Can Asthma Cause Back And Shoulder Pain

Treating Asthma Chest Pain

Before treating your symptoms, your doctor will want to make sure your chest pain is caused by asthma and not any other conditions.

If you experience chest pain due to asthma, your physician will probably prescribe an individualized treatment plan. Follow their instructions carefully to lessen your chances of developing symptoms.

When youre having an asthma attack, you may be told to use an emergency or rescue inhaler to relax your airways and improve your symptoms. In one study, using inhaled albuterol resulted in improvement in 70 percent of children and adolescents with asthma-induced chest pain who performed exercises on a treadmill.

Common Symptoms For These People *:

* Approximation only. Some reports may have incomplete information.

How Do Healthcare Providers Diagnose Asthma

Your healthcare provider will review your medical history, including information about your parents and siblings. Your provider will also ask you about your symptoms. Your provider will need to know any history of allergies, eczema and other lung diseases.

Your healthcare provider may order a chest X-ray, blood test or skin test. Your provider may order spirometry. This test measures airflow through your lungs.

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Angina And Heart Attack

Angina is the tightening of the chest caused by physical exercise, psychological stress, and extreme cold. The pain can sometimes radiate between the shoulder blades. A more pronounced pain is felt in the back, between the shoulder blades, during a heart attack. Since the pain is located away from the site of injury, it is called referred pain. Back pain between the shoulder blades is a referred pain associated with several conditions.

Know Your Asthma Risk

Having an allergic condition like hay fever, exposure to cigarette smoke, pollution, and certain chemicals, and being overweight all raise your odds of asthma. Another possible factor? The so-called hygiene hypothesis: This theory suggests that the cleaner a childs early environment, the more likely he or she is to develop asthma, says Tonya Winders, the president and CEO of the Allergy & Asthma Network in Hendersonville, TN. The thinking goes, when children are not exposed to microorganisms and bacteria early in life, their immune systems do not become trained to better withstand allergens.

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How Is Acute Bronchitis Diagnosed

Healthcare providers can often diagnose acute bronchitis by taking a medical history and doing physical exam. Tests may be done to rule out other diseases, such as pneumonia or asthma. Any of these tests may be used to help confirm a diagnosis:

• Chest X-rays. A test that uses invisible radiation beams to make images of internal tissues, bones, and organs, including the lungs.
• Arterial blood gas. This blood test is used to analyze the amount of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the blood.
• Pulse oximetry. An oximeter is a small machine that measures the amount of oxygen in the blood. To get this measurement, a small sensor is taped or clipped on a finger or toe. When the machine is on, a small red light can be seen in the sensor. The sensor is painless and the red light does not get hot.
• Cultures of nasal discharge and sputum. Testing the sputum you cough up or swab from your nose may be done to find and identify the microorganism causing the infection.
• Pulmonary function tests. These are tests that help to measure the ability of the lungs to move air in and out of the lungs. The tests are usually done with special machines that you breathe into.

Solution Idea No : Stay Out Of Chairs

My father always told me to stay out of bars, advice which has served me well, I think. I wish he had also told me to stay out of chairs they are just as corrupting and dangerous!

This is not easy advice to follow, of course, but it is good advice nevertheless. Chronic sitting is an obvious mechanical barrier to diaphragmatic breathing: the belly is compressed, and cannot expand as easily or as far.

And, of course, if youre in a chair youre not getting any exercise, are you? If you cant avoid working in chairs, do everything you can to mitigate the harmful effects. Above all, take micro-breaks!

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When In Doubt Check It Out: Heartburn Vs Heart Attack

Lets say youre at the dinner table. Youve just chowed down on a massive plate of spaghetti and you feel a burning sensation in your chest. The telltale signs of heartburn, right? You take an antacid and hope it goes away. Consider this, though: Theres a chance the pain in your chest is actually the sign of a heart angina or even a heart attack.

In other words, ignoring chest pain can sometimes be fatal. It may represent the first sign of several life-threatening conditions such as a heart attack, a tear in the aorta or a blood clot in the lungs, says Hector Lozano, MD, cardiologist at AdventHealth.

When it comes to heartburn and heart attacks, it is tricky. Both can be in the middle of the chest or left side of the chest, both can radiate to the left arm and left shoulder, explains Ahmad Idris, MD, gastroenterologist and internal medicine specialist, also at AdventHealth.

