Why am I suffering from chest pain?
Consultant, Dept. of Respiratory Medicine,
Sir Ganga Ram Hospital,
New Delhi
Q: I am a 40 years old male suffering from chest pain for the last four years. Usually it starts slowly like contraction of some nerve / muscle in the middle of chest and and then it increases to fast, sharp contractions and expansions with unbearable pain. This usually happens for an hour. Initially I thought it is due to gastric problem, so consulted a gastric expert. I underwent ECG, angiogram, endoscopy etc. but all came normal. I don't have diabetes. I have migraine headache. How to manage this chest pain?
A:Pain described by you has to be due to any of the following:1) Musculo-skeletal - This pain happens due to overuse of a group of muscles for example lifting babies for long time or sitting in one position and using the computer key pad for long duration.2) Spasm of oesophagus occurs - following spicy food, sometimes during night.3) Coronary artery spasm - ECG done at that time can show changes.4) Spasm in the lung lubes or airways - usually picked by the spirometry analysis.5) Spine problems.You need an intensivist (ICU doctor) to solve your problem.