Suggest Remedies For The Mild Pain In The Chest

Posted on Fri, 25 Nov 2016

Question: I am feeling some mild pain on the left side of the chest area while laughing, deep breathing etc.

Answered by Dr. Remy Koshy (15 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Revert back with your query

Detailed Answer:
Hi xxxxxxxxxx,
Thanks for posting your query,

I have read through your query and I would like to know a few more details related so that I can help you accordingly,
- Is it of an acute or a chronic onset?
- Do you have any other associated features like shortness of breath, dry cough, fever, palpitations?
- Any history of similar episodes in the past?
- Is it a constant dull pain or a sharp pain?
- Any radiation of pain to shoulders or neck?
- Any recent history of lifting weights, any strenous exercises?
- Do you have any gastric symptoms like acid reflux, heartburn, bloating?

Kindly revert back with your updated query.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Remy Koshy (14 minutes later)

Thanks for the quick revert and valuable inputs. Below are the responses for the queries -

- Is it of an acute or a chronic onset?
Ans: Its a bit chronic, I experience this some times.
- Do you have any other associated features like shortness of breath, dry cough, fever, palpitations?
Ans: Nothing as such.
- Any history of similar episodes in the past?
Ans: Sometimes I have experienced this pain earlier also, which eazes of its own.
- Is it a constant dull pain or a sharp pain?
Ans: Its a constant dull pain, only felt while laughing or deep breathing.
- Any radiation of pain to shoulders or neck?
Ans: Nothing as such.
- Any recent history of lifting weights, any strenous exercises?
Ans: I do light workout with 5 kg dumbles, daily in the mornings.
- Do you have any gastric symptoms like acid reflux, heartburn, bloating?
Ans: Yes, Sometimes I do feel this, usually when I eat outside and even felt similer last night.

Please advice what to do.

Answered by Dr. Remy Koshy (28 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
consistent with chronic gastritis

Detailed Answer:
Hi again,
Thanks for the follow up,

The symptoms you are experiencing seems to be consistent with chronic gastritis. Inflammation of the esophagus is closely associated with this due to the reflux of bile and consequent narrowing. This will give rise to a constant dull pain in the chest which is usually reported to be exacerbated while deep breathing or laughing.

I would recommend you
- to start on antacids like pantoprazole or rabeprazole once daily half an hour before food for a period of minimum 2 weeks.
- You are also required to make some changes to your lifestyle like avoiding oily, spicy and fatty foods.
- Having small meals in regular intervals throughout the days also helps.
- Try to avoid any form of stress to a maximum.
- I would suggest you to discontinue any habit of taking pain killers frequently if at all, as it might aggravate your condition.

The medicines mentioned above are available OTC. As I said before start on pantoprazole 40mg once daily for 2 weeks and on Syp. Mucaine gel 1 teaspoon after food two times daily.

Hope I have answered to your query.
Kindly revert back for any further queries you may have
I am pleased to assist you further. If not kindly close the query and rate.

Thanks and regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D