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Suggest Treatment For Stress And Pressure Feeling On Chest

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Posted on Fri, 12 Sep 2014
Question: I'm a 26 year old college student who also happens to work full time where I work sitting down for long periods of time In front of a computer screen, and about three weeks ago during the last week of my summer finals I felt very strange one evening I was having trouble catching my breath and felt pressure in my chest, along with the warmth on the left side and had having a lot of trouble sleeping concerned I went to the doctor the next day explained my symptoms and had an EKG done it came out good even had a chest X-ray done doctor said the chest X-ray was also clean no signs of lung disease or anything that might concern him about my heart. Was told it was possible stress still wanted to follow up with me only prescribed me muscle relaxers I have a follow up in about three weeks and the doctor has also requested blood work that I need to get done for the next visit. And since then I haven't had this sensation until about three days ago that only this warm sensation came back I'm still not sure what it may be I also suffer from seasonal allergies and I'm only using a nasal spray which helps with my breathing but only for a few hours I'm more concerned about this warm sensation that comes and go and it radiates through my left arm and upper neck.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
anxiety

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking

Such presentation is a classic one for anxiety and panic attacks. Ekg and other labs are proof of that. Blood count would also be fine . Mild anemia might be but nothing which can't be managed.

I believe it's time to modify diet and lifestyle. Following measures will help.

Develop regular sleep habits; this means keeping a regular sleep and wake time, sleeping as much as needed to feel refreshed the following day, but not spending more time in bed than neededAvoid staying in bed in the morning to catch up on sleepAvoid daytime naps; if a nap is necessary, keep it short (less than 1 hour) and avoid napping after 3 pmKeep a regular daytime schedule; regular times for meals, medications, chores, and other activities helps keep the inner body clock running smoothlyDo not read, write, eat, watch TV, talk on the phone, or play cards in bedAvoid caffeine after lunch; avoid alcohol within 6 hours of bedtime; avoid nicotine before bedtimeDo not go to bed hungry, but do not eat a big meal near bedtime eitherAvoid sleeping pills, particularly over-the-counter remediesSlow down and unwind before bed (beginning at least 30 minutes before bedtime (a light snack may be helpful); create a bedtime ritual such as getting ready for bed, wearing night clothes, listening to relaxing music, or reading a magazine, newspaper, or bookAvoid watching TV in the bedroom or sleeping on the sofa and then going to bed later in the nightAvoid stimulating activities prior to bedtime (eg, vigorous exercise, discussing or reviewing finances, or discussing stressful issues with a spouse or partner or ruminating about them with oneself)Keep the bedroom dark, quiet, and at a comfortable temperatureExercise daily; this is best performed in the late afternoon or early evening (but not later than 6-7 pm)Do not force yourself to sleep; if you are unable to fall asleep within 15-30 minutes, get up and do something relaxing until sleepy (eg, read a book in a dimly lit room, watch a non-stimulating TV program); avoid watching the clock or worrying about the perceived consequences of not getting enough sleepCognitive behavioural therapies help the issue too.it includes Sleep hygiene educationCognitive therapyRelaxation therapyStimulus-control therapySleep-restriction therapyTry Acupressure too, it works like charm on insomnia issues.Avoid caffeinated beverages in the late afternoon or evening, since the stimulant activity of adenosine antagonism can promote hyperarousalAvoid alcohol in the evening, since this can worsen sleep-disordered breathing leading to frequent arousals; furthermore, while alcohol promotes sleep early in the night, it leads to more sleep disruption later in the eveningAvoid large meals near bedtime, particularly with gastroesophageal reflux disease or delayed gastric emptying.

Exercise in the late afternoon or early evening (at least 6 hours before bedtime) can promote sleep. However, vigorous physical activity in the late evening (< 6 hours before bedtime) can worsen insomnia.

2)Depression is next.
   

Behavior therapyCognitive-behavioral therapyFamily therapyGroup psychotherapyInterpersonal psychotherapyInterpersonal therapyMindfulness-based cognitive therapyPsychodynamic psychotherapySupportive psychotherapy Transcranial Magnetic stimulation is good and works like charm.vagal nerve stimulation is proved effective too.Electroconvulsive therapy is good too.

