Other Treatments For Gas Pain In The Chest
Over-the-counter medications like Gas-X can offer fast relief from gas pain. Antacids can help reduce heartburn associated with it.
If your gas pain is caused by conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease , IBS, or Crohns, a doctor may prescribe medications to treat the underlying condition. This may include acid-reducing medications like Pepcid and anti-inflammatory medications like 5-ASA drugs that reduce inflammation in the intestines to keep the digestive system working properly.
Gas pain caused by food poisoning will often be treated with antibiotics. Depending on the severity of the infection, you may need to be admitted to the emergency room or hospital for intravenous fluids and antibiotics.
Gallstones may be treated with medications to dissolve the stones. If these medications dont work, gallstones are recurring, or there seem to be other gallbladder problems, your doctor may want to remove your gallbladder entirely.
What Tests Diagnose A Peptic Ulcer
To confirm a person has an ulcer a diagnostic imaging test will usually be ordered. The two most widely used tests are:
- Upper GI series : This is a type of X-ray. The patient is given a chalky liquid to drink that increases the contrast on the X-ray, making certain features easier to see. Because this liquid contains barium, this test is sometimes called a barium swallow.
- Endoscopy : An endoscope is a thin, flexible tube with a tiny camera at the end. The patient is given a mild sedative, and then the tube is passed through the mouth into the stomach. The doctor can see the lining of the stomach to diagnose a peptic ulcer. Tiny samples of the tissue will be taken , which are examined under a microscope.
If a diagnostic imaging test reveals an ulcer, the patient will most likely have a test to see if H pylori bacteria are present.
- It is important to be certain about this, because treatment of the H pylori is likely to heal the ulcer.
- Ulcers caused by H pylori are treated differently than ulcers caused by medications.
Three types of tests are available to detect H pylori.
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Diagnosis Of Chest Pain
Before medical treatment can begin, the cause of the pain must be found. You may a have a lot of tests done including:
- Electrocardiogram electrical tracing of the heart activity.
- Blood tests to measure markers from the heart and other organs.
- Chest x-ray to look at the lungs, heart and major blood vessels of the chest.
If your healthcare professional thinks you may have angina, they may order further tests to check the state of the blood vessels that supply your heart. They may also arrange an exercise stress test or other tests such as an angiogram or CT scan of your chest.
It is not always easy to diagnose the cause of chest pain. Your doctor may need to see you more than once to be sure, and further tests may be needed, or you may be referred to a cardiologist .
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Heartburn And Heart Attack Pain Can Be Similar Learn The Difference
Youre relaxing at home after a delicious meal. You notice you dont feel quite right. You have an upset stomach. There is a burning sensation in your chest area.
Is it heartburn from indigestion? Could it be a heart attack?
Chest discomfort is the most common symptom of a heart attack, which can be life-threatening. But it can also be a sign of heartburn, which has nothing to do with the heart and is a common symptom of indigestion.
It can sometimes be difficult to tell one from the other. Learning the difference can help you protect your heart health and know when to seek medical attention.
If youre not sure if its heartburn or a heart attack, and your chest pain is persistent seek medical help right away, says Kiyon Chung, MD, a Scripps cardiologist. You will be checked immediately to rule out a heart attack. If your chest pain turns out to be a heart attack, doctors will work to lessen any heart damage.
If its indigestion, youll want to make sure it doesnt become a chronic problem. You may be able to find quick relief taking an over-the-counter antacid or other medication.
What is indigestion?
Heartburn is a symptom of indigestion or acid reflux. It happens when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, the food pipe that connects the throat to the stomach. This backflow causes a burning feeling or pain in the chest. Another symptom is regurgitation, which is when food rises in the back of the throat.
What is a heart attack?
Symptoms of heart attack
Psychological Causes Of Chest Pain
Both anxiety and panic attack can cause symptoms very similar to angina. These attackswhich can occur out of the blue or in response to a stressful eventinclude chest pain along with shortness of breath, palpitations, and dizziness. The key difference is that the chest pain is usually fleeting, lasting only a moment or two.
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How Is Noncardiac Chest Pain Treated
Effective treatment depends on identifying the cause of your noncardiac chest pain. Some options include:
Acid reflux treatments
If your noncardiac chest pain is, like most peoples, from GERD, treatment is usually simple and effective. Proton-pump inhibitors are the most commonly used medicine to treat GERD. PPIs reduce the amount of stomach acid that your glands secrete, which also allows ulcers and acidic corrosion to heal. Treatment usually begins with a high dosage to control your symptoms, then continues with a low dosage for two to four months. PPIs are about 90% effective in treating GERD and its side effects. If they are ineffective, it probably means that your NCCP is caused by something else.
