Aches & Pains / Question
Published: June 11, 2002
Dear TeenHealthFX,
Since the summer of 1999 every so often I've felt pains in my chest. The pains hit pretty hard and then stopped for a while but lately I've had a sort of dull pain in my chest and can actually feel my heart beating. At night I have a hard time breathing and even though I sleep on my back it feels like my insides are being crushed and my lungs struggle for air until I drift off to sleep. Even the ordinary ordeal of running upstairs seems difficult, and when I reach the top I'm out of breath and lightheaded. I'm not overweight, I'm 16, weigh 95 pounds, and eat regularly.
Signed: Worried About Pain In Chest
Dear Worried About Pain In Chest,
TeenHealthFX cannot diagnose you over the Internet, but because of all of your symptoms, it is wise to schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. The sooner he or she is able to rule out any heart or breathing problems the better. If you do not have a doctor and you live in Northern New Jersey, please call the Adolescent/Young Adult Center for Health at (973) 971.6475. If the chest pain reoccurs and you have not seen a doctor yet, TeenHealthFX recommends you go to your local hospital emergency room.
When all is said and done you may be left with a diagnosis of costochondritis. This condition, although painful, is not serious. Costochondritis is chest pain that arises from inflammation of the cartilage in the rib cage or sternum. The cause is unknown but since it accounts for up to 22% of all children and adolescents with chest pain it is often considered to be "growing pains". Most commonly children are affected between the ages of 12 to 14 years of age. The physical exam is normal and pressing on the chest can reproduce or localize the pain. Restriction of activities is usually not required and anti-inflammatory medicine such as ibuprofen can help.
Remember, if the chest pain reoccurs and you have not seen a doctor yet, TeenHealthFX recommends you go to your local hospital emergency room.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
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