7 Dangerous Types of Chest Pain You Should Be Wary Of

We’ve been told repeatedly that sharp, stabbing pain in the chest is a medical emergency. This is certainly true, as this type of chest pain may be a symptom of a heart attack. That’s why it’s necessary to get checked by a doctor if you experience this symptom, even though there are benign health conditions like precordial catch syndrome that also manifest themselves through sharp chest pain.

This increased awareness around heart attacks is vital, but so is the understanding that other types of pain in the chest shouldn’t be dismissed. For example, burning pain in the chest and pain that gets worse as you inhale can be equally dangerous and crucial to recognize. In this article, we will walk you through 7 types of chest discomfort and to which condition each type of pain is related.

 

1. A feeling like you have something heavy on your chest

Some patients describe the chest pain they experience as a tightness, dull pain, or heaviness, almost as if they had a weight sitting on their chest. Like sharp chest pain, any of these symptoms can point to poor blood flow to the heart, which could result in a heart attack or a less threatening condition called angina. In the case of a heart attack, this chest discomfort can often be accompanied by other symptoms, such as: 

Lightheadedness 

 

The inability to exercise 

 

Heart palpitations 

 

 Pain radiating to the jaw or the left arm 

 

Shortness of breath. ​

 

2. Unexpected shallow breathing, chest tightness, and heart palpitations 

Other health conditions can sometimes mimic the symptoms of a heart attack. For example, a panic attack can often be sudden and extremely unpleasant, so people who experience it for the first time may mistake it for a heart attack. Like a heart attack, a panic attack causes chest pain, tightness in the chest, and heart palpitations. 

 

However, unlike a heart attack, the cause of these symptoms is stress and shallow breathing. A panic attack typically resolves within 20-30 minutes. For those who experience anxiety-related chest tightness or panic attacks, therapy sessions and relaxation techniques are helpful tools.

 

3. Intense pain when you inhale

If the pain and tightness in your chest appear to worsen when you take a deep breath, this can point to a lung issue. This type of pain and discomfort is present in pneumonia, before an asthma attack, a blood clot in the lungs, or in patients with pleurisy, an inflection in the lining of the lungs. 

 

This pain can appear on one of both sides of the chest, and it can spread to your shoulder. Many of these lung issues come with a fever, but not all do, and you’ll definitely need to visit your doctor and take medications to recover.

4. A burning sensation in the chest 

A burning and tight feeling in the chest could point to a digestive issue, such as acid reflux, stomach ulcers, or even a ruptured esophagus, which is the tube that connects your stomach and your throat. Needless to say, any of these conditions require immediate medical attention and they will not go away on their own. 

 

To ease your symptoms, it’s a good idea to avoid spicy and large meals in the second half of the day and it helps to sleep with your head elevated. 

 

5. Sharp pain when you lay down on your side 

If the pain you’re experiencing shows up when you’re resting on your side, or when you take a breath, it can also point to a condition called pericarditis. This condition occurs when the membrane that holds the heart called the pericardium becomes inflamed. 

 

Likewise, this symptom could be related to the inflammation of the heart muscle called myocarditis, or cardiomyopathy, which occurs when the heart muscle becomes weak. In any case, this symptom is no joke and requires immediate medical attention. 

 

6. Pain that gets worse while resting 

According to Nicholas Leeper, a cardiologist at Stanford Vascular and Endovascular Care, chest pain or tightness that lasts for days or weeks is also not a good sign. If your pain worsens when you’re doing even minor activities, or resting could be a sign of an underlying heart issue. It's difficult to be more specific than that, but knowing this is enough for you to know that you need to see a doctor since most heart issues are serious. 

 

7. You experience pain when you press down on your chest

If the pain appears when you press on the skin with your fingers or when you move the area, it’s indicative of a musculoskeletal issue. This means that your muscles, joints, nerves, bones, or connective tissues could be affected. If a doctor suspects that you’ve torn a muscle or fractured a rib, they will ask you whether you’ve overexerted yourself while exercising, hurt yourself while doing housework, and the like. They will also have you move the affected area and then rest. If resting helps ease the pain, this is another sign that you’re dealing with a musculoskeletal problem. Depending on the specific issue, you may require rest, physiotherapy, and other medications. 

 

In conclusion, remember chest pain and discomfort is a serious symptom that requires immediate medical attention. If you experience any kind of chest pain, try to describe to your doctor how it feels and what activities or poses make it worse. This can give your doctor a clue as to which organs could be affected and will help them diagnose and treat your health issue much faster. We hope that you found this article useful and informative.


This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement

 

 

15 Seemingly Harmless Symptoms You Should Never Ignore

It’s normal to experience a few aches, pains, and other unpleasant symptoms from time to time. Everybody picks up the occasional viral illness, and few people manage to lead a perfectly healthy lifestyle, so feeling a little under the weather sometimes isn’t anything to freak out about.
However, it’s still very important to monitor your health and notice any new symptoms that arise. Many serious illnesses start gradually, and the first symptoms they cause may not seem like a big deal. Being aware of changes in your body will help you catch any major problems at an early stage, when treatment is most likely to be successful. Here are 15 common symptoms that you shouldn’t ignore.

