Chest and Abdomen Pain Treatment Fort Lauderdale, FL
Chest and abdomen pain treatment can be of the utmost importance, since it can be difficult to know how severe your chest and abdominal pain is without professional treatment. It is crucial to seek medical assistance any time chest or abdominal pain becomes concerning. In most cases, chest and abdominal pain are 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 treated at Proactive Medical Group in Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding area. Call us at (954) 938-2843 to visit our primary care provider for an evaluation and treatment today.
Understanding Chest and Abdominal Pain
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 involves 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 stems from the inner abdomen or outer stomach wall, ranging from mild to severe. Abdominal pain can occur in the stomach or surrounding areas.
“Chest pain may be angina, muscular pain within the heart, and not a heart attack.”
Causes and Associated Symptoms of Chest Pain
Causes
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 understand 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.
There are four cases of chest pain causes, including: 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.
Symptoms
In order to properly assess the cause and severity of 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 a possible visit to the emergency room. In the event that a patient begins to experience moderate pain that lasts for more than a couple of hours, pain that makes it hard to breathe, or severe pain that radiates to other parts of the body (especially the arms), they should seek immediate medical assistance.
Chest pain can be life-threatening, and it is important to seek medical attention whenever there is a serious concern for any reason.
“Chest pain can result from a variety of different causes, ranging from a mild case of heartburn to a heart attack.”
Treatment for Chest Pain
The form of treatment used to treat chest pain is largely dependent on its cause. To determine this, our team will first check to ensure that the patient is 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 the patient's 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:
- Anti-anxiety medication
- Antidepressants
- Antacids
- Blood pressure medication
- Heart medication
- Lung reinflation
- Surgery
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. Surgery may be necessary for situations in which a serious heart or lung issue causes chest pain.
“We may use medication to improve blood flow to treat chest pain caused by a heart issue.”
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Causes and Symptoms of Abdominal Pain
Causes
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:
- Appendicitis
- Cancer
- Food poisoning
- Gallstones
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Kidney stones
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Stomach flu
- Stomach ulcer
- Stress
- Traumatic injury
- Urinary tract infection
- Viral and bacterial infections
Symptoms
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 the pain progresses to where it is intolerable at any point, be sure to seek primary care as soon as possible.
- Constipation
- Cramps
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Pelvic pain
- Severe stomach pain
- Vomiting
“While abdominal pain is often thought of as stomach pain, it is not always caused by a stomach-related issue.”
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. What occurs when the chest or abdomen are causing pain?
Q. What are the causes and symptoms of chest pain?
Q. What are the causes of abdominal pain?
Q. What occurs when the chest or abdomen are causing pain?
Q. What are the causes and symptoms of chest pain?
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Treatment for Abdominal Pain
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 order 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 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.
“The exact treatment option depends on the severity of abdominal pain and the cause, but most treatments result in medication, lifestyle changes, or surgery.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the difference between angina and a heart attack?
A. Angina and heart attacks 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. What are the signs of a heart attack and what should I do if I experience 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 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.
Start Feeling Better – Visit Us Today
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 treatment options.
Definition of Medical Terminology
Call Us Today
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 primary care provider, 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 954-938-2843.
Helpful Related Links
- American Heart Association. American Heart Association. 2023
- American Journal of Medicine. American Journal of Medicine. 2023
- American Medical Association (AMA). American Medical Association (AMA). 2023
- CDC Overweight & Obesity. CDC Overweight & Obesity. 2023
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