Chest Pain: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Methods:
Chest pain can spread to different parts of the body and cause intense discomfort. The pain can often be felt in the arms, neck or jaw and can sometimes last from a few minutes to hours. It is often increased by movement and relieved during rest. Chest pain can be a symptom of different diseases in organs such as the lungs, heart and digestive system and requires a detailed evaluation for a correct diagnosis.
Possible Causes of Chest Pain
Chest pain can be caused by diseases of the cardiovascular, digestive and pulmonary systems:
- Heart and Vascular Diseases: Conditions such as heart attack, coronary artery disease, pericarditis, aortic aneurysm can cause chest pain.
- Digestive System Problems: Gastric and digestive system problems such as gastritis, oesophagitis, gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) can cause pain in the chest.
- Lung Disorders: Respiratory problems such as pneumonia, COPD, pulmonary embolism can cause chest pain.
- Other Causes: Fibromyalgia, intercostal neuralgia, shingles, injuries or stress can also trigger chest pain.
Causes of Sternum Pain
Chest pain is usually musculoskeletal in origin. Inflammation of the cartilage, such as costochondritis, or diffuse muscle pain, such as fibromyalgia, can cause chest pain. In addition, rib fractures and nerve diseases such as shingles can also cause pain.
Different causes of right and left chest pain
- Right Chest Pain: Problems with the liver, gallbladder or diaphragm can cause pain on the right side of the chest.
- Left Chest Pain: Heart-related problems are felt intensely in the left chest. Problems with the stomach or lungs can also cause left chest pain.
Causes of Chest Pain in Women
Breast pain in women is often associated with breast tissue and can be caused by hormonal changes. Hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle, menopause, pregnancy or breastfeeding can cause pain in the chest. However, heart conditions such as microvascular angina can also be a cause of chest pain.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Chest Pain
Various tests are performed to determine the underlying cause of chest pain. Diagnosis can be made with methods such as ECG, blood tests, echocardiography and tomography. Treatment is determined according to the problem causing the pain. Medication usually includes anticoagulants, antacids to regulate stomach acid or painkillers. In severe cases, surgical procedures such as angioplasty or coronary artery bypass surgery can be performed to remove the blockage of the artery.
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