Cyst: definition, symptoms, causes, to treatment

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Definition

What is cyst disease?

Cyst is a condition caused by a lump in the form of a capsule or sac filled with fluid, semisolid, or gaseous material, which can appear in any body tissue.

The size of the lump varies from very small (microscopic) to very large. Lumps that are large in size can squeeze nearby internal organs.

Usually, depending on the location, the common types of cysts are:

• Ovarian cysts (ovaries) are fluid-filled sacs inside or on the surface of the ovaries.
• A brain cyst, not a "brain tumor" because it doesn't originate in brain tissue.

Cysts are a common condition and can happen to anyone at any age, regardless. Talk to your doctor for more information.

What is the difference between cysts, myoma and tumors?

Many people think that cysts, myoma, or tumors are the same thing. Though not so. As explained above, A cyst is a sac filled with fluid, air, or other material that is abnormal and sticks to nearby organs.

Cysts are benign lumps or not cancer, so cyst disease is not dangerous. Generally, cyst disease does not cause any symptoms. However, if allowed to grow larger it can become severe.

Meanwhile, myoma or myoma (fibroid) is a benign tumor that grows in muscle or connective tissue anywhere in the uterus of a woman. Myoma is formed from muscle tissue, not fluid like cysts.

One more thing that people often get confused about is a tumor. Ordinary people usually equate everything that is in the form of a lump as a tumor.

A tumor is an abnormal mass of tissue that contains solid (flesh) or fluid. In plain language, a tumor is a lump which may form from tissue or fluid. Well, a tumor (lump) that is filled with fluid is called a cyst.

Signs and symptoms

What are the symptoms and characteristics of a cyst?

The majority of cysts have no symptoms or signs. In fact, cysts also do not cause pain. If the cyst is on an internal organ and is small, there may not be any symptoms.

If the lump enlarges, replaces, or presses on other organs or restricts the flow of fluid to tissues such as the liver, pancreas or other organs, then the symptoms will appear according to the place where the cyst is growing.

Characteristics of a cyst in the breast

You can have one or more lumps in the breast and it can occur on one or both breasts. Following are the characteristics of cysts in the breast:

• Found in one or both breasts.
• The lump is soft, easy to move, round or oval in shape with a clear edge.
• The nipples may appear clear, yellow, or dark brown.
• Pain in the area of ​​the lump.
• Increase in size of lumps and pain before the menstrual period.
• Decrease in lump size and resolution of other symptoms after menstrual periods.

Characteristics of cysts on the skin

A skin cyst is a fluid-filled lump under the skin. The following are the characteristics that appear:

• Small, round bumps under the skin, usually on the face, body, or neck.
• Blackheads that block the opening of the lump.
• A thick, yellow, foul-smelling substance that sometimes leaks out of the bumps
• Redness, swelling and pain in the area, if inflamed or infected.

Ovarian cysts

Each woman has two ovaries each month which will release eggs alternately. Sometimes, a lump (small fluid-filled sac) can develop on one of the ovaries.

Maybe you've been there but don't know it. Many women have cysts at least once in their lifetime. However, these are generally painless and harmless. In fact, ovarian cyst disease can go away on its own without the need for treatment.

However, what you need to watch out for is when this lump does not go away, it gets bigger, and bursts. This lump can usually cause symptoms and make you uncomfortable.

Some of the symptoms that may appear include:

• Mild pain that radiates to the lower back and thighs can be a feature of an ovarian cyst. Pain before menstrual periods start, before ending or during intercourse (dyspareunia).
• Pain during bowel movements or pressure on the intestines.
• Nausea, vomiting or breast tenderness that is felt during pregnancy.
• Feeling full or heavy in the stomach.
• Pressure in the urine that causes you to urinate frequently or has difficulty emptying the urine completely.

There are two types of ovarian cysts, namely:

Functional

These bumps can develop as part of the menstrual cycle. This type of cyst is harmless and easy to go away on its own. This is the most common type of cyst.

Pathological

These bumps develop due to abnormal cell growth. Usually this condition causes symptoms and needs special treatment to handle it. This type of cyst can be benign or malignant (cancer).

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When to see a doctor?

You should call your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:

1. On the breast

• New lumps appear that don't go away after the menstrual period
• The lump increases or changes in size

2. Signs of skin cysts

• Grow up fast
• Tears or pain or infection
• Occurs in areas that continue to be irritated
• Interfere with your appearance

3. Signs of ovarian cysts

• Pain in the abdomen or pelvis that is sudden and severe
• Pain accompanied by fever or vomiting

Cause

What causes cysts?

Things that can make or trigger the cyst to appear:

• Genetic conditions
• Tumor
• Infection
• Abnormalities in embryonic development
• Cell defects
• Chronic inflammatory conditions
• Blockage of the ducts in the body
• Parasite
• Injury

Risk factors

What puts me at risk for this disease?

There are several risk factors for cysts, one of which is genetic. Defects in developing organs, infections, tumors and obstruction (blockage) in the flow of fluids in the body, oil or other substances are risk factors for cysts.

In addition, some of the risk factors for cysts are:

Age

According to the U.S National Library of Medicine (NLM), women who are between the ages of puberty and menopause are at the highest risk for ovaries, because at this time women still have menstrual periods.

During menstruation, these fluid lumps can appear on the ovaries. This is not a problem as long as the lumps on the ovaries go away on their own, do not enlarge, and cause no symptoms.

Conditions that cause ovarian cysts rarely occur in women after menopause. However, women who are menopausal and have lumps filled with fluid on the ovaries have a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer.

