Chest Pain
AZ Pain and Spine offers pain management services for treating chest pain.
What is Chest Pain
Generally, this is a pain that is felt in the chest area. While the pain is in the chest, the source may be somewhere else. The potential sources include the heart, the chest wall, the back, the lung, the aorta, the esophagus, the diaphragm or even the stomach. Chest pain is not always a sign of heart attack and it is not all the time life-threatening. Others may be less dangerous. Regardless of this fact, it is important to seek immediate care when chest pain strikes. This could be a lifesaver and the easiest way to find out what caused the pain in the first place.
Symptoms
Chest pain in itself is a symptom. It may be a symptom of an underlying condition, an injury or something else. While there are also classic signs and symptoms associated with chest pain, the variations in these symptoms are enough reason why proper diagnosis is needed. The symptoms depend on the underlying cause, which may be angina, coronary artery disease, anxiety and other disease.
However, there are symptoms that are commonly associated with chest pain. They are as follows: dizziness, fatigue, tightness, squeezing sensation, lightheadedness, shortness of breath and stabbing or burning sensations. The pain may be dull or sharp, and may radiate in the arms or neck.
Causes
Determining the cause of chest pain requires proper diagnoses. The diagnosis may be done through X-rays, blood tests, CT scans and other tests. A medical history also guides the doctor or professional determine the cause of the chest pain.
There are many possible causes of chest pain, and it does not always mean that you are having a heart attack. Some causes may not even serious. Depending on the associated symptoms and severity of the pain, the potential causes include a heart attack, angina, pulmonary embolus, heartburn, aortic dissection, pleuritis, bruised or broken ribs, pneumothorax, pneumonia, pericarditis, reflux esophagitis and referred abdominal pain. There is a fine line between a life threatening and non-life threatening cause of chest pain. That is why, seeking medical attention is highly advised.
Treatment Options
Since chest pain is a symptom in itself, the treatment options depend upon the cause. In determining the right treatment, the patient must first undergo, as a general rule, the sequence of medical history, physical examination, proper testing and diagnosis. Depending on the outcome of diagnosis and the cause, the following are the treatment options: artery relaxers, thrombolytic drugs, blood thinners, antidepressants, acid-suppressing medications, dissection repair, stent placement, and non-surgical treatments.
Book Appointment
As a pain specialist, AZ Pain and Spine Institute is the best place to go to seek treatment for your chest pain, or any other pain for that matter. We are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities necessary for testing and diagnosis. We also use innovative approach in treating different pain conditions. We provide cutting-edge paint management services with the help of latest technology and our experienced, well-knowledgeable professionals.
If you are experiencing chest pain or other pain condition, immediately seek medical attention for proper treatment. Make an appointment with us.