What are the common causes of chest and shoulder pain. How can you distinguish between different types of pain. When should you seek immediate medical attention for chest and shoulder discomfort.

Understanding the Link Between Chest and Shoulder Pain

Chest and shoulder pain can be alarming symptoms that may indicate various underlying conditions. While some causes are relatively benign, others can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Understanding the potential causes and recognizing the signs of serious conditions is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment.

The connection between chest and shoulder pain often stems from the complex network of nerves and muscles in this region. In some cases, pain may originate in one area but be felt in another, a phenomenon known as referred pain. This interconnectedness can make it challenging to pinpoint the exact source of discomfort without professional medical evaluation.

Angina: A Common Cause of Chest and Shoulder Discomfort

Angina is a prevalent condition characterized by chest pain resulting from reduced blood flow to the heart muscle. It occurs when the coronary arteries become narrowed or blocked, limiting the oxygen supply to the heart.

Types of Angina

• Stable angina: Follows a predictable pattern, often triggered by physical exertion or stress
• Unstable angina: Occurs unexpectedly, even at rest, and may last longer than 20 minutes

Are there different symptoms for stable and unstable angina? While both types primarily cause chest pain, unstable angina is generally more severe and may be accompanied by increasing pain intensity over time. Stable angina typically subsides within a few minutes, especially with rest or medication.

Recognizing Angina Symptoms

Chest pain is the primary symptom of angina, but it can manifest in various ways:

• Pain or pressure behind the breastbone
• Discomfort radiating to the left shoulder or arms
• Fatigue and shortness of breath
• Light-headedness or dizziness
• Nausea or indigestion
• Sweating and weakness

Can angina be mistaken for other conditions? Yes, the symptoms of angina can sometimes be confused with indigestion or muscle strain. However, if you experience recurring chest pain, especially with exertion, it’s essential to consult a healthcare provider for proper evaluation.

Heart Attack: A Medical Emergency Requiring Immediate Attention

A heart attack, or myocardial infarction, occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart muscle is severely reduced or completely blocked. This life-threatening condition requires immediate medical intervention to prevent permanent heart damage or death.

Recognizing Heart Attack Symptoms

Heart attack symptoms can vary in intensity and presentation, particularly between men and women:

Common Symptoms in Both Men and Women

• Chest tightness or pressure
• Pain spreading to neck, shoulders, arms, or back
• Shortness of breath
• Cold sweats
• Fatigue
• Indigestion or stomach discomfort

Symptoms More Common in Women

• Unusual fatigue lasting several days
• Sleep disturbances
• Anxiety
• Jaw or back pain
• Gradual onset of symptoms

Why do heart attack symptoms differ between men and women? The reasons aren’t entirely clear, but hormonal differences and variations in how heart disease develops in women may play a role. Women are more likely to experience symptoms unrelated to chest pain, which can lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment.

Gallbladder Issues: An Often Overlooked Source of Pain

The gallbladder, a small organ located beneath the liver, can be a source of significant discomfort when problems arise. Gallstones, in particular, can cause intense pain that may radiate to the chest and shoulder area.

Understanding Gallstones

Gallstones are hardened deposits of digestive fluid that can form in the gallbladder. They can range in size from tiny grains to larger masses. While the exact cause of gallstone formation isn’t always clear, several risk factors have been identified:

• Being female
• Age over 40
• Obesity
• Pregnancy

Recognizing Gallbladder Pain

Gallstone pain can be intense and may last for several hours. The location of the pain can vary:

• Right upper abdomen
• Center of the stomach, below the breastbone
• Right shoulder
• Between the shoulder blades

How can you differentiate gallbladder pain from other types of abdominal discomfort? Gallbladder pain often occurs after eating fatty foods and may be accompanied by nausea or vomiting. The pain typically comes in waves and can be quite severe. If you experience recurrent pain in these areas, especially after meals, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider for evaluation.

Pericarditis: Inflammation of the Heart’s Protective Sac

Pericarditis is the inflammation of the pericardium, the thin, two-layered sac that surrounds and protects the heart. This condition can cause significant chest and shoulder pain, often mimicking the symptoms of a heart attack.

