Chest Pain in Children – When our children say, their chest is paining, as parents we start to panic. Chest pain in children is a common problem. It is one of the most frequent reasons why a child may be referred to a cardiologist. But the good news is that, though the children complain about the chest pain or their heart hurts, it is rarely caused by Heart disease.
Chest Pain in Children – Know the causes and the symptoms
Chest pain in children can be a source of significant anxiety, both for the child as well as others. Chest pain may be perceived differently in young children compared to teenagers. A very young child may complain that “my chest hurts” when in fact, he or she may be sensing an abnormal heart rhythm rather than true pain.
Reasons for Chest pain in children
Chest pain in children may be of various reasons. If your child complains about chest pain, check whether he/she has some illness due the below factors..
Is your child sick recently – common causes of chest pain in children is from costochondritis, an inflammation of joints between the ribs and breastbone, continuous coughing, or viral infection. If such a case is seen, then child need to be given some anti inflammatory pills to get rid off.
Is your child injured recently – If your child was hit in the chest during a sporting event or even a fall, this could be a more obvious cause of the chest pain. However, even heavy lifting, frequent coughing, or intense aerobic exercise can strain the rib muscles and cause chest pain.
Is your child got more stress – Check if your child is more stressed due to school pressures, family issues, loss of loved ones. Though the chest pain caused by stress is harmless, it might worry the parents. Check here how you can help your child make friends.
Is your child has acidity – Due to improper food, like most fast foods, children might get acidity or acid reflux, which can cause chest pain in children.
If you child is Obese – Overweight children often complain about chest pain, when they run fast or do some vigorous exercise, their heart beats fast. Check the top 10 reasons for obesity.
Ask your child the following questions and get ready with the answers if you decide to see a doctor
- Where is the pain located
- How long has the pain been present?
- How often does the pain occur?
- Does the pain occur at rest or with exercise?
- How long does the pain last before going away?
- Have you had any recent illnesses or fevers?
- Ask your child if the pain associated with an irregular or fast heart rhythm?
- Have you had any episodes of fainting or passing out (also known as syncope)?
- Have you had any injuries to your chest recently?
Know when to see a doctor
Though Chest Pain in Children occurs due to various reasons, If your child has severe chest pain or chest pain associated with troubled breathing, fever, sweating, or a heart rate greater than 200, don’t waste your time and seek your doctor immediately.
In the absence of these symptoms, most chest pain can wait for a convenient time to be evaluated. Call your doctor if you are unsure.
Sources:
http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/health/c/chest/
http://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/chest-pain-children-and-teenagers#.Vz7UQJBunmI
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