Tuesday, October 27, 2009

What Causes Cysts To Form?

By Amanda Clark

If you have ever been told that you or a family memer have a cyst, your next question may have been what causes cysts? In order to understand the answer to that question, you need to first know what a cyst is, then you can know what causes it.

A cyst is a variously sized bag or sac like structure that is similar to a blister in nature, but is found inside of the body. They can either contain fluids, gases or even solid substances. Cysts form inside the tissue and are often found in many different places in the body. Cysts can vary in size from microscopic to very large. Some cysts are so large that they can give the appearance of full term pregnancy.

While technically, a cyst can refer to normal sacs found within the body, like the bladder, this article will use the term to refer to the abnormal growths found in the body.

Cysts are abnormal growths. They are not a normal part of the tissue where they are located. Cysts have a skin like cyst wall membrane that separate them from the other tissue. If that sac happens to be filled with pus, then it is not a cyst, but an abscess.

Cysts can be caused by tumors, wear and tear, genetic conditions or many other conditions. Ask your doctor why your cyst formed.

Most cysts that form are benign and may be caused by a duct or other body outlet that has been plugged, but some can be tumors or could be formed in a tumor. This type of cyst may even be malignant.

If a cyst is close to the surface of the skin, you may actually see an abnormal looking growth. Cysts formed deep in the body may be never be discovered without the use of advanced medical tools such as MRI or CAT scans.

Some women form very painful cysts in the mammary glands. The cysts may be discovered when the woman is doing a self exam.

If a cyst is in the brain, it may cause headaches or other symptoms.

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