I'm having chest pain, what's causing it?

Question

This has been happening for years, but I've never been concerned about it. Sometimes when I take a breath, I get a sharp, localized pain in one of my lungs. It feels as if one of my alvioli is stretching (as if it didn't release the air from the previous breath). I'm not the only one who has experienced this. What actually causes this? Since it happens average twice a week, should I be concerned? For my girlfriends mother - is it genetic?

Answer 1

I dont think this is the best place to figure things like that out, tell her to go see a doctor and if it is nothing all you lost was a $30 co-pay.

Antonio
Firefighter I
EMT

Answer 2

I have the same problem... only not as often as you do. I know it hurts like crazy. My doctor did a breathing test on me and said I have very mild asthma, usually brought on by allergies (which I don't have too many of, might be why I don't get the pain in my chest that often). I don't even need an inhaler or meds or anything... I just lay down flat on my back and take a couple deep breaths, at least as deep as I can, until the stabbing pain goes away.

You should talk to your doctor and get them to do a breathing test... it's kinda like a breathalyzer test I guess... you breath out really hard into a tube like thing. And if it's asthma I don't think it's genetic, no one else in my family has it.

Answer 3

the lungs do not have pain receptors, so your lungs aren't feeling a thing. What you are probably experiencing is some sort of adhesion between your chest wall and your lung that formed as a result of some sort of trauma a long time ago that you may have forgotten or disregarded when it happened. Breathe deeply and the adhesion tissue is pulled and you get a little pain. As it is of no great concern to you, I would tell the family not to worry about it either. If however, accompanying the pain is shortness of breath, dizzy sensations or palpitations...then I would see your doctor.

Answer 4

If you have been checked by a doctor and he found nothing, it may just be gas. I have the same thing sometimes and have been checked by a great cardiologist and he said I had no heart problem. If you can move around, bend, or in someway get the gas out, the pain should go away. I can usually take a breath and burp the gas out. I seem to have an endless supply of gas at times from eating something or stress.

Answer 5

You know the saying that a little bit of knowledge can be a very bad thing. Most kids don't even go to a cardiologist, and to have gone to a pediatric cardiologist, which is a specialty amongst specialties, my thinking is that you've gotten some pretty decent care in your young lifetime. Despite this though your understanding of the medicine is pretty limited. Your statement of "one side of the heart is slower than the other..." sounds like you're referring to a bundle branch block; but in the manner that you're describing it, its hard to say. And your statement of when you were 17 that you had "...ALL the signs of a heart attack..." Are you saying then that you had permanent EKG changes, documented elevation of serial cardiac enzymes, along with correlated hypokinetic or akinetic changes on cardiac echo? Or, is your understanding of the signs of a heart attack different from mine? You really need to go back to your doctor, and print out a copy of this thread. That way, your doctor will know whats on your mind, pinpoint your concerns and address them. Good luck. Ralph

Answer 6

I have had the same thing for years. I think that it is caused by scarring from a bout of pleurisy when I was younger. Pleurisy cases scars every time you get it and i have had it several times. No it is not genetic. If you have ever had a bad lung infection, that could be it.

Answer 7

it sure sounds serious to me....it could be or cause mild heart attacks....check with a doctor....idk what causes it u really should check with ur doctor rather than yahoo answers....wow it happens that frequently??? again check with the doctor....ummm ur last question threw off ...ur gf's mom is not a blood relative of yours it cant be a genetic of yours relative to her....but if she having them not you it could be only a doctor could answer that question

Answer 8

hi there i am only 14 and i swear i have been gettin exacly those pains and i don no wat to do i was scared that if it would happen again its really scary u just want it to go away once few times it happend to me my mum said it means u will get ur period i was like watever its not that its defenetly not that i am scared too i don no wat to do it makes u wanna cry but i cant but go and see a doctor its the only thing which is sensible to do and don worry ur not the only 1 i am like u just wants to talk it over with some 1 i am going to do that get help and go to the doctor but 1 thing is ......now.....belive in this....alway belive in god he is going to b there with u all the time if u can only belive in him that there is 1 god u can talk to so b alone and talk to god 4 a few minitues in ur head and tell him wat is hurtin u and get it over with dont keep every thing inside u if u worry its not good 4 ur health i worred too much and i felt sad i hope u understand wat i am saying ur options are.....talk to god in ur head i am not being stupid or anything u know cuz god will love u if u belive in him and he will reward u with somethin very special u would want and i know wat u would want and also see a doctor and also talk it over with other people and remember wat i have said its god up there which will help u so dont worry a bit

Answer 9

Your girlfriend's mother needs to get to a Dr for an exam and diagnosis.'

Answer 10

Maybe you should have your doctor check it out. Even though you're not concerned about it, it's better safe than sorry.