Strange chest problem? Medical exams show NOTHING? Help?
May 24, 2010 in
Mesothelioma FAQs
I have this weird chest cramping/pain thing. It goes at both sides of the front of my chest. I thought it was something to do with the lungs but all medical exams show my lungs to be healthy.
I used to smoke (very lightly) but since this came up I quit. I also worked in asbestos removal for two months, VERY SAFELY of course (and there’s no evidence that this caused whatever I have- medical exams, chest x-ray, breathing tests, etc) yet I feel this thing is wrong, that it shouldn’t be there. I didn’t always have this….
Should I keep worrying or is this all in my head? What should I do?
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One comment
Cia on May 24, 2010 at 8:55 am
Chest pain is a common symptom that is caused by many different conditions. Some causes require prompt medical attention, such as angina, heart attack, or tearing of the aorta. Other causes of chest pain that may not require immediate medical intervention include spasm of the esophagus, gallbladder attack, or inflammation of the chest wall. An accurate diagnosis is important in providing proper treatment to patients with chest pain.
Angina (angina pectoris – Latin for squeezing of the chest) is chest discomfort that occurs when there is a decreased blood oxygen supply to an area of the heart muscle. In most cases, the lack of blood supply is due to a narrowing of the coronary arteries as a result of arteriosclerosis.
Angina is usually felt as:
pressure,
heaviness,
tightening,
squeezing, or
aching across the chest, particularly behind the breastbone.
This pain often radiates to the neck, jaw, arms, back, or even the teeth.
Patients may also suffer:
indigestion,
heartburn,
weakness,
sweating,
nausea,
cramping, and
shortness of breath.
Angina usually occurs during exertion, severe emotional stress, or after a heavy meal. During these periods, the heart muscle demands more blood oxygen than the narrowed coronary arteries can deliver. Angina typically lasts from 1 to 15 minutes and is relieved by rest or by placing a nitroglycerin tablet under the tongue. Nitroglycerin relaxes the blood vessels and lowers blood pressure. Both rest and nitroglycerin decrease the heart muscles demand for oxygen, thus relieving angina.
Angina is classified in one of two types: 1) stable angina or 2) unstable angina.
Hope that gives you some help…