In order to understand the causes of pain in the middle of the chest it is necessary to have some knowledge about the structure comprising the center of the chest. In this blog post, we will look into the anatomy of the central region of the chest and then delve into the possible causes of central chest pain.

The structures in the chest: to understand Central Chest pain Cause

In order to dive into potential causes of the middle chest let’s first have a glance at the structures that are present in the chest. A bird’s eye view of these structures will make it easier to understand the potential causes of central chest pain as the underlying structures usually speak for the overlying cause.

GI diseases as the cause of middle chest pain:

Here are some of the causes of chest pain related to your gastroenterological conditions. Remember these causes are usually associated with other GI symptoms like a burning sensation behind the breastbone as in heartburn, gas or bloating, swallowing difficulty, or constant throat irritation due to GERD

•  Gastroesophageal reflux: When stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, it can cause a burning or tight sensation in the chest area, which is commonly known as heartburn. This pain may be more intense when lying down as gravity can’t help keep stomach acid down as it does when standing up. Heartburn is often triggered by specific meals or spicy foods, and it tends to worsen after eating, particularly at night after dinner.
• Esophagitis: Food allergies can cause inflammation of the esophageal walls, leading to a burning sensation under the breastbone similar to the pain experienced in GERD. This pain is typically caused by inflammation and can be accompanied by other symptoms such as difficulty swallowing or chest discomfort. It is important to seek medical attention if you suspect you may have a food allergy to avoid potential complications.
• Esophageal Muscular Spasm, For reasons that are not yet fully understood, the muscles responsible for moving food through the esophagus can sometimes stop working properly, leading to a sensation of strong squeezing under the breastbone, and difficulty swallowing. This condition may also be triggered by physical activity such as exercise.
• Esophageal ulcer: resulting from prolonged use of medications like NSAIDs.
• Gastritis and gastric ulcer may also cause middle chest pain but these are associated with tummy symptoms like bloating or having relation with food, the pain in the chest in these cases may be in the middle of the chest or to the lower left side.

Musculoskeletal Issues as Cause of central chest pain:

• Costochondritis: Inflammation of cartilage connecting the rib to the breast bone can lead to sharp or pressure-like chest pain in the involved area worsening with chest movement as in coughing or breathing deeply or working. People complain of pain in the central chest or to be more specific they may add somewhat towards the right or left depending upon the side involved.

Other Causes of Central Chest Pain:

• Panic attack: Unexpected feelings of anxiety or fear can cause chest pain. It is usually short-term and may include symptoms similar to a heart attack. These attacks are usually associated with a difficult or unwanted situation and some stress. These attacks have a history of excessive sweating, increased heart rate, and dizziness or fainting.
• Lymph node involvement in some cases of lymphoma originating in the thymus or chest can cause pressure effect or chest pain as it may press the trachea also known as the windpipe. Remember that there are usually associated symptoms like coughing or difficulty breathing and lymph node involvement(enlargement) in other areas of the body.
• Cardiac causes: Although heart attack typically involves the left side of the chest and causes pain there sometimes can bring pain in the middle of the chest, especially towards the lower part where the breast bone ends and abdomen begins. Moreover, the symptoms may also be nonspecific like burping, sweating, and shortness of breath. We should rule out the possibility especially if the individual is a chain smoker, obese, hypertensive, diabetic, or older age more than 60.

Conclusion:

Mostly the causes of chest pain in the middle are usually not serious and are related to the gut in one way or the other. But one must bear in mind that central chest pain can be due to life-threatening conditions. and must be immediately addressed. As prompt diagnosis and effective treatment can be helpful in saving many lives. To sum up, never take your chest pain lightly, do not ignore the symptoms, and seek medical advice before reaching any conclusion.