What Causes Heaviness In Chest And Throat?
It is quite common for an individual to experience a sensation of heaviness in the chest and throat on an occasional basis. However, heaviness in the chest and throat can cause a lot of discomfort and interferes with routine activities of an individual. It is not always that this sensation is related to a cardiovascular condition but it is essential to rule out potentially serious medical conditions that may be causing heaviness in the chest and throat.
Heaviness in the chest and throat happens when there is constriction in the throat and chest. There may be many causes for this to occur. Some of the causes of a feeling of pressure in the chest and throat are:
Asthma: This is a medical condition in which the airways become narrow and swell as a result of secretion of mucous. This may result in tightness of the chest and throat. Additionally, the individual may find it difficult to breathe in cases of asthma which may further worsen the feeling of pressure in the chest and throat. Once asthma is treated the sensation of heaviness in the chest and throat gradually resolves.
Respiratory System Disorders: This is yet another cause for sensation of pressure in the chest and throat. A respiratory system disorder can be caused due to allergies, inhaling contaminated air, and inhaling toxic chemicals. Bronchitis is the most common respiratory system disorder which tends to cause a sensation of heaviness in the chest and throat.
Chronic smokers are most at risk for having respiratory system disorders resulting in a feeling of pressure in the chest and throat. COPD is yet another common respiratory system disorder which may result in a feeling of heaviness in the chest and throat.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: This is yet another cause for a feeling of heaviness in the chest and throat. The stomach produces acids and in this condition the acid regurgitates back through the esophagus into the throat causing a sensation of heaviness in the chest and throat.
Treatment Of Heaviness In Chest And Throat
The treatment for heaviness in the chest and throat depends on the underlying cause. Thus, it is vital to identify a cause for this condition. This is normally done through a battery of tests like blood tests, complete physical examination, and chest x-rays. Once a cause is identified then the physician formulates a treatment plan for the patient.
In majority of the cases, once the underlying cause is treated the sensation of heaviness in the chest and throat goes away. In case of a bacterial or a viral infection causing heaviness in the chest and throat, antibiotic or antiviral medications may be prescribed to treat the underlying condition and resolve the sensation of heaviness in the chest and throat.
If asthma is believed to be the cause of this condition, then inhalers and other forms of treatment of asthma will be administered to resolve the sensation of heaviness in the chest and throat. Humidifiers may also be used to decrease the secretions of mucous to treat the sensation of heaviness in the chest and throat. A patient may also use over the counter decongestants to loosen up the mucous and treat heaviness in the chest and throat.
Additionally, the patient will be recommended lifestyle modifications like discontinuing smoking to treat heaviness in the chest and throat. It is extremely vital for an individual with heaviness in the chest and throat to get to the bottom of the cause in order to be adequately treated and prevent occurrence of heaviness in the chest and throat.
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