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What Causes Sharp Pain In The Chest Area?

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Posted on Mon, 30 Jan 2017
Question: I have sharp pain in my chest? I have been told by my Dr. that I have something like Costal Chondrica..sp?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (31 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Costochondritis

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Perhaps your doctor thinks it is costochondritis. This is inflammation of the chest wall - the cartilage that attaches the ribs and breast bone. Costochondritis pain usually increases when you take a deep breath, cough, or twist/move your chest. If there is tenderness when the doctor presses on the joints around the breast bone, that is likely to be costochondritis.

But sometimes it can be hard to distinguish costochondritis pain from other sources of pain (heart, lungs, or gastrointestinal). For example, the stomach can reflux acid, causing sharp pains in the chest. If there is any chance that it could be stomach acid pain in your chest (such as if the description above doesn't seem to apply) you can try a stomach acid reducer such as over the counter Zantac 150 mg twice a day to see if it makes the pain any better.

I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (8 minutes later)
Thank you for answering. I am concerned that the pain is in the left side and radiating and seems different than the past explanation of Costochondriditis. It seems to increase when I take a deep breath and is radiating up toward my neck I don't think that it is indigestion..acid reflux - as I have had that before and it doesn't feel like what I have had in the past.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (38 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
please get this checked out promptly

Detailed Answer:
If this is a new type of pain for you and is radiating into your neck or jaw, then I think you should go into the ER to make sure it is not cardiac in nature. Sharp pain is usually not due to heart problems - that is more of a pressure type pain. But as we don't know what the cause of your pain is and it is different, best to play it safe and get it checked out.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 3134 Questions

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What Causes Sharp Pain In The Chest Area?

Brief Answer: Costochondritis Detailed Answer: Hello, Perhaps your doctor thinks it is costochondritis. This is inflammation of the chest wall - the cartilage that attaches the ribs and breast bone. Costochondritis pain usually increases when you take a deep breath, cough, or twist/move your chest. If there is tenderness when the doctor presses on the joints around the breast bone, that is likely to be costochondritis. But sometimes it can be hard to distinguish costochondritis pain from other sources of pain (heart, lungs, or gastrointestinal). For example, the stomach can reflux acid, causing sharp pains in the chest. If there is any chance that it could be stomach acid pain in your chest (such as if the description above doesn't seem to apply) you can try a stomach acid reducer such as over the counter Zantac 150 mg twice a day to see if it makes the pain any better. I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.