Causes of Pericarditis

While the exact cause of pericarditis isn’t always clear, it’s often associated with:

• Viral infections
• Bacterial infections
• Autoimmune disorders
• Heart attacks or heart surgery
• Certain medications

Recognizing Pericarditis Symptoms

The primary symptom of pericarditis is chest pain, which can be sharp or dull. Other common symptoms include:

• Pain that spreads to the shoulder blade
• Discomfort that worsens when lying down or taking deep breaths
• Pain that improves when leaning forward
• Mild fever
• Weakness and fatigue

How is pericarditis diagnosed? Diagnosis typically involves a combination of physical examination, medical history, and diagnostic tests such as electrocardiogram (ECG), chest X-ray, and echocardiogram. Blood tests may also be performed to check for signs of inflammation or infection.

Pancreatitis: When Digestive Enzymes Attack the Pancreas

Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, an organ crucial for digestion and blood sugar regulation. This condition can cause severe abdominal pain that may radiate to the chest and shoulder area.

Types of Pancreatitis

• Acute pancreatitis: Sudden inflammation that typically resolves within a few days to weeks
• Chronic pancreatitis: Long-term inflammation that can lead to permanent damage

Causes of Pancreatitis

Several factors can contribute to the development of pancreatitis:

• Gallstones
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• High triglyceride levels
• Certain medications
• Autoimmune conditions
• Genetic factors

What are the primary symptoms of pancreatitis? The most common symptom is severe upper abdominal pain that may radiate to the back or chest. Other symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, fever, and a rapid pulse. In chronic cases, weight loss and diabetes may develop due to impaired pancreatic function.

When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention

While not all instances of chest and shoulder pain indicate a life-threatening condition, certain symptoms warrant immediate medical evaluation:

• Sudden, severe chest pain or pressure
• Pain radiating to the jaw, neck, or arms
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Nausea or vomiting accompanying chest pain
• Dizziness or fainting
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Cold sweats

Why is it crucial to seek immediate help for these symptoms? These signs could indicate a heart attack or other serious conditions that require prompt medical intervention. Delaying treatment can lead to permanent heart damage or other complications. It’s always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to chest pain.

Diagnostic Approaches for Chest and Shoulder Pain

When evaluating chest and shoulder pain, healthcare providers employ various diagnostic tools and techniques to determine the underlying cause:

Physical Examination and Medical History

A thorough physical exam and detailed medical history are crucial first steps in diagnosis. The healthcare provider will ask about the nature of the pain, its duration, and any associated symptoms.

Diagnostic Tests

• Electrocardiogram (ECG): Measures the heart’s electrical activity
• Blood tests: Check for markers of heart damage, inflammation, or infection
• Chest X-ray: Provides images of the heart, lungs, and other chest structures
• Echocardiogram: Uses sound waves to create detailed images of the heart
• Stress tests: Evaluate heart function during physical activity
• Coronary angiography: Uses contrast dye and X-rays to visualize coronary arteries

How do these tests help in diagnosis? Each test provides specific information about different aspects of heart and chest health. By combining the results of these tests with the patient’s symptoms and medical history, healthcare providers can often determine the cause of chest and shoulder pain and develop an appropriate treatment plan.

In conclusion, chest and shoulder pain can arise from various conditions, ranging from relatively benign to life-threatening. Understanding the potential causes and recognizing the signs that require immediate medical attention is crucial for proper management and treatment. If you experience persistent or concerning chest and shoulder pain, don’t hesitate to seek medical evaluation. Early diagnosis and intervention can often lead to better outcomes and improved quality of life.

Chest and Shoulder Pain: Symptoms, Causes, and Diagnosis

Pain from your chest to your shoulder can have many causes. Your heart, lungs, or other internal organs may be involved. If your pain is sudden or severe, it’s very important to get immediate medical care.

The pain may also be referred. This means it’s felt in your chest and shoulder but is actually caused by pain in another part of your body.

In this article, we’ll look at some of the most common causes of chest and shoulder pain and the treatment options for these causes.

Pain in the chest and shoulder can have many causes. Some can be more serious than others. The conditions listed below are some of the most common culprits of this kind of pain.

Angina is the name for chest pain that results from clogged and narrowed arteries around your heart. When this happens, your heart muscle isn’t able to get enough oxygen-rich blood.

It’s not a heart attack. Rather, it’s a sign you have a heart condition. Physical activity often triggers the pain, when you need more oxygen. Emotional stress can trigger it, too.

