Chest pain due to gas can get rather alarming at times since people tend to confuse it with pain arising due to myocardial infarction. To distinguish chest pain from other causes, it is important that you are well aware of the symptoms that arise because of chest pain due to gas.
Symptoms
There are some cardinal signs and symptoms that one tends to experience when gas is the cause of the chest pain. These include:
- Sensation of tightness in the chest
- Jabbing pain in the region
- Involuntary passing of excess gas
- Indigestion and belching
- Associated pain in the abdominal area which can be localized or generalized
- Feeling of bloating
- Loss of appetite
If you experience any of these symptoms along with chest pain, you should understand that it is an excess gas which is the cause. Often, to alleviate the pain and other symptoms, home remedies suffice, and you do not have to go to a doctor.
However, there are some cases in which relief cannot be attained via home remedies and over-the-counter medications and as a result, professional consultation is required.
Causes
It is often said that in order to deal with something effectively, you first need to make an effort to find its root. This case is no different. If you want to acquire a permanent solution to chest pain arising due to gas, you need to understand the cause behind the excess accumulation of gas.
We are now going to provide you with some common factors that lead to the buildup of gas in the body.
1. Swallowing air
Whenever you eat something, chew gum, or drink with a straw, air gains entry into your system. When the air you swallow is high in quantity, it manages to find its way to the lower digestive tract which, in turn, results in gas building up. This often happens when people eat at a rapid pace.
2. Food enriched with fiber and carbonated drinks
One of the most common causes of gas buildup in the body is an intake of a high amount of fiber. Food items like vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and beans are enriched with fiber and, thus, lead to the accumulation of gas in the body.
In addition to this, the consumption of carbonated beverages such as a soda can also lead to gas formation.
3. Heartburn
When stomach acid manages to flow up into the esophagus, the formation of gas occurs. It also leads to nausea and uneasiness along with chest pain.
4. Chronic illnesses
The excessive gas formation can also be a symptom of some chronic condition. The conditions which can lead to gas include inflammatory bowel diseases, diverticulitis, and diabetes among others.
5. Intolerance to certain food items
Some people are intolerant to dairy products because their bodies are not capable of breaking down the lactose present in those products. Excessive gas is among the symptoms of lactose intolerance.
Similarly, people who have an intolerance to gluten face the problem of excess gas if they eat items such as wheat and grains.
Some people are unable to tolerate the artificial additives and sweeteners used in different things such as candy. Such people experience gas when they intake the items containing these additives.
How to Get Rid of Gas Pain in Chest
When it comes to chest pain due to the excessive buildup of gas in the body, there are various remedies that you can try to acquire relief. Let us provide you with some of the options that you have.
1. Say no to carbonated drinks
While it is a good idea to increase fluid consumption, you need to make sure that it is not carbonated drinks that you use for this purpose as they lead to opposite results. Carbonated drinks are enriched with gas and, thus, would result in the matters being worsened.
2. Increase fluid intake
One of the most common causes of chest pain owing to gas is poor digestion. When you increase your fluid intake, it serves to wash away the toxins that lie in your body because of improper digestion. Thus, the excessive fluid leads to the undigested food finding its way out of the body.
Furthermore, an increase of fluid also results in the alleviation of problems such as constipation. It paves the way for gas to be removed from the body.
Therefore, if you are experiencing gas pain, you ought to drink plenty of fluid. Beverages such as herbal tea or simply water would prove to be highly effective in removing the gas from the body and alleviating the chest pain.
3. Hot tea
Hot tea is a quick and effective way to deal with gas pain. You will find instant relief with the help of a cup of hot peppermint tea. Chamomile tea would also alleviate pain. Ginger tea is another option that you have.
These teas are provided with an anti-flatulent property owing to which they prevent the buildup of gas in the body.
4. Ginger
While ginger tea is indeed an excellent way to get rid of the chest pain, simply consuming ginger would also prove to be quite effective. You can simply eat a few pieces of it or use it to make juice. Ginger tablets are also available on the market that you can use whenever you experience gas pain.
5. Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is an effective remedy for dealing with chest pain due to gas. It leads to smooth digestion in addition to alleviating pain. A few tablespoons are all that is required to get rid of the discomfort.
6. Stay away from dairy products
When you start feeling uneasy and develop pain in the chest and you think that gas buildup is the cause, ensure that you stay away from the dairy products. If you experience discomfort after the ingestion of such items, it is an indication that you are intolerant to them.
Therefore, if you want to permanently get rid of the problem, identify the triggering factor and remove it from your diet.
7. Exercising
When you are in any sort of pain, you do not feel like moving at all. However, exercise and moving about is something that serves to alleviate chest pain due to gas to a large extent.
One option is to lie down and press your legs against the stomach while breathing deeply. This would force the air and excess gas out of the body.
Another option is to kneel on the bed with your buttocks in the air and your head facing down. This would serve to remove the excess gas from the body and, thereby, alleviate chest pain.
There are some exercises which can be done in bed that can provide you with the desired results. You can imitate cycling with your legs in the air, which can lead to enhanced circulation. Another option is scissoring the legs in the back and forth direction while both are suspended in the air.
Exercise is also a preventative measure against the buildup of gas. If you want to make sure that you do not find yourself at the receiving end of gas buildup, you should endeavor to take some time out from your busy schedule to indulge in some exercise.
It does not have to be anything rigorous. A simple brisk walk would suffice. Similarly, sit ups would be a good idea whenever you get the time.
8. Over-the-counter medications
Sometimes, the home remedies do not bring about the desired results. At such times, it is medications that you can use to get relief from the pain. Omeprazole is found to be rather effective in getting rid of the excess gas in the body.
However, before you make use of any medication, make sure you are aware of its mechanism of action and the side effects that it might cause.
When to See a Doctor
When it comes to matters of health, chances should not be taken. A bit of negligence can prove to be costly, so it is important to know when the matter is out of your hands and professional consultation needs to be sought.
When we talk about chest pain due to gas, you should seek consultation when the pain becomes too severe and hinders your activity. Keep in mind that chest pain can be a sign of some other health problem as well, so ignoring it for a long period can prove to be detrimental.
While there is no harm in seeking relief from the pain by using natural remedies, if the pain does not subside or recurs now and then, you should look at a professional for answers.
You should ensure that there is nothing to worry about. A thorough checkup would do you good and would serve to ensure that if there is any problem, it is detected at an early stage and treatment is commenced at the right time.
