
Mastitis is an inflammation of the breast, which may progress to an infection, sometimes rather rapidly. You may feel as though you have been walloped with the flu at just the time you were relying on high energy levels, thus you may not know you actually have mastitis. Look for areas of redness, hardness, soreness, or heat in your breast and swelling of the affected area, often called a "blocked duct" because a lump can often be felt. However, this isn’t caused by a blockage but by milk in the tissue instead of the duct, which causes localised inflammation and swelling.

 You can get mastitis more than once, yet getting it in both breasts at the same time is rare - but possible.

Suggestions from the Maternity Network:

  • Put a few cabbage leaves in your bra, but don’t be fooled into thinking by wearing this ‘hot’ look, you’re the pioneer for the Next Big Thing! They’re cooling effect is bliss.
  • Get plenty of rest. Alternating warm and cold compresses on the affected breast can also help in soothing symptoms of mastitis, with cold compresses helping to alleviate the pain and the warm compresses improving circulation.
Reflexology Breastfeeding

The information on this site is purely holistic and does not replace medical advice. If you have a medical problem or are concerned, please see your health professional. The information and suggestions on this page are meant as holistic support and not medical advice. The MN accepts no responsibility for the content of the website information, it is the opinion of this website.
 
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