7 Common Reasons Of Chest Pain In Children
Is your child complaining of chest pain often? Well, the first step towards handling such situation is – Not to panic.
The preconceived notion that most people have is that chest pain is a symptom of a heart problem. This, however, is far from reality. Rarely is the heart the reason and it should not be blamed for the chest pain.
Chest pain, especially in children, might be caused for various minor reasons and does not always or necessarily signify a heart problem. Here is an article to solve all your preconceived queries and make you understand what causes chest pain in children.
7 Common Causes Of Chest Pain In Children:
There are a few common reasons for which a child might experience a chest pain. Some of them are mentioned below.
1. Check if the chest pain happens periodically or comes and goes occasionally. Also check if it can be reproduced by pressing the chest. If yes, it might be a case of inflammation of the rib cartilage or a muscle strain. This might occur if your child has suddenly increased his or her physical activity, like taken up a new sport, etc.
2. Chest pain might also occur if your child undergoes emotional stress or anxiety that causes muscle tension. This pain might also be accompanied with other symptoms like light-headedness, hyperventilation, tingling or numbness in the legs, hands or around the lips, etc.
3. It might be a case of a collapsed lung or a broken rib in case your child complains about chest pain after an injury.
4. In case your child is suffering from asthma or has a severe infection of pneumonia, he or she might experience some chest pain.
5. Acute bronchitis or incessant coughing can also cause chest pain.
6. An inflammation between the breast bone and the rib can also cause chest pain. This condition is known as Costochondritis.
7. Gastroesophageal reflux can also cause chest pain among kids.
[ Read: Heart Murmur In Kids ]
7 Precautions To Take During Chest Pain:
Here are a few things you can do if your child complains of chest pain. However, before administering any medicine to your child, it is recommended that you seek medical advice of a health care provider.
1. Pain medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can be administered to your child post consultation with your physician.
2. Ensure that your child avoids any strenuous activity or incessant physical activity for a couple of days.
3. Ensure that your child eats a lot of fruits, juice, milk, etc. so that he or she feels healthy in general.
4. You should also see to it that your child gets adequate rest and does not indulge in any activity that includes heavy weight lifting or any form of emotional stress.
[ Read: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning In Children ]
5. Talk to your child and make him or her feel comfortable and relaxed. Any form of anxiety or too much excitement should be kept away from your child for a few days.
6. For school going children, ensure that your child carries backpack on both the shoulders instead of carrying it only on one.
7. In case you child has had a heart operation, or has suffered a severe blow onto his or her chest, has cystic fibrosis or sickle cell disease, seek medical intervention immediately without any delay.
[ Read: Bacterial Infection In Children ]
Do not get overly worried in case your child complaints of chest pain. While it may be the first reaction, try to understand the reason for it in order to take adequate remedial action.
Share your experience of dealing child with chest pain with other mothers so that they can also gain knowledge from your experience.
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