Treatment for Chest Wall Pain

Chest wall pain is a somewhat common affliction that can be found in both adults and children. It can be caused by a number of problems in the chest area. If someone experiences chest pain, it is a good idea to have the person examined by a physician. After determining the source of the discomfort, it is then possible to find treatments to reduce or eliminate the pain.

Pneumonia

• One of the common causes of chest pain, especially in the times of the year when the weather is changing, is pneumonia. Though there are a variety of different types of pneumonia, the most common is caused by a bacterial infection. Prolonged congestion accompanied by exposure to wet, cold weather is when pneumonia is most likely to occur. Usually, the most common treatment for infectious pneumonia is a few weeks of antibiotics with recommendations to remain in a warm, dry place as often as possible. As with pneumonia, the symptoms (though less severe) and treatments for bronchitis, a more common lung infection, may be the same.

Aortic Dissection

• Aortic dissection is another reason chest pain may be present. With this condition, hospitalization is required because there is significant damage to the aorta. There are two types of aortic dissection, Type A and Type B. With Type A, surgery is necessary to repair or replace the damaged section of the aorta. If Type B aortic dissection is diagnosed, medications will be prescribed. Medications to lower the blood pressure will relieve some of the pressure on the aorta; these can be administered orally or intravenously. Strong pain medication is usually required because chest pain is severe when associated with damage to the aorta. In addition, beta-blockers may be administered. Aortic dissection is a very dangerous condition. The survival rate of patients whose aorta ruptures is approximately 50 percent.

Asthma

• A third cause of chest pain may be asthma. The pain is usually less severe with asthma than with pneumonia, and it is much less severe than pain associated with aortic dissection. For this reason, pain medication usually is not used to treat asthma. Instead, a variety of different types of medications are used. Some of these are long-term treatments, usually needed on a daily basis. Others are typically in the form of an inhalant and effective in relieving asthma attacks when they occur, working to open up the bronchial tubes. Asthma is most common in children. Those afflicted with asthma can develop bronchitis, which may develop into pneumonia.

Lung Cancer

• A very serious condition that causes varying levels of chest wall pain is lung cancer. Lung cancer may be treated like other cancers, with radiation or chemotherapy. The chest pain associated with lung cancer can be treated only with pain medication. If lung cancer is present, then chest pain often will be present as well.

Angina Pectoris

• Another serious condition that causes chest pain is angina pectoris. This condition is associated with coronary heart disease. It is treated by reducing trans fat and cholesterol consumption in diet and by exercising. Serious coronary heart disease conditions are treated with surgery.