> yes, I do see a connection.
> I think it has to do with the electrolyte balance of both the intestines and
> the breast.  We know that women who don't drink enough water or consume
> enough salt (NaCl) are prone to repeated plugged ducts (sometimes amenable
> to sprinkling NaCl and modified potassium salt substitutes with NaCl & KCl
> on food).

Chris, could you expand on the evidence that supports how "we KNOW that
women who don¹t drink enough.......are prone to plugged ducts" and perhaps a
bit more about the basis for the physiological connection you are making
here? Even if someone is dehydrated to the point that it did effect their
serum electrolytes (not a really common event in our communities, as Rachel
alluded to) I don¹t think we can naturally assume that the breast will also
be affected (and if it is, we certainly dont know at which level of
imbalance this would occur). As the lactating breast has been shown to
preserve its function in even dramatically malnourished women I am hesitant
to accept that there is a connection between not drinking enough and plugged
ducts without some fairly strong evidence (or even a proposed theoretical
biochemical pathway will do me)

I  am also intrigued by the assumption that constipation is associated with
electrolyte imbalance in lactating mothers (certainly perhaps associated
with a bowel obstruction, yes; and certainly prolonged use of hypertonic
enemas in the treatment of constipation can cause sodium, potassium and
bicarbonate loss, but these are not common problems in lactating mums
(certainly not the mums I see).
 
 Although I am open to discussion and persuasion on any possible causative
factors for mastitis I have to disagree with Judy as I think the association
of constipation and mastitis or blocked ducts is quite a long bow to draw. I
don¹t believe that because there may be a blockage elsewhere in the body
that this is enough evidence to show a systemic problem, somehow affecting
he breast, would naturally follow. But as I said - always open to be
persuaded.

Regards
Cathy Fetherston
Perth Western Australia

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