All of us will have experienced chest pain at least once in our life. It can occur in various situations and for the most diverse reasons.
On the surface it may seem like a passing pain, of little consequence and not to worry about. But it’s always best to be careful, as chest pain may reveal other causes. Reasons that could cause chest pain include certain types of illness, environmental causes, and psychological causes (anxiety and panic attacks). This is why we should never underestimate a simple chest pain, because it could indicate this annoying and unsuspected ailment.
In fact, one of the most common causes of chest pain is diseases of the gastroesophageal tract. It seems impossible, but gastroesophageal reflux disease, for example, could quite often cause chest pains in the form of cramps, burning or even real twinges similar to those of heart causes.
Never underestimate a simple chest pain because it could indicate this annoying and unsuspected ailment
Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a disease that occurs when the gastric juices naturally present in our stomach come into contact with the wall of the esophagus. All this usually causes acid regurgitation and burning.
When this phenomenon occurs occasionally we can speak of simple gastroesophageal reflux. When, on the other hand, it occurs continuously, it can refer to gastroesophageal reflux disease, a condition that, if left untreated, could become chronic.
The most common symptoms of this disease are heartburn and acid regurgitation in the mouth. There are, however, also less common symptoms although present in many patients. Less common symptoms would be:
- difficulty in swallowing;
- nausea and digestive difficulties;
- chronic laryngitis;
- cough and raucedine;
- lowering or change in tone of voice;
- hiccup;
- asthma;
- chest pain.
This is why it is necessary to watch out for chest pains. Even if they seem like minor pains, combined with other symptoms, they could prove to be indicative of this disease.
Diagnosis and treatment
When we experience chest pain but more generally when we experience one or more of the symptoms listed above, the wisest thing is to consult with our primary care physician. Your doctor may prescribe therapy with gastroprotectors and over-the-counter drugs.
If symptoms persist, the doctor will carry out a more thorough check which may include a gastroscopy or an X-ray examination of the digestive tract. Once it is established that it is gastroesophageal reflux disease, you can move on to therapy.
Patients with this type of pathology are treated with antacid and gastroprotective drugs. A healthy diet, with an antacid and low-fat diet, reducing or eliminating smoking and alcohol consumption would be among the few lasting solutions to be able to combat this annoying and almost disabling disorder.
Deepening
The reasons why the gut is said to be our second brain.