Chest pain is as common as headaches and abdominal pain. It has been found that up to 40% of people have experienced chest pain at some point in their lifetime. The chest contains vital organs, and chest pain is often the main symptom of a number of life-threatening diseases, which necessitates differential diagnosis of dangerous and non-dangerous conditions and their adequate correction.
As doctors have observed in the past, if an attack of pain occurs for no apparent reason and stops on its own, it is likely to be of a functional nature.
Some causes of chest pains, according to WebMD, include:
– Diseases of the musculo-skeletal system (osteochondrosis, rib chondritis, and rib fractures)
– Diseases of the cardiovascular system (coronary heart disease, angina pectoris, mitral valve prolapse, arrhythmias, pericarditis)
– Digestive system problems (gastroesophageal reflux, gastric and duodenal ulcers)
– Panic disorders, anxiety, stress
– Bronchial and lung pathology (bronchitis, pleurodynia, pneumonia)
– Lung cancer
– Diabetes mellitus
– Drug side effects and intoxication.