Heartburn sensation is different than having chest pain, Dr. Idris adds. Heartburn by itself is indicative of acid reflux disease. On the other hand, chest pain can be related to either reflux disease or heart disease. Chest pain with indigestion sensation in some patients especially diabetics can be a sign of heart disease sometimes.

If you suffer from heartburn regularly, you probably know the symptoms. But if you rarely have heartburn and suddenly feel pain, you need to get help.

Signs that are more likely to signal a heart attack

Signs that are more likely to signal heartburn

I Was Amazed To Feel The Pain Melt Away

That night, I slept through without any bloating, burbling, or throat burning for the first time in decades.

Imagine the joy of waking up the next day feeling great. No gasping for air and spitting up acid before breakfast.

I made the formula again in the morning, and the whole day passed without any reflux.

This was great!

Several days and nights passed without any heartburn issues. I drank a glass of the formula two to three times a day.

And it was keeping my stomach in great shape.

Sometimes, I would add one or two of the extra herbs Scott recommended to boost the effectiveness of his remedy even further.

Herbs number six and nine on his list were especially effective, and I could get them from any supermarket along with the other ingredients.

The best part was being able to eat and drink anything I wanted .

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Chest Pain In Children And Adolescents

After completing this article, readers should be able to:

How Is Acute Bronchitis Treated

Acute bronchitis is usually mild and does not cause complications. The symptoms often resolve on their own and lung function goes back to normal.

In most cases, antibiotics are not needed to treat acute bronchitis. Thats because most of the infections are caused by viruses. Antibiotics are not effective against viruses. If it has progressed to pneumonia, then antibiotics may be necessary.

Treatment is aimed at treating the symptoms, and may include:

• Avoiding exposure to secondhand smoke
• Cough medicine

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:

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Know The Symptoms Of An Asthma Attack

An asthma attack is the episode in which bands of muscle surrounding the airways are triggered to tighten. This tightening is called bronchospasm. During the attack, the lining of the airways becomes swollen or inflamed and the cells lining the airways produce more and thicker mucus than normal.

All of these factors bronchospasm, inflammation, and mucus production cause symptoms such as difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and difficulty performing normal daily activities. Other symptoms of an asthma attack include:

• Severe wheezing when breathing both in and out
• Coughing that wont stop
• Feelings of anxiety or panic
• Pale, sweaty face
• Blue lips or fingernails

The severity of an asthma attack can escalate rapidly, so its important to treat these asthma symptoms immediately once you recognize them.

Without immediate treatment, such as with your asthma inhaler or bronchodilator, your breathing will become more labored. If you use a peak flow meter at this time, the reading will probably be less than 50%. Many asthma action plans suggest interventions starting at 80% of normal.

As your lungs continue to tighten, you will be unable to use the peak flow meter at all. Gradually, your lungs will tighten so there is not enough air movement to produce wheezing. You need to be transported to a hospital immediately. Unfortunately, some people interpret the disappearance of wheezing as a sign of improvement and fail to get prompt emergency care.

Know The Early Symptoms Of Asthma

Early warning signs are changes that happen just before or at the very beginning of an asthma attack. These signs may start before the well-known symptoms of asthma and are the earliest signs that your asthma is worsening.

In general, these signs are not severe enough to stop you from going about your daily activities. But by recognizing these signs, you can stop an asthma attack or prevent one from getting worse. Early warning signs of an asthma attack include:

• Frequent cough, especially at night
• Losing your breath easily or shortness of breath
• Feeling very tired or weak when exercising

If you have these warning signs, adjust your medication, as described in your asthma action plan.

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When Should You See A Doctor For Upper Back Pain

Sudden pain in the upper back can be a sign of a heart attack. or go to your nearest emergency room for upper back pain when:

• The pain radiates from your chest or also involves the jaw, neck, shoulder or arm.

• You have other symptoms, including , anxiety, , , lightheadedness, weakness, nausea or .

• You have sudden crushing pain or pressure in the left upper back or shoulder.

You should also seek emergency medical care for upper back pain when:

• You have new bowel or bladder problems.

• You have a fever or chest or abdominal pain.

• You have sustained a back injury, such as a blow to the upper back or a car accident, fall, or .

