Gas pain in chest may occur, although it usually affects the abdomen. While experiencing gas on occasion can be painful, it usually doesn't warrant much concern on its own. It is crucial to pay attention to chest pain, but it is rather less prevalent. In the short term, it may be a sign of other dangerous conditions if it doesn't go away. Food intolerances, dyspepsia, and other medical disorders can cause chest pain associated with gas. However, other symptoms like dyspnea (shortness of breath) might point to a more serious issue.
In this blog, we'll explore the several causes of gas pain in chest. It also covers home cures, therapies, and symptoms.
Exploring the Reasons for Gas Pain in the Chest
Most of the time gas pain in chest occurs as a result of something you ate or drank like:
- Carbonated drinks like beer or soda
- If you ate foods that you are sensitive to, such as gluten or dairy products
- Food that has excess fiber content including fiber supplements
- Excessive amounts of swallowed air with might have occurred while you ate, talked, smoked, chewed gum, drank through a straw or sucked on hard candies
- Certain medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, laxatives, or statins
- Artificial sweeteners
- Food poisoning, mainly if gas pain is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or fever
Other potential reasons for gas pain in chest include medical conditions like:
- Acid reflux
- Heartburn
- Gallbladder disease
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Celiac disease
- Indigestion
- Small bowel bacterial overgrowth
- Digestive system obstruction or blockage, which may result from diseases including stomach, ovarian, or colorectal malignancies.
Understanding the Symptoms of Chest Pain due to Gas and Acidity
The symptoms of chest pain due to gas and acidity include:
- A sharp, stabbing pain in your upper abdomen or chest
- Burping or belching
- Bloating or swelling in the abdomen
- A tightness or pressing sensation on the left or right side of the chest
- Indigestion
- Excess flatulence (voluntary or involuntary passing of excess gas, which may relieve pain)
- Pain which shifts to different parts of the abdomen
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
Also, Read: Types and Causes of Chest Pain
Differentiating Chest Pain due to Underlying Heart Disease from Chest Pain due to Gas and Acidity
It can be challenging to distinguish chest pain due to gas discomfort or acidity from other heart-related pains, like those caused by a heart attack, so it can be concerning when it occurs. Gas buildup in the stomach or colon's left side can resemble heart-related pain. The following signs and symptoms could indicate that your chest pain is a heart attack:
- Pain in the chest feels like a lot of pressure applied to the chest
- Discomfort or pain in other upper body parts, such as the jaw, shoulders, arms, back, or neck
- Pain in the jaws, especially seen in women
- Inability to catch breath or shortness of breath
- Excessive sweating
- Nausea, tired, and a feeling of fainting
A person should get immediate medical attention if they are exhibiting heart attack symptoms.
Diagnosing Chest Pain Due to Underlying Heart Disease from Chest Pain Due to Gas and Acidity
Doctors will usually conduct follow-up testing to confirm the diagnosis because it can be challenging to identify gas pain in the chest based solely on a basic physical examination. To ensure that your discomfort isn't coming from your heart, this may involve an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). Other examinations they could request are:
- Blood tests: It helps to diagnose infections and markers of Crohn’s disease or celiac disease
- Endoscopy: It helps to detect the esophageal health
- Stool test: It helps to evaluate parasites and symptoms of bleeding which may be connected with Crohn’s disease or IBS
- Abdominal ultrasound: It helps to evaluate the organs like gallbladder and stomach
- Lactose intolerance tests
Exploring the Effective Ways to Cure Gas Pain in Chest
The following natural remedies help to cure gas pain in chest:
- It has been demonstrated that ginger reduces gas and bloating. Taste some candied ginger, sip some ginger tea, or simply sip some warm water with a dash of powdered ginger on top.
- Walking and yoga are two types of gentle exercise that can help ease gas in your digestive system and calm your gut.
- Intestinal gas can be expelled by pooping or having a bowel movement.
- Place a hot water bottle or heating pad on your stomach to help relax your gut.
- Do a little self-massage of your abdomen.
- When your doctor gives the all-clear, consider using an over-the-counter medication that contains simethicone, an ingredient in several well-known stomach drugs.
- Do not take medications that slow down your gut (like pain medications, narcotics, and some allergy medications).
The other treatments to manage gas pain in chest pain include:
- Antacids to reduce heartburn
- Acid-reducing drugs like Pepcid and anti-inflammatory drugs like 5-ASA that reduce intestinal inflammation are used to treat IBS, GERD, and Crohn's disease and maintain the health of the digestive tract
- Antibiotics to treat food poisonings
- Medications or surgery to treat gallbladder conditions
How to Reduce Gas Pain in Chest?
The following methods help to reduce gas pain in chest:
- Chew the food slowly and completely to prevent swallowing excess gas which causes gas build-ups
- Limit the consumption of carbonated drinks
- Include fruits and vegetables in the diet
- Stay hydrated
- Include food items with probiotics such as yogurt, curd which help to enhance the gut microorganisms
- Involve in light exercises
- Manage anxiety and stress
Conclusion
Gas pain in chest should go away really quickly. Within 30 to 45 minutes of using natural therapies, it should begin to go away. Unless you have heart attack emergency symptoms or your symptoms appear to linger longer than two hours, there's no need to be concerned. Not everyone has the same heart attack symptoms, such as arm or chest discomfort, so you should get medical help if your symptoms last longer than two hours.
Visit Artemis Cardiac Care if you have chest pain that feels like it's happening regularly, lasts more than a week, or is not improving with treatment. To make sure no underlying medical issues are causing your gas pain, doctors can do testing. Book your appointment now to get the best chest pain treatment in India!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How to cure chest pain due to gas?
A: To help the digestive system get rid of extra gas, drink lots of liquids, such as herbal teas and warm water. Digestive issues may be resolved by eating ginger. Avoid taking dairy products, fizzy drinks, sodas, and gluten-containing foods as they may trigger chest pain. To let the gas out, move about and engage in some exercise.
Q: How long should gas pain in chest last?
A: The chest pain caused by gas should go away quite quickly. It should begin to go away 30 to 45 minutes after you start using natural solutions. There's no reason to be concerned unless you have heart attack emergency symptoms or if your symptoms appear to linger longer than two hours.
Q: How can you distinguish between gas pain and heart pain?
A: Cardiac chest pain typically occurs in the left or center of the chest, whereas pain associated with gas may be more evenly distributed and focused in the lower chest or upper abdomen. In contrast to gas-related discomfort, which is typically more localized in nature, cardiac pain frequently radiates to the arms, neck, jaw, or back.
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