Pain blockers
The next most common and effective treatment for noncardiac chest pain is a medicine that blocks the pain signals. These are usually from a class of drugs known as tricyclic antidepressants , used in much lower dosages than they are used to treat depression. If side effects prevent you from tolerating TCAs, other categories of antidepressants might work. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have shown some promise in treating NCCP, although they are less well-established than TCAs.
Emotional and behavioral therapies
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 04/04/2022.
References
Digestive Problems That Cause Chest Discomfort
Experiencing chest discomfort can be a frightening thing, but it doesn’t always mean something is wrong with your heart. Several digestive issues can also cause chest discomfort, particularly problems with the esophagus — the long, muscular tube that connects your mouth to your stomach. Regardless of the source, however, chest discomfort that is persistent or severe requires examination by a qualified medical practitioner.
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Will Surgery Cure A Peptic Ulcer
Medical therapy works in most people with peptic ulcers. Sometimes, medical therapy does not work, or a person cant take the therapy for some reason. Surgery is an alternative to medical therapy for these people.
Surgical operations often used in peptic ulcers include the following:
- Vagotomy: Cutting the vagus nerve, which transmits messages from the brain to the stomach, can reduce acid secretion. However, this can also interfere with other functions of the stomach. A newer operation cuts only the part of the nerve that affects acid secretion.
- Antrectomy: This is often done in conjunction with a vagotomy. It involves removing the lower part of the stomach . This part of the stomach produces a hormone that increases production of stomach acid. Adjacent parts of the stomach may also be removed.
- Pyloroplasty: This procedure also is sometimes done with vagotomy. It enlarges the opening between the stomach and duodenum to encourage passage of partially digested food. Once the food has passed, acid production normally stops.
- Tying off an artery: If bleeding is a problem, cutting off the blood supply to the ulcer can stop the bleeding.
Is Your Pain Accompanied By A Runny Nose Coughing Sore Throat And Fever
Acute bronchitis can make your chest ache, a pain that worsens if you have a hacking cough. The condition occurs when your bronchial tubes become inflamed. Mucus builds up, leading to shortness of breath and feeling like you have a cold.
Your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs and ask you to rest and drink plenty of liquids to thin the mucus and keep your bronchial tubes lubricated. If symptoms continue longer than 10 days, consider getting a chest X-ray to determine whether your condition has turned into pneumonia or if there is another culprit causing your pain.
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Anxiety And Panic Disorder
About 40% of people with panic disorder experience chest pain at some time.
Noncardiac chest pain associated with panic disorder is unique in some ways, but you always want to err on the side of caution.
People who have anxiety or even panic disorder can also experience life-threatening causes of chest pain.
There are less common causes of right-sided chest pain that are sometimes overlooked. These include shingles, mediastinal tumors , and panic or anxiety attacks.
Seek Urgent Medical Help For Chest Pain
With chest pain, every minute counts. The faster you get to hospital for treatment, the better.
If any activity brings on chest pain, follow these steps:
1.Stop what you are doing and rest immediately.
2.Talk tell someone how you feel.
If you take angina medication:
- Wait 5 minutes. If you still have symptoms take another dose of your medicine.
- Wait 5 minutes. If your symptoms dont go away
3.Call 000 and chew on 300mg aspirin .
- Ask for an ambulance.
- Dont hang up.
- Wait for the operators instructions.
Do not take aspirin if you have an allergy to aspirin, or your doctor has told you not to take it.
Remember, if you have any doubt about your pain, call an ambulance anyway.
Do not drive yourself to hospital. Wait for the ambulance. It has specialised staff and equipment that may save your life.
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Experiencing Abnormal Stomach And Chest Pain Visit Complete Care Er For Quality Treatment
Stomach and chest pain can have different variants of pain level and location. Some people have a sharp, stabbing pain while others experience a dull, burning, aching, or tight sensation. Whatever type of pain or discomfort youre feeling, never hesitate to call your doctor or head into the emergency room. You know your body better than anyone and asking for help may just save you from a life-threatening emergency.
When youre experiencing pain accompanied by the onset of other abnormal symptoms, dont wait to head into a Complete Care emergency room. We offer effective ER treatment for chest and abdominal pain without the typical long wait times of your typical ERs when you visit one of our locations in Colorado or Texas today.