Angina can be stable. This means it follows a predictable pattern and typically occurs when you’re doing something, or when you’re stressed. With stable angina, symptoms usually go away within a few minutes.

Angina can also be unstable. This type of angina tends to occur suddenly or while you’re at rest. With unstable angina, symptoms can last longer than 20 minutes and may return. The pain may also get worse over time.

An unstable angina attack can be life threatening and requires emergency medical attention.

Symptoms

Chest pain is the main symptom of both stable and unstable angina. Pain usually starts behind the breastbone. Pain may be referred to your left shoulder or arms.

Other common symptoms include:

• fatigue
• shortness of breath
• light-headedness
• nausea or indigestion
• sweating
• weakness

A heart attack happens when a blockage in an artery in your heart stops or reduces the blood flow to your heart muscle. It’s also called a myocardial infarction.

Symptoms can start suddenly or come on slowly. People with gradual symptoms may not seek medical care right away.

If you think you’re having a heart attack, call 911 or get emergency medical help immediately.

Symptoms

Heart attack symptoms can vary in intensity.

Common heart attack symptoms include:

• a feeling of tightness or pressure in your chest
• chest pain that spreads to your neck, shoulders, one or both arms, or back
• faintness or dizziness
• shortness of breath
• cold sweat
• fatigue
• indigestion, stomach pain, or heartburn

While chest pain is the most common symptom for men, women are more likely to have symptoms other than chest pain. Some of the symptoms women often experience that happen less frequently with men include:

• unusual fatigue that lasts for several days or extreme fatigue that comes on suddenly
• sleep disturbances
• anxiety
• indigestion or gas-like pain
• jaw or back pain
• symptoms that come on more gradually

Your gallbladder is a small organ on your right side that sits below your liver. Its purpose is to release bile into the small intestine. Bile helps the digestive process by breaking down the fats in the food you eat.

Gallstones are little masses that form out of hardened digestive fluid in the gallbladder. Gallstones can range in size, from grains of sand to pingpong balls.

Why some people develop gallstones isn’t clear. But risk factors include:

• being female
• being over 40 years old
• having overweight
• being pregnant

Symptoms

Sometimes gallstones don’t cause any symptoms. But gallstones can cause intense pain when they block a bile duct or when you eat fatty foods. Pain can last up to several hours.

Pain may occur on:

• your right side, above the stomach
• in the center of your stomach, below the breastbone
• in your right shoulder
• between your shoulder blades

You may also have fatigue, nausea, or vomiting.

Pericarditis is the inflammation of the pericardium, the thin sac that surrounds your heart. The two-layered pericardium protects your heart and holds it in place. Fluid between the pericardium layers prevents friction when your heart beats.

Pericarditis usually starts suddenly. It can last from a few days to a few weeks. A viral infection is thought to cause most cases.

Symptoms

The main symptom is sharp or dull pain in the center of your chest or on the left side.

Other common symptoms include:

• pain that spreads from your chest to the shoulder blade
• pain that worsens when you lie down or take a deep breath
• pain that decreases when you lean forward
• weakness
• mild fever
• fatigue

Your pancreas is located behind your stomach near the first part of your small intestine. It releases fluids that help break down the food in your intestine. It also controls your body’s blood sugar by regulating the release of insulin.

Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. It can be chronic or acute. Acute pancreatitis can come on suddenly and usually gets better with treatment. Chronic pancreatitis gets worse over time.

The most common cause of acute pancreatitis is gallstones.

Symptoms

Symptoms of pancreatitis can vary, depending on the type of pancreatitis. The main symptom of both acute and chronic pancreatitis is pain in your upper abdomen, as well as pain that radiates to your back.

Acute pancreatitis symptoms include:

• mild or severe pain that lasts for several days
• abdominal pain that gets worse after eating
• fever
• nausea and vomiting
• fast pulse
• swollen or tender stomach

Chronic pancreatitis symptoms include:

• pain in your upper abdomen
• nausea or vomiting
• weight loss without trying
• oily stools that smell bad

Pleurisy is an inflammation of the thin layer of tissues, called pleura, that separate your lungs from your chest wall.

The most common cause of pleurisy is a viral infection in the lungs.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of pleurisy include:

• sharp chest pain that gets worse when you breathe, cough, laugh, or sneeze
• pain in your shoulders or back
• shortness of breath
• muscle or joint pain
• headaches

Some people may also experience a cough or fever.

