What are the common causes of epigastric pain? How can epigastric pain be treated? How is epigastric pain diagnosed?

Epigastric Pain: Causes, Symptoms, and Diagnosis

Epigastric pain is a common complaint that affects the middle of the upper abdomen, just below the ribcage. This type of pain can have a variety of underlying causes, ranging from simple indigestion to more serious conditions like peptic ulcer disease or gallbladder disorders. Understanding the potential causes and seeking prompt medical attention is crucial for managing epigastric pain effectively.

Causes of Epigastric Pain

1. Indigestion

Indigestion, also known as dyspepsia, is a common cause of epigastric pain. It occurs when the stomach produces excess acid to digest food, leading to irritation of the digestive system lining. Symptoms of indigestion include burping, bloating, feeling full, and nausea, often accompanied by epigastric pain.

2. Acid Reflux and GERD

Acid reflux, where stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, can cause epigastric pain as well as heartburn, a burning sensation in the chest. If acid reflux becomes chronic, it can lead to a condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which may require treatment and dietary changes to manage.

3. Overeating

Consuming more food than the stomach can comfortably accommodate can cause the stomach to expand beyond its normal capacity, leading to epigastric pain. Overeating can also trigger indigestion, acid reflux, and heartburn.

4. Lactose Intolerance

Individuals with lactose intolerance have difficulty digesting lactose, a sugar found in dairy products. Consuming dairy can cause epigastric pain, as well as other gastrointestinal symptoms like cramps, bloating, gas, nausea, and diarrhea.

5. Alcohol Consumption

Moderate alcohol consumption is generally not enough to upset the stomach or intestines. However, excessive alcohol intake or long-term heavy drinking can cause inflammation in the lining of the stomach, leading to epigastric pain and other digestive issues.

6. Esophagitis or Gastritis

Esophagitis, or inflammation of the esophageal lining, and gastritis, or inflammation of the stomach lining, can both cause epigastric pain. These conditions can be caused by acid reflux, infections, or irritation from certain medications, and may lead to complications if left untreated.

7. Hiatal Hernia

A hiatal hernia occurs when part of the stomach pushes up through the diaphragm and into the chest. In addition to epigastric pain, other common symptoms include sore throat, difficulty swallowing, and chest discomfort.

8. Peptic Ulcer Disease

Peptic ulcer disease, where the lining of the stomach or small intestine is damaged by a bacterial infection or certain medications, can cause epigastric pain and signs of internal bleeding, such as stomach pain, fatigue, and shortness of breath.

9. Gallbladder Disorders

Issues with the gallbladder, such as gallstones, can also lead to epigastric pain. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, and radiating pain to the back or right shoulder.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Epigastric Pain

If you are experiencing persistent or severe epigastric pain, it is important to seek medical attention. Your healthcare provider will likely start by taking a detailed medical history and performing a physical examination. Depending on the suspected cause, they may order additional tests, such as blood work, imaging studies, or endoscopic procedures, to make an accurate diagnosis.

The treatment for epigastric pain will depend on the underlying cause. In many cases, lifestyle changes, such as dietary modifications, stress management, and avoiding trigger foods or activities, may be the first line of treatment. Medications, such as antacids, proton pump inhibitors, or antibiotics, may be prescribed to address specific conditions. In more severe cases, surgical interventions may be necessary.

When to Seek Medical Attention

Epigastric pain can be a sign of a serious underlying condition, and it is important to seek medical attention if the pain is persistent, severe, or accompanied by other concerning symptoms, such as:

• Severe or worsening pain
• Vomiting, especially if the vomit contains blood or looks like coffee grounds
• Difficulty swallowing
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fever
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Dizziness or lightheadedness

If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to contact your healthcare provider immediately or seek emergency medical care.

Preventing Epigastric Pain

While some causes of epigastric pain, such as GERD or peptic ulcer disease, may not be entirely preventable, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk and manage the condition:

• Maintain a healthy, balanced diet and avoid trigger foods that may worsen your symptoms
• Practice stress management techniques, such as meditation or deep breathing, to reduce the impact of stress on your digestive system
• Limit alcohol consumption and quit smoking, as these can irritate the digestive system
• Take over-the-counter medications, such as antacids, as directed to manage symptoms
• Follow any treatment plans or dietary recommendations provided by your healthcare provider

By understanding the potential causes of epigastric pain and taking proactive steps to manage your health, you can help alleviate this discomfort and maintain a healthy digestive system.

Key Takeaways

Epigastric pain is a common complaint that can have a variety of underlying causes, ranging from simple indigestion to more serious conditions like peptic ulcer disease or gallbladder disorders. Understanding the potential causes, seeking prompt medical attention, and following a plan for managing the condition are crucial for addressing epigastric pain effectively.

Epigastric pain: Causes, treatment, and diagnosis

Epigastric pain affects the middle of the upper abdomen, just below the ribcage. It is common during pregnancy, but other causes range from eating too much to a peptic ulcer.

There are many common digestive problems associated with epigastric pain, as well as a range of other underlying conditions that can cause pain in that area.

Serious cases may be life-threatening, and it is important to work with a doctor to understand the difference between a simple cause of epigastric pain and a more serious underlying condition.

Epigastric pain is a common symptom of an upset stomach, which can be due to long-term gastrointestinal problems or just the occasional bout of indigestion.

1. Indigestion

Share on PinterestEpigastric pain is felt just under the ribcage and is generally not a cause for concern.

Indigestion usually occurs after eating. When a person eats something, the stomach produces acid to digest the food. Sometimes, this acid can irritate the lining of the digestive system.

Indigestion can cause symptoms such as:

• burping
• bloating in the abdomen
• feeling full or bloated, even if the portion size was not big
• nausea

These symptoms are often felt alongside epigastric pain. While indigestion happens to everyone from time to time, it may be a sign that a person is intolerant of something they have recently eaten.

2. Acid reflux and GERD

Acid reflux occurs when the stomach acid used in digestion gets backed up in the food pipe (esophagus). Acid reflux usually causes pain in the chest and throat, which is commonly known as heartburn. This feeling may accompany epigastric pain or be felt on its own.

Other common symptoms of acid reflux include:

• indigestion
• burning or aching chest pain
• feeling like there is a lump in the throat or chest
• an acidic or a vomit-like taste in the mouth
• a persistent sore throat or hoarse voice
• a persistent cough

Ongoing acid reflux can damage the food pipe and may cause gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. People with GERD experience epigastric pain and symptoms of indigestion frequently and may require treatment and dietary changes to manage the condition.

Some cases of GERD can lead to a condition called Barrett’s esophagus, where the tissue of the food pipe starts to look like the tissue in the intestines.

3. Overeating

The stomach is very flexible. However, eating more than necessary causes the stomach to expand beyond its normal capacity.

If the stomach expands considerably, it can put pressure on the organs around the stomach and cause epigastric pain. Overeating can also cause indigestion, acid reflux, and heartburn.

4. Lactose intolerance

Lactose intolerance can be another cause of epigastric pain. People who are lactose intolerant have trouble breaking down lactose, a sugar found in milk and other dairy products.

For people with lactose intolerance, eating dairy can cause epigastric pain and other symptoms, including:

• stomach pains
• cramps and bloating
• gas
• nausea or vomiting
• diarrhea

5.

Drinking alcohol

Moderate drinking is usually not enough to upset the stomach or intestines. However, drinking too much alcohol at once or excess alcohol over long periods of time can cause inflammation in the lining of the stomach. This inflammation can lead to epigastric pain and other digestive issues.

6. Esophagitis or gastritis

Esophagitis is inflammation of the lining of the food pipe. Gastritis is inflammation of the lining of the stomach. Esophagitis and gastritis can be caused by acid reflux, infections, and irritation from certain medications. Some immune system disorders may also cause inflammation.

If this inflammation is left untreated, it can create scar tissue or bleeding. Other common symptoms include:

• acidic or vomit-like taste in the mouth
• persistent cough
• burning in the chest and throat
• trouble swallowing
• nausea
• vomiting or spitting up blood
• poor nutrition

7. Hiatal hernia

A hiatal hernia occurs when part of the stomach pushes up through the diaphragm and into the chest. This may be due to an accident or weakened diaphragm muscles.

In addition to epigastric pain, other common symptoms of hiatal hernias include:

• sore throat
• irritation or scratchiness in the throat
• trouble swallowing
• gas or especially loud burps
• chest discomfort

Hiatal hernias typically affect older people and may not cause epigastric pain in every case.

8. Peptic ulcer disease

Peptic ulcer disease is when the lining of the stomach or small intestine has been damaged by a bacterial infection or by taking too much of certain medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Symptoms of peptic ulcer disease can include epigastric pain and signs of internal bleeding, such as stomach pain, fatigue, and shortness of breath.

9. Gallbladder disorder

Issues with the gallbladder may also cause epigastric pain. Gallstones may be blocking the opening of the gallbladder, or the gallbladder may be inflamed. Specific gallbladder symptoms can include:

• intense pain near the upper right side of the stomach after eating
• clay-colored stool
• jaundice or yellowing skin
• loss of appetite
• gas and bloating

10. Pregnancy

It is very common to feel mild epigastric pain during pregnancy. This is commonly caused by acid reflux or pressure on the abdomen from the expanding womb. Changes in hormone levels throughout pregnancy can also aggravate acid reflux and epigastric pain.

Severe or persistent epigastric pain during pregnancy can be a sign of a more serious condition, so a woman should visit her doctor if experiencing any unusual symptoms.

Share on PinterestAn endoscopy may be carried out to find the cause of unexplained epigastric pain.

Diagnosing the cause of epigastric pain is essential to ensure proper treatment. A healthcare professional will likely ask a series of questions about the pain and any additional symptoms.

If the cause is unclear, they may order tests, including:

• imaging tests, such as X-rays, ultrasound, or an endoscopy
• urine tests to check for infections or bladder disorders
• blood tests
• cardiac tests

Treating epigastric pain will vary according to the cause. For instance, if overeating frequently causes epigastric pain, a person may wish to eat smaller portions and ensure they are eating filling foods, such as lean proteins. They may also want to avoid foods that cause gas.

Conditions such as GERD, peptic ulcers, and Barrett’s esophagus may require long-term treatment to manage symptoms. A person should work with their doctor to find a treatment plan that works for them.

If a doctor thinks that taking certain medications is causing the condition, they may recommend switching to a new drug or reducing the dosage.

Over-the-counter or prescription antacids to help reduce frequent acid reflux and epigastric pain caused by stomach acid may be helpful.

Occasional epigastric pain is not usually a cause for concern, but anyone with severe or persistent epigastric pain should see their doctor.

Symptoms that last more than a few days or that occur more than twice a week on a regular basis would be considered persistent.

