Have you ever experienced a chest pain after eating? This pain can be a marker of problems in the diet that is not healthy. In addition to the chest, this pain usually also spreads to the neck or diaphragm, the area between the upper abdomen and also the ribs.
Although the chest pain after eating and the pain feels very strong, it is not a symptom of heart disease. However, chest pain after eating can be a marker of problems in the gastrointestinal tract.
The following are some signs of chest pain that is generally unrelated to the heart:
- Hard to swallow.
- Chest pain when pressed.
- Chest pain when coughing or taking a deep breath.
- Pain that gets worse or improving when changing the position of the body.
- Heartburn or food from the stomach rises back into the esophagus.
Even so, chest pain can also occur due to heart disorders such as angina and heart attack. Angina occurs because of narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle so the blood flow to the heart becomes limited. The heart does not get enough oxygen and eventually causes the chest pain.
Read also: Causes of heart attack in young females.
If chest pain arises while doing physical activity and pain is immediately disappearing after resting, then most likely is angina. But if the pain lasts for more than 15 minutes, you may suffer to a heart attack. A heart attack will make your chest feel like being kneaded or pressed by heavy objects.
You should consult with a doctor where the doctor will study further chest pains that you experience and perform a physical examination. Supporting examination such as blood test, X-ray photo, the ECG may be recommended. Appropriate therapy will be given by the doctor.
Chest pain after eating, can be a symptom of GERD
Heartburn, until the inside of the neck and throat is one of the symptoms of GERD.
GERD is a disease characterized by the flow of gastric contents into the esophagus that causes symptoms that interfere with complications. Gastric acid flow back into the esophagus is not only a trigger of GERD syndrome, but also leads to wounds in the esophagus or esophagitis. The backflow of the stomach content is also reported to cause atypical syndrome, or exstraesofageal symptoms (such as asthma, chronic cough, laryngitis, hoarseness, chronic sore throat, tooth erosion, and non-cardiac chest pain) that may interfere with the daily activity and difficult to treat.
Read also: What causes Asthma?
Symptoms of GERD.
- The feeling / sensation of heat in the chest or, more precisely behind the breastbone, the sour flavor rises until the tongue feels bitter and sour (regurgitation).
- Feel the “Heartburn” or the burning sensation on the back of the breastbone.
- GERD can also cause a dry cough and odor.
Read also: How To Cure GERD Permanently.
Causes of chest pain after eating
- Acid reflux.
- Ulcers
- Heart problem.
- Extreme Indigestion.
- Unhealthy diet.
- Lung problems like Pneumonia and Pulmonary Embolism
- Panic Attack
- Inflammation when the ribs join the breast bone
- Shingles
- Inflammation of muscles and tendons between the ribs
- Spasm of the esophagus
- Gallstone
- Food allergies.
- Overeating.
- Gallbladder attacks.
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).
- Esophageal Ulcers
- Gas Pain in the Chest
- Achalasia.
- Hiatal Hernia.
- Esophageal Tear.
- Gastritis and Peptic Ulcers.
- Intestinal Obstruction
- Pancreatitis.
- Eating Disorders.
How to reduce chest pain after eating
Some tips to reduce chest pain after eating:
- Avoid too spicy and sour food.
- Consumption of nutritious food in small portions, but more often.
- A low-fat Diet.
- Eat regularly.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Not directly lying after a meal for a minimum of 2 hours.
- Sleep position: Sleeping with a rather high pillow.
- Do not smo**ke and drink alco**hol.
- Not staying up.
- Lose weight with 3-5 times per week with regular exercise for at least 30 minutes.
- Stress management well.
- Avoid excessive physical activity involving chest muscles.
Immediately to the doctor when chest pain is felt, propagate to the jaw, back, left arm, accompanied by a cold sweat, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath.
