HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

What Causes Dull Pain In Upper Right Side Of Chest?

default
Posted on Fri, 2 Jan 2015
Question: have dull ache upper right side of chest and at times it goes thru to upper right back a lot of gas
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Rovena (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
it might be due to Acid reflux.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Welcome to Healthcare Magic.

I read carefully your query and understand your concern.

You have a dull ache in the upper right side of chest and lot of gas.It might be related to gastrointestinal issues most likely Acid Reflux ,Gastritis (inflammation of stomach lining ).
If this pain is worse at night when you lie at bed ,or after eating and you have additional symptoms like feeling bloated after meals,burping ,time after time feel the acid coming up in throat and mouth then most likely you have Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Acid Reflux is when the stomach acid moves up into esophagus causing inflammation ,which can explain the chest pain that can spread in back.
This condition can be managed by diet changes and medication.

You should eat healthy foods (mostly green vegetables),avoid fried,fatty,processed foods.Avoid spicy foods. coffee ,alcohol, juices, carbonated drinks.
-Eat small frequent meals instead of three major ones
-Drink plenty of water.
-Eat at least 3 hours before going to bed.
-You should raise the head of your bed 6-8 inches (or you can use extra pillows).
-You can try taking an PPI drug for 1-2 weeks to see if it help.
Take Omeprazole OTC 20 mg once a day before meal.
If with these steps your symptoms are relieved ,then it helps for diagnosis because your symptoms were due to acid reflux.In this case your should continue Omeprazole at least for 4 weeks.
It is very important to follow the diet changes to control symptoms of acid reflux.

If diet changes and Omeprazole don't have any effect of your symptoms ,then most likely the cause of your chest pain isn't related to gastrointestinal tract.
In this case you need evaluation to determine the cause.

Other possible causes for right chest pain are:
-Conditions that affect liver and gallbladder
-Heart condition (although it usually causes pain in the left side of chest sometimes it cause pain in right side of chest).
-Lungs conditions or it is a muscular pain.
A complete medical history and physical examination are necessary for the diagnosis.
You may need to run an ECG and stress test to exclude heart condition , an abdominal ultrasound and liver function tests to exclude gallbladder and liver problems,an chest X-ray to exclude lungs conditions.


Hope it helps.
Let me know if you have any other question or doubt to clarify.I will be happy to assist you further.

Kind regards,
Dr.Rovena Murati
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Rovena

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2013

Answered : 1243 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
What Causes Dull Pain In Upper Right Side Of Chest?

Brief Answer: it might be due to Acid reflux. Detailed Answer: Hello! Welcome to Healthcare Magic. I read carefully your query and understand your concern. You have a dull ache in the upper right side of chest and lot of gas.It might be related to gastrointestinal issues most likely Acid Reflux ,Gastritis (inflammation of stomach lining ). If this pain is worse at night when you lie at bed ,or after eating and you have additional symptoms like feeling bloated after meals,burping ,time after time feel the acid coming up in throat and mouth then most likely you have Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Acid Reflux is when the stomach acid moves up into esophagus causing inflammation ,which can explain the chest pain that can spread in back. This condition can be managed by diet changes and medication. You should eat healthy foods (mostly green vegetables),avoid fried,fatty,processed foods.Avoid spicy foods. coffee ,alcohol, juices, carbonated drinks. -Eat small frequent meals instead of three major ones -Drink plenty of water. -Eat at least 3 hours before going to bed. -You should raise the head of your bed 6-8 inches (or you can use extra pillows). -You can try taking an PPI drug for 1-2 weeks to see if it help. Take Omeprazole OTC 20 mg once a day before meal. If with these steps your symptoms are relieved ,then it helps for diagnosis because your symptoms were due to acid reflux.In this case your should continue Omeprazole at least for 4 weeks. It is very important to follow the diet changes to control symptoms of acid reflux. If diet changes and Omeprazole don't have any effect of your symptoms ,then most likely the cause of your chest pain isn't related to gastrointestinal tract. In this case you need evaluation to determine the cause. Other possible causes for right chest pain are: -Conditions that affect liver and gallbladder -Heart condition (although it usually causes pain in the left side of chest sometimes it cause pain in right side of chest). -Lungs conditions or it is a muscular pain. A complete medical history and physical examination are necessary for the diagnosis. You may need to run an ECG and stress test to exclude heart condition , an abdominal ultrasound and liver function tests to exclude gallbladder and liver problems,an chest X-ray to exclude lungs conditions. Hope it helps. Let me know if you have any other question or doubt to clarify.I will be happy to assist you further. Kind regards, Dr.Rovena Murati