A visit to the emergency room may be necessary in some cases. Signs of severe complications that require prompt treatment include:

• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• intense pressure or squeezing pain in the chest
• coughing up blood
• blood in the stool
• nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea lasting more than 24 hours in adults
• high fever
• extreme fatigue or loss of consciousness

Many cases of epigastric pain can be treated and prevented by making small changes in the diet or lifestyle. Even chronic symptoms can be managed well with medications and dietary changes.

Epigastric Pain: 12 Possible Causes

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Epigastric pain refers to pain or discomfort right below your ribs in the area of your upper abdomen. It can have many causes, including acid reflux, gallstones, or indigestion. Depending on the cause, you may need medical attention and monitoring.

Is this cause for concern?

Epigastric pain is a name for pain or discomfort right below your ribs in the area of your upper abdomen. It often happens alongside other common symptoms of your digestive system. These symptoms can include heartburn, bloating, and gas.

Epigastric pain isn’t always cause for concern. This condition has many possible causes, especially when it happens right after eating.

It’s important to be able to tell the difference between pain that’s a result of something harmless, like overeating or lactose intolerance, and pain that happens because of an underlying condition, such as GERD, inflammation, or infection.

Keep reading to learn more about what may be causing your symptoms.

Acid reflux happens when some of your stomach acid or the food in your stomach washes back up into your esophagus. When this happens, it can cause pain in your chest and throat. Over time, constant acid reflux can cause gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD requires regular monitoring by your doctor.

Common symptoms of acid reflux include:

• heartburn
• indigestion
• abnormal acidic taste in your mouth
• throat soreness or hoarseness
• feeling a lump in your throat
• ongoing cough

Learn more: What are the differences between heartburn, acid reflux, and GERD? »

Identifying gallbladder problems »

Heartburn is a result of acid reflux. This can cause burning chest pain. Indigestion (dyspepsia) is a name for digestive symptoms that happen when you eat types of foods that don’t seem to agree with you.

The most common symptom of heartburn is a burning feeling in your chest after you eat. This burning feeling usually is worse when you lie or bend down. This is because the acid moves farther up your esophagus.

Common symptoms of indigestion include:

• feeling bloated
• burping
• getting full even if you haven’t eaten much
• nausea
• pressure in your abdomen from gas

Learn more: How to stop overeating »

Lactose intolerance happens when your body has trouble digesting dairy products, such as milk or cheese. Dairy products all contain a type of sugar called lactose. Typically, symptoms will occur every time you eat dairy.

Lactose intolerance often develops when you don’t have enough lactase in your body. This enzyme is important in breaking down the sugar lactose.

Common symptoms of lactose intolerance include:

• feeling bloated
• stomach pains
• pressure in your abdomen from gas
• diarrhea
• nausea
• throwing up

Drinking alcohol in moderation, or about one drink per day, normally doesn’t cause stomach pain. But drinking too much alcohol at one time or over a long period of time can cause your stomach lining to become inflamed. Long-term inflammation can lead to bleeding.

Drinking too much can also cause conditions such as:

• gastritis, or stomach inflammation
• pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas
• liver disease

These conditions can all cause epigastric pain, too.

Check out: Gastritis diet: What to eat and what to avoid »

When you eat too much, your stomach can expand beyond its normal size. This puts a lot of pressure on the organs around it. This pressure can cause pain in your gut. It can also make it hard to breathe because your lungs have less room to expand when you inhale.

Overeating can also cause stomach acid and contents to back up into your esophagus. This can cause heartburn and acid reflux. These conditions can make the epigastric pain that you feel after eating much worse.

If you have an eating disorder related to binge eating, repeated vomiting after eating can also cause epigastric pain.

Learn more: Identifying gallbladder problems »

A hiatal hernia happens when part of your stomach gets pushed up towards your diaphragm through the hole that the esophagus passes through, which is called the hiatus.

Hiatal hernias don’t always cause pain or discomfort.

Common symptoms of a hiatal hernia can include:

• indigestion
• burning feeling in your chest
• irritated or sore throat
• burping loudly

Esophagitis happens when your esophagus lining becomes inflamed. Common causes include acid coming back up from your stomach, allergies, infection, or chronic irritation from medications. If you don’t treat it, over time esophagitis can eventually lead to scarring on your esophagus lining.

Common symptoms of esophagitis include:

• burning in your chest or throat
• abnormal acidic taste in your mouth
• coughing
• having trouble swallowing or having pain when swallowing

Gastritis happens when the lining of your stomach (mucosa) becomes inflamed due to a bacterial infection, an immune system disorder, or ongoing damage to your stomach. It can be acute and last for only a brief time, or it can be chronic, lasting for years or more if you don’t get treatment.

Common symptoms of gastritis can include:

• pain or discomfort in your upper body or chest
• nausea
• vomiting, or throwing up blood or something that looks like coffee grounds
• passing black stool

Peptic ulcer disease happens when the lining of your stomach or small intestine gets damaged due to a bacterial infection or by taking too much of certain medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain relief.

Common symptoms of peptic ulcer disease can include:

• nausea
• vomiting
• feeling easily full
• stomach pains that food can make better or worse
• signs of bleeding that can include tiredness, paleness, or shortness of breath

Barrett’s esophagus happens when the tissue that lines your esophagus starts to become more like the tissue lining your intestines. This is known as intestinal metaplasia. This condition requires close follow-up. Unchecked, Barrett’s esophagus can lead to cancer of the esophagus. GERD, smoking, consuming alcohol, and obesity are also risk factors for this type of cancer.