Chest pain with shoulder pain isn’t always an emergency, but it can be very hard to tell. That’s why it’s important to pay attention to any other symptoms you may have.

Call 911 or go to an emergency room if you have:

• severe chest and shoulder pain
• have an existing heart condition
• think you’re having a heart attack

Other symptoms that can be a sign you need immediate medical attention are:

• escalating chest and shoulder pain
• difficulty breathing
• fainting or dizziness
• extreme weakness

A 2019 review looked at the most common causes of chest pain for people who went to an emergency room. The review found that:

• 31 percent of the causes were due to acute coronary syndrome, which included angina and other heart problems
• 30 percent of chest pain causes were due to acid reflux
• 28 percent of causes were due to a musculoskeletal condition

See your doctor if you have unexplained chest and shoulder pain. Any time you have chest pain, it’s important to get a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Because there are many possible causes for chest and shoulder pain, diagnosis can be challenging.

Your doctor will take a full medical history to find out about any other health conditions you may have. They’ll also ask if your family members have heart disease or other types of conditions.

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, when they started, how long they lasted, and if they changed.

Once your doctor knows more about your symptoms and any other health conditions, they’ll do a physical exam and listen to your heart and lungs.

There are many diagnostic tests your doctor may use to determine what’s causing your shoulder and chest pain. Common diagnostic tests include:

• an X-ray of your lungs, heart, gallbladder, or other organs
• an electrocardiogram (EKG) to look at how your heart is beating
• an echocardiogram to look at your heart muscle and how it’s working
• blood tests to look for signs of a heart attack or specific enzyme levels for certain conditions, like pancreatitis
• a stress test to see how your heart functions when you exercise
• a coronary angiography to find out if you have a blockage in a coronary artery
• a heart CT scan, also known as CT angiography, to look at your heart and blood vessels and to check for blood clots or other problems
• an MRI to look at heart movement and blood flow, or to get a more detailed view of your gallbladder or pancreas
• a biopsy of lung tissue if pleurisy is suspected
• a pancreatic function test to see if your pancreas is responding normally to specific hormones

Treatment for shoulder and chest pain depends on what’s causing the pain.

Because there can be so many variables, treatment plans for the same condition may be different from one person to the next. Some factors that may influence your treatment plan include:

• your age
• other health conditions you may have, including overweight
• whether or not you smoke

Heart problems

For heart problems, your doctor may prescribe:

• aspirin
• nitroglycerin
• blood thinners to prevent clots
• clot-busting drugs (thrombolytics)
• antibiotics for pain caused by an infection
• fluid drainage for pericarditis

For life threatening situations, you may need surgery, such as bypass surgery or angioplasty.

Your doctor will likely recommend lifestyle changes, including changes to your diet, physical activity, and stress management.

Gallstone attack

Depending on the frequency of your gallstone attacks, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove your gallbladder. This is usually done laparoscopically.

For a less serious gallstone condition, your doctor may prescribe a drug called ursodiol. This drug may help dissolve the gallstones over time. Your doctor may also put you on a low fat diet to help prevent further gallstone development.

Some people have success with natural remedies for gallstones. Be sure to talk to your doctor before trying any at-home treatments for gallstones.

Pleurisy

Treatment for pleurisy will depend on the cause.

Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics if you have a bacterial infection. Viral infections often clear up without treatment. Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may help relieve chest pain.

If you have a lot of fluid buildup, known as pleural effusion, your doctor may want to drain it. This is done with local or general anesthetic. It may require a hospital stay.

A hospital stay may also be necessary if you have other health conditions that make your pleurisy more difficult to treat.

Pancreatitis

Your doctor will give you medications to help reduce the pain. You may also have to fast for a couple of days to give your pancreas a rest. You may need intravenous fluids to prevent dehydration.

You may be hospitalized if your pancreatitis is severe.

Other treatment may include surgery to drain your pancreas, or surgery to remove your gallbladder if gallstones caused your pancreatitis.

