What causes a dull pain in the center of the chest?
Mar 28, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Qifeng
Introduction
Dull pain in the middle of the chest can generally be divided into two categories: physiological and pathological factors. Common pathological causes include costochondritis and reflux esophagitis. Under certain conditions such as emotional excitement, excessive fatigue, or hunger, the sympathetic nerve plexus in the thoracic region may experience functional disturbances or overactivity, leading to transient upper chest pain.
Dull pain in the center of the chest can generally be divided into two aspects: physiological factors and pathological factors. Common pathological causes include costochondritis and reflux esophagitis, among others. A detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Physiological Factors
When the body is in special conditions such as emotional excitement, excessive fatigue, or hunger, functional disorders or overactivity of the sympathetic nerve plexus in the thoracic region may occur, leading to transient upper chest pain, muscle spasms, and a feeling of chest heaviness. This is a normal physiological phenomenon, and symptoms typically resolve quickly once the triggering factors are removed.
2. Pathological Factors
1) Costochondritis
This condition is caused by inflammation of the cartilage connecting the ribs and sternum. During an episode, patients often experience varying degrees of pain in the anterior chest wall, which may present as dull ache, stabbing pain, or severe pain. Over time, the pain may radiate to the back or abdomen. The fourth, fifth, and sixth ribs are common sites of involvement.
2) Reflux Esophagitis
The esophagus is a muscular tube that transports food from the mouth to the stomach and is located centrally in the upper chest. Prolonged exposure of esophageal tissue to refluxed gastric contents may lead to damage or bleeding in the epithelial and muscular layers, resulting in symptoms such as upper chest pain, heartburn, and difficulty swallowing.
In addition, similar symptoms may also be caused by other conditions such as esophageal cancer. It is recommended to seek prompt medical evaluation at a hospital for thorough examination to determine the exact underlying cause.
