Chest and breast pain are two conditions that can be connected, but also often occur in isolation. Breast pain is normally harmless and disappears eventually. Chest pain; however, can be a sign of something manageable at home, such as stress or indigestion or it can be a sign to seek urgent medical help. The possible causes of both are quite varied, so they can be difficult to pinpoint. Read on to discover more about both symptoms and daily habits to help prevent them.
Chest Pain
The causes of chest pain are numerous and could indicate a serious medical problem. For this reason, if you experience intense or chronic chest pains, then it is important to seek medical assistance immediately. A few of the possible causes of chest pain are:
- Angina, a thick buildup of plaque on the inner walls of arteries
- Heartburn, a result of stomach acid washing up to the esophagus
- Swallowing disorders, caused by any disorder of the esophagus
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Anxiety
- Stress
Breast Pain
Unlike chest pain, breast pain is very rarely a cause for concern. Nonetheless, it can be distressing and impact on daily life, but fortunately, it is highly treatable. Most of the time it is caused by hormonal imbalances, as the breasts are sensitive to changes in the levels of female reproductive hormones. However, it can sometimes be caused by a pulled muscle in the chest or ribcage, and this is when chest and breast pain happen together. There are many symptoms of breast pain, but a few of the commonly reported ones are:
- Pain felt in the upper, outer area of breasts, extending to the armpits, and sometimes down the arms
- A heaviness or soreness
- A stabbing or burning pain
Habits to Prevent Chest and Breast Pain
Because of the many causes, it is difficult to protect yourself against them, but there are habits that are known to prevent the conditions in most cases are below:
Eating habits
Eating a healthy diet is one of the best ways to prevent against chest and breast pain, as it covers such a wide range of causes. With regards to breast pain, eating a high-fiber, low-fat diet is helpful because it helps stabilize hormone levels, which will prevent around 75% of breast pain cases. In addition, eating plenty of fruit and vegetables and reducing sugar and salt can prevent heart conditions and also reduce stress and anxiety. These are often linked to chest pain, so a healthy diet is an excellent daily habit to have.
Exercise
As with eating certain foods, exercise also has a part to play in regulating the level of hormones in the body, preventing breast pain. It can also protect against instances of chest pain, as it will protect the heart from disease and also lead to reduced anxiety and stress levels, owing to the increase serotonin and endorphins that exercise induces.
Relaxation techniques
Taking a few minutes every day to focus on rhythmic breathing or muscle relaxation will do a number of things. First, it will slow the heartbeat and prevent heart tension or panic attacks, which are often accompanied by chest pain. It will also prevent tense muscles causing pain in the chest or ribcage, which can cause both chest and breast pain.
Chest and breast pain are uncomfortable and highly undesirable, and they often leave women with a sense of fear for their health. Following these basic lifestyle tips should prevent them from occurring in the first place and give you a better all-round health as a result. If they do happen, however, it is important to talk to your doctor, who will be able to recommend appropriate treatments.
Sources
- Breast Cancer Care. (2012). Breast Pain. Retrieved September 15, 2014, from http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/breast-cancer-information/benign-breast-conditions/breast-pain#noncyclical
- Crandall, C.J. et al. (2010). Predictors of Breast Discomfort among Women Initiating Menopausal Hormone Therapy. Menopause, 17(3), 462-470. doi: 10.1097/gme.0b013e3181c29e68
- McGhee, D.E. & Steele, J.R. (2010). Optimising breast support in female patients through correct bra fit. A cross-sectional study. Journal of science and medicine in sport, 13(6), 586-572. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2010.03.003
- National Institutes of Health. (2012). Breast - premenstrual tenderness and swelling. Retrieved September 15, 2014, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003153.htm
- Russell, L.C. (1989). Caffeine restriction as initial treatment for breast pain. The Nurse practitioner, 14(2), 36-37, 40. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2927749
- Spencer, L. & Briffa, K. (2013). Breast size, thoracic kyphosis & thoracic spine pain - association & relevance of bra fitting in post-menopausal women: a correlational study. Chiropractic & manual therapies, 21(1), 20. doi: 10.1186/2045-709X-21-20
- Sutter Health CPMC. (2014). Breast Pain. Retrieved September 15, 2014, from http://www.cpmc.org/services/women/breast/breast_about.html
- University of Maryland Medical Center. (2012). Breast pain. Retrieved September 15, 2014, from http://umm.edu/health/medical/ency/articles/breast-pain