Chest Pains when Swallowing | Must Know Tips on Understanding and Treating it

Chest pains when swallowing are among the most frightening symptoms an individual can have. At times, it is hard for the doctor or other professional medics to tell the exact cause of the chest pain and whether or not it is life threatening.

The cause of the pain can be any part of your chest such as the lungs, heart, muscle, esophagus, skin and bones. Due to the complex distribution of nerves in your body, other parts of the body may actually cause the chest pains when swallowing.

For instance, the stomach or other abdominal organs may be the cause of the chest pain. At times, you may experience the chest pains when you are swallowing food and this will definitely not impress a smile on your face. It is the aim of this article to highlight varying techniques that you can use to relieve the disgusting chest pains when swallowing your favorite meal or perhaps a refreshing drink, as you relax in your dining room.

Health means a great deal for many people, and food contributes immensely to this. Therefore, when you are busy masticating your breakfast lunch or dinner then you mysteriously start feeling unexpected chest pains, you will be astounded. The most immediate action for most people will be to scroll your phone book and call the physician promptly. However, you do not need to do this all the time even though calling the physician in face of such a situation is not a mistake.

Causes of Chest Pains When Swallowing

To understand how to deal with the chest pains associated with swallowing, it would be important to look at the underlying causes and symptoms of these kinds of chest pains. It is also worth noting that although there are some chest pains that are life threatening, the chest pains experienced while swallowing are not immediately life threatening.

The first type of chest pains under this category is the acute pericarditis. This occurs when the pericardium, the sac covering the heart, gets inflamed. The second one is the Mitral valve Prolapse which is an abnormality of the heart nerves where the valve leaves bulge into the upper chamber of the heart during the contraction process. This is believed to be among the causes of chest pains. The third one is pneumonia which is an infection of the lungs. The inflammation of the lungs’ lining causes the chest pains.

The other chest pains felt when swallowing are due to the disorders associated with the esophagus. The chest pains emanating from the esophageal disorders can be a frightening symptom since it normally mimics the chest pains related to a heart attack.  The first esophageal disorder is the acid reflux disease which takes place when the acidic digestive juices flow in the reverse direction from the stomach towards the esophagus. This often results to heartburns that you can experience as chest pains when swallowing.

The second esophageal disorder is known as Esophagitis which is simply the inflammation of one’s esophagus. This disorder may cause you to experience pains in your throat while swallowing and the pains may be transmitted by the nerves to the heart thus aggravating the pain. The cause of Esophagitis can be yeast, viruses, fungi, bacteria and irritations from various medications. Its symptoms include painful and difficult swallowing. The chest pains emerge suddenly and are not relieved when you take the antacids.

Third, there is esophageal spasm which can be explained to be the intensified, excessive and uncoordinated contractions in the smooth muscles of your esophagus. This disorder may be caused either by emotional upset or swallowing very cold or hot liquids and will make you feel dull and intermittent chest pains. The location of these pains is the mid-chest but you can feel them radiate to the neck, back or even shoulders.

Swallowing is a very complex process involving the throat region, the mouth and esophagus which is that tube that moves food down the stomach. Numerous muscles and nerves control the way these body parts function. Part of the swallowing process is voluntary implying that you are cognizant of controlling the action, and you could blink or nod a bit to indicate this. However, a greater part of the swallowing process is involuntary.

Painful swallowing can result when you chew food then move it at the back of your mouth. It may also take place when food moves from your mouth to the stomach. Chest pains when swallowing may be experienced as a feeling of food stuck in your throat, or pressure or heaviness in your upper chest or neck when eating. This will result to the difficulties in swallowing.

Home Remedies for Chest Pains When Swallowing

There are a number of home based remedies you need to employ in order to help you address the chest pains that you feel when swallowing. First and foremost, you should eat food slowly and chew it thoroughly. This will ensure that no unchewed solid food gets stuck at the back of your mouth that may result into unpleasant discomforts around the chest as you try to swallow the food.

Second, if an individual starts choking, you should immediately carry out the Heimlich maneuver in a bid to relieve him or her from the related chest pains. Choking can be avoided by eating slowly then chewing the food thoroughly. Third, you may find it easier swallowing liquids or the pureed foods instead of solids. When using solid foods, always have a liquid drink nearby. This may save you in case of swallowing difficulties such as choking or difficulties in food passage along the esophagus. Last but of course not the least; do not use extremely cold or extremely hot foods if you realize that they only worsen the symptoms.

Chest Pains When Swallowing Summary

There are other cases that may require you to seek further medical attention. Therefore, you should call your nurse or doctor under a number of circumstances related to painful swallowing. These include first, if you observe blood in your stool or the stools seem black and tarry. You should also contact the doctor if you encounter light-headedness and shortness of breath. The third situation is if you experience loss of weight.

In addition, inform the doctor about other symptoms that are experienced alongside the painful swallowing. These may include fever, heartburn, nausea, cough, chills, wheezing and abdominal pain, among others.

Chest pains when swallowing could be as a result of other disorders such as esophageal spasm, acid reflax disease or esophagitis. These pains can be relieved by following certain home care remedies like avoiding very hot or cold foods, using liquid foods and eating slowly to chew food properly. However, if you experience extreme symptoms, you should contact the doctor. If you observe this advice early enough, you will avert further possibly adverse health complications.