What are cysts?

The word cyst comes from the Greek term "kystis" and means bladder. A cyst is therefore a cavity in the tissue that is filled with fluid, blood, pus or sebum and can consist of one or more chambers. As a rule, a cyst is benign, can develop in different parts of the body and can occur at any age. In most cases, cysts do not cause any symptoms, so they can remain undetected for a long time.

What are the different types of cysts?

Cysts can appear anywhere on the body. They are often found on the back, chest or wrist, but they can also form inside the body and near organs. In this case, the kidneys and liver are particularly affected. However, there are also cysts that affect the brain. Cysts that occur frequently are, for example:

• Arachnoid cysts: is a cyst of the arachnoid, the innermost covering layer of the brain, which is congenital and benign.
• Baker's cyst: is a cyst in the back of the knee, which can be caused by diseases of the knee.
• Bronchogenic cyst: this is the name given to a cyst of the foregut, which can arise from sprouting from the foregut, trachea and lungs.
• Breast cyst: this refers to fluid-filled cavities that develop in the glandular lobule of the breast.
• Choldedochal cyst: refers to a cystic dilatation of the bile ducts.
• Corpus luteum cyst (corpus luteum cyst): arises from haemorrhage into the corpus luteum, which grows out of the follicular remnants after ovulation.
• Dermoid cyst (germ cell tumour): consists of various tissue structures such as cartilage, small bones, muscles, hair or formed teeth.
• Dentition cyst (remnant of germinal tooth tissue): develops just below the mucosal surface of a deciduous tooth.
• Ovarian cyst: can either be congenital, result from maldevelopment during the embryonic period or be acquired through hormonal fluctuations.
• Epidermoid cyst: develops in the dermis just below the skin surface.
• Fibrocystic mastopathy: refers to a nodular multiplication of the breast and connective tissue in which harmless cysts may form.
• Biliary cyst: this refers to congenital malformations of the bile ducts which cause dilatation of the bile duct.
• Mediastinal cyst: is a cyst that originates from the mediastinum, i.e. the space between the lungs.
• Morvan syndrome: disease of the central nervous system
• Neurenteric cyst: originates from a malformation of the nerve canal, spinal cord and spine.
• Pericardial cyst: rarely occur in the right costophrenic angle (in close proximity to the right side of the heart).
• Perineural cyst: can occur singly or multiply at the exit of the spinal canal.
• Pilonidal cyst: occurs at the gluteal fold.
• Syringomyelia: is a rather rare disease of the spinal cord.
• Sebaceous gland cyst (atheroma): usually forms in the scalp and are hemispherically curved.
• Tarlov cyst: affects the nerve root and is caused by disturbed pressure or inflammation of the arachnoid (the middle of the three meninges).
• Thoracic cyst: is a cyst in the lungs.
• Thymic cyst: occurs in the thymus, an important part of the immune system.

Why do cysts develop?

There are several explanations for why cysts develop. Some cysts can grow because of a blockage in the drainage of a cavity. This can be the case, for example, with a blocked sebaceous gland, which leads to a sebaceous gland cyst, a type of blackhead. But cysts in the breast can also develop due to the narrowed milk duct in the mammary gland tissue.

But cysts can also be caused by chronic diseases. This is especially the case with cystic fibrosis, which causes lung cysts. But hereditary diseases, tumours, a parasitic infection or developmental disorders in the embryo can also cause cysts to grow. In addition, the formation of cysts on the ovaries, the female breast or the testicles is possible due to hormonal influence. But parasites can also cause cysts, as is the case with the so-called fox tapeworm, for example, which can produce liver cysts.

What symptoms do cysts cause?

The symptoms of a cyst always depend on its shape, the place where it originates and its size. While some cysts can be palpated by swelling or are even visible, cysts can also cause a feeling of pressure or pain. If it is a cyst of the knee joint in the hollow of the knee (Baker's cyst), it can even cause numbness in the lower leg. However, there are also cysts that do not cause any symptoms for a long time. This is mainly the case with cysts on the internal organs.

