Gynecomastia Causes
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Weight Management
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Gynecomastia is a condition that causes an overdevelopment of breast tissue in males. The condition can affect a male at any age and is linked to hormonal changes. Although gynecomastia can occur at any age, the condition is more common in two periods of life-early puberty and late adulthood.
One cause of gynecomastia is being overweight. In 2009, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals ran a campaign that featured a man with gynecomastia on a billboard ad. PETA contends that meat-eaters are nine times more likely to be obese than vegans. The organization encouraged men with gynecomastia to opt for vegetarianism rather than breast-reduction surgery.
Rare Causes of Gynecomastia
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Gilbert syndrome can also cause gynecomastia. The syndrome is a mild liver disorder that keeps the organ from properly processing a substance called bilirubin. Bilirubin is needed to breakdown red blood cells. Gilbert syndrome usually occurs during early adulthood and can lead to gynecomastia, because the disorder affects the normal balance of the body's hormones.
One of the most interesting causes of gynecosmastia in children is tea tree oil and lavender. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, lavender and tea tree oil have properties that can cause estrogenic and anti-androgenic activities in human cells. Repeated exposure to products that contain tea tree oil and lavender can case pre-puberty gynecomastia.
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Seeking Treatment
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People with gynecosmastia should consult a physician to check for any underlying causes that could be contributing. Doctors can perform blood tests and mammograms to determine the cause of gynecosmastia. Seeing a physician is important to ensure the breast swelling is due to gynecosmastia and not another condition.
Although some cases of gynecomastia remedy on their own, there are cases when an individual needs treatment. For years, surgery has been used as a viable option to treat gynecomastia. Liposuctions and mastectomies are two potential surgeries that remove the breast fat or gland tissue. Exercise and diet are rarely effective against gynecosmastia, although it is effective for pseudogynecomastia.
Men with gynecomastia often find the condition embarrassing or emotionally devastating. People who suffer from extreme anxiety or psychological problems because of the condition should seek professional help and support groups. Forums and support groups for gynecomastia provide an opportunity for sufferers to connect with others and cope with the condition.
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