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What Causes A Pain In The Chest Area?
Question: Today I had a minor pain in center of chest. I have a hiatal hernia and have felt pain in my chest before like this before went to hospital and nothing, so I didn't worry to much. But twice I felt some brief pain in left arm pit a little later. I am 55 male active 220lbs non drinker non smoker. The activity I was doing at the time, was tossing baseballs behind a L screen to baseball players to hit. When I bent over to pick up baseballs sometimes it made pain worse in chest but not under left arm pit I haven't felt that since the 2 times earlier today. I haven't worried about my heart to much because about 6 months ago i went to hospital because I woke up in pain in upper center back that extended enteral from that point. They did a ultrasound on my heart but they said it was sound. One doc came by and she said she had same systems when she had shingles. Sure enough 5 hours later shingles appeared in ares of pain. My question should I go to ER ? If it wasn't for the the brief pain in my left armpit I wouldn't be asking, thank you for your time!
Brief Answer:
Likely to be due to GERD
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone very carefully through your query. Your problem seems to be due to gastroesophageal reflux and your hiatal hernia definitely predisposes you to it. The presentation of pain in the center of chest is typical of reflux and since your heart factor has been ruled out there seems to be no other cause for concern. Although you are free to visit the ER, I doubt if that is required. I understand that the pain in the armpit is bothering you but since a heart cause has already been ruled out I do not think that you need to worry. Rather, in order to relieve yourself, you need to do the following:
* Avoid spicy food. Take small but frequent meals. Avoid long gaps between meals.
* Take Prilosec (omeprazole) once daily before breakfast.
* Take plenty of green leafy vegetables as well as other sources of dietary fibers. Take fiber supplements like isabgol/psyllium husk or senna. I would insist you to increase your dietary fiber intake.
* Regular morning walk and exercise to keep the bowel movements proper.
* Take curd or yogurt on daily basis. It contains beneficial bacteria and should help.
* Stress reduction has a very important role to play. Yoga and meditation should help.
Hopefully that should help.
Let me know if I could help further.
Regards
Likely to be due to GERD
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone very carefully through your query. Your problem seems to be due to gastroesophageal reflux and your hiatal hernia definitely predisposes you to it. The presentation of pain in the center of chest is typical of reflux and since your heart factor has been ruled out there seems to be no other cause for concern. Although you are free to visit the ER, I doubt if that is required. I understand that the pain in the armpit is bothering you but since a heart cause has already been ruled out I do not think that you need to worry. Rather, in order to relieve yourself, you need to do the following:
* Avoid spicy food. Take small but frequent meals. Avoid long gaps between meals.
* Take Prilosec (omeprazole) once daily before breakfast.
* Take plenty of green leafy vegetables as well as other sources of dietary fibers. Take fiber supplements like isabgol/psyllium husk or senna. I would insist you to increase your dietary fiber intake.
* Regular morning walk and exercise to keep the bowel movements proper.
* Take curd or yogurt on daily basis. It contains beneficial bacteria and should help.
* Stress reduction has a very important role to play. Yoga and meditation should help.
Hopefully that should help.
Let me know if I could help further.
Regards
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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