This condition doesn’t have any unique symptoms of its own. If it happens because of GERD, you may have symptoms such as:

• throat soreness or hoarseness
• abnormal acidic taste in your mouth
• burning in your stomach
• heartburn
• having trouble swallowing

Epigastric pain can develop when your gallbladder becomes inflamed as gallstones block the opening of your gallbladder. The condition is known as cholecystitis. This can be painful and may require hospitalization or surgery.

Common symptoms of gallbladder inflammation can include:

• not having an appetite
• intense pain around your gallbladder (upper right side of your stomach)
• nausea and vomiting
• bloating and gas
• high fever
• clay-colored stools
• skin that looks yellow (jaundice)

Mild epigastric pain is common while you’re pregnant due to the pressure that your growing pregnancy puts on your abdominal area. It’s also common because of the changes in your hormones and your digestion. You may also experience frequent heartburn while you’re pregnant.

However, significant epigastric pain in pregnancy is sometimes a symptom of a serious condition known as preeclampsia. It requires close monitoring by your doctor and can become life-threatening if severe. You’ll require close observation, blood pressure checks, blood tests, and urine tests to rule this out as a cause of epigastric pain.

Treatment for epigastric pain depends on the cause. If your pain is a result of your diet or overeating, your doctor may recommend that you change your diet or lifestyle.

This may include exercising for about 30 minutes each day or eating healthier foods. Eating foods like ginger and taking vitamin B supplements may help relieve symptoms like nausea and throwing up. Shop for vitamin B supplements online.

If the pain is a result of taking certain medications, such as NSAIDs, your doctor may tell you to stop taking these medications and help you find another way to manage pain. Your doctor may recommend antacids or even acid-blocking medicines to relieve your pain.

If an underlying condition such as GERD, Barrett’s esophagus, or peptic ulcer disease is causing your epigastric pain, you may require antibiotics as well as long-term treatment to manage these conditions. Treatment may last for months or even the duration of your life, depending on the cause.

See your doctor right away if your epigastric pain is severe, ongoing, or interfering with your daily life.

You should go to the emergency room if you have any of the following symptoms:

• trouble breathing or swallowing
• throwing up blood
• blood in your stool or black, tarry stool
• high fever
• chest pain
• difficulty breathing
• passing out

You should also see your doctor if your symptoms last for more than a few days without getting any better with over-the-counter or home treatments. Many causes of epigastric pain can easily be treated, including chronic conditions. Seeing your doctor as soon as you notice epigastric pain that isn’t going away can help you relieve your symptoms and get any underlying conditions under control.

≡ Pain in the chest on the right • treatment of pain in the right chest in Kyiv

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• REASONS
• When should you see a doctor?
• TREATMENT at the ASSET CENTER

Pain in the right side of the chest may indicate serious medical conditions that are not usually related to the heart, but they can also be symptoms of other equally dangerous diseases. If you experience discomfort and pain in the right side of your chest, you should immediately see a doctor to treat this condition.

Causes of right chest pain

Causes of pain in the right side of the chest vary from the effects of excessive physical activity to infections and underlying diseases. Some of the best explained reasons are listed here:

• Viral infection: a viral infection that is responsible for a cold or flu, aching pain in the right chest when inhaling. Chest pain may become more pronounced with deep breathing and coughing.
• Gastritis: Gastritis, or inflammation of the stomach wall, usually occurs after fasting or excessive alcohol consumption and can cause abdominal pain and sharp pains in the right chest.
• Pleural Inflammation: Inflammation of the pleural tissues surrounding the lungs can cause pain in the right side of the chest, and in some cases the pain is aggravated by deep breathing and coughing.
• Gallbladder disease: Gallbladder attacks often present as pain in the right side of the chest due to inflammation of the gallbladder, and this may become more apparent after eating foods high in fat. You may also experience pain if gallstones get stuck in your bile duct.
• Spine and muscles: severe pain in the chest on the right can be provoked by incorrect body position, which lead to compression of muscle groups between the ribs and compression of organs in the chest: this occurs, for example, in the case of scoliosis, herniated disc, spondylosis. Muscular pain in the chest on the right, is defined as chronic, diffuse, fluctuating and migratory, and can also affect the intercostal muscle groups, both on the right and on the left.
• Intercostal neuralgia: In this case, the pain is caused by inflammation of the intercostal nerves. The most easily identified inflammation is cold or, in general, any sudden change in temperature. Dull pain on the right above the chest or the entire chest, restricting movement and squeezing the internal organs.
• Gastrointestinal Disorders: Gastrointestinal disorders associated with the esophagus often result in hardening of the walls, which may present as pain in the right side of the chest.
• Inflammation of the liver and hepatitis: Inflammation of the liver can cause pain on the right under the chest, as well as pain on the right side of the chest. Similarly, it can cause hepatitis, which is a disease that causes swelling and inflammation of the liver. To determine this disease, doctors will need to conduct medical tests to diagnose hepatitis.
• Trauma: Recent trauma, such as a minor shift of a rib, a fracture, or problems with the cervical spine, can be major causes of pain in the right side of the chest.
• Pancreatic dysfunction: Inflammation of the pancreas can lead to swelling of the abdomen, which can radiate chest pain.
• Cardiovascular problems: when there is a stabbing pain in the right side of the chest, the greatest fear is that it may be a sign of cardiovascular diseases, such as a heart attack. Since the center of pain may be on the left, but give to the right side. In assessing the origin of pain behind the chest on the right or left, the time factor is always taken into account. True heart pain is not of a long-term nature, the count goes on for minutes. In other words, the heart cannot “wine, pull, prick” for several hours, days, or day after day.
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): is a chronic disease, inflammation of the walls of the lower esophagus, as a result of the movement of gastric or duodenal contents into the esophagus. Irritation of the esophagus may present as chest pain.
• Tumors of the breast: Tumors that develop inside or around the lungs can cause pain on the right side of the chest.
• Side effect of antacids: Chronic use of antacids is associated with pain in the right side of the chest.
• Excessive effort: strenuous activities that require the use of the pectoral muscles can lead to pain in the right side. The pain is likely related to muscle pain and may be exacerbated by specific movements.
• Stress: Stress can aggravate digestive disorders that lead to pain on the right side of the chest. Some key stressors are work, school or family and relationship issues.
• Muscle strain: A strain on the muscles or ligaments of the chest and trauma to the chest can lead to pain in the right side of the chest.
• Food blockage: blockage of the esophagus by food or drink causes congestion that can lead to pain in the right side of the chest.