Cysts that appear on the face can not only affect the appearance of the person concerned, but also obstruct the excretory ducts of an organ (retention cysts). These types of retention cysts are often found on the sinus and ensure that mucus cannot drain away. This makes it easier for germs to settle, which in turn can lead to frequently recurring sinus infections.

How dangerous are cysts?

In most cases, cysts are harmless. But depending on their location, growth pattern and size, they can also cause discomfort. For example, a cyst in the brain can cause speech, vision or walking disorders if it presses on the brain tissue. If a cyst bursts, it can cause pain, but also bleeding. In some cases, however, benign cysts can hardly be distinguished from a malignant tumour, which often happens with ovarian cysts. Ovarian cysts can sometimes also degenerate and cause ovarian cancer.

How is a cyst diagnosed?

If it is a superficial cyst, the patient will usually be able to feel it on his or her own and therefore see a doctor. Cysts on the internal organs in particular, on the other hand, which do not cause any complaints, are usually discovered during a routine examination such as an ultrasound scan. However, in order to find out the exact size of the cyst and to find out more about its cause, further imaging procedures may be necessary. These include a computerised tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or an X-ray and blood test. The doctor may also order a cyst puncture, in which fluid is taken from inside the cyst with a fine hollow needle so that it can be examined more closely in the laboratory.

How are cysts treated?

Once the diagnosis has been made, the doctor will decide individually how and whether the cyst needs to be treated. In the case of a fluid-filled cyst under the surface of the skin, the procedure of puncture can be used. Here, the fluid is removed from the cyst with a needle. However, it is relatively common for these cysts to reappear over time.

Cysts that cause pain, have a damaging effect on healthy tissue or are cosmetically disturbing can be removed surgically. However, the majority of cysts that have formed on the internal organs do not usually require treatment. It is sufficient if the cyst is observed during regular check-ups and possible changes are detected promptly. Cysts that, on the other hand, indicate a disease, such as in the pancreas, are treated accordingly, as they indicate pancreatitis.

How can cysts be treated with frequency therapy?

Frequency therapy has a positive effect on the organism by means of artificially generated frequencies. Not only is the pathogen influenced, but the immune system is also stimulated. Cysts caused by viruses or bacteria can thus be treated with frequency therapy.

Alternative healing methods for cysts

Particularly in the case of ovarian cysts, physical discomfort can be relieved by heat such as a hot water bottle or a hot cherry stone pillow. Painkillers such as diclofenac, ibuprofen and/or acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) can also provide relief. Alternatively, an application of healing clay can alleviate the discomfort. Two to three tablespoons of healing clay should be mixed in warm water and applied directly to the lower abdomen. cover it with a cotton cloth and leave it on for at least half an hour. This type of daily treatment with healing clay is recommended over a period of more than four weeks.

If one has a general tendency to develop cysts, homeopathic constitutional therapy may be advisable. For this purpose, the administration of Apis, the poison of the honey bee, in a low potency can also be recommended. These three other home remedies can help cysts to subside:

• Apple cider vinegar can treat cysts on the surface of the skin. For external application, it is recommended to mix half a cup of warm water with two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar. This mixture should be applied to the cyst with cotton wool for a few minutes and repeated up to four times daily.
• Sitz baths for a maximum of 15 minutes can work wonders for cysts in the genital area. Two tablespoons of Epsom salts added to the bath water are sufficient for this. The application can be repeated up to three times a week. As an alternative to a sitz bath, a flannel with hot water can be placed on the cyst for a few minutes to promote the drainage of fluid from the cyst.
• A healthy diet can strengthen the immune system and thus prevent cyst formation, but it can also help heal cysts. A healthy diet includes whole grains, plenty of vegetables and supplements containing red clover. But not only a healthy diet, but also avoiding stress can help prevent cysts from forming in the first place. If a cyst has already formed, a mixture of exercise and bed rest can help it heal.

 Frequency therapy and cysts