What causes mild pain in the left chest while eating, and what should be done?

　　Mild pain in the left chest during meals may be related to conditions such as reflux esophagitis, pericarditis, or coronary atherosclerotic heart disease. Patients can receive treatment through medications, surgery, or other methods. Specific analyses are as follows:

　　1. Reflux Esophagitis

　　Reflux esophagitis is a gastrointestinal disorder caused by damage to the esophageal mucosa due to acid or alkaline reflux. If the damaged area of the esophageal mucosa is irritated during eating, it may cause left-sided chest pain, accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and acid regurgitation. Patients can take medications such as rabeprazole sodium enteric-coated capsules and mosapride citrate tablets under medical guidance.

　　2. Pericarditis

　　Inflammation of the visceral and parietal layers of the pericardium, triggered by bacterial infection, autoimmune factors, or other causes, may lead to symptoms including chest pain, palpitations, and shortness of breath. Patients can take medications such as aspirin enteric-coated tablets or ibuprofen sustained-release tablets under medical supervision to control the condition. In cases with pericardial effusion, procedures such as pericardiocentesis or pericardiectomy may be performed according to medical advice.

　　3. Coronary Atherosclerotic Heart Disease

　　This condition typically results from atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries, leading to narrowing or occlusion of the vessel lumen and subsequent myocardial ischemia and hypoxia. Clinical manifestations include chest pain, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and dizziness. Treatment may include medications such as quick-acting cardiac pills or nitroglycerin tablets, taken under medical supervision.

　　Besides the common causes mentioned above, similar symptoms may also be associated with myocardial infarction, rheumatic heart disease, or heart failure. If patients experience additional discomfort, they should seek hospital evaluation and receive targeted treatment under medical guidance.