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Acid Reflux / GERD

What to know about gas pain in the chest

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By BS Media Twitter Profile
Published: Wednesday, 21 February 2018
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Table of contents
  1. Symptoms
  2. Gas vs. heart pain
  3. Causes
  4. Diagnosis
  5. Treatment and home remedies
  6. Prevention
  7. Complications
  8. Outlook
Gas pain in the chest is normally not a cause for concern, though it can lead to pressure or discomfort. It can besides be difficult to tell apart from other chest pain, including that associated with a heart attack.

This article looks at the various reasons a person mightiness feel gas pain in their chest. It besides discusses symptoms, treatments, and home remedies.

Symptoms


Gas pain can include tightness and stabbing striving in the chest.

People often describe gas pain in the chest as a tightness or discomfort in the chest area. As well as the pain, there may be a slight burning or stabbing sensation. The pain may besides move to the abdomen.

Other symptoms of gas pain in the chest may vary in each case, depending on the cause, but can include:

  • burping
  • bloating
  • dyspepsia
  • excess flatulence
  • loss of appetite
  • nausea

Gas pain vs. heart pain

The sensation of gas pain can be worrying, as it may be difficult to tell apart from heart-related striving, so much as those of a heart attack.

Gas that gathers in the stomach or left part of the colon can feel like heart-related pain.

The following symptoms may suggest that chest pain is related to a heart attack:

  • pain that matchs a strong pressure applied to the chest
  • pain or discomfort in other areas of the upper body, including neck, back, shoulders, arms, or jaw
  • a pain in the jaw is particularly common in women
  • shortness of breath or inability to catch the breath
  • profuse swfeeding
  • feeling lightheaded or woozy
  • nausea

A person experiencing symptoms of a heart attack should seek emergency medical attention.

Causes

Possible causes of gas pain in the chest include:

Heartburn

Heartburn is a type of dyspepsia that atypically feels like a sharp, burning sensation in the chest. It is caused by stomach acid leaking up into the oesophagus.

Food intolerance

When person has a food intolerance, it can upset the digestive system, causation extra gas. milk sugar intolerance and protein intolerance are two best-known causes of gas buildup.

A person who lacks the enzymes needful to break down certain foods may experience bloating, abdominal pain, and excessive gas.

Food poisoning


Carbon oxide gas from fizzing drinks can be a cause of chest pain.

Eating contaminated food can cause food poisoning, which may besides explain gas pain in the chest. This pain often comes on quickly and can be experient aboard other symptoms, including:

  • fever
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • blood in the stool

Artificial sweeteners

A diet high in artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols, so much as sorbitol and xylitol, may cause digestive symptoms, including excess gas, in some people.

Excess carbonation

Carbonated drinks, for example, soda, tonic water, or sparkling water, have a fizz, provided by carbon oxide gas.

Too much of this gas can make a person burp, but it mightiness besides build up in the digestive tract and cause discomfort or pain.

Swallowing air

Similarly to the carbon oxide in fizzing drinks, the air we swallow when we eat, drink, or chew gum can become at bay in the digestive system.

Swallowing too much air can cause a buildup of gas in the GI tract, which can lead to gas pain in the chest or abdomen.

Digestive conditions

Certain digestive conditions can lead to symptoms that match gas pain in the chest.

Inflammatory conditions, including inflammatory intestine illness (IBD) so much as lesion inflammatory bowel disease (UC) or Crohn's illness, may cause gas to build up in the digestive system.

Other problems in the digestive tract, so much as those due to polygenic disorder mellitus, can cause similar symptoms.

Chronic inflammatory conditions can besides produce the following symptoms:

  • pain in the lower or upper abdomen
  • excessive flatulence
  • diarrhea
  • constipation
  • general fatigue
  • GI bleeding
  • weight loss
  • nausea

Too much fiber

While fiber-rich foods are beneficial for the digestive system, feeding too much of a certain type of fiber can lead to excessive gas.