Longer-term treatments may include:

• diet changes
• limiting alcohol use
• taking pancreatic enzyme supplements to aid digestion

Other chest pain causes

For chest pain conditions that aren’t related to your heart or coronary arteries, you doctor may prescribe:

• acid suppressing drugs to reduce acid reflux
• antidepressants or therapy to help control panic attacks

Pain in your chest and shoulder can have many causes. Some of the most common include angina or other heart conditions, gallstones, pericarditis, pleurisy, or pancreatitis.

Unexplained pain that occurs in both your chest and shoulder should always be checked out by your doctor.

If the pain is severe or lasts longer than a few minutes, immediately go to the emergency room or call 911. For many conditions, the earlier you receive treatment, the better your outcome is likely to be.

Chest and Shoulder Pain: Symptoms, Causes, and Diagnosis

Pain from your chest to your shoulder can have many causes. Your heart, lungs, or other internal organs may be involved. If your pain is sudden or severe, it’s very important to get immediate medical care.

The pain may also be referred. This means it’s felt in your chest and shoulder but is actually caused by pain in another part of your body.

In this article, we’ll look at some of the most common causes of chest and shoulder pain and the treatment options for these causes.

Pain in the chest and shoulder can have many causes. Some can be more serious than others. The conditions listed below are some of the most common culprits of this kind of pain.

Angina is the name for chest pain that results from clogged and narrowed arteries around your heart. When this happens, your heart muscle isn’t able to get enough oxygen-rich blood.

It’s not a heart attack. Rather, it’s a sign you have a heart condition. Physical activity often triggers the pain, when you need more oxygen. Emotional stress can trigger it, too.

Angina can be stable. This means it follows a predictable pattern and typically occurs when you’re doing something, or when you’re stressed. With stable angina, symptoms usually go away within a few minutes.

Angina can also be unstable. This type of angina tends to occur suddenly or while you’re at rest. With unstable angina, symptoms can last longer than 20 minutes and may return. The pain may also get worse over time.

An unstable angina attack can be life threatening and requires emergency medical attention.

Symptoms

Chest pain is the main symptom of both stable and unstable angina. Pain usually starts behind the breastbone. Pain may be referred to your left shoulder or arms.

Other common symptoms include:

• fatigue
• shortness of breath
• light-headedness
• nausea or indigestion
• sweating
• weakness

A heart attack happens when a blockage in an artery in your heart stops or reduces the blood flow to your heart muscle. It’s also called a myocardial infarction.

Symptoms can start suddenly or come on slowly. People with gradual symptoms may not seek medical care right away.

If you think you’re having a heart attack, call 911 or get emergency medical help immediately.

Symptoms

Heart attack symptoms can vary in intensity.

Common heart attack symptoms include:

• a feeling of tightness or pressure in your chest
• chest pain that spreads to your neck, shoulders, one or both arms, or back
• faintness or dizziness
• shortness of breath
• cold sweat
• fatigue
• indigestion, stomach pain, or heartburn

While chest pain is the most common symptom for men, women are more likely to have symptoms other than chest pain. Some of the symptoms women often experience that happen less frequently with men include:

• unusual fatigue that lasts for several days or extreme fatigue that comes on suddenly
• sleep disturbances
• anxiety
• indigestion or gas-like pain
• jaw or back pain
• symptoms that come on more gradually

Your gallbladder is a small organ on your right side that sits below your liver. Its purpose is to release bile into the small intestine. Bile helps the digestive process by breaking down the fats in the food you eat.

Gallstones are little masses that form out of hardened digestive fluid in the gallbladder. Gallstones can range in size, from grains of sand to pingpong balls.

Why some people develop gallstones isn’t clear. But risk factors include:

• being female
• being over 40 years old
• having overweight
• being pregnant

Symptoms

Sometimes gallstones don’t cause any symptoms. But gallstones can cause intense pain when they block a bile duct or when you eat fatty foods. Pain can last up to several hours.

Pain may occur on:

• your right side, above the stomach
• in the center of your stomach, below the breastbone
• in your right shoulder
• between your shoulder blades

You may also have fatigue, nausea, or vomiting.

Pericarditis is the inflammation of the pericardium, the thin sac that surrounds your heart. The two-layered pericardium protects your heart and holds it in place. Fluid between the pericardium layers prevents friction when your heart beats.

Pericarditis usually starts suddenly. It can last from a few days to a few weeks. A viral infection is thought to cause most cases.

Symptoms

The main symptom is sharp or dull pain in the center of your chest or on the left side.

