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What Causes Pain In The Upper Left Chest?

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Posted on Thu, 29 Dec 2016
Question: I notice some mild discomfort in my upper left chest, more noticeable if I press on it,
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (25 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
may be related to inflammation of muscles and other soft tissue

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

Chest pain can be due to problems to any structure in the chest from the skin inwards- skin, muscles, bone, heart, lungs, esophagus

The fact that the pain is worse on palpation means that it less likely to be related to the heart (which is often the pain concern) because heart related pain is not associated with tenderness.
Heart pain is also usually associated with other symptoms such as shortness of breath, palpitations.

Tenderness usually implies that it is related to inflammation of the muscles, bones etc.
IF this is the case then the use of anti inflammatory pain killers would help eg ibuprofen, naproxen, cataflam.
Warm compresses would also help as well

Lung disease is also usually associated with other symptoms as well eg difficulty breathing, coughing etc

Pain in the esophagus may be due to reflux or spasm of the esophagus and would be associated with reflux symptoms

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Michelle Gibson James (28 minutes later)
the discomfort is sharper if I press in the middle of my upper left breast; at some times the discomfort is more noticeable than at other times (variable), more often with with movement or without movement when I lay on my left side.

if this is being caused by inflammation and I prefer not to use painkillers, other than warm compresses, are there other natural methods to reduce inflammation I could try? is it likely to resolve on its own?

On a related subject, is there a test to determine the extent of plaque build up in the coronary arteries, under what conditions/symptoms would it be advisable to be tested, and what test would you recommend to determine the extent of the build up (if any).
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
EKG and possibly imaging

Detailed Answer:
HI

It may resolve on its own though in some cases, not all, may take longer without the anti inflammatory meds.

Other than the warm compresses, rest and avoiding any aggravating activities (eg lifting heavy objects) are the main natural other ways to help the pain. Stretching may also help. There are no supplements

With regard to the heart

This would normally be tested (1)if there are symptoms of angina- central chest pain , shortness of breath with activity , may resolve with rest

(2)previous heart attack

(3)symptoms of abnormal heart rhythm , dizziness, fainting,

(4)dangerous changes on EKG

If you have high blood pressure or diabetes or very high cholesterol or a family history of heart disease, then your doctor may suggest than an EKG.
EKG can give early indication of abnormal blood flow

If this is normal then heart disease is less likely but further testing would be needed if you are having symptoms.

Summary: (1) if having symptoms of angina, have a recent heart attack or abnormal EKG, the coronary angiogram would be suggested to take a look

Please feel free to ask any other questions

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Michelle Gibson James (23 hours later)
I have two questions on different subjects:

1. When I was younger I used to sweat easily even with a relatively modest amount of exertion. This has changed noticeably, for example, this morning it was admittably a cool day (65 degrees), and after a slow jog for nearly an hour, I barely sweated. Also noticeable is less underarm odor, I can often wear the same T-shirt two or three days without any odor problems. Should I be concerned and what could some possible causes be?

2. I suffer from a some form of erectile dysfunction for about a year now, I can get hard enough to penetrate about 1/2 to 2/3 of the time, however, I can only rarely stay hard enough to make it to ejaculation. My wife can usually bring me to ejaculation with the mouth and then vibrator after I become soft. Although staying hard and achieving ejaculation the normal way would be vastly preferable, the above has apparently become our new normal. I do not feel that I suffer from performance anxiety and my wife is very supportive and understanding. I focus on her satisfaction before penetration and we seem to be ok in the sex department despite the above setbacks. On rare occasions I am unable to achieve ejaculation. Could this be an indication of arteries to penis not so clear as they once were, or possibly a hormone problem? I have never smoked, am 6 feet tall and weighed 161 pounds this morning, have really tried to pursue a healthy diet (organic, no processed, cut way down on sugar and dairy, pursue regular exercise, eliminated unhealthy fats, cut way down on fried foods, try to eat more vegetables, have tried to eliminate GMOs, take a variety of supplements, etc.). I do have the problem of waking in the night for a pee run (oddly always seems to happen about 2am) and then having trouble going back to sleep. I usually can go back to sleep but it can be one or two hours later, can't stop the wheels in my mind turning it seems. Being retired, I make up for any lost sleep with an afternoon nap. Is this just a sign of getting older and there is nothing that can be done about it? (Note: I don't want to take any prescription drugs because I am afraid of the short and long term side effects and don't believe they address the underlying problem(s) anyway.) What could you recommend, if anything, and your thoughts ... anything I could try to improve the situation?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (50 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
if related to blood supply , no direct treatment

Detailed Answer:
HI

(1) exercise or exposure to a hot environment causes changes in the internal body temperature and skin temperature, leading to sweating
Part of the nervous system play a role , with nerve messages being sent between the brain and the sweat glands. This role is important because it is the reason that conditions such as diabetes can affect sweating (by nerve damage)

Though you exercised for a lengthy period of time, because of the environmental temperature, there would be reduced sweating

There are different types of sweat glands and the odour is related on one of these, the apocrine glands.
These make a type of sweat that cause the odor due to an effect on bacteria.

At the point you do not need to be concerned about these symptoms

(2)Erectile dysfunction can be due to : (1) abnormal blood supply to genitalia (2)abnormal nerve supply
(3)low levels of testosterone
(4)psychological factors

Abnormal or reduced blood supply is one of the more common causes. It can happen with age but can also occur with illnesses such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol.
The reduced blood supply is the basis for the most commonly used medications- viagra, cialis,levitra

These meds increase the blood going to the penis and though some persons experience side effects, many use with no problems

There are also vacum devices that help to draw blood into penis, these are external devices

The underlying issues, are usually not addressed (unless due to low testosterone).
You can consider having your levels done if they have never been checked, if the values are low then can use replacement therapy which would help

Please feel free to ask any other questions
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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What Causes Pain In The Upper Left Chest?

Brief Answer: may be related to inflammation of muscles and other soft tissue Detailed Answer: HI, thanks for using healthcare magic Chest pain can be due to problems to any structure in the chest from the skin inwards- skin, muscles, bone, heart, lungs, esophagus The fact that the pain is worse on palpation means that it less likely to be related to the heart (which is often the pain concern) because heart related pain is not associated with tenderness. Heart pain is also usually associated with other symptoms such as shortness of breath, palpitations. Tenderness usually implies that it is related to inflammation of the muscles, bones etc. IF this is the case then the use of anti inflammatory pain killers would help eg ibuprofen, naproxen, cataflam. Warm compresses would also help as well Lung disease is also usually associated with other symptoms as well eg difficulty breathing, coughing etc Pain in the esophagus may be due to reflux or spasm of the esophagus and would be associated with reflux symptoms I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions