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SYMPTOMS |
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DIAGNOSIS |
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SELF-CARE |
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| 1. Is the
person a child or infant? |
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See Chest Pain in Infants and Children. |
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| 2. Do you have
shortness of breath with chest discomfort? |
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Go to
Question 9.* |
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| 3. Does your
chest ache along the edges of the breastbone? |
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You may have
COSTOCHONDRITIS, an inflammation along the edges
of your breastbone or sternum. |
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Use an
anti-inflammatory medicine. Heat may help the
discomfort, as well. See your doctor if the pain
doesn't improve with these simple treatments. |
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| 4. Do you have
episodes of pressure under the breastbone
brought on by cold air, activity or eating? |
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Your pain may
be from a heart problem called
ANGINA. |
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See your
doctor. |
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| 5. Do you have
a burning or pressure sensation in your upper
stomach or chest when you eat large meals at
night? |
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You may have a
HIATAL HERNIA, a common problem in which the
top of the stomach is pushed into the lower
chest after eating. |
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See your
doctor. Eat small meals, especially at night,
and use a simple antacid to help reduce the
discomfort. Sleeping on two or three pillows, a
foam wedge, or raising the head of your bed can
also help. |
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| 6. Do you have
bouts of pain under the sternum or in the right
side of your abdomen near the top, and do you
have burning, belching, or bloating of the
stomach after a greasy or fatty meal? |
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The pain you
have may be from your GALLBLADDER. |
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See your
doctor. Eat fewer fatty meals and stay away from
cabbage, onions, broccoli and similar
vegetables. |
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| 7. Do you have
pain or a burning sensation relieved by eating? |
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You may have an
ULCER,
IRRITATION OF THE ESOPHAGUS or SPASM of the
muscles of the esophagus. |
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Eat smaller,
less spicy meals. Use an antacid. If this
doesn't help, see your doctor. |
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| 8. Have you had
a consistent pain or sharp, shooting pains for
weeks to months after you had a case of
SHINGLES, a blistered painful rash on your
chest? |
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Your pain may
be
POSTHERPETIC NEURALGIA, a condition that may
remain after the shingles infection. |
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See your
doctor. |
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| *9.
Do you have episodes of wheezing and cough
producing a lot of mucus? |
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Your chest
discomfort and shortness of breath may be from
ASTHMA. |
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See your doctor right
away. Asthma can be a serious disorder and cause
rapid and extreme changes in breathing. But it's
very treatable. |
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10. Do you have a chronic cough that produces a
lot of mucus? |
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Your discomfort and shortness of breath may be
from
CHRONIC BRONCHITIS, especially if you smoke. |
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See your doctor. STOP SMOKING and protect your
lungs from dust and fumes. |
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| 11. Has your
shortness of breath been increasing slowly for
years and have you been a smoker or been exposed
to dust and fumes where you work? |
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EMPHYSEMA may be the cause of your problem. |
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See your
doctor. STOP SMOKING and protect your lungs from
dust and fumes. |
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| 12. Do you have
fevers, cough, night sweats, or are you coughing
up bloody mucus? |
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You may have an
infectious illness, such as
TUBERCULOSIS, or a FUNGAL INFECTION. A more
serious problem, such as
AIDS or
LUNG CANCER, could also be the cause. |
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See your
doctor. STOP SMOKING and protect your lungs from
dust and fumes. |
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| 13. Do you have
episodes of shortness of breath along with chest
pressure, numbness around the mouth, or numbness
of the hands or fingers? |
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HYPERVENTILATION can cause these symptoms. |
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Consult your
doctor. Relaxing, lying down, and breathing into
a paper bag held loosely over your mouth and
nose can help reverse the problem. |
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| For more information,
please consult your doctor. If you think the
problem is serious, call right away. |
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