Most cases of mild upper back pain will resolve with home treatment. However, there are times when seeing a doctor is the safest option to make sure nothing serious is causing the pain. See your doctor when upper back pain:

• Interferes with your sleep, work, or daily activities

• Is constant or severe, does not respond to rest, or is worse when you lie down

• Persists for more than two weeks despite home management

• Occurs with , redness and swelling on the back, or weakness, or in the arms, chest or legs

• Radiates or spreads to the arms or legs

You’ve Saved This Page

Asthma is a lung disease that causes your airways to tighten up, making it hard for you to breathe. Theres no cure for asthma. Even if you have asthma and feel healthy, asthma flares can happen at any time.

Most people with asthma can keep the disease under control and avoid serious health problems. If youre pregnant, its really important to work with your health care provider to manage your asthma and get medical care, if needed.

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How Do Doctors Diagnose The Cause Of Upper Back Pain

To diagnose the cause of your upper back pain, your doctor will ask you several questions about your pain including:

• When did your upper back pain start?

• Can you describe your pain? Is it sharp, dull, achy or burning?

• On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the worst pain ever, how would you rate your pain?

• Is your upper back pain on the left side, right side, or both sides?

• Is your upper back constant or does it come and go?

• What, if anything, makes your upper back pain better or worse?

• Are you experiencing any other symptoms, such as or numbness?

• Does your upper back pain wake you at night or limit your activities during the day?

• Have you ever injured your back?

• What do you do for work?

• Do you exercise?

Your doctor will also perform a physical exam, feeling your back for areas of tenderness or abnormalities. You may need to move your arms, reach in different directions, bend and change positions. Your doctor will want to know if movement affects your pain or if pain limits your movements. Your doctor may also test your muscle strength and reflexes.

In some cases, testing may be necessary including:

• Blood tests to check your blood cell counts and electrolytes

• Bone scans if or a bone tumor is a possibility

• Imaging exams, including X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs

• Nerve studies to evaluate how well your nerves and muscles are working

Breathing Pattern Disorder Assessment

• Breath Holding People can normally hold their breath between 25 and 30 seconds. If less than 15 seconds may mean low tolerance to carbon dioxide.
• Breathing Hi-Low Test Hands on chest and stomach, breathe normal what moves first? What moves most? Looking for lateral expansion and upward hand pivot.
• Breathing Wave Lay prone, breathe normal, spine should flex in a wave-like pattern towards the head. Segments that rise as a group may represent thoracic restrictions.
• Seated Lateral Expansion Place hands on lower thorax and monitor motion while breathing. Looking for symmetrical lateral expansion.
• Manual Assessment of Respiratory Motion – Assess and quantify breathing pattern, in particular the distribution of breathing motion between the upper and lower parts of the rib cage and abdomen under various conditions. It is a manual technique that once acquired is practical, quick and inexpensive.
• Respiratory Induction Plethysmography and Magnetometry

For additional questionnaires in assessment of BPD associated physical and psychological related symptoms and dysfunctions see BPD Physiopedia page

Overview of outcome measures and procedures to assess a set of key psychosocial and behavioural factors that could be important in the assessment of pain.

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Symptoms Of Slipping Rib Syndrome

• Clinically, patients often note sharp, intermittent, stabbing pain followed by a dull achy sensation for hours or days. Slipping: and popping sensations are common, and activities such as bending, coughing, deep breathing, lifting, reaching, rising from a chair, stretching, and turning in bed often exacerbate symptoms.

Common Signs Of Asthma

Still, there are telltale signs of the condition. The most common symptom of asthma is a dry, nonproductive cough that tends to get worse either early in the morning or at night, with exertion such as exercise, or in conjunction with an upper respiratory infection, Dr. Mustafa says. Many times, a cough can be the only symptom of asthma. Other signs include shortness of breath , chest tightness, and wheezing .

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Slipping Rib Syndrome Pain Causes

• The cartilaginous ends of these ribs come in close contact to the terminal branches of the intercostal nerves. These nerves are particularly vulnerable to even trivial trauma. The pain can be both excruciating and spontaneous, and it can even simulate a heart attack.
• Pain from a slipping rib can travel along the intercostal nerve root and go from the chest to the thoracic area or vice versa. It can also be felt in the abdomen, shoulder or neck. It may also be precipitated by lying or turning over in bed, sitting in a car seat or armchair, bending forward, breathing deeply, coughing, vomiting, walking, abducting the arm on the affected side, eating, rotating the torso, bending the trunk, or riding in a bouncing automobile.

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