This excess production is because the fiber may stay in the gut for a thirster time than other food components. It is broken down by bacterium, consequent in gas.

Gallbladder or biliary tree illnesss

A condition in the bladder or biliary tree, so much as gallstones, can cause chest pain and excess gas.

Other symptoms include:

  • loss of appetite
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • chills
  • off-colored stools, often light or pale color
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Diagnosis

Diagnosing gas pain in the chest is necessary to avoid serious complications.

A physical examination is normally not accurate enough for an exact diagnosing, so a doctor will normally recommend extra tests, so much as an cardiogram (ECG). An ECG can look for heart problems.

Once heart concerns are subordinate out, a doctor may recommend other tests to identify possible causes of the chest pain. These can include:

  • blood or skin tests to check for allergies or food intolerance
  • tests for degenerative inflammatory conditions, so much as Crohn's illness or UC
  • upper GI examination (EGD) to check for damage to the oesophagus, stomach, or duodenum
  • abdominal ultrasound or CT scan to take images of abdominal organs

Treatment and home remedies


Drinking ginger tea may help to relieve dyspepsia and other digestive symptoms.

Treatment for gas pain in the chest often begins at home.

The following home remedies may help to ease the pain of excess gas in the chest:

Drink warm liquids

Drinking plenty of liquids can help to move excess gas through the digestive system, which can ease gas pain and discomfort. Drinking non-effervescent beverages will avoid extra gas intake.

Warm water or herbal teas may help to ease pain and discomfort for some people.

Eat some ginger

Ginger root has traditionally been used to help with digestive issues. Research published in the European Journal of medicine and Hepatology suggests that ginger can help with certain digestive symptoms.

Ginger can be found in the form of candies, drinks, and powders. A small bit of the root may be eaten or made into ginger tea.

Avoid possible triggers

If the exact cause of gas pain in the chest is not best-known, it may be best to avoid any possible digestive triggers. This could include effervescent drinks and sodas, milk and dairy farm products, and protein.

Exercise

Exercise may help gas to move through the digestive system to be eliminated. Even a simple walk around the block may help.

Medical treatments

Medical treatment options are available to help with gas pain in the chest. Over-the-counter medications, so much as Bi subsalicylate (Pepto Bismol) may ease some dyspepsia symptoms.

Chronic conditions, for example, IBS, GERD, UC, or Crohn's illness, may need to be treated with prescriptions from a doctor, though treatment will vary in each case.

In most instances of food poisoning, a person can recover with home treatment, so much as association and rest. In worse cases, they may require antibiotics or time in the hospital.

In some cases, gallstones mightiness be treatable with medication that may encourage the body to dissolve the stones over time.

Prevention

Preventing gas pain can be as easy as avoiding common triggers, including:

  • greasy and spicy foods
  • caffeinated or effervescent beverages
  • artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols
  • contaminated food
  • foods that cause allergies or intolerances

Regular exercise can besides help keep the digestive system working well.

Complications

Complications related to excess gas in the chest are mostly due to an underlying condition. For instance, people with severe food poisoning or food intolerances may be at risk of complications.

Symptoms of hypersensitivity reaction or food poisoning need immediate medical care. These can include:

  • rashes or feeling warm in the face
  • swelling of the throat, face, or mouth
  • bloody stools or vomit
  • diarrhea and deassociation

When a person experiences chest pain on with these symptoms, they should seek emergency medical care.

Outlook

There are galore causes of gas pain in the chest, and galore treatments or home remedies that may help relieve the feeling. The reason behind gas pain in the chest should be diagnosed by a doctor to determine the best treatment.

Harmless gas pain in the chest will atypically go away quickly with home treatments or over-the-counter medicines. Taking preventative measures and seeking a medical diagnosing may help treat any underlying issues and avoid complications.

Anyone experiencing other symptoms related to more serious conditions should seek emergency medical attention.

Anyone who experiences persistent and severe symptoms of gas pain in the chest, or symptoms that last for more than 2 hours and do not respond to home treatment, should besides seek medical attention.

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