What causes pain in the right side of the chest?
Sep 24, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
Right chest pain may be caused by muscle strain, emotional stress, pleurisy, pneumonia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or other reasons. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly. In daily life, one should maintain good habits, avoid excessive fatigue and strenuous exercise, keep a positive mood, and follow a balanced diet, which can help prevent and alleviate symptoms of right chest pain.
Generally, right chest pain may be caused by muscle strain, high emotional stress, pleuritis, pneumonia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and other reasons. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly. Specific analysis is as follows:
1. Muscle Strain
When muscles are overextended or subjected to external impact, microscopic tearing of muscle fibers may occur, triggering an inflammatory response and causing right chest pain. Immediate rest and ice application are recommended. Applying ice constricts blood vessels, limits tissue bleeding and swelling, reduces nerve conduction speed, and helps relieve pain.
2. High Emotional Stress
Stress and anxiety can disrupt the autonomic nervous system, leading to increased heart rate and elevated blood pressure, which may sometimes cause pain in the right chest. It's important to practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and meditation. Psychological counseling or therapy may be necessary when needed.
3. Pleuritis
Pleuritis is usually caused by bacterial or viral infections, tuberculosis, or other infections. Inflammation or infection of the pleura leads to friction between pleural layers, potentially causing right-sided chest pain, along with symptoms such as difficulty breathing, coughing, and fever. Treatment may include medications such as prednisone acetate tablets, rifampicin capsules, and isoniazid tablets, used under a doctor’s guidance.
4. Pneumonia
Pneumonia is mostly caused by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, mycoplasma, or chlamydia infecting the lungs. Inflammatory stimulation may lead to right chest pain, accompanied by symptoms like cough, sputum production, and fever. Patients may take medications such as levofloxacin tablets, azithromycin dispersible tablets, and ambroxol clenbuterol oral solution according to medical advice.
5. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
GERD typically results from structural or functional abnormalities in the anti-reflux barrier, combined with reduced esophageal clearance of refluxed material. Stomach acid flowing back into the esophagus damages the esophageal mucosa, potentially causing inflammation and right chest pain. Symptoms may also include heartburn, belching, and difficulty swallowing. Patients may use medications such as omeprazole enteric-coated capsules, lansoprazole tablets, and mosapride citrate dispersible tablets under a doctor's recommendation.
Maintaining healthy lifestyle habits, avoiding excessive fatigue and strenuous exercise, staying emotionally balanced, and eating a balanced diet can help prevent and alleviate symptoms of right chest pain.