Complications of right chest pain

Pain in the right side of the chest may cause other symptoms: burning in the chest and under the chest, acid reflux in the mouth, difficulty swallowing, painful breathing, chest pain when changing body position, circulatory disorders in the hands.

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In case of chest pain, in combination with the following symptoms, you should call an ambulance for immediate medical attention: sudden pressure, feeling of oppression and overwhelming weight under the breast; chest pain radiating to the left arm, back, or jaws; after long periods of inactivity in the chest there is a sudden throbbing pain in the right chest, which is accompanied by difficulty in breathing; fast heart rate, dizziness, nausea, rapid breathing, confusion, pallor, and excessive sweating; extremely low heart rate or blood pressure.

In this case, self-treatment is not desirable. Taking painkillers can only muffle the manifestations of pain, but not cure. If you experience any pain in the right side of the chest, you should definitely see a doctor as soon as possible. The Active Center deals with the treatment of pain on the right in the chest in Kyiv arising from a disease of the musculoskeletal system. Scoliosis, intervertebral hernia, muscles, diseases of the cervical and thoracic spine

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This blog is not intended to provide diagnosis, treatment, or medical advice. The content of the blog on the resource active-center.com.ua is for informational purposes only. Please consult a physician or other healthcare professional regarding any medical or health-related diagnosis or treatment options. Self-medication can be hazardous to your health.

My story, which led me to the Active Center, may be familiar to many. I was tormented by chest pain, for a long time they could not find the cause. Tolya did not get to those doctors, or doctors are like that. The age is no longer childish, as I thought it was a problem with the heart. I went to a cardiologist for an appointment, they did a cardiogram, but prescribed medication. But I didn’t feel better from them, although the pain either went away or appeared again, when I breathed in, it pricked my chest. They advised me to visit a neurologist. I found a consultation near the house and I got to the neurologist Holovataya Olga, although she had already finished the appointment, but agreed to see me without an appointment. The sweetest woman, so attentive, very kind and pleasant in conversation. You have no idea how grateful I am to her, and not only for the advice and for the human attitude. It turned out that it was intercostal neuralgia, and not the heart, thanks to competent treatment, the pain no longer bothers. Thank you for helping me.

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Thank you Lyudmila Yakovlevna for your feedback and your kindness. We wish you so much health that you don’t even think about going to the doctors anymore). Best wishes to you.

I had pain in the right chest, I found information about you on the Internet. Pleased with your work. I recommend.

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Thank you for your feedback. Sincerely, Active Center Administrator.

Right chest pain

Pain behind the sternum on the right

Pain in the chest on the right is a fairly common symptom of many diseases. It is very important to determine the nature of the pain and the duration of spasmodic reactions in order to correctly diagnose the disease. In no case should one turn a blind eye to signals such as pain, because it is not unreasonable. Even if you know what causes your chest pain on the right side, self-medication without examination and doctor’s conclusions is highly discouraged.

In order for you to be aware of the risks of diseases associated with right chest pain, we have prepared for you complete and detailed information about their causes, symptoms, treatment and prevention.

Causes of right chest pain

Pain in the chest on the right side due to chest trauma, excessive exercise, sprains and injuries:

• Strenuous exercise and strain can cause pain in the intercostal and pectoral muscles. This pain is also called krepatura. It appears after active classes in the gym or hard physical work. This is a completely harmless pain, which is caused by the release of lactic acid in the connective tissues of the muscles, as well as partial damage to the muscle and ligamentous structures of those muscles that strained the most. The appearance of such pain is the result of an inadequate approach to the training schedule, an incorrect calculation of the load on the body. It usually manifests itself as an intramuscular pulling unpleasant sensation, and with sudden movements it can intensify.
• Trauma and damage to the chest and organs under its strong but still vulnerable protection can also cause pain in the chest on the right. For example, a fracture of the ribs reminds of itself with stabbing pain directly at the site of injury, especially when squeezing the chest. It is also strongly manifested when coughing and calms down, as soon as the patient sits down and relaxes.

With bruises on the body, bruises and bruises can be observed. A slight bruise is absolutely not dangerous for a person, although it can cause small hemorrhages and ruptures. While a severe bruise can lead to rupture of the lung and death.

Right chest pain due to viral and infectious diseases:

• Viral diseases can cause pain when you take a deep breath, sneeze or cough. In this case, the localization of pain will depend on the weakest part of the organs affected by the infection. In such a situation, the lung on the right side or the intercostal muscles of a weakened body may hurt. Sometimes with a simple cold, this pain can disappear after a course of special drug treatment, and the patient’s mandatory stay in bed. But there are cases when the patient’s state of health deteriorates significantly, which leads to serious violations of the vital functions of the respiratory system.