Other common symptoms include:

• pain that spreads from your chest to the shoulder blade
• pain that worsens when you lie down or take a deep breath
• pain that decreases when you lean forward
• weakness
• mild fever
• fatigue

Your pancreas is located behind your stomach near the first part of your small intestine. It releases fluids that help break down the food in your intestine. It also controls your body’s blood sugar by regulating the release of insulin.

Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. It can be chronic or acute. Acute pancreatitis can come on suddenly and usually gets better with treatment. Chronic pancreatitis gets worse over time.

The most common cause of acute pancreatitis is gallstones.

Symptoms

Symptoms of pancreatitis can vary, depending on the type of pancreatitis. The main symptom of both acute and chronic pancreatitis is pain in your upper abdomen, as well as pain that radiates to your back.

Acute pancreatitis symptoms include:

• mild or severe pain that lasts for several days
• abdominal pain that gets worse after eating
• fever
• nausea and vomiting
• fast pulse
• swollen or tender stomach

Chronic pancreatitis symptoms include:

• pain in your upper abdomen
• nausea or vomiting
• weight loss without trying
• oily stools that smell bad

Pleurisy is an inflammation of the thin layer of tissues, called pleura, that separate your lungs from your chest wall.

The most common cause of pleurisy is a viral infection in the lungs.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of pleurisy include:

• sharp chest pain that gets worse when you breathe, cough, laugh, or sneeze
• pain in your shoulders or back
• shortness of breath
• muscle or joint pain
• headaches

Some people may also experience a cough or fever.

Chest pain with shoulder pain isn’t always an emergency, but it can be very hard to tell. That’s why it’s important to pay attention to any other symptoms you may have.

Call 911 or go to an emergency room if you have:

• severe chest and shoulder pain
• have an existing heart condition
• think you’re having a heart attack

Other symptoms that can be a sign you need immediate medical attention are:

• escalating chest and shoulder pain
• difficulty breathing
• fainting or dizziness
• extreme weakness

A 2019 review looked at the most common causes of chest pain for people who went to an emergency room. The review found that:

• 31 percent of the causes were due to acute coronary syndrome, which included angina and other heart problems
• 30 percent of chest pain causes were due to acid reflux
• 28 percent of causes were due to a musculoskeletal condition

See your doctor if you have unexplained chest and shoulder pain. Any time you have chest pain, it’s important to get a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Because there are many possible causes for chest and shoulder pain, diagnosis can be challenging.

Your doctor will take a full medical history to find out about any other health conditions you may have. They’ll also ask if your family members have heart disease or other types of conditions.

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, when they started, how long they lasted, and if they changed.

Once your doctor knows more about your symptoms and any other health conditions, they’ll do a physical exam and listen to your heart and lungs.

There are many diagnostic tests your doctor may use to determine what’s causing your shoulder and chest pain. Common diagnostic tests include:

• an X-ray of your lungs, heart, gallbladder, or other organs
• an electrocardiogram (EKG) to look at how your heart is beating
• an echocardiogram to look at your heart muscle and how it’s working
• blood tests to look for signs of a heart attack or specific enzyme levels for certain conditions, like pancreatitis
• a stress test to see how your heart functions when you exercise
• a coronary angiography to find out if you have a blockage in a coronary artery
• a heart CT scan, also known as CT angiography, to look at your heart and blood vessels and to check for blood clots or other problems
• an MRI to look at heart movement and blood flow, or to get a more detailed view of your gallbladder or pancreas
• a biopsy of lung tissue if pleurisy is suspected
• a pancreatic function test to see if your pancreas is responding normally to specific hormones

Treatment for shoulder and chest pain depends on what’s causing the pain.

Because there can be so many variables, treatment plans for the same condition may be different from one person to the next. Some factors that may influence your treatment plan include:

• your age
• other health conditions you may have, including overweight
• whether or not you smoke

Heart problems

For heart problems, your doctor may prescribe:

• aspirin
• nitroglycerin
• blood thinners to prevent clots
• clot-busting drugs (thrombolytics)
• antibiotics for pain caused by an infection
• fluid drainage for pericarditis

For life threatening situations, you may need surgery, such as bypass surgery or angioplasty.

Your doctor will likely recommend lifestyle changes, including changes to your diet, physical activity, and stress management.