1. Unintentional weight loss
If the number on the scale is dropping steadily, but you haven’t made any recent lifestyle changes that would explain the loss, an underlying disease could be to blame. Hyperthyroidism, diabetes, and a number of types of cancer can all cause unintentional weight loss. Call your doctor ASAP if you’ve lost 10 pounds or more for no obvious reason.

2. Unintentional weight gain
Like weight loss, unexplained weight gain can also be a sign that something isn’t right with your body. If you’ve gained 10 pounds or more recently and you haven’t changed your lifestyle, diet, or exercise levels, see your doctor to rule out conditions like hypothyroidism and kidney disease.

3. Sudden, sharp pain
Pain is a warning signal, and it’s wise to heed it. If you experience sudden, intense, and unexplained pain anywhere in your body — especially if the pain is in your head or chest — seek medical attention right away. 

4. Long-term pain that doesn’t get better

Chronic pain isn’t necessarily a sign that anything is amiss. For instance, many people experience chronic back pain for years with no clear cause. However, long-term pain that doesn’t get better sometimes does indicate that there’s a problem, so it’s best to get checked out if you aren’t sure. Some cancers, for instance, cause pain that gradually worsens over time.  

5. Heavy, painful, or irregular periods

Do you dread the time of the month when your period arrives? It’s easy to write off painful or heavy periods as simple bad luck. This symptom is worth a closer look, though, because it can sometimes be indicative of a bigger problem like endometriosis or polycystic ovarian syndrome. Ask your doctor to help you figure out what’s going on — with the right treatment, your periods might become more bearable.

6. Frequent or painful bloating

It’s normal to feel bloated occasionally after you have a big meal or eat something that doesn’t agree with you. But if you’re noticing that your belly is significantly bloated on a daily basis, or if your bloating is severe enough to be painful, a trip to the doctor is in order. Frequent bloating can be a symptom of a number of severe conditions, from ovarian cancer to a food intolerance.  

7. Blood in your urine

Even a small amount of blood in your urine can indicate that there’s something wrong, so if you notice that the toilet bowl looks reddish or orange after you go to the bathroom, call your doctor. Kidney infections, bladder infections, and some types of cancer are a few potential causes of blood in urine.

8. Constant fatigue

It’s one thing to feel worn out after staying late at the office or missing a few hours of sleep. But if you feel extremely tired and drained every day for no particular reason, that’s cause for concern. Persistent fatigue can be caused by many different health problems, some serious (such as cancer) and some easier to address (such as nutritional deficiencies). See your doctor to find out what’s going on.  

9. Shortness of breath

If you find yourself struggling to breathe when you haven’t been running, climbing stairs, or otherwise exerting yourself, call 911 or have someone take you to the emergency room right away. Sudden shortness of breath can signal a number of health emergencies, including a blood clot, stroke, or heart attack.  

10. Excessive sweating

Sweating excessively — a condition known as hyperhidrosis — is usually benign, though annoying. But if you’ve noticed that you sweat a great deal, it’s still worth making a visit to the doctor, especially if you get night sweats. In a minority of cases, excessive sweating can be caused by thyroid problems, hormonal problems, or lymphoma.

11. Fever

Fever, like pain, is an immediate distress signal from your body. If you’re in bed with the flu, your fever will probably pass on its own. But if your fever doesn’t have any obvious cause, seek medical attention. You could have an infection that you don’t know about.

12. Confusion or memory loss

Don’t ignore changes in your mental state — they could indicate a more serious problem than just being distracted or sleep-deprived. Feeling disoriented and struggling to remember things can be early symptoms of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.  

13. Changes in your skin

If your skin seems thinner and drier lately, the cause could be as simple as age-related changes or cold weather. Don’t be too quick to ignore this symptom, though. Changes in the way your skin looks and feels could be a sign that you have an underactive thyroid or a nutritional deficiency. And, of course, if you spot any new moles on your skin, it’s a good idea to get checked out for skin cancer, especially if your moles grow, change shape, or have blurry-looking edges.

14. Numbness in your extremities

That familiar pins-and-needles sensation might be more than just a symptom of your foot falling asleep. If your hands and feet frequently feel numb or tingly, you may have a neurological problem or an issue with your blood vessels. A doctor can help you get to the bottom of the problem.

15. A cough that won’t go away

When cold and flu season is in full swing, a stubborn cough might not be something to worry about. But if you’re not sick and you’re still coughing on a daily basis, see your doctor. Cancers of the lung, throat, and thyroid can cause frequent bouts of dry coughing. Some medications, including blood pressure medications, can also make you cough.

Conclude

There’s no need to worry excessively about every little symptom you experience — that will just make you anxious all the time. However, it’s still important to be aware of what’s going on with your body, since health problems are much easier to treat in their early stages. If you notice a change, or if something just doesn’t seem right, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. A trip to the doctor will most likely put your mind at ease.

this is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   
https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement