Pain In The Left And Right Chest Area

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43

Pain in the left and right chest area

Various pains in any area of the chest are often a serious symptom that requires an in-depth examination. Then, to quickly find out their cause, a modern spectrum of all kinds of 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 malfunctioning of many internal organs.

Some pain sensations are not dangerous at all, in fact, they are typical functional disorders. These include nervous tension or prolonged stressful conditions. However, most pains are urgently needed.

Content:

• Causes of severe pain in the left and right chest area
• Burning sensation in the chest
• Sharp chest pain
• Pressing chest pain
• Dull chest pain
• Fever and cough with chest pain

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 coronary artery disease, dangerous 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 in the chest. Their intensity varies, from dull aching with dangerous cardiomyopathy to incredibly burning acute pain in severe myocardial infarction.

Often, pains provoke 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 pains, are accompanied by such additional symptoms as shortness of breath and cough. Many patients often note increased chest pain when coughing.

Mental disorders such as psychogenic cardialgia, panic disorders, neurocirculatory dystonia, depression, perventilation and somatic neurosis indicate the nature of chest pain. Given the specific neurological status of patients, in some cases the nature and rather 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 in nature of 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 internal organs. All kinds of bruises and, of course, rib fractures 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. A correct examination always begins with a study of the patient's specific complaints and an accurate determination of the nature of his pain. Depending on the nature of the sensations, electrocardiography is prescribed to quickly exclude a formidable coronary heart disease.

The ECG and ultrasound data 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. An increase in pain during inhalation 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 is modified by breathing and is greatly increased by movement and even coughing. After a complete study of all the patient's complaints and the history of the immediate disease, the doctor conducts the necessary instrumental and laboratory examination to make sure that the preliminary diagnosis is correct.

Burning sensation in the chest

A relatively strong burning sensation in the chest is a rather unpleasant sensation that constantly distracts from all normal daily activities. It interferes with the enjoyment of life, since severe malaise arises. Various diseases of the lungs and heart, the digestive system and mental disorders can be the main causes of burning in the chest.

Heartburn causes certain pain throughout the esophagus line. This 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 undergo an examination first by a therapist, and then by a gastroenterologist. A severe burning sensation can also be the cause of a serious inflammatory disease of the esophagus, in other words. a symptom of reflux esophigitis. 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, an insufficient amount of blood, nutrients and oxygen is supplied to the heart. Various cholesterol formations can cause this unpleasant condition. It often manifests itself with sufficiently active physical activity.

A burning sensation in the chest in various lung diseases is caused by inflammatory diseases, which are always accompanied by a significant increase in temperature and cough. The pain can be mixed to the left or to the right, depending on the specific lung affected. during bilateral pneumonia, a burning sensation can be observed on both sides. Also, flu and sore throat 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 chest pain

A sharp pain in the chest indicates an acute illness of one of the important internal organs. In such cases, you should definitely seek emergency qualified medical help. Such discomfort in the form of seizures should be examined more carefully on the basis of the patient's complaints, history, 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 included in this list. In addition, it is necessary to note dissecting aortic aneurysm, pulmonary thromboembolism, as well as pneumonia, pleurisy, and spontaneous pneumothorax. There are frequent cases of esophagitis, ulcers and hernias, thoracic sciatica, trauma, shingles and neuroses.

Pressing chest pain

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 it instantly makes the patient freeze in place with a firmly 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, which includes blood and urine tests, and an EKG. Basic treatment combined with diet and a healthy lifestyle allows the patient to quickly regain their 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 severe inflammation of the serous outer lining of the heart. This disease often indicates complications after infections. Dull monotonous pain behind the sternum is of a moderate nature, from time to time becoming strong, resembling angina pectoris. Such unpleasant sensations are 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 diagnose and prescribe the correct treatment.

Fever and cough with chest pain

It has been proven if 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 pleural inflammation. Often, pain and cough occur with tracheobronchitis, while coughing up difficult sputum is observed. Inflammation of the lungs is characterized by severe pain when coughing, a sudden rise in temperature, 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, in most cases, is treated with the appointment of certain antibiotic therapy. Pleural puncture may be indicated if necessary.

Article author: Mochalov Pavel Alexandrovich | d. m. n. therapist

Education: Moscow Medical Institute. IM Sechenov, specialty - "General Medicine" in 1991, in 1993 "Occupational Diseases", in 1996 "Therapy".