A cyst is a closed capsule or sac-like structure, typically filled with liquid, semisolid or gaseous material – very much like a blister.
Cysts occur within tissue, and can affect any part of the body. They vary in size from microscopic to the size of some team-sport balls – large cysts can displace internal organs.
In anatomy, a cyst can also refer to any normal bag or sac in the body, such as the bladder. Cyst refers to an abnormal sac or pocket in the body that contains either liquid, gaseous or semi-solid substances.
A cyst is not a normal part of the tissue where it is located. It has a distinct membrane and division on nearby tissue – the outer or capsular portion of a cyst is called the cyst wall. If the sac is filled with pus it is not a cyst, it is an abscess.
The English word cyst comes from the Latin word cystis, which came from the Ancient Greek word kystis, meaning “bladder” or “pouch”.
What causes cysts?
Cysts can be caused by:
- Tumors
- Genetic conditions
- Infections
- A fault in an organ of a developing embryo
- A defect in the cells
- Chronic inflammatory conditions
- Blockages of ducts in the body which cause a fluid build-up
- A parasite
- Impact injury that breaks a vessel
- Benign and malignant cysts
Most cysts are benign and are caused by plugged ducts or other natural body outlets for secretions. However, some cysts may be tumors and are formed inside tumors – these can be potentially malignant. Examples include keratocysts and dermoid cysts.
Signs and symptoms of a cyst
- Signs and symptoms vary enormously, depending on what type of cyst it is. In most cases the patient becomes aware of an abnormal lump – as is usually the case with cysts of the skin or just below the skin.
- A cyst in the mammary glands (breasts) may be noticeable when the breasts are examined by touching them – the lump will be palpable. Breast cysts are often painful.
- Some cysts in the brain can cause headaches, as well as other symptoms.
- Many internal cysts, such as those in the kidneys or the liver may not have any symptoms and go unnoticed until an imaging scan (MRI scan, CAT scan, ultrasound) detects them.
Types of cyst
There are hundreds of different types of cysts that can arise in the body. Here are some of the more well-known types of cysts:
- Cysts in the breast which are part of benign proliferative (“fibrocystic”) disease (fibrocystic breast disease)
- Ovarian cysts, including dermoid cysts, a specific type of ovarian tumor that often contains cysts and other tissues
- Cysts within the thyroid gland
- Baker cyst (popliteal) behind the knee
- Ganglion cysts of the joints and tendons
- Cysts of the glands within the eyelid, termed chalazions
- Sebaceous cysts of the small glands in the skin
- Epidermal cysts of the skin, sometimes known as epidermal inclusion cysts, that are frequently found on the face, scalp, neck, and trunk
- Bartholin cysts, enlargement of small glands near the vaginal opening
- Pineal cysts, cysts within the pineal gland of the brain
Pancreatic cysts are collections of fluid within the pancreas. Some pancreatic cysts are true cysts that are lined by cells that secrete fluid. Other pancreatic cysts are pseudocysts and do not contain specialized lining cells.
- Polycystic kidney disease, an inherited condition in which the kidneys contain multiple cysts
Tarlov cysts, also known as meningeal or perineuralcysts, are located in the sacrum, the fused bones at the base of the spine.
- Arachnoid cysts are located between the brain or spinal cord and the arachnoid membrane, one of the three membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord.
Treatment
- The treatment for a cyst depends upon the cause of the cyst along with its location. Cysts that are very large and result in symptoms due to their size may be surgically removed. Sometimes the fluid contained within a cyst can be drained, or aspirated, by inserting a needle or catheter into the cyst cavity, resulting in collapse of the cyst.
- Radiologic imaging may be used for guidance in draining (aspirating) cyst contents if the cyst is not easily accessible. Drainage or removal of a cyst at home is not advised.
Surgical removal of a cyst is sometimes necessary. If there is any suspicion that a cyst is cancerous, the cyst is generally removed by surgery or a biopsy is taken of the cyst wall (capsule) to rule out malignancy. In certain cases, aspirated fluid from a cyst is examined under a microscope to determine if cancer cells are present in the cyst.
Homeopathic Treatment of cyst
Homeopathy treats the person as a whole. It means that homeopathic treatment focuses on the patient as a person, as well as his pathological condition. The homeopathic medicines are selected after a full individualizing examination and case-analysis, which includes the medical history of the patient, physical and mental constitution etc. A miasmatic tendency (predisposition/susceptibility) is also often taken into account for the treatment of chronic conditions.
