Gas Pain in Chest: 9 Causes, 6 Symptoms & 9 Treatments

Gas pain in chest is a widespread occurrence amongst people in the society and is not considered as a threat to health by many. It is usually attributed to the gas build up in the abdomen due to digestive issues such as constipation or another ailment affecting the digestive system.

Most people either frown or squeeze their nostrils in advance when they have illnesses to do with Gas build up, since they quickly associate the ailment with the unpleasant smell of a fart.

A fart is a frowned upon wind passed from the anus. Gas pain does not only occur in the abdomen though, but it can also happen in the chest. According to reports gas pain in the chest is not as common as the gas pain occurring due to an intestinal disorder.

Gas pain in chest occurs as a result of trapped gas in the chest leading to sensations of stabbing pain. Gas pain in chest symptoms can easily be confused with symptoms of a heart attack since patients in both cases are typically seen holding the chest area with their faces twisting into a grimace.

Though the gas pain in chest is not considered a severe affliction, persistent symptoms could be indicative of a more serious underlying problem.

Gas pain in chest may occur in different forms; it may start out as mild pain in the chest before building up into a sharp stabbing pain.

Other times it may manifest as just a dull feeling at the centre of your chest. In more severe cases though, gas pain in chest will manifest as an incredibly painful burning sensation, making you feel like your chest is on fire.

This probably sounds very intimidating and serious to someone who is yet to experience these symptoms, due to which it is important to explore some of the possible causes of this affliction.

Causes of Gas Pain in Chest:

Gas pain in chest usually manifests as a sharp pain in the lower chest and can be caused by;

Food Reactions:

This may already come as a bummer if you are reading this, since your favourite meal may be on the hit list.

Sorry to inform you that you have to reduce the intake of certain foods such as beans, dairy products and fruits that cause acidity, and gas in chest. Your physician can guide you on what foods to take and in what quantities to avoid having trapped gas in chest.

Intake of Carbonated Beverages:

We all love our beverages on a hot summer afternoon, but enjoy your drink with care since sizable and frequent indulgences can lead to gas pain in chest, which can be quite agonising. These carbonated beverages include soda pops and energy drinks as well as sugar-containing alcoholic beverages.

Allergic Reactions:

It is always essential to get to know and take note of your allergies. Sometimes you may unknowingly take in food that sparks an allergic reaction resulting in gas pain in chest.

Allergic reactions like this may bring about further complications that may affect your respiratory system causing permanent damage or even death. In case of allergic reaction, be sure to call for help immediately.

Food Poisoning:

Food poisoning is a severe condition that can quickly turn fatal if left untreated. Food poisoning can happen as a result of consuming food that has been contaminated by bacteria, viruses, or parasites either at home or in restaurants. Food poisoning can lead to sudden gas pain in chest if you haven’t experienced it previously.

Inflammatory Afflictions:

Gas pain in chest can be brought about by inflammatory conditions such as Crohn’s and IBD. These conditions cause severe inflammation of the intestines and interfere with digestion. Severe inflammation will also bring about gas in chest.

Non-inflammatory Afflictions:

Non-inflammatory ailments such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) that affect the intestines can cause gas pain in chest as well. IBS can be triggered by stress and is usually aggravated after meals. Not only does IBS cause gas pain in chest it also leads to abdominal discomfort, constipation, cramps, and diarrhoea.

Diseases of the Gallbladder:

Afflictions of the gallbladder can cause gas pain in chest. A disease of the gall-bladder causes typically abnormal discharge of gas and trapped gas in chest.

Food Additives:

Artificial food additives and sweeteners can also be a significant cause of gas pain in chest. Food sweeteners are generally classified as sorbitol, mannitol, and xylitol.  These additives are usually found in gum and candy and can cause people to experience gas in chest as well as diarrhoea.

Foods Rich in Fiber:

High fibre foods such as cabbage, prunes, apples, and pears are typically encouraged since they can help clean your colon, however, too much fibre can be harmful since it can lead to the formation of gas.

The bacteria in your gut break down fibre in a process that eventually produces gas which has to be expelled through flatulence or burping. While expelling the gas, some of it may be trapped in the chest leading to gas pain in chest.

As we are familiar with the causes of gas pain in chest, it is time to look at some of the symptoms that will give it away.

Symptoms of Gas Pain in Chest:

The good news when it comes to symptoms of gas pain in chest is that they may be short-lived. In mild cases, simple burping may remedy the situation to prove that it was just trapped gas in chest. Here are some of the symptoms to expect;

Sharp Chest Pain:

Gas pain in chest causes sharp jab pains in the chest. This produces a lot of discomfort and sometimes even shortness of breath.

Belching:

During digestion of high fibre foods especially, gas is produced in the colon which can be expelled through belching. Belching can be a sign of excess gas in your body, and with time it may lead to gas pain in chest.

Shifting Pain:

When you experience sharp pain that shifts to various parts of the abdomen, then it may be a sign of excess gas and is a symptom of gas pain in chest. Sometimes simple release through belching or farting can relieve this pain.

Chest Tightness:

A feeling of chest tightness otherwise described as chest pain or chest stuffiness can be another symptom of gas pain in chest. Chest tightness should not be taken lightly since it is not only a symptom of gas pain in chest but can also be a symptom of a more serious respiratory problem.

Bloating:

Bloating is also another symptom of gas in chest. This is brought about an accumulation of gas making the patient feel uncomfortable and distressed.

The voluntary or Involuntary Passing of Gas:

When a lot of gas is being produced in the body during digestion, it has to be expelled somehow. In such cases, patients will feel the urge to either to let out a fart, or sometimes the passing of gas may be involuntary such as through belching.

Now that we know the causes and the treatments of gas in chest lets us now explore the various remedies available that can get rid of this ailment.

Treatments for Gas Pain in Chest:

This affliction can be countered through home remedies or by taking medications. Some of the home remedies include;

Plenty of Water:

Drinking water is a great way to relieve the gas trapped in your chest and abdomen. It also helps in removing undigested food eventually loosening your stool. This gets rid of material that would be broken down by bacteria to produce gas.

Take Hot Fluids:

This is a sure way of expelling gas from your abdomen and chest naturally.

Eating Papaya:

Papayas are not only known for being sweet they are also great for stimulating the digestive tract while also reducing the formation of gas.

Having Some Peppermint Tea:

Peppermint tea is excellent for soothing the stomach and reducing gas release. Peppermint tea is best taken hot so that the warmth of the tea can also promote the natural release of gas.

Regular Exercise:

Regular exercise helps activate and stimulate all the muscles in the body. This leads to a stagnant digestive tract that slows down digestion, leading to high gas production which may cause pain in chest.

Taking Apple Cider Vinegar:

Add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to a glass of water and drink. This will effectively ease chest pain due to gas while also stimulating the digestion process.

Doing Sit-ups:

A few sit-ups will help compress the area where the gas is accumulated and squeeze it out. This will most definitely relieve pain due to gas accumulation.

Other than these home remedies, we also have other remedies that can be prescribed by a doctor such as;

Anti-acids:

A doctor will prescribe an anti-acid not to remove the gas but to get rid of the resulting heartburn.

Antibiotics:

These will relieve gas pain caused by food poisoning by neutralising the bacteria, viruses or parasites responsible.

References:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heartburn/in-depth/heartburn-gerd/art-20046483