3) Social phobia and panic attacks will also get managed with these cognitive therapies too.
4)FOllowing things have proved effective for agarophobia and other social phobias. i am sure they will help

Social anxiety disorder (social phobia) – Self-exposure monotherapy, computer-based exposure training, clinician-led exposure, or combination therapies (eg, self-exposure and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)/self-help manual)Specific phobia – CBT-based approach, including gradual desensitization; relaxation and breathing control techniques; exposure therapy}Agoraphobia – Combination of exposure therapy, relaxation, and breathing retraining.

I hope it helps. Take good care of yourself and don't forget to close the discussion please.

May the odds be ever in your favour.

Regards XXXXXXX

Note: For further follow-up it is advisable to consult an emergency medicine specialist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 3613 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Stress And Pressure Feeling On Chest

Brief Answer: anxiety Detailed Answer: Thank you for asking Such presentation is a classic one for anxiety and panic attacks. Ekg and other labs are proof of that. Blood count would also be fine . Mild anemia might be but nothing which can't be managed. I believe it's time to modify diet and lifestyle. Following measures will help. Develop regular sleep habits; this means keeping a regular sleep and wake time, sleeping as much as needed to feel refreshed the following day, but not spending more time in bed than neededAvoid staying in bed in the morning to catch up on sleepAvoid daytime naps; if a nap is necessary, keep it short (less than 1 hour) and avoid napping after 3 pmKeep a regular daytime schedule; regular times for meals, medications, chores, and other activities helps keep the inner body clock running smoothlyDo not read, write, eat, watch TV, talk on the phone, or play cards in bedAvoid caffeine after lunch; avoid alcohol within 6 hours of bedtime; avoid nicotine before bedtimeDo not go to bed hungry, but do not eat a big meal near bedtime eitherAvoid sleeping pills, particularly over-the-counter remediesSlow down and unwind before bed (beginning at least 30 minutes before bedtime (a light snack may be helpful); create a bedtime ritual such as getting ready for bed, wearing night clothes, listening to relaxing music, or reading a magazine, newspaper, or bookAvoid watching TV in the bedroom or sleeping on the sofa and then going to bed later in the nightAvoid stimulating activities prior to bedtime (eg, vigorous exercise, discussing or reviewing finances, or discussing stressful issues with a spouse or partner or ruminating about them with oneself)Keep the bedroom dark, quiet, and at a comfortable temperatureExercise daily; this is best performed in the late afternoon or early evening (but not later than 6-7 pm)Do not force yourself to sleep; if you are unable to fall asleep within 15-30 minutes, get up and do something relaxing until sleepy (eg, read a book in a dimly lit room, watch a non-stimulating TV program); avoid watching the clock or worrying about the perceived consequences of not getting enough sleepCognitive behavioural therapies help the issue too.it includes Sleep hygiene educationCognitive therapyRelaxation therapyStimulus-control therapySleep-restriction therapyTry Acupressure too, it works like charm on insomnia issues.Avoid caffeinated beverages in the late afternoon or evening, since the stimulant activity of adenosine antagonism can promote hyperarousalAvoid alcohol in the evening, since this can worsen sleep-disordered breathing leading to frequent arousals; furthermore, while alcohol promotes sleep early in the night, it leads to more sleep disruption later in the eveningAvoid large meals near bedtime, particularly with gastroesophageal reflux disease or delayed gastric emptying. Exercise in the late afternoon or early evening (at least 6 hours before bedtime) can promote sleep. However, vigorous physical activity in the late evening (< 6 hours before bedtime) can worsen insomnia. 2)Depression is next.     Behavior therapyCognitive-behavioral therapyFamily therapyGroup psychotherapyInterpersonal psychotherapyInterpersonal therapyMindfulness-based cognitive therapyPsychodynamic psychotherapySupportive psychotherapy Transcranial Magnetic stimulation is good and works like charm.vagal nerve stimulation is proved effective too.Electroconvulsive therapy is good too. 3) Social phobia and panic attacks will also get managed with these cognitive therapies too. 4)FOllowing things have proved effective for agarophobia and other social phobias. i am sure they will help Social anxiety disorder (social phobia) – Self-exposure monotherapy, computer-based exposure training, clinician-led exposure, or combination therapies (eg, self-exposure and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)/self-help manual)Specific phobia – CBT-based approach, including gradual desensitization; relaxation and breathing control techniques; exposure therapy}Agoraphobia – Combination of exposure therapy, relaxation, and breathing retraining. I hope it helps. Take good care of yourself and don't forget to close the discussion please. May the odds be ever in your favour. Regards XXXXXXX