What is the difference between mastitis and breast hyperplasia?

Many patients who have never seen or had mastitis or breast hyperplasia cannot distinguish between the two diseases and think that the two diseases are the same. In fact, the two diseases are different. Although they are both breast diseases, the types of breast diseases are different. Mastitis will develop faster, and many expectant mothers are particularly prone to such diseases. So what are the differences between mastitis and breast hyperplasia?

They are all breast diseases, but they are not the same type.

Mastitis is an acute, chronic, suppurative inflammation of the mammary follicles.

The cause of the disease is that after trauma, bites or abrasions to the nipples or mammary glands, pathogens ascend from the nipples to cause infection, and after weaning, milk retention stimulates the mammary glands. Common bacteria include Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus, Escherichia coli, etc. Blood-borne infection, such as secondary to endometritis.

Symptoms of acute mastitis include swelling, heat and pain in the mammary gland, lumps on palpation of the mammary gland, a feeling of resistance and refusal to breastfeed, and blood and flocculent milk may be found when the nipples are squeezed (kittens may develop symptoms of gastroenteritis after eating at this time). Cats affected by the disease have systemic reactions, including fever, depression, and decreased appetite. In chronic mastitis, systemic symptoms are not obvious, but hardening and hyperplasia of the breast glands may be seen. Squeezing the nipples may produce a small amount of watery milk or no milk. Chronic mastitis can turn into breast tumors.

Fibrocystic breast disease is the most common breast disease in women, and its incidence ranks first among breast diseases. In recent years, the incidence of this disease has been increasing year by year, and the age of patients has been getting younger and younger. According to surveys, about 70% to 80% of women have varying degrees of breast hyperplasia, which is more common in women aged 25 to 45. This disease has a malignant transformation rate of about 6% to 7%, has a long history, and is prone to relapse. Breast lumps are mostly bilateral and multiple, with different sizes, nodular, lumpy or granular. The texture is generally soft but can be hard and tough. Occasionally, there are unilateral lumps, but they are often accompanied by premenstrual breast pain and are painful when touched. The size and characteristics of the breast lumps may change periodically with the menstruation. The age of onset is mostly young and middle-aged.

1. Breast hyperplasia is neither inflammation nor tumor, but degenerative and progressive structural changes of breast ducts and lobules. It often occurs in women aged 30-50 years old, and its cause is related to hormone regulation disorders. Breast pain and lumps are the main clinical manifestations of this disease.

2. Acute mastitis is an acute breast inflammation caused by bacterial infection. It often forms an abscess in a short period of time. It is mostly caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus invading along the lymphatic vessels. It is more common in breastfeeding women 2 to 6 weeks after delivery, especially primiparas.

Generally, the diagnosis can be confirmed by routine blood tests and physical examination.

Therefore, when you have symptoms of breast discomfort, you should have a physical examination in time to confirm what kind of breast disease you have. If it is mastitis, it is necessary to give yourself anti-inflammatory treatment as soon as possible. The treatment of breast hyperplasia needs to be determined according to the symptoms and situation. If the disease is very serious, surgery is required.