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Various pains in any area of the chest are often a serious symptom that requires an in-depth examination. Then, to quickly determine their cause, a modern range of various diagnostic methods is used. This complex is quite extensive, since pain in the areas of the sternum can indicate not only dangerous diseases, but also malfunctions of many internal organs.
Some pain sensations are completely harmless, in fact, being typical functional disorders. These include nervous strain or prolonged stressful conditions. However, most pains require emergency care.
Causes of severe pain in the left and right chest area
Dangerous cardiovascular pathology often provokes the appearance of pain in the left half of the sternum. The list includes ischemic heart disease, severe myocarditis, pericarditis, severe dissecting aortic aneurysm, aortic stenosis, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and pulmonary embolism.
With a significant lesion of the aortic arch, patients are concerned about pain on the right side of the chest. Their intensity varies, from dull aching with dangerous cardiomyopathy to incredibly burning sharp pain with a serious myocardial infarction.
Often, pain provokes all kinds of diseases of the human gastrointestinal tract. Such as: gastric ulcer, gastritis, reflux esophagitis, cholecystitis, esophageal spasm, hepatic colic and pancreatitis.
Pain from different sides occurs with pathologies of the pulmonary system. Dangerous pneumonia and pneumothorax, pulmonary emphysema, exudative and dry pleurisy, as well as tuberculosis and lung cancer, in addition to chest pain, are accompanied by additional symptoms such as shortness of breath and cough. Many patients often note increased pain behind the sternum when coughing.
Such mental disorders as psychogenic cardialgia, panic disorders, neurocirculatory dystonia, depression, perventilation and somatic neurosis indicate the nature of chest pain. Given the certain neurological status of patients, in some cases, the nature and fairly accurate localization of these pains is possible. Often the pain is felt on the right side of the sternum, then on the left.
Diseases of the mammary glands can be bilateral pain. All kinds of diseases, tumors, mastopathy and mastitis, as well as malignant lesions of the glands will give unpleasant sensations to a certain area. Severe pain is also provoked by a serious pathology of the spinal column. These experts include scoliosis, osteochondrosis.
In some cases, quite severe pain in the chest appears due to various mechanical damage to the internal organs. All sorts of bruises and, of course, fractures of the ribs are always accompanied by unpleasant chest pains. When inhaling, pain is observed if the pulmonary pleura is damaged.
It should be noted that the correct diagnosis for various pains in the chest has a specific clear algorithm. Proper examination always begins with the study of specific complaints of the patient and the exact nature of his pain. Depending on the nature of the sensations, electrocardiography is prescribed to quickly exclude formidable coronary heart disease.
ECG data and ultrasound of the heart show the normal functioning of an important organ. Further examination includes changes in the nature of pain with different breathing, movements, and depending on other factors. Increased pain during inspiration indicates existing violations of the integrity of the lungs, or the penetration of air into an important pleural cavity. This condition causes pneumothorax.
With intercostal neuralgia, the pain itself changes with breathing and is greatly aggravated by movement and even coughing. After a full study of all the patient’s complaints and anamnesis of the immediate disease, the doctor conducts the necessary instrumental and laboratory examination to ensure the correctness of the preliminary diagnosis.
Burning in the chest
A relatively strong burning sensation in the chest is a rather unpleasant sensation, constantly distracting from all normal daily activities. It prevents you from enjoying life, because there is a strong malaise. Various diseases of the lungs and heart, digestive system and mental disorders can be the main causes of burning in the chest.
Heartburn causes certain pains along the entire line of the esophagus. Such a burning sensation can last from a few minutes to several hours, while it is accompanied by sour belching. With frequent heartburn, it is recommended to first undergo an examination by a therapist, and then by a gastroenterologist. A serious burning sensation can also be the cause of a serious inflammatory disease of the esophagus, in other words. symptom of reflux esophagitis. In this case, the pain is localized in the lower left side of the chest and is always permanent.
Often, a burning sensation in the chest indicates problems in the functioning of the heart. With angina pectoris, insufficient amounts of blood, nutrients, and oxygen are supplied to the heart. Various cholesterol formations can cause such an unpleasant condition. It often manifests itself with sufficiently active physical exertion.
Burning in the chest in various lung diseases is due to inflammatory diseases, which are always accompanied by a significant fever and cough. Pain can be mixed both to the left and to the right side, depending on the particular affected lung. during bilateral pneumonia, burning can be observed on both sides. Also, flu and tonsillitis provoke the appearance of unpleasant sensations, which always come in combination with a sore throat and high body temperature.
Along with numerous diseases of the internal organs, a dangerous burning sensation in the chest is a symptom of one of the mental disorders, which is accompanied by apathy, loss of appetite and irritability. In this case, a visit to a psychologist is recommended.
Sharp pain in the chest
A sharp pain in the chest indicates an acute disease of one of the important internal organs. In such cases, be sure to seek emergency qualified medical care. Such unpleasant sensations in the form of seizures should be examined more carefully based on the patient’s complaints, anamnesis, examination and ECG. Often the diagnosis is made at the prehospital stage.
The main causes of such pain are serious diseases of the heart and blood vessels, respiratory and digestive organs, as well as ailments of the musculoskeletal system. Acute myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, pericarditis and myocardial dystrophy should be added to this list. In addition, it should be noted dissecting aortic aneurysm, pulmonary embolism, as well as pneumonia, pleurisy and spontaneous pneumothorax. There are frequent cases of esophagitis, ulcers and hernia, thoracic sciatica, injuries, shingles and neurosis.
Pressing pain in the chest
Unpleasant pressing pain on the left side behind the sternum is the main symptom of angina pectoris. It is given to the left shoulder blade, arm or shoulder. The pain is intense enough that instantly makes the patient freeze in place with a strongly pressed hand to the heart area. It should be mentioned that additional symptoms of an attack are pallor and cold extremities, increased heart rate and increased blood pressure. Often, such attacks can occur after a very active physical activity, when the heart’s need for oxygen consumption increases significantly.
At the slightest suspicion of dangerous angina pectoris, it is recommended to contact a cardiologist or at least a therapist without delay. You will be scheduled for a routine examination, including blood and urine tests, and an ECG. basic treatment in combination with diet and a healthy lifestyle allows the patient to quickly restore well-being.
Dull chest pain
Dull pain can be the result of various ailments. But it is usually a symptom of pericarditis, which is a serious inflammation of the serous outer lining of the heart. This disease often indicates complications after past infections. Dull monotonous pain behind the sternum is of a moderate nature, from time to time becoming strong, resembling angina pectoris. Such discomfort is always localized on the left side of the chest.
Occasionally, such pains are combined with chills and fever, as well as general malaise and a significant change in the general blood test. Only a cardiologist, after the necessary examinations, can make a diagnosis and prescribe the correct treatment.
Fever and cough with chest pain
It has been proven that the characteristic pain in the chest of a person is accompanied by a cough and a significant increase in body temperature. then we can talk about serious inflammatory processes in the lungs. A sign of complication is the involvement in the process of inflammation of the pleura. Often, pain and cough occur with tracheobronchitis, while coughing up sputum that is difficult to separate. Inflammation of the lungs is characterized by severe pain when coughing, sudden fever and chills.
From the very first days, severe shortness of breath often appears, the heartbeat increases and the heart rhythm is disturbed. Dry pleurisy, like pneumonia, is in most cases treated with the appointment of a certain antibacterial therapy. If necessary, a pleural puncture may be indicated.