It can be difficult to know how severe your chest and abdominal pain is, the cause of the pain, and what treatment you need. It is important to seek medical assistance any time chest or abdominal pain becomes concerning. In most cases, chest and abdominal pain is minor and treatable at home with home remedies and over-the-counter medications. However, more serious chest or abdominal pain could suggest something is wrong.
Being proactive and seeking prompt care can relieve pain and discomfort and prevent further complications from arising. Chest and abdomen pain can be checked at Encompass Care in North Las Vegas and the surrounding area. Our staff can help you determine whether the pain is minor or severe and help you treat it.
Call us at (702) 514-4295 to visit our urgent care center for an evaluation and treatment today.
The chest refers to the upper portion of the body between the neck and abdomen; the abdomen is the stomach and home to the digestive organs. Chest pain is pain or discomfort in the chest area that may cause a dull ache, a crushing or burning feeling, a sharp stabbing pain, and pain that radiates to the neck or shoulder. Abdominal pain is pain stemming from the inner abdomen or outer stomach wall that ranges from mild to severe. Abdominal pain can occur in the stomach or surrounding areas.
Chest pain can result from a variety of different causes, ranging from a mild case of heartburn to a heart attack. Due to the wide severity spectrum, it is important to have a clear understanding of what certain chest pain symptoms mean and how to remedy them. While the cause of chest pain may be obvious in some cases, such as a physical injury or sore muscles, it can be difficult to know the exact cause of other forms of chest pain.
The causes of chest pain can be broken into four different categories: heart problems, digestive problems, lung-related issues, or muscle and bone issues. A heart-related issue, such as angina (a condition in which less blood flows to the heart) or a heart attack, are typically the most concerning types of chest pain. Lung-related issues, such as a pulmonary embolism (blood clots in the lung), can be life-threatening as well.
In order to properly assess the cause and severity of your chest pain, it is crucial to know the symptoms and what they mean. The most common symptoms of chest pain include pressure or tightness in the chest, shortness of breath, dizziness or weakness, nausea, and vomiting.
More severe symptoms may suggest a serious heart condition, require urgent care and, possibly, visiting the emergency room. In the event that you begin to experience any of the following symptoms, seek immediate medical assistance: Severe pain that radiates to other parts of the body, especially the arms; Pain that makes it hard to breathe; Moderate pain that lasts for more than a couple of hours. Chest pain can be life-threatening, and it is important to seek medical attention whenever there is a serious concern for any reason.
The form of treatment used to treat chest pain is largely dependent on its cause. In order to determine this, our team of medical professionals will first check to ensure that you are not suffering from a heart attack, pulmonary embolism, or any other life-threatening condition that requires emergency medical attention. After ruling out the most serious concerns, the physician will give a diagnosis based on the current symptoms, a review of your medical history, and in some cases, test results, such as EKG, stress tests, or a CT scan.
Depending on the cause of pain, the physician will likely prescribe one of the following treatment methods:
We may use medication to improve blood flow to treat chest pain caused by a heart issue. The most common forms of heart medication for chest pain include nitroglycerin, thrombolytic drugs, and blood thinners. If the doctor does not believe the pain is related to a heart issue, they may prescribe another form of pain relief medication to help treat the pain.
If the chest pain is caused by a panic attack or other manifestation of anxiety (e.g., PTSD), we may prescribe anti-anxiety medication in order to ease the symptoms. In the most severe situations in which the chest pain is caused by a serious heart or lung issue, the patient may need surgery.
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Abdominal pain typically describes pain occurring between the chest and pelvic region, but it can also radiate to the back. While abdominal pain is often thought of as stomach pain, it is not always caused by a stomach-related issue. Abdominal pain can be attributed to a variety of causes, such as food-related illnesses, an infection that causes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, or a condition such as kidney stones. There are numerous reasons one may be experiencing abdominal pain. Causes of abdominal pain include, but are not limited to:
In many instances, abdominal pain may also include pain in several surrounding areas, such as the chest. We need to properly assess the pain level. If the pain is minor and has not persisted for more than a couple of hours, it may resolve or be treatable at home with over-the-counter medications. However, if at any point, the pain progresses to where it is intolerable, be sure to seek urgent care as soon as possible.
The most common symptoms of abdominal pain include:
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The first thing we do to properly assess and diagnose a patient's abdominal pain is to ask questions about their medical history and the severity of their pain. Additionally, we will conduct an examination, which includes feeling the abdominal region for tenderness and swelling. After doing so, the physician may also obtain labs or imaging, such as an X-ray or ultrasound, to better determine the exact cause. The exact treatment option depends on the severity of abdominal pain and the cause, but most treatments result in medication, lifestyle changes, or surgery.
In some cases, we may prescribe medication to treat the abdominal pain. The exact type of medication depends solely on the cause. For some abdominal pain, over-the-counter medications may relieve constipation or other common symptoms. If a bacterial infection is causing your abdominal pain, we are likely to prescribe antibiotics. In severe cases, a surgical procedure, such as an appendectomy or surgery for severe kidney stones, may be necessary.
Q. What is the difference between angina and a heart attack?
A. Angina and heart attacks are somewhat similar, as they both cause chest pain due to the heart. However, angina is a condition in which there is reduced blood flow to the heart that sometimes occurs during exercise. A heart attack, on the other hand, results in a complete, or almost complete, blockage of blood flow to the heart.
Q. I am afraid of having a heart attack and not knowing what to do. How can I notice the signs of a heart attack and what to do in the event of one?
A. One notable symptom of a heart attack besides chest pain is surrounding pain in areas around the heart. A heart attack can result in pain between the shoulders, arms, upper abdomen region, and the chest area. Additionally, an individual suffering from a heart attack is likely to also experience weakness, fatigue, and dizziness. If there is ever a concern that you or someone in close proximity to you is suffering from a heart attack, call 911 immediately.
Q. Is it okay to treat abdominal pain at home if the symptoms are not severe?
A. Yes. In fact, some abdominal pain is minor and does not require medical assistance. However, any time abdominal pain becomes intolerable, lasts for more than several days, or leads to other complications, you should seek immediate medical assistance. In some cases, minor abdominal pain can progress slowly and, if untreated, result in far more serious conditions.
Q. Can food play a part in abdominal pain if I do not have any conditions?
A. Yes, food can have a big impact on both the chest and abdomen. GERD refers to indigestion and gastroesophageal reflux disease, which is commonly called heartburn or acid reflux. This occurs when stomach acid rushes up from your stomach to the chest and throat. It can cause sudden pain or a burning feeling in the chest or abdomen, but usually goes away by itself.
Q. Can stress cause chest or abdominal pain?
A. Yes. Stress affects just about every part of the body and can cause heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure, anxiety, depression, gallstones, ulcers, and immune functions. Stress can heighten symptoms if you have pre-existing medical conditions. Signs of stress include chest pain and rapid heartbeat, but its symptoms are many.
By visiting us as soon as possible, our team can help get you the professional treatment you need. Instead of waiting around and allowing the symptoms to get worse, we can provide you with stronger medication and treatment options instead of ineffective store-bought products.
To ensure your chest or abdominal pain does not grow increasingly worse or last for longer than necessary, consult with us or come in for a visit to our urgent care, especially if your abdominal pain leads to an intolerable amount of pain. If you are concerned about chest or abdomen pain and want to schedule an examination, call us at 702-514-4295.
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