What should I do about chest distension and pain with lower abdominal pressure?

Feb 27, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

Recently, I have been constantly feeling breast tenderness and a sensation of pressure in the lower abdomen. What should I do?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhang Lu

Chest distension and pain along with lower abdominal discomfort are relatively common symptoms that may be caused by various factors. These symptoms could be related to the menstrual cycle, digestive system issues such as gastritis and enteritis, urinary system diseases like cystitis and kidney stones, gynecological conditions such as ovarian cysts and uterine fibroids, or cardiovascular diseases. If these symptoms are accompanied by difficulty breathing, chest tightness, palpitations, or similar symptoms, immediate medical attention should be sought to rule out acute cardiac events. To alleviate these two symptoms, the following measures can be taken:

1. Rest and diet: Maintain adequate rest and avoid strenuous exercise; adjust your diet to avoid spicy and greasy foods; drink an appropriate amount of water to maintain regular bowel movements. If the pain does not subside or symptoms worsen, timely medical attention is necessary.

2. Heat application: Apply a hot water bottle or warm moist towel to the chest and lower abdomen for 15–30 minutes each time, which helps improve blood circulation and relieve muscle tension.

3. Medication: If the pain is severe, over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen may be used under a doctor's guidance. For different underlying causes such as mammary hyperplasia, mastitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, specific medications such as antibiotics or hormonal drugs might be required.