Pain in the chest on the right due to disruption of the respiratory system:

• Pneumonia is one of the most serious diseases of the lungs, manifested in the patient’s body as inflammation, which can affect both one part of the organ and affect both sides. There is a fairly wide range of viruses and infections that can cause this disease, but the most important fact that everyone should know is that pneumonia, which is so difficult to treat and can be fatal in severe cases, can be caused by improper medication. Usually pneumonia is manifested by fever, chest pain, characteristic wheezing and cough.
• Pleurisy is a disease of the lungs associated with inflammation of their lining. This inflammatory process causes pain in the right side of the chest, especially during coughing or other diaphragmatic tension. Pleurisy is recognized with sudden painful spasms in the chest, as the ability to breathe deeply is lost, and patients with pleurisy often experience suffocation. Inflammation of the pleura often manifests itself as a post-symptom of pneumonia, and also accompanies the course of tuberculosis, or in cardiovascular diseases.
• The presence of a tumor in the lungs and bronchi, as the most difficult and not comforting diagnosis for the patient, can also cause pain in the right side of the chest. As a rule, tumors in the pulmonary region are classified by oncologists as bronchopulmonary cancer, the main distinguishing feature of which is a dry, choking cough with bloody expectoration. Lung cancer comes with a host of different symptoms, including chest pain.

Pain in the chest on the right side due to diseases of the digestive system:

• Heartburn is the most common cause of discomfort in the right chest. It appears as a result of excessive secretion of gastric juice and its entry into the esophagus. An unpleasant sensation may appear immediately after eating or after half an hour, but there are also cases when heartburn also appears on an empty stomach. The disease-causing effect of heartburn can spread throughout the esophagus, which causes a lot of inconvenience to the patient, as heartburn begins its journey in the stomach and rises to the very throat. In this case, the patient feels a burning sensation in the chest from several minutes to an hour.
• Stagnation of food in the digestive tract. For this reason, chest pain on the right side may also appear. The fact is that during the digestive process, food or liquid can get stuck in the esophagus. This phenomenon often causes pain in the chest on the right, which is due to strong pressure on the walls of the esophagus and is aggravated by swallowing and tension of the diaphragm.
• Diseases of the liver, including any inflammatory acute or chronic process, as well as parasitic lesions of the liver, can cause stinging pain in under the ribs on the right side. It becomes especially strong when pressing on the organ, sneezing and coughing. Separately, it is necessary to highlight one of the types of inflammation of the liver, such as hepatitis.
• Hepatitis, which has several forms (A, B, C, D), is popularly called jaundice, since the skin and the white part of the eye take on a yellowish tint due to the ingestion of bilirubin, which is not processed in the liver, into the blood. However, there are also cases of hepatitis when jaundice does not appear, but in any case, the disease is given out by painful spasms in the right hypochondrium. They arise as a result of stretching of the liver membrane due to its increase. The nature of the pain can be quite varied: dull and prolonged pain may appear, or sharp and intense pain may occur, the impulses of which can even reach the right shoulder and shoulder blade.
• Dysfunction in the gallbladder is one of the causes of pain in the right hypochondrium, associated with abnormalities in the formation and excretion of bile from the body.
• Biliary dyskinesia is a disease caused by impaired flow of bile. With this disease, there are absolutely no organic or structural changes in the gallbladder, but only the motor function of the bile ducts is disturbed. Dyskinesia causes too much or vice versa insufficient contraction of the gallbladder, which explains the violation of the non-synchronous opening and closing of the bile ducts. Doctors associate the appearance of dyskinesia with acute and chronic psycho-traumatic situations, deep intrapersonal conflicts, and individual intolerance by the patient’s body of certain foods (allergies) is also very important.
• Chronic cholecystitis is a disease of the gallbladder caused by its inflammation. Most often, an acute bacterial infection becomes the causative agent of chronic cholecystitis – it can be a mass of varieties of E. coli, enterococcus, proteus, staphylococcus, streptococcus. Of particular importance is a parasitic infection of the biliary tract, contributing to the long-term course of inflammatory processes, as well as changes in the properties of bile, the formation of stones and impaired bile outflow.
• Gallstone disease is an abnormal process in the bile that results in the formation of crystalline structures of cholesterol and calcium salts in the bile ducts and gallbladder. A disease of this kind indicates a wrong lifestyle, excessive consumption of fatty foods and alcohol. Gallstone disease immediately makes you aware of its appearance with unbearable stinging pain in the right hypochondrium. In this case, you should definitely consult a doctor, since only a qualified specialist can diagnose the disease and prescribe an effective treatment. Do not try to cure gallstone disease at home, because it will not lead to anything good.

Pain in the chest on the right, due to failures with the cardiovascular system:

• Angina pectoris is a heart disease that manifests itself in the form of attacks of sudden pain in the chest, both on the left and on the right side. Angina pectoris is a consequence of an acute shortage of blood supply to the myocardium. This is a severe form of coronary heart disease that requires hospital treatment. Due to the lack of oxygen supply to the necessary areas of the heart and lungs, pressing pain in the chest appears. It can take a person by surprise both during the day during physical exertion and at night at rest. Doctors can recognize this disease at the first visit of the patient, while its complications require tests and continuous monitoring of the patient in the hospital.
• Myocardial infarction, or heart attack, is the death of part of the heart muscle, which is directly related to a lack of blood and oxygen supply to this muscle. It is also one of the results of clinical forms of coronary heart disease. It is characterized by a sudden onset of sharp pain that spreads to the chest area and radiates to the left shoulder and neck. In case of a heart attack, an ambulance is immediately called, because if help is not provided as quickly as possible, a person may die.
• Pericarditis is an inflammatory process of the pericardial sac – the pericardium, which is the protective membrane of the heart. Very often, pericarditis manifests itself as a symptom of infectious, autoimmune and oncological abnormalities and heart diseases, and much less often acts as an independent disease. Manifestations of pericarditis directly depend on the intensity of inflammatory processes and their form. Thus, the main indicators of pericarditis in its dry form are pain signals in the region of the heart. By their nature, they are very similar to angina pectoris or dry pleurisy, which is why the correct treatment of inflammation of the pericardium often begins with a great delay due to difficult diagnosis. One of the hallmarks of pain in pericarditis is that it increases with deep inspiration, coughing, or when the body is in a horizontal position. Effusive pericarditis is accompanied by the release of fluid into the pericardial space, the patient feels pressure in the region of the heart, it becomes difficult for him to breathe, shortness of breath appears, as well as squeezing of the esophagus. The patient’s body reacts to such a painful process with fever, swelling of the face and neck appears, and the veins strongly show through.

Right chest pain symptoms

We have previously listed many reasons that can cause pain in the right hypochondrium. However, in order to choose from the list of causes the most likely for a particular case, you need to know the types of pain and the symptoms that accompany it. A correct understanding of the symptoms of pain will allow the doctor to make a correct history and conduct the most necessary tests in the first place and promptly prescribe treatment. Next, we will talk about the types of pain, its localization and what it means in each case:

Pulling and aching pain in the chest on the right can be caused by excessive physical exertion and disappears within a day. Such pain can appear after bruises and injuries of the chest. Often, it develops into a stabbing pain, depending on the nature of the injury, and is aggravated by tension in the diaphragm when a person sneezes, coughs, or takes deep breaths.

Pain in the right upper chest may be associated with inflammatory processes in the lungs. Usually, diseases such as pneumonia and bronchitis are accompanied by high fever, hoarse noises in the lungs and severe cough.

Sudden painful cramps in the chest can begin after pneumonia. Pleurisy develops and then the patient loses the ability to breathe deeply, and very often there is suffocation. Also, spasmodic pain in the upper chest, accompanied by a bloody choking cough, may indicate the presence of cancer in the lungs.

The burning sensation in the chest on the right arises from heartburn and spreads throughout the body from the esophagus to the very throat. Such pain comes most often after eating, but it can also happen on an empty stomach, it all depends on the characteristics of the patient’s body. The duration of such pain lasts from several minutes to an hour.

Acute pain on the right under the chest can be caused by liver diseases such as hepatitis, cholecystitis and gallbladder dysfunction. With liver disease, the skin and eye proteins of the patient take on a yellowish tint, and if you lightly press on the diseased organ, the pain intensifies. It is also aggravated by any tension of the chest.

Unbearable stabbing pain occurs at the very first prerequisites for cholelithiasis. Any problems with the outflow and patency of bile should be solved only in the doctor’s office, since diseases of the gallbladder bring a lot of pain to the patient and can lead to serious complications. Therefore, if it happens that you feel a sharp stabbing pain on the right under the ribs, immediately call the doctors.

If the pain is systematic and has the character of an attack, has clear conditions for the appearance and remission, that is, a certain time and external factors of influence, then most likely it will pass completely if you take nitroglycerin. Because such pain is characteristic of angina pectoris – one of the types of coronary heart disease. The pain appears from physical or psychological stress, and with age, the pain from angina pectoris only intensifies.

Compressive dull pain throughout the chest, starting on the left side and giving spasm to the right hypochondrium, making breathing difficult, and squeezing the esophagus – this is pain from pericarditis. It is quite difficult for doctors to diagnose it, since the symptoms of this disease are significantly similar to other diseases of the cardiovascular system and lungs.

A sharp pain in the chest on the right, which has the character of an attack, differs in that it begins in the region of the heart on the left and gives a sharp impulse to the right shoulder, but then spreads to the right side of the chest. This is a myocardial infarction, that is, a heart attack. If such symptoms have taken place, you should immediately call an ambulance, since the patient’s life without the help of doctors can end at any moment.

Diagnosis of right chest pain

The diagnosis of a patient who applied to the hospital with chest pain on the right is made according to a strict algorithm. According to the nature of the pain and general symptoms, first aid is provided. For example, myocardial infarction or cholelithiasis cannot be confused with an attack of another disease. Therefore, if all the signs are on the face, then in an emergency mode, the patient is given first aid and further treatment. And if the causes of the disease when the patient is admitted to the hospital are not known, then by means of ECG and ultrasound, diseases of the cardiovascular system such as angina pectoris are excluded. Further, depending on what the patient complains about, the doctor takes an anamnesis and prescribes treatment. If the patient complains of a burning sensation in the chest, a special test is performed for the acidity of the gastric juice and the functioning of the lower food sphincter.

The doctor determines the presence of injuries and bruises visually as a result of examining the patient, as well as using palpation – a tactile examination. And if the pain intensifies when pressing on the chest area, then the patient from the diagnostic department is sent to traumatology. If the patient is admitted to the hospital with a high fever, cough and characteristic wheezing, he is assigned a series of routine tests, as well as a computer scan – a tomogram, as a result of which the doctor will be able to determine the damaged areas of the lungs and diagnose one of the diseases of the respiratory system.