Gallstone attack

Depending on the frequency of your gallstone attacks, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove your gallbladder. This is usually done laparoscopically.

For a less serious gallstone condition, your doctor may prescribe a drug called ursodiol. This drug may help dissolve the gallstones over time. Your doctor may also put you on a low fat diet to help prevent further gallstone development.

Some people have success with natural remedies for gallstones. Be sure to talk to your doctor before trying any at-home treatments for gallstones.

Pleurisy

Treatment for pleurisy will depend on the cause.

Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics if you have a bacterial infection. Viral infections often clear up without treatment. Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may help relieve chest pain.

If you have a lot of fluid buildup, known as pleural effusion, your doctor may want to drain it. This is done with local or general anesthetic. It may require a hospital stay.

A hospital stay may also be necessary if you have other health conditions that make your pleurisy more difficult to treat.

Pancreatitis

Your doctor will give you medications to help reduce the pain. You may also have to fast for a couple of days to give your pancreas a rest. You may need intravenous fluids to prevent dehydration.

You may be hospitalized if your pancreatitis is severe.

Other treatment may include surgery to drain your pancreas, or surgery to remove your gallbladder if gallstones caused your pancreatitis.

Longer-term treatments may include:

• diet changes
• limiting alcohol use
• taking pancreatic enzyme supplements to aid digestion

Other chest pain causes

For chest pain conditions that aren’t related to your heart or coronary arteries, you doctor may prescribe:

• acid suppressing drugs to reduce acid reflux
• antidepressants or therapy to help control panic attacks

Pain in your chest and shoulder can have many causes. Some of the most common include angina or other heart conditions, gallstones, pericarditis, pleurisy, or pancreatitis.

Unexplained pain that occurs in both your chest and shoulder should always be checked out by your doctor.

If the pain is severe or lasts longer than a few minutes, immediately go to the emergency room or call 911. For many conditions, the earlier you receive treatment, the better your outcome is likely to be.

Pain in the neck and shoulder: causes, diagnosis and treatment

The neck can hurt with varying intensity and cause other unpleasant conditions, such as pain in the shoulder, limited movement, headache. What to do for neck and shoulder pain? Do I need to take any medication? Or should you just limit physical activity?

Why does the neck hurt and how is it related to osteochondrosis

Neck pain is not an independent disease. This is a consequence of pathological processes that occur in the spine and surrounding tissues. The most common cause of neck pain is osteochondrosis. Sharp pain in the neck can also occur due to hypothermia or as a result of an unsuccessful turn of the head, any sudden movement that can cause muscle spasm. However, the most common mechanism for the occurrence of pain in the neck is associated with a violation of the structures of the spine – deformation of the vertebrae and their displacement, which are characteristic of osteochondrosis. When the vertebrae are displaced, they impinge on the nerve roots that exit the spine. If such an infringement occurs in the cervical region, then there is pain in the neck.

However, every person who is familiar with this problem will object: it is not only the neck that hurts. Yes, other symptoms often occur when the nerve roots in the cervical spine are pinched. The most frequent of them:
• neck and shoulder pain
• pain in the neck when moving the head, when trying to turn the head to the right or left side (depending on which side the nerve is pinched), tilt the head back or tilt down
• feeling of stiffness in the muscles of the shoulder on the affected side
• Drawing pain in the arm, deterioration of sensation in the arm, feeling of numbness, tingling, weakness in the fingers of the hand
• headache, dizziness, up to bouts of vomiting

Please note:

pain in the arm, pain in the shoulder, numbness in the limb can be associated with dangerous cardiovascular diseases, so it is important to consult a doctor if these symptoms are present. Headaches, dizziness and associated bouts of nausea and vomiting may indicate other serious diseases not related to the spine, so an urgent consultation with a specialist is necessary!

How to relieve neck and shoulder pain due to osteochondrosis or hypothermia

There are several important things to consider when you experience neck pain and associated shoulder pain or headaches. The simplest thing you can do to relieve acute neck pain is to take a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (ibuprofen, aspirin, diclofenac). An anti-inflammatory drug in the form of a cream, gel or ointment will also help. You need to rub it not only in that part of the neck where, as it seems, the nerve was pinched, but also in the nearest areas, including the muscles of the shoulder, where pain and stiffness are felt.

