What is chest pain?
Chest pain in children is a feeling of discomfort, fullness, tightness, or pressure in the chest that can travel to their neck, back, or arms. Other symptoms associated with chest pain may include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or shortness of breath.
The discomfort might last a few minutes, several hours, or occur only with exercise. Treatment with Pediatric Specialty Practices offers chest pain relief and reduces the risk of complications.
What causes chest pain?
Numerous health conditions can cause chest pain, some of which are serious. Examples of possible causes include:
- Heart problems
- Esophageal spasms
- Acid reflux
- Difficulty swallowing
- Colds
- Flu
- Bronchitis
- Pneumonia
- Other lung problems
- Irritated ribs or chest muscles
- Asthma
- Anxiety
Finding the root cause of chest pain is important to establish the most effective treatment. Dr. Ahmad sees patients up to 39 years old if they have heart problems.
How does my provider diagnose chest pain?
To diagnose chest pain and develop treatment, Dr. Ahmad and his team review your child’s medical history, ask about their symptoms, and complete a physical examination.
They might recommend blood tests, asthma or allergy testing, chest X-rays, CT scans, electrocardiograms (EKGs), echocardiograms, or other heart function or imaging tests. Dr. Ahmad might complete a psychiatric assessment to detect or rule out anxiety disorders.
What are common chest pain treatments?
Depending on what’s causing your child’s chest pain, Dr. Ahmad and his team may recommend one of the following treatments:
- Additional diagnostic testing
- Diet or exercise changes
- Rest and fluids
- Over-the-counter medications
- Prescription medicines
- An inhaler
- Allergy treatments
- Surgical procedures
- A heart transplant
The Pediatrician Specialty Practices team personalizes each chest pain treatment to best match your child’s needs. If they have a serious heart problem, Dr. Ahmad can refer you to a highly trained specialist in the area. He and his team follow up with specialists as needed to ensure optimal diagnostic testing, treatment, and a better quality of life for your child.
Heart disease treatment in adults may include weight loss, sodium restriction, eating more fruits and vegetables, exercising more, not smoking, avoiding excessive alcohol use, taking medications, or minor surgical procedures.
Don’t ignore chest pain in children when it could be a sign of a serious underlying medical problem. Schedule an appointment with Pediatrician Specialty Practices by phone or online at the first sign of chest discomfort.
