Tightening in the chest – causes, treatment and prevention

Drawing in the chest

Pulling in the chest causes an uncomfortable feeling of tension in the chest area. There are many possible causes, such as hormonal imbalances or heartburn , but they can usually be treated effectively.

Tightness in the chest: description

In the human thorax there are many organs, such as the heart, which can cause a tightening in the chest. Tightness in the chest can have harmless causes, such as heartburn; However, the symptom can also indicate a serious illness such as a heart attack. The exact location of the tightness in the chest varies from patient to patient.

Women are often affected shortly before the onset of menstruation, but men or children can also suffer from tightness in the chest. It is not uncommon for the pulling in the chest to be accompanied by a feeling of pressure, a stinging or burning sensation in the chest .

causes

If children suffer from tightness in the chest, it is often the consequence of a growth phase and is harmless. In the course of the menstrual cycle, women repeatedly suffer from feelings of tension and tightness in the breasts, which is due to hormonal fluctuations that have an impact on the female breasts. A tightening in the female breast can also indicate an early pregnancy, since the glandular tissue in the breasts is being prepared for the production of breast milk.In breastfeeding mothers, a tightening in the breast can indicate engorgement or inflammation of the breast. In rarer cases, a cyst or cancer can also cause a tightening in the female breast. Although rare, men can also develop breast cysts, or breast cancer.

Pulling in the thoracic area can also occur after sporting activity, this is usually due to physical overexertion. If acute chest pain occurs together with shortness of breath and a feeling of anxiety, it may be a heart attack. Some people who suffer from mental illnesses, such as panic disorders, also experience tightness in their chests in certain situations.

Diseases

When to the doctor?

A tightening in the chest after intensive sports or manual activities is often not a cause for concern. In most cases, the symptoms are due to incorrect breathing techniques during physical exertion. After a few minutes of balanced and calm breathing, the symptoms usually subside again. If the tightness in the chest lasts for several hours, a doctor must be consulted. There may be organic damage or vascular problems that require medical attention.

If the tightness in the chest occurs in connection with slight movements of the body, a doctor must be consulted. A medical evaluation is also necessary if the symptoms are repeated or sporadic. Other symptoms, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or convulsions , need to be evaluated and treated by a doctor.

Tightness in the chest can occur just before an emotionally tense situation. Stress, excitement or inner tension trigger the symptoms in many people. A doctor’s visit is necessary if the person concerned needs emotional support for the life challenge or if the symptoms have persisted for a long time. There is a risk of a mental disorder. In the event of a loss of consciousness, tachycardia , dizziness or sudden lack of energy, a doctor must be consulted immediately, as the condition is life-threatening.

diagnosis and course

Although the cause of chest tightness or chest pain is in many cases harmless, medical conditions that require treatment can also be behind the symptoms, so diagnosing the cause of the symptoms is very important. A doctor should be consulted, especially if the symptoms occur acutely or persist over a longer period of time.

When making the diagnosis, the doctor treating you first takes an anamnesis. During the consultation with the patient, he can already make an initial suspected diagnosis. After the anamnesis has been taken, the physical examination is carried out. The doctor listens to the patient and feels the breast to detect any lumps in the breast or other tissue changes.

A mammogram can be done to show internal changes in breast tissue. If a cyst is the cause of the tightness in the breast, it is punctured and the cyst fluid removed is analyzed in the laboratory.

Changes in breast tissue do not have to be malignant, they can also be benign growths or fat or calcium deposits. The course depends entirely on the underlying disease. In many cases, the cause can be treated well and the prognosis is positive.

complications

A tightening in the chest can have many different causes, so that the possible complications can also be very different. In many cases, sore muscles are responsible for chest tightness. Sore muscles should usually go away on their own within a few days. However, in some cases this is not the case, leading to various complications. For example, if the affected muscle groups continue to be very heavily used, serious muscle injuries can occur that may even need to be treated by a doctor. However, a muscle injury does not necessarily have to be responsible for a pulling or stabbing in the chest.

There may also be a serious underlying condition. For example , if you have heart disease , you must see a doctor. Complete recovery can only be guaranteed with the help of appropriate medication and the right treatment.

However, if you completely avoid medication and appropriate treatment for heart disease, you have to reckon with various complications. Persistent pain, headaches, bouts of nausea will be just a few symptoms to be expected. If you want to prevent these complications at an early stage, you should consult a doctor at the first sign.

treatment and therapy

Treatment for chest tightness depends on the underlying condition. If women suffer from tightness in the breasts due to hormone fluctuations during the menstrual cycle or during menopause , no treatment is often necessary. In particularly severe cases, therapy with hormonal contraceptives, which have a cycle-stabilizing effect, can be considered.

However, since the birth control pills can have a feeling of tension and tightness in the breast as a side effect, this therapy is only recommended in certain cases. If the tightness in the chest occurs due to heartburn, the doctor prescribes so-called antacids, which neutralize the stomach acid. Proton pump inhibitors, which inhibit the formation of gastric acid, can be taken as long-term therapy for chronic reflux disorders .If the cause is acute angina pectoris, the person affected must inhale nitroglycerin as quickly as possible so that the constricted coronary arteries expand again. Cysts or malignant lumps in the breast may need to be surgically removed. Radiation treatment or therapy with chemotherapy drugs may be necessary for breast cancer.

In many cases of tightness in the chest, the cause is psychosomatic. Those affected are in a phase of great stress , anxiety or lovesickness, which is reflected in physical symptoms. In these cases, psychotherapy or the administration of psychotropic drugs for treatment is possible.

prevention

In order to prevent a tightening in the chest, it is advisable not to overexert yourself in sports. In addition, lifting heavy objects should be avoided, which can cause over-tension and ultimately chest tightness. In addition, women should regularly undergo a mammography or a breast scan at the gynecologist in order to be able to diagnose breast diseases at an early stage.

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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