Sharp pain in chest
Sharp pain in chest can be the result of a number of different factors. People often associate the left sided chest pain with a heart attack but it might not be the case. Therefore must always consider an expert advice before reaching any conclusion.
What causes sharp pain in chest?
Sharp pain in chest can be caused by a plethora of different reasons, most of which can be easily treated. Sometimes, heartburns and gas accumulation in the stomach can result in sharp pain in chest. They are not at all dangerous and are the outcome of the acid reflux moving upwards towards the chest from the stomach. Excessive smoking and alcohol consumption can cause this condition, along with the intake of spicy food. They are generally so painful that people panic and think of them as angina attacks.
Pneumonia and severe lung infection and be another source of the sharp pain in chest, they are even accompanied with coughing and mucus secretion. In many cases the lungs even collapses and cause more pain; immediate medical attention must be availed. Neck arthritis is another major factor which can contribute in causing sharp pain in chest along with esophageal problems and pulmonary spasms.
Sometimes the sharp pain in chest is even triggered when the chest muscles are pulled or fatigued as a result of some strenuous activity. Muscle cramps can also be another reason which could trigger such pain. People find it very hard to bear such pain.
Psychological factors can also aid in stimulating sharp pain in chest. Severe depression, anxiety, or even stress can cause the pain. The sharp pain in chest is accompanied by shortness in breath and fatigue.
Angina and heart attacks:
Angina is a major symbol of the coronary heart disease which can be fatal if left untreated. This disease is common in people who have a very high cholesterol rate and are generally obese. The heart arteries are blocked by cholesterol accumulation thus reducing the supply of oxygen to the heart muscle and as a result the pressure on the heart increases as it has to pump with greater force. This result in the excruciating chest pain named angina. The heart attack is a similar, but more dangerous state in which the person experience extreme chest pain along with breathlessness and sweat. These conditions must be treated immediately or else they can result in the loss of life.
How sharp pain in chest can be treated?
Sharp pain in chest resulting from acidity and heartburn can be simply treated by taking less alcohol and quitting smoking. Eating simple food, devoid of spices, can also be beneficial for the patient in reducing the pain. Taking care of the diet and eating healthy meals can also help in relieving pain. Generally pregnant ladies experience heartburns and they frequently have this sharp pain in chest in the chest but you do not have to worry about it, just monitor your food intake and avoid acidic and fizzy drinks. There are several herbal and natural remedies for treating the heartburns one is through the use of apple cider vinegar.
Having antibiotics can also help in lessening the sharp pain in chest if it’s due to some chest infection or pneumonia. Once the infection is eliminated the pain will subside itself without causing any more trouble for the patient. But if the infection is viral then it cannot be treated with antibiotics.
When the sharp pain in chest is triggered due to some psychological factors, it can be alleviated by relaxing and taking deep breaths. Meditation and yoga and prevent this sharp pain in chest from occurring again. Even if the pain is due to muscle fatigue, it can be reduced by taking lots of rest and relaxing the muscles and avoiding any form of vigorous activity for a couple of days or till the pain subsides. A heat pad can also be used to relax the chest muscle and to give a soothing effect in sharp pain in chest.
Mostly one should be more vigilant if an elderly person experiences such chest pain as heart attacks are more common in the older age than in young age. Therefore one should thoroughly get examined in order to avoid any mishaps. When you get older, the heart muscle gets weak and you are more susceptible and can easily get a heart attack or sharp pain in chest. Therefore one must take care of his/her diet especially those who are obese.
Reducing weight and eating less fried food and reduce the chance of getting a heart attack. But a heart attack can even be induced by taking excessive tension or shocks. Tension tightens the heart muscles and can reduce the oxygen supply to the heart by constricting the arteries of the heart and causing extreme chest pain. Therefore tension must be avoided especially in old age.
Apart from the above mentioned reasons there are innumerable other factors that can result in a chest pain which can be highly painful and excruciating. Sharp pain in chest can also be the symptom of a much dangerous ailment which you are unaware of.