Chemotherapy with tamoxifen

Women with breast cancer who have had chemotherapy with tamoxifen have a higher risk of developing fluid-filled lumps on the ovaries. Tamoxifen can cause lumps to form on the ovaries. However, these fluid-filled lumps may disappear after treatment is complete.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Women who have polycystic ovary syndrome have a higher risk of developing cysts on the ovaries. Polycystic ovary syndrome occurs when the body doesn't produce enough hormone for the follicles in the ovaries to release eggs.

As a result, follicular lumps (small cysts) form. Polycystic ovary syndrome can also interfere with hormone production in women, so many problems can occur because of this.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis occurs when part of the tissue lining the uterus (endometrium) forms on the outside of the uterus, such as the fallopian tubes, ovaries, bladder, colon, vagina, or rectum.

Sometimes, a blood-filled sac (lump / fibroid) forms on this tissue. This filled lump that is formed due to endometriosis is called an endometrioma. These bumps can cause you to feel pain during sexual intercourse and during menstrual periods.

Womb fertility drugs

Uterine fertility drugs are usually used to help you ovulate (release eggs), such as gonadotropins, clomiphene citrate, or letrozole.

This of course can affect the balance of hormones in your body. That is why, the use of uterine fertility drugs can also increase the risk of lumps on the ovaries, often in the type of functional cysts.

Use of this medication can cause large numbers of cysts to form on the ovaries. This condition is known as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome).

Diagnosis

How is this condition diagnosed?

• Sometimes a lump can be felt easily by a doctor, especially if the lump is located on the skin or on an organ that is easily detectable.
• Imaging techniques are very useful for detecting lumps, such as ultrasounds (USG), X-rays, CAT scans, and MRIs.
• Needle biopsy (needle biopsy) is sometimes used to determine if malignant tissue is associated with a lump-like structure, a biopsy can also be used to reduce the size of the lump.
• For ovarian cysts, sometimes there is concern that it can cause cancer, the doctor will prepare blood tests to see if high levels of chemicals indicate ovarian cancer.

Treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How to treat a cyst?

In most cases, the cysts often disappear after a few months. Treatment for this condition depends on the cause and whether it will cause problems in the patient.

Treatment will also depend on a variety of factors, including the type of cyst, the location of the lump, its size, and the level of discomfort it causes.

Cysts that are very large and cause symptoms can be surgically removed. Sometimes, the doctor may decide to drain or insert a needle or catheter into the cavity.

If the cyst is difficult to reach, drainage or aspiration is often done radiologically. That way, the doctor can accurately guide the needle or catheter to the target area of ​​the lump.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be done to treat this condition?

Make sure you don't squeeze or break the lump as it can worsen the condition in some individuals. Additionally, it can cause the lump to enlarge or become infected. However, some things you can do to treat cysts naturally (at home) are:

Echinacea

The echinacea plant, which has long been recognized as a traditional Native American herb, can help relieve some types of cysts. Marilyn Glenville, chair of the Food and Health Forum at the Royal Society of Medicine, suggests that consuming echinacea plants for 20 days regularly can increase the white blood cell count.

White blood cells are known to be useful for breaking down abnormal cells that can cause lumps in the ovaries. Echinacea can also help treat lumps on the skin due to inflammation, such as acne.

Dandelion

Dandelion flowers, which are found in fields, are often used as herbal remedies to reduce the occurrence of lumps on your body. According to Dr. John R. Christopher, founder of the School of Natural Healing, suggests that lumps on the body can grow due to a lack of potassium.

One serving of raw green dandelion contains 218 mg of potassium. This amount can help meet your daily potassium intake (2000 mg) and help prevent this condition.

Eat complex carbohydrates

To prevent lumps or tumor growths, try replacing your carbohydrates with complex carbohydrates, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. The Mayo Clinic explains that many women with polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, develop cysts.

This syndrome is even associated with an increased risk of diabetes in adults. By eating complex carbohydrates, this means that you add fiber to your diet.

Fiber works to slow digestion and slow down the increase or spike in blood sugar that can cause diabetes.

Naturopathy Online, also adds that women with fibroids or lumps in their uterus, tend to have bad dietary habits that can also lead to high blood sugar.

Eat an intake with a low glycemic index

Diabetes and the potential for lumps are known to be related to one another. That's why you should also focus on foods that have a low glycemic index value, just as diabetes people do.

High glycemic index foods like corn and potatoes are healthy, but not good for women with previously diagnosed fibroids or a lump in the uterus.

Experts suggest that a diet rich in low glycemic foods such as green leafy vegetables and nuts can help relieve PCOS or avoid lumps on the body.

Home treatment of cysts

Breast cyst

• Use a bra that fits well and supports.
• Use a warm or cold compress to relieve pain.
• Avoid caffeine. Some women find that their symptoms improve after they stop consuming caffeine.
• Reduce salt in your diet. Eating less sodium reduces excess fluid levels in the body, which can relieve symptoms associated with lumps filled with fluids.

Skin cysts

• Use topical cyst medication treatments such as Aloe vera , castor oil, tea tree oil and other compounds are widely used to solve cysts. Check with your doctor before using these home remedies.

In addition, some things that you need to pay attention to when treating cysts are:

• Do not squeeze, scratch, dry, open (lance), or puncture the lump because of the risk of irritation and infection.
• Keep the area clean by washing the bump and surrounding skin with an antibacterial soap
• Compress with a cloth soaked in warm and wet water to the bumps for 20-30 minutes, as much as 3-4 times a day. This can improve blood circulation and speed healing.
• If the lump starts to drain pus, use a bandage to keep the contents of the lump from spreading. Change the bandage every day.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.