Some people's ears are more sensitive to loud sounds, especially at certain frequencies. Frequency means how low or high a tone is. But any sound that is loud enough and lasts long enough can damage hearing and lead to hearing loss. A sound's loudness is measured in decibels dB. Normal conversation is about 60 dB, a lawn mower is about 90 dB, and a loud rock concert is about dB. In general, sounds above 85 are harmful, depending on how long and how often you are exposed to them and whether you wear hearing protection, such as earplugs or earmuffs.
Following is a table of the decibel level of a number of sounds. As loudness increases, the amount of time you can hear the sound before damage occurs decreases. Hearing protectors reduce the loudness of sound reaching the ears, making it possible to listen to louder sounds for a longer time. An easy way to become aware of potentially harmful noise is to pay attention to warning signs that a sound might be damaging to your hearing.
A sound may be harmful if:. Most cases of noise-induced hearing loss are caused by repeated exposure to moderate levels of noise over many years, not by a few cases of very loud noise. Wearing hearing protectors can help prevent damage from both moderate and loud noise. If your workplace has harmful noise levels, plan ahead and wear hearing protection. An easy way to become aware of potentially harmful noise is to pay attention to warning signs that a sound might be damaging to your hearing.
A sound may be harmful if:. Most cases of noise-induced hearing loss are caused by repeated exposure to moderate levels of noise over many years, not by a few cases of very loud noise. Wearing hearing protectors can help prevent damage from both moderate and loud noise. If your workplace has harmful noise levels, plan ahead and wear hearing protection.
People who may be regularly exposed to harmful noise because of their jobs include:. Blahd Jr. Author: Healthwise Staff.
Medical Review: William H. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Learn how we develop our content. Now what? First, don't panic — 80 to 85 percent of breast lumps are benign, meaning they are noncancerous, especially in women younger than How do you differentiate between a lump that is breast cancer and one that is benign?
What causes benign breast lumps? And do they go away on their own? Your breasts are made up of fat, nerves, blood vessels, fibrous connective tissue, and glandular tissue, as well as an intricate system of milk-producing lobules where milk is made , and ducts thin tubes that carry milk to the nipple.
This anatomy in and of itself creates a lumpy, uneven terrain. A lump in the breast distinguishes itself from this background of normal irregularities. Harmless breast lumps can be solid and unmovable, like a dried bean; or movable, soft, and fluid-filled — you can roll it between your fingers like a grape. A lump may be pea-size, smaller than a pea, or even several inches across, although this larger size is rare.
What typically differentiates a benign breast lump from a cancerous breast lump is movement. That is, a fluid-filled lump that rolls between the fingers is less likely to be cancerous than a hard lump in your breast that feels rooted in place. Another rule of thumb has to do with pain. Breast cancer does not usually cause pain.
Benign conditions sometimes do, although there are exceptions to this rule as well. For instance, a rare form of breast cancer, inflammatory breast cancer , may cause symptoms such as aching, tenderness, pain, or burning in the breast. The only way to know the status of a lump for sure is through medical tests, such as an ultrasound , a mammogram , or a fine needle aspiration FNA , in which your doctor uses a tiny needle to extract a bit of the lump for laboratory examination. Not all benign breast lumps will require additional testing, at least not right away.
If you find what appears to be a fluid-filled cyst during your menstrual period, for instance, your doctor may want to check your breast again at the end of your period to see if the cyst has disappeared.
If the cyst goes away, you and your doctor will know your lump was indeed benign and related to the hormonal fluctuations associated with menstruation. Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention. Most benign breast lumps and conditions are directly related to your menstrual cycle, to fluctuations in your hormones, and to the fluid buildup that comes with your monthly period.
Other benign breast lumps and conditions may be related to plugged milk ducts, infections, or even breast injuries. The risk for benign breast conditions increases for women who have never had children and those who have a history of irregular menstrual cycles or a family history of breast cancer. Symptoms of fibrocystic change include tender, fibrous, rubbery tissue; a thickening of tissue; or a round, fluid-filled cyst.
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