Causes and risk factors
Chest pain can be caused due to variety of causes. These include cardiac causes (myocarditis, myocardial infarction, aortic aneurysm, mitral valve prolapsed),Esophageal causes (Esophageal inflammation, Esophageal spasm) and some lung diseases (Pulmonary infarct, Pneumonia, Bronchospasm,Tuberculosis) Musculoskeletal diseases (Osteoarthritis, Rib fracture, Rib injury, Epidemic myalgia) and certain neurological causes also contribute to chest pain. Common among them is herpes zoster and prolapsed interverteberal disc.
Clinical presentation
The severities of symptoms vary as per the underlying cause. Pain in the sternal region is the principal symptom. The pain can be mild or severe type. The patient comes up with a feeling of burning, stabbing, piercing or dull aching pain. It can either be localized or may radiate to the nearby parts of the body. The pain caused due to cardiac causes often radiate to the jaw, shoulder, back, arms and fingers. A sensation of tightness or pressure in the sternal region is often described by the patient. Pain caused due to musculoskeletal causes can be aggravated by activities like lifting heavy load or due to some other movements. Nausea, vomiting, profuse perspiration are the common accompaniments with chest pain originating due to cardiac origin.
Investigations:
Chest pain is a symptom. For diagnosis of the underlying cause the details of the patients like personal history, previous diseases history and medicational history are taken into consideration. Physical examination is carried out by the doctor and certain investigations can be done to rule out any underlying disease. Complete blood count, X-ray of the chest, ECG, lipid profile, blood sugar levels etc can be advised. As per the individuals presenting symptoms certain other sets of investigations can also be advised.
Treatment
Any kind of chest pain must be promptly assessed by the physician. The treatment will be determined by the cause of chest pain. Depending upon the underlying cause following medicines like antibiotics, antacids, anti anxiety drugs, blood thinning agents can be given. In severe cases or cases which cannot be managed by the conservative medical care surgical intervention is managed. Bypass/balloons or stents or lung reinflation can be adopted.
Other modes of treatment:
The other modes of treatment can also be effective in treating the chest pain. Homoeopathy is a science which deals with individualization and considers a person in a holistic way. This science can be helpful in combating the symptoms. The Ayurvedic system of medicine which uses herbs and synthetic derivates can also be beneficial in combating the complaints.