It is also important to limit movements (do not try to turn your head to the right, left, down or up through the pain), do not make sudden head movements at all; spine.

There is no need to heat or, conversely, cool the affected area. It is best to provide “safe warmth” such as wrapping a cotton scarf around your neck to avoid hypothermia. You should not do any warm compresses, but you can use external painkillers with a slight warming effect.

All of these methods will help relieve pain in the next day or two after it occurs. However, in order to avoid attacks of sharp pain in the neck in the future, you need to take care of the health of the spine in general and the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.

How to treat cervical osteochondrosis and avoid attacks of pain in the neck and shoulder

You can read some tips for those who often complain of neck pain here.
Recall that the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis involves several stages and types of exposure.

1. Visit to an orthopedist or vertebrologist. This specialist will help “release” the pinched nerve and return the shifted vertebrae to their place. Before the procedure, you may need an additional study – X-ray or MRI.
2. Physiotherapy and therapeutic exercises. It makes it possible to improve the nutrition of the structures of the spine, strengthen the deep muscles of the back, and improve the general condition of the spine.
3. If necessary, take painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs.
4. Taking a preparation of B vitamins can replace both painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs due to its ability to restore the sheaths of nerve fibers. In particular, the positive effects of vitamin B1 (its fat-soluble form of benfotiamine) and vitamin B6 in combination have been proven. Both of them are present, for example, in the composition of the drug Milgamma tablets.
5. Compliance with the regime of work and rest. The state of stress, constant work while sitting significantly worsen the condition of the spine. You need to make sure that the place to sleep is ergonomic – with constant pain in the neck, it is advisable to sleep on an orthopedic pillow.

Pain in the neck – Health Clinic 365 Yekaterinburg

Neck pain is a very common patient complaint. Usually, neck pain occurs as a result of injury, muscle tension in an improperly organized workplace, as well as degenerative changes in the spine. Fortunately, neck pain is rarely a sign of cancer.

As a rule, neck pain lasts for a short time – from several hours to several days. Neck pain that lasts longer than a few weeks is considered chronic. But, even persistent neck pain often responds well to treatment.

Some causes of neck pain are listed below:

• Carrying a heavy backpack or bag on one shoulder
• The habit of talking on the phone by holding the phone between the shoulder and the ear
• Cervical dystonia (torticollis)/ A rare disease that can occur at any age, even infancy, most commonly occurs in middle-aged women. Symptoms usually develop gradually. With torticollis, the neck muscles spasm involuntarily, causing pain in the neck when the head is turned. In addition, patients with torticollis may tilt their head forward or backward uncontrollably.
  Today there is no medicine that affects the cause of torticollis, but you should know that sometimes the disease goes away on its own. In addition, the symptoms of torticollis can be treated by injecting botulinum toxin (Botox) into the affected muscles. Only in some cases of torticollis surgical treatment is required.
• Spondylosis of the cervical spine. Signs and symptoms of cervical spondylosis may include:
  – neck pain;
  – pain in the chest, shoulders, arms;
  – tingling sensations in the arms, legs, or arms and legs;
  – numbness and weakness in the arms, legs, or arms and legs;
  – violation of coordination;
  – impaired control of urination and defecation
• Emotional stress
• Fibromyalgia
• Herniated disc (cervical)
• Meningitis
• Osteoarthritis
• Incorrect posture
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Long sleep on stomach, too big or too small pillow
• Spinal stenosis
• Tension headache
• Diseases of the temporomandibular joint
• Injury from accidents, falls, and neck injuries resulting from accidents between your vehicle and a vehicle following you. During a collision, the head suddenly moves back and then sharply forward – similar to the movement of a whip. These extreme movements can damage the muscles and ligaments of the neck.
  These injuries may be mild or severe. Treatment usually begins with taking painkillers and applying ice to the painful area. If the pain persists, see a specialist.

When to see a doctor?

Neck pain caused by muscle tension usually resolves on its own within a few days and does not require medical attention.

See a doctor if you experience:

• Neck pain that gets worse despite self-medication;
• Neck pain that persists for several weeks despite medical treatment;
• Neck pain that radiates to an arm or leg;
• Urinary and stool incontinence.

Get medical help right away if you have:

• Pain caused by an injury.
• Muscle weakness. Weakness in an arm or leg can be a sign of a more serious problem.