Feeling any kind of pain or discomfort in your chest can certainly be scary; however, if you are simply dealing with gas pains you may notice a fullness or tightness in the chest. You may also notice that this pain radiates to your abdomen. This is another telltale sign that the chest discomfort you’re feeling is due to gas. Other signs that it could simply be gas include,
- Increased flatulence
- Indigestion
- Bloating
- Belching
- Nausea
Is it gas or is it my heart?
We understand how much of a concern this is and if you are in doubt it’s always best to play it safe and see a doctor right away. After all, it isn’t always as easy as you might think to tell these issues apart. Your chest pain may very well be cardiac-related and not due to gas pains if you experience,
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Profuse and sudden sweating
- Shortness of breath
- Jaw pain (this is more common in women)
- Intense pressure on your chest (some people liken it to “an elephant sitting on their chest”)
- Pain that radiates from the chest to the neck, back, arms, or shoulders
- Sudden decrease or increase in heart rate
These are common symptoms of a heart attack and you must call 911 or go to your local ER to get immediate care. This is a serious and potentially fatal condition that requires urgent treatment.
Why am I dealing with gas?
If you are dealing with this problem rather often you certainly want to know what’s going on so that you can put a stop to it. If you are regularly dealing with painful gas it could be due to,
- Food intolerance or allergy
- A very high-fiber diet
- Carbonated beverages
- Artificial sweeteners
- Food poisoning
Of course, frequent gas pains may also be a sign of an underlying digestive disorder such as heartburn, acid reflux, gallbladder problems, or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) such as Crohn’s disease.
If you are dealing with recurring gas pains and other digestive issues it might be best to consult your gastroenterologist to find out what might be triggering your symptoms and if there is an underlying problem that could be to blame. A gastroenterologist can address all of your digestive health concerns.