Gas Pain in Chest - An Overview

Introduction

Gas pain is usually felt in the abdominal (belly) area but sometimes it can occur in the chest region. Even though gas accumulation is uncomfortable, it is not a huge cause for concern when experienced occasionally. If gas pain does not resolve after a short time, it might indicate other conditions. Still, gas pain occurring in the chest area is less commonly seen.

What Causes Gas Pain in the Chest?

Gas pain can be caused by several reasons. They include:

• Food Intolerance and Sensitivity- Food intolerance can cause gas pain in the chest. When a lactose-intolerant person eats dairy products, it can lead to gas build-up and chest pain. People with celiac disease or other gluten-related conditions also experience similar symptoms when they eat food containing trace amounts of wheat. Gluten contamination also leads to intestinal inflammation that will take around six months to heal, thereby affecting the digestion process in the long term.

• Food Poisoning- It occurs when a person eats contaminated food containing bacteria, parasites, or viruses. It can lead to sudden pain in the chest. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, fever, abdominal pain, and watery stools. These symptoms usually last for a few hours to a few days.

• Inflammatory Conditions- Inflammatory conditions such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis (conditions causing inflammation in the digestive tract) can affect the digestion process and lead to pain in the chest. Other symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, fatigue, constipation, night sweats, and rectal bleeding.

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)- It is a noninflammatory condition that occurs commonly and causes symptoms such as abdominal pain, cramps, constipation, and diarrhea (watery stools). These symptoms usually get triggered by stress and can worsen after having food. Hence, IBS can also cause gas pain in the chest.

• Gallbladder Disease- Gall bladder disease (GBD) and gallstones can also cause gas pain in the chest. Further, gallbladder diseases cause other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, chills, or grey-colored stools.

What Are the Symptoms of Gas Pain in the Chest?

When gas pain occurs in the chest area, it can mimic a jabbing pain or tightness. Other symptoms include excessive burping, indigestion, loss of appetite, abdominal bloating, and involuntary or voluntary passage of excess gas which relieves the pain and gas pain to shift to other areas of the abdomen. It is usually difficult to recognize whether a person is experiencing gas chest pain or other conditions like acid reflux or even a heart attack.

What Is the Difference Between Gas Pain That Occurs in the Chest and Heart Pain?

At times, it is difficult to differentiate between the pain caused by the heart and the pain that occurs in the chest area. If a person is having severe or stabbing kind of chest pain, they should immediately seek medical assistance. However, if the pain feels like slight chest discomfort or tightness, it is less likely to be a health emergency.

• Heart pain usually feels like pressure gathering towards the center or left side of the chest. It builds and intensifies before slowly dissolving, or it can continue its severity. Also, a person can recognize heart pain since it occurs suddenly and is not related to other symptoms.

• Gas pain in the chest usually occurs with other symptoms such as flatulence, acid reflux, and/or heartburn.

How Can a Person Identify the Signs of a Heart Attack?

If a person experiences any underlying symptoms along with chest pain, it can indicate a heart attack. The symptoms include:

• Nausea.

• Lightheadedness.

• Shortness of breath.

• Breaking out in cold sweats.

• Chest discomfort which feels like recurrent pressure or pain.

• Upper body discomfort in areas of stomach, back, neck, jaw, or arms.

However, symptoms of heart attack vary differently in both men and women. It is because women tend to experience nausea, shortness of breath, vomiting, and arm, jaw, or back pain more than men.

Can Gas Pain in the Chest Cause Complications?

Gas pain in the chest usually resolves with home treatments. However, there are certain complications that occur as a side effect of gas pain. For example, gas pain associated with mild food poisoning stops within twenty-four hours, whereas, severe cases are life-threatening. Food poisoning also causes rash, arthritis, and joint pain which usually takes a few months to resolve. Symptoms of food poisoning that require medical attention include signs of dehydration, fever, bloody vomit or stools, diarrhea, and symptoms such as tingling or blurred vision.

How Is Gas Pain in the Chest Diagnosed?

Gas pain in the chest cannot be diagnosed with physical examination alone. Hence, the healthcare practitioner will order tests that include an electrocardiogram (ECG) to make sure that the underlying cause is not related to the heart. Other tests include:

• Blood tests are done to test for infections and markers of Crohn’s or celiac (a digestive disorder) disease.

• Stool tests are done to check for parasites and bleeding symptoms which can be associated with Crohn’s disease or IBS.

• Endoscopy is a procedure where a camera fitted to a light is attached to an end of a probe and is inserted down to the mouth and stomach to check and evaluate the health of the esophagus (food pipe).

How Is Gas Pain in the Chest Treated?

• Antacids that are available over the counter are given to reduce gas and relieve heartburn.

• If gas pain is due to certain conditions like gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD; a condition in which acid comes into the mouth from the stomach) or IBS, the doctor will prescribe acid-reducing medications.

• If the underlying factor is food poisoning, antibiotics will be given.

What Are the Natural Remedies for Gas Pain in the Chest?

• If a person is experiencing gas pain, they should first drink noncarbonated fluids. This improves digestion and constipation, making the gas move out of the body.

• Hot teas such as peppermint tea or ginger have anti-flatulent effects.

• Ginger is a digestive enhancer that helps with gas caused by indigestion.

• Exercise improves digestion and removes gas.

Conclusion

Gas pain in the chest can resolve immediately without any medical intervention. After starting home remedies, it can recede within an hour. However, if a person experiences gas pain frequently that does not resolve without treatment, it is crucial to consult a doctor. The doctor will run certain tests to rule out underlying conditions. However, one must note that gas pain in the chest is not a medical emergency unless a person starts experiencing heart attack symptoms or symptoms that last more than two hours.