Have you ever experienced a sharp pain in your chest? If yes, you can attest that this condition is distressing and can undermine the quality of your life. Sometimes you may feel as if your chest is burning or crushing, which may even shorten your breath. Besides, the pain can spread to other body parts, such as the neck and back. The nature of discomfort usually depends on the triggers of Bakersfield chest pain. Previously, people believed that respiratory conditions were the only cause of chest pain. However, the reality is that there are other causes of these debilitating conditions. Below are different causes of chest pain that you should understand.

Acid Reflux

After having a heavy supper, you are more likely to experience a burning sensation along your chest. Notably, this discomfort occurs when the stomach contents flow back to the esophagus. Essentially, the acidic stomach content irritates the esophageal walls, thus causing heartburn which triggers the discomfort in your chest. Also, this condition makes it difficult to swallow some foods because of regurgitation.

Asthma

Individuals with asthma are more likely to suffer from chest pain. When asthmatic individuals encounter triggers such as dust and pollen grains, their airways become obstructed. The narrowed airways make breathing difficult, increasing chest pressure and causing chest pain. Additionally, trouble breathing also causes coughing, which worsens chest tightness.

Panic Attack

In a world of uncertainties, individuals are exposed to terrifying episodes, which usually cause anxiety and fear. After the panic attack, you will likely experience shortness of breath, which can cause chest pain. In addition, these attacks may cause heart palpitation, thus undermining the chest muscles.

Pneumonia

Many individuals suffering from pneumonia have reported sharp chest pain. Notably, when you have pneumonia, the air sacs in your lungs become inflamed, thus becoming problematic to breathe. In addition, the pus may fill in the swollen air sacs, thus causing chills and coughs. With this condition, you will often experience stabbing pain in your chest, especially after deep breathing.

Heart Attack

Chain discomfort is one of the common symptoms for individuals living with heart complications. Usually, individuals with heart disease experience reduced blood flow due to artery blockage. Consequently, the amount of oxygen reaching the heart reduces, which usually triggers chest pain that may move to the left arm.

Pulmonary Embolism

Your pulmonary arteries are vital in carrying blood to the lungs from the heart. Usually, these arteries carry the deoxygenated blood for oxygenation and removal of wastes in the lungs. Unfortunately, these arteries are susceptible to blood clots, reducing the lung’s blood flow. With a pulmonary embolism, it becomes difficult for the lungs to execute their respiratory role increasing chances of chest discomfort due to frequent coughs.

Millions of people suffering from chest pains do not understand the underlying condition behind the discomforts. They think respiratory conditions are the only cause of chest discomfort. However, the truth is that there are other causes of chest pain, such as asthma and acid reflux. The severity of the chest discomfort depends on the underlying cause. Therefore, if you experience chest pain, you should undergo the correct diagnosis to identify the actual cause, thus facilitating the necessary treatment options.