Chest pain is largely related to a heart condition. So much so that a tiny spark of pain can cause you to stress out. But if you experience chest pain when swallowing, rather than it being a strain on your cardiovascular health, other underlying conditions could be at play.
Why Does My Chest Hurt When I Swallow?
Usually, when people feel pain when they swallow, it’s due to ingesting something too hot or too big. On the other hand, if you can feel the food going down your chest and it hurts, plenty of other causes could be to blame. For instance, hiatal hernia, acid reflux, or even just an inflammation of your food pipe (Oesophagus).
Causes
There are various reasons you feel the pain in your chest and back when swallowing. Here are a few of them:
1. Internal Injury
An injury to your esophagus can cause severe pain, especially if it gets inflamed or irritated. Rarely does an injury lead to a laceration, but if that occurs, seek immediate medical attention. Nonetheless, acute irritation can develop if you swallow something too hot or sharp. Sometimes, even oral infections like Oral Thrush or HSV can lead to an irritated esophagus.
2. Esophagitis
An extreme irritation of the esophagus is known as Esophagitis. Ulcers and scarring of the food pipe are common symptoms of this disease. Moreover, chest pain, heartburn, and food getting stuck in your throat are other common signs. If proper treatment is not provided, your esophagus might be at risk of closing in on itself.
3. Acid Reflux
Often after eating, when your stomach acids get affected by indigestion, they could slosh back up the food pipe. This results in a sudden burning feeling in your chest. In addition, lying down or swallowing food can become quite painful.
4. Hiatal Hernia
A hiatal hernia can occur when the top of your stomach pushes through the tiny opening in your diaphragm. This can cause issues like trouble swallowing, breathing, and even a bad case of halitosis. In some cases, exhaustion, heartburn, and anemia also count as side effects.
5. Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s disease is widely known as a form of inflammatory bowel disease. Usually, it causes trouble for the intestines. However, although rare, it can also affect your stomach and esophagus. You may expect feelings of chest pain, difficulty swallowing, constant vomiting, etc.
How to Get Rid of Chest Pain When Swallowing
When it comes to treating chest pain, many advancements can help you out. Nevertheless, your doctor might write you up a strict plan to follow, along with other medications. If your symptoms are serious, though, you might have to undergo the following treatments:
- Steroid Medication
- H2 Blockers
- Esophagus Dilation
- Botox Shot
- Stent Tube Placement
- Fundoplication
- Hernia Repair
- Perforation Repair
- Myotomy
Closing Word
All in all, to prevent chest pain when swallowing, you can take basic precautionary measures by yourself. For example, focus on the foods that cause you trouble. Consequently, you can also limit your caffeine intake, along with tobacco and alcohol. Lastly, if it’s still too difficult to swallow or breathe after taking over-the-counter medications, contact Octagos Health at (281) 769-8733 to schedule an appointment immediately.