Treatment of right chest pain

After the anamnesis and diagnosis of the disease were successful, the doctor prescribes a treatment for the disease that will exclude chest pain on the right from the patient’s life for many years, and maybe forever, depending on the complexity of the disease.

Pain in the left hypochondrium due to bruises and injuries of the chest. The very first aid that needs to be provided to the patient before the arrival of the doctor is the imposition of a tight girdle bandage around the chest. The patient must take an anesthetic – an injection of two milliliters of a fifty percent solution of analgin. If the fracture of the ribs is multiple, in any case it is accompanied by difficulty in breathing and cyanosis. After first aid, depending on the complexity of the fracture, the patient is hospitalized either in the intensive care unit, or in the trauma or thoracic department. In the hospital, doctors maintain normal airway patency and bronchial function, prescribe physiotherapy exercises and breathing exercises for this. To improve the functions of the bronchial tree, massages and inhalations are prescribed. When a rib is fractured, antibiotic therapy is not used, since this group of patients is more likely to develop pneumonia, so they are prescribed antibiotics. In order for the body to continue to recover even after the hospital, the patient is prescribed to wear a special bandage or corset that helps keep the ribs in the desired shape.

Pain in the chest on the right side due to disruption of the respiratory system. Mild forms of respiratory diseases that cause chest pain on the right are treated in combination with simple antiviral and anti-influenza drugs. However, we have already seen that improper treatment or complications can cause the development of pneumonia. That is why it is so important to follow all the recommendations of the attending physician and follow the instructions for using the drugs. The decision to hospitalize a patient with pneumonia and other severe respiratory diseases depends on the age and condition of the patient. Most often, adults are treated at home. But in any case, a chest x-ray and a general blood test are mandatory for all patients before and after treatment. From the inflammatory processes of pneumonia, antibacterial drugs are prescribed. They must be taken according to the strict recommendations of the doctor. Even if the patient feels better, but the course of treatment has not yet been completed, this does not mean at all that drug treatment should be stopped, because the disease can return with double destructive force. If the drug effect on the patient’s body does not give results, then after three days the antibiotic is replaced with another one. Bronchodilators are also prescribed. In inpatient treatment, infusion therapy is practiced, oxygen inhalations are carried out, and massage is prescribed to improve the drainage function.

Pain in the chest on the right side due to diseases of the digestive system. In diseases of the digestive system, heartburn is a common symptom. Therefore, to get rid of it, you need to treat the root cause, that is, the underlying disease. In addition, the use of drugs is prescribed to help pacify excessive acidity inside the stomach. But all this is done only after careful research and analysis. Remember – heartburn never comes alone, there is always a serious gastroenterological disease behind it! As we already know, pain in the hypochondrium on the right is also provoked by inflammation and pathologies of the auxiliary organs of the digestive system, such as the liver and gallbladder. Liver disease is now treatable, thanks to the latest advances in medicine. But still, do not forget that this is a long-term process that requires medical supervision and self-medication is inappropriate here. After all, the liver is an organ that is most susceptible to drug stress, it suffers from incompetent intervention, which can lead to irreversible consequences. Drug treatment should be prescribed only by the attending physician. To cure the liver, hepatropic drugs are used, which combine three subgroups of drugs:

• Cholagogues: improve the secretion of bile and the process of its removal from the body.
• Hepatoprotective agents: normalize metabolic processes in the liver, improve its immunity to the effects of harmful substances, accelerate regeneration processes in various liver lesions.
• Cholelitholytics: regulate the amount of cholesterol in the liver and promote the dissolution of gallstones

Unfortunately, there are times when liver lesions have to be removed through surgery. But to prevent this from happening in your life, you must monitor your lifestyle, habits and nutrition. In this case, everything depends only on you!

Pain in the chest on the right, due to failures in the cardiovascular system. The heart is the organ without which human life is impossible. When making any independent decisions about his treatment, the patient has every chance to make a mistake and harm himself. Therefore, only a highly qualified specialist can determine the seriousness of the disease and decide on a strategy for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. The most terrible and generalizing feature of all cardiovascular diseases is that they all have a progressive character. That is why it is so important to contact a cardiologist at the first symptoms in order to stop the destructive processes in the early stages of the disease, quickly and effectively correct the work of the heart. Believe me, the sooner you start treating your sick heart, the more likely it is to restore its work, the fewer drugs you will have to drink, the cleaner your liver will be. Remember that sometimes heart disease has a latent progressive nature, and the patient may not even suspect that it is high time for him to start treatment.

How to prevent right chest pain

First of all, as a prevention of chest pain on the right, you need to control your lifestyle, and not go with the flow:

• You need to eat right, eat more vegetables and fruits and pay less attention to fatty foods, preservatives and fast food. After all, human eating habits affect primarily the work of his internal organs. In lovers of fatty foods, the heart and liver are filled with cholesterol plaques, which leads to diseases of the cardiovascular and digestive systems, metabolism is disturbed, and obesity appears.
• Advice from a qualified coach will help you play sports wisely. They will teach you how to avoid injury and overload, as well as severe consequences in the form of long-term treatment and pain.
• Do not self-medicate for acute respiratory illnesses, the consequences of which can be extremely distressing for you. After all, a simple cold or advanced bronchitis can one day turn into inflammatory or oncological formations.
• If you have experienced a bruise or chest injury, do not think that everything will go away on its own. There is a possibility that the organs that it protects, which are directly under it, are also injured. Micro-ruptures, sprains and hematomas after an injury can remind of themselves in a few months or even years.

Any pain is easier to prevent than to spend your energy, time and unexpected capital to cure it.