Intermittent chest pain – causes, treatment and prevention

Intermittent chest pain

Intermittent chest pain is chest pain that occurs repeatedly. They can have a wide variety of causes, which is why the treatment options are diverse. Prevention is usually not possible.

What is intermittent chest pain?

Intermittent chest pain is chest pain that can occur over several weeks. They are usually short-lived, but recur again and again. It mainly affects women during their period. However, certain underlying diseases such as breast cancer or pleurisy can also affect men. Treatment is possible in almost all cases. Cycle-related pain in particular can be relieved with various preparations. Action can also be taken in advance against certain causes.

causes

Intermittent chest pain can have a variety of causes. They usually occur during the female cycle and have hormonal causes. Changes in the hormonal balance affect the mammary gland tissue and thus cause severe pain. Pain of this type usually occurs as part of a premenstrual syndrome and is associated with an enlargement of the breast. The symptoms usually subside after a few days, but reappear at intervals during the next cycle.This also applies to a so-called mastopathy. This occurs mainly during menopause and is caused by a lack of corpus luteum hormones. If these progestogens are missing, the breast size changes, which can lead to tenderness. These are also influenced by water retention in the breast tissue.

Intermittent chest pain can have many other causes. They occur, for example, when the hormone prolactin, which is responsible for milk production, is released in excess. Ovarian disorders, which can also be attributed to a hormone deficiency, can also trigger breast pain. If this is the case, one also speaks of a corpus luteum insufficiency.

Chest pain can also occur independently of the hormonal balance. For example, in the case of spinal problems, inflammation of the pleura or as a result of external violence. Heart disease, inflammation in the upper abdomen or serious diseases such as breast cancer can also trigger intermittent chest pain.

Diseases

  • pleural inflammation
  • luteal weakness

When to the doctor?

The intermittent chest pains in women and men can indicate diseases of the heart or the surrounding vessels. The heart muscle may have suffered damage that requires medical attention before a life-threatening condition occurs. Therefore, a doctor should be consulted as soon as the pain recurs.

If the intermittent breast pain occurs in women at the same time as the monthly menstrual period begins, a doctor’s visit is not necessary. Tense breast tissue is a natural part of menstrual cycle and resolves within a few days without medical attention. If the chest pain persists for several days or weeks regardless of the menstrual cycle, a doctor should be consulted. Breast cancer or inflammation of the pleura may be present and need to be diagnosed and treated. Otherwise, the pain will continue to spread and increase in intensity.

In times of hormonal changes, intermittent chest pains often occur. They include puberty, menopause, the beginning of pregnancy or the period after childbirth. Here, the discomfort caused by the transition process is seen as natural. A doctor’s visit is not necessary.

Taking hormone preparations can also lead to the onset of the symptoms. The doctor should be consulted if the pain is experienced as particularly intense and severely debilitating.

diagnosis and course

Intermittent chest pain can be traced back to a specific cause through various investigations. The doctor first tries to localize the pain to get a first clue. He also asks the patient when and to what extent the pain occurs. Female patients are asked whether the symptoms occur during or just before the menstrual cycle. If this is not the case, the doctor treating you will carry out a mammography and an ultrasound examination . In addition, the hormone balance is precisely determined with the help of blood tests . In particular, the estrogen and progestin levels are important indicators.

A pain diary is particularly useful for intermittent chest pains. Those affected can use this to note the duration of the pain and its severity. This makes diagnosis much easier. If the pain is not dependent on the cycle, this is not necessary. The doctor can then make an exact diagnosis using X-ray examinations and other methods.

Intermittent chest pain is a symptom that can have many causes. If they are based on a serious illness such as breast cancer, the course can be negative. Cycle-dependent pain can be controlled with the right medication and usually takes a positive course. Inflammation of the pleura, pain caused by violence or pain in the upper abdomen are usually not dangerous if they are treated in good time.

complications

Intermittent chest pains can indicate psychosomatic illnesses. In many cases there is an anxiety disorder . Finding the cause of psychosomatic illnesses is often a very long and intensive process. The onset of pain leads to emotional overload and helplessness in the person concerned. The intensity is usually very strong, so that there is an impairment in coping with everyday life. Fear of death, suffocation, and uncertainty occurs in people without an anxiety disorder. This intensifies the symptoms.

Chest pain can be an indication of an inflammatory process in the body. The pleura, but also nerves or muscles in the chest can be affected. Without early treatment, the germs will spread further and trigger an increase in pain throughout the upper body. A permanent permanent malaise sets in.

Intermittent chest pain may be due to cardiac dysfunction. The heart muscle or the organ itself is impaired in its activity. This leads to a heart attack. In this case, the person concerned is in mortal danger and needs immediate medical attention. Despite prompt medical treatment, survivors often suffer lifelong consequences. Paralysis, numbness, mental illness or lung problems are among them. Cardiac arrhythmias can occur, which must be constantly monitored.

treatment and therapy

Intermittent chest pain is treated depending on the underlying condition. In the case of pain that arises during the cycle, simple measures are usually sufficient to alleviate the symptoms. It is enough to wear a well-fitting bra. Changing your diet can also make sense. Especially after the menopause, women should eat a low-fat diet, since fatty tissue produces estrogens .

If a progestin deficiency is the cause of the chest pain, special gels can be used. These are applied to the breast and supply it with the necessary hormone. As a result, the chest pain usually disappears as well. Ovulation inhibitors and herbal supplements can also help relieve the pain.

Cyclic chest pain can also be treated with prolactin inhibitors. Other substances may also be prescribed depending on the type and severity of the pain. They are usually taken over a period of several weeks and can have various side effects such as a missed period.

Intermittent chest pains due to inflammation of the pleura and similar diseases require special treatment methods. Serious diseases such as breast cancer are treated with chemotherapy. Surgical interventions are also necessary in many cases.

prevention

Intermittent chest pain cannot always be prevented. However, it is possible to avoid certain underlying diseases by taking precautionary measures in everyday life. Inflammation in the breast area is avoided by adequate protection from the cold, and weight loss and a low-fat diet reduce estrogen production and thus the risk of cycle-related breast pain.Women should wear well-fitting bras to relieve the breasts. During the cycle, it can make sense to take herbal supplements that regulate the hormone balance. Appropriate measures should, however, be discussed with the doctor in advance.

Dorothy Farrar

Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.

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