Heart Disease Not The Only Reason For That Feeling Of Angina
Although chest pain is oftenand rightfully associated with heart disease, other medical problems can be causes of chest pain. Anginafeelings of pressure, heaviness, tightness. or pain in the chestoccurs when plaque in the coronary arteries partially blocks blood flow and the heart muscle isn’t getting enough oxygen and nutrients. Yet the heart isn’t the only organ in the upper abdomen, and chest pain may be due to conditions affecting the esophagus, lungs, gall bladder, or stomach.
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What Causes Chest Pain
We often think of chest pain in adults being caused by a heart condition like a heart attackbut it can also be a warning sign that something else is going on in your body. More common causes of chest pain that are non-cardiac include respiratory illness, gastrointestinal disorders, reflux esophagitis, costochondritis,lifestyle factors like stress or panic attacks, and musculoskeletal issues, among others.
Musculoskeletal Or Other Causes
An injury may feel like a heart attack, as can certain mental health issues and infections.
Certain clothing, like too tight sports bras or underwires, can also cause musculoskeletal chest pain.
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Frequent Hiatal Hernia Symptoms
Typically, a small hiatal hernia may not cause any symptoms. However, a larger hiatal hernia can change the structures and mechanisms that keep food and acids where they belong.
This can lead to symptoms such as:
When a hiatal hernia occurs, it can change the position of a muscular valve called the lower esophageal sphincter . This allows the contents of the stomach to back-flow into the esophagus , which can lead to symptoms.
Generally speaking, it is only when a hernia gets larger that it can manifest in this way. If the LES weakens even further, which can happen with age, related symptoms can get progressively worse.
People with a hiatal hernia are more likely to develop gastroesophageal reflux disease , a long-term form of reflux that can interfere with your quality of life.
The persistence of GERD symptoms can lead to a chronic cough, chest pain, asthma, and progressive damage to your tooth enamel.
Primary Esophageal Motility Disorders
Chest pain associated with PEMDs: mild, and may feel like heartburn
PEMDs include several different disorders of the esophagus.
With a PEMD, you could experience:
- mild chest pain or heartburn
- trouble swallowing
- the sensation that food is sticking in your esophagus
See a doctor soon if you have these symptoms.
Treatment options include medications to help relax the muscles to ease swallowing, as well as minimally invasive surgical procedures.
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Heartburn Or Heart Attack
What does heartburn have to do with your heart? Nothing, actually!
Despite its name, heartburn or acid indigestion is related to your esophagus. But because the esophagus and heart are located near each other, either one can cause chest pain which is why many people mistake heart burn for angina and vice versa.
Other Causes Of Abdominal Bloating And Shortness Of Breath
Abdominal bloating has many causes. It is more common in people who experience functional gastrointestinal disorders like irritable bowel syndrome or gastroparesis. Bloating can be due to the buildup of gas, fluids, or food in the stomach.
Overeating or eating foods known to contribute to bloating and gas, such as cabbage, beans, and lentils, may cause bloating.
Abdominal bloating can affect the diaphragm, a muscular partition between the chest and abdomen. The diaphragm assists in breathing, which means bloating can lead to shortness of breath. This happens if the pressure in the abdomen is enough to restrict the movement of the diaphragm.
Being short of breath can cause you to take small, short breaths. This can lead to swallowing air, which is known as aerophagia. Difficulty breathing can be brought on by anxiety or panic attacks, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , pneumonia, and asthma attacks.
There are conditions that can result in both abdominal bloating and shortness of breath.
Any condition that leads to the buildup of air or foodstuffs could cause both bloating and shortness of breath. Also, stool inside the intestines, irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, lactose intolerance, constipation, ileus, bowel obstruction, and gastroparesis could cause bloating and shortness of breath.
If bloating or shortness of breath is severe, seek immediate medical treatment.
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What Treatments Are There For Ulcers
Your treatment will depend on the cause of your ulcer. For example, if our tests indicate that an infection caused by helicobacter pylori is what created your ulcer, well give you antibiotics to eliminate the bacteria.
Regardless of the cause, medications that help reduce the level of acid in your stomach can help the ulcer heal. And different lifestyle changes can accelerate healing as well, such as eliminating certain foods, abstaining from alcohol, and practicing stress management.
In severe cases, surgery may be required. Your provider at Prima Medicine will work with you to create a treatment plan for your situation.
If you have a stomach ulcer or want to see if you do, we can help. To learn more, book an appointment online or over the phone with Prima Medicine today.
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Natural Remedies For Gas Pain In The Chest
If youre experiencing gas pains in the chest, the first thing you should do is to drink plenty of noncarbonated fluids. It can improve digestion and resolve constipation, causing the gas to move through the system. Water is always a good choice and hot decaf teas like ginger or peppermint tea can have antiflatulent effects.
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