Top Homeopathic Remedies of cysts
- Apis mellifica
- Belladonna
- Lachesis
- Arsenic album
- Colocynthis
- Thuja occidentalis
- Pulsatilla
- Calcarea carb
- Aurum mur natronatum
- Graphitis
- Palladium
- Lac can
- Kali iod
- Iodum
- Platina
- Secale cor
- Syphilinum
- Lycopodium
- Baryta mur
Apis mellifica
- Few remedies cause as many ovarian symptoms as Apis.
- It has an active congestion of the right ovary going on to ovaritis, with soreness in the inguinal region, burning, stinging and tumefaction.
- Ovarian cysts in their incipiency have been arrested by this remedy; here one of the indicating features is numbness down the thigh.
- It has also proved useful in affections of the left ovary.
- Tightness of the chest may also be present, with the occurrence of a reflex cough and urging to urinate.
Arsenicum album
- Burning tensive pains in the ovaries, especially in the right.
- Ovaritis relieved by hot applications.
- Patient thirsty, irritable and restless.
Belladonna
- As this remedy is one particularly adapted to glandular growths it is especially useful in acute ovaritis, and more so if the peritoneum be involved.
- The pains are clutching and throbbing, worse on the right side, the slightest jar is painful, and the patient is extremely sensitive.
- The symptoms appear suddenly; flushed face.
- Ovaries sensitive, burning pains in them, bearing down, chronic ovarian irritation with sexual excitement.
Colocynthis
- Homeopathic medicine for ovarian cyst that has ovarian colic; griping pains, relieved by bending double.
- Stitching pains deep in right ovarian region.
- It is also a useful remedy in ovaritis of left ovary with colicky pains.
- A Generalised swelling may be present.
Conium Mac –
- Ovaritis, inflammation of ovary, ovary enlarged and indurated with lancinating pain.
- Ill effects of suppressed sexual appetite or suppressed menses.
Calcaria carb –
- Polypi of the uterus and ovaries.
- Cutting pains in uterus during menstruation.
- Menses too early too profuse, too long lasting with vertigo.
- Feet icy cold; it is very successful remedy for ovarian affections.
Iodine
- Congestion and dropsy of the right ovary with dwindling of the mammae.
- Dull pressing pain extending to uterus.
- Wedge like pain in the right ovarian region.
Kali iod –
- Homeopathic medicine for ovarian cyst that has severe burning, tearing and twitching pains in the ovarian region, especially right side.
- Sensation of congestion and swelling of the ovaries, with pain as from corrosive tumor there.
- Affections connected with syphilis.
Kali carb –
- Both groins are painful and bloated.
- Stitching pains about the uterus and ovarian region.
Lac can –
- Excellent remedy for ovarian affections.
- Heat in the ovarian and uterine region.
- Inflammatory and congestive condition of the ovaries before menses; specially of the right ovary, with extreme soreness and sensitiveness.
- Pain makes patient every motion and position, even breath painful.
- Wants to lie with her knees to her chin.
Lachesis
- Homeopathic medicine for ovarian cyst that has pain in left ovary relieved by a discharge from the uterus.
- Can bear nothing heavy on region.
- Dr.Hughes and Guernsey seem to think that Lachesis acts even more prominently on the right ovary; others believe the opposite, the tendency of affections being, however, to move from the left toward the right side.
- Suppuration and chronic enlargements of ovary may call for Lachesis.
- Boring in the left ovary relieved by the flow, somewhat better from pressure.
- Swelling and induration of the left ovary; also pains in the right ovarian region with delayed scanty menses.
- Bruised pain in left ovary and sensation as if ovary were growing large.
- Violent crampy pain in left ovary.
Lilium Tig
- Ovarian neuralgia; burning pains from ovary up in to abdomen and down in to thighs.
- Shooting pain from left ovary across the pubes or up to the mammary gland.
Palladium –
- A good remedy for ovarian affections pains and inflammation.
- Pain and swelling in the right ovary.
- Cutting pain in the uterus, relieved after stool.
- Most indicated in proud ladies who like flattery.
Zincum met –
- Painful affections of the ovaries.
- Pain shoots down from the limbs to the feet.
