Chest Pain dilutentnettette Chest pain has a number of causes which can include heart disease, gastroesophageal disease (such as reflux or esophageal spasms), chest infections, pulmonary embolus (blood clot to lung). and musculoskeletal pain (pulled muscles or broken bones). Chest pain is also one of the common symptoms of asbestos related disease due to Libby Amphibole asbestos, something that is not reported with disease caused by chrysotile (commercial) asbestos. Chest pain has been a frequently reported symptom in those exposed to crocidolite asbestos (Wittenoom, Australia), and this type of asbestos is in the same amphibole family as Libby asbestos. Chest pain may be described as sharp stabs, burning sensation, pressure, tightness, or a dull ache. Don't ignore any of these symptoms because they may signal a heart condition. Seek medical attention immediately if the pain comes on rapidly, severely, or is different from your "usual" chest pain The pleura is the lining that surrounds our lungs. It is very sensitive to pain because there are many nerve endings in this lining. Pain can be located anywhere in the chest where pleural scarring has occurred. It can be in the front of the chest, on the sides, or in the back. Its onset may be gradual (over days or weeks) or sudden, with intensity anywhere from mild to severe. Difficulty breathing or pain when taking a deep breath can also be related. Pleural pain can be caused by inflammation (which includes swelling) that results from your body continuing to react to the fibers or the scarring that is already present. Pleural pain can also be brought on by vigorous activities or by certain movements of the upper body which lead to physical irritation of the existing scarring. There are some things you can do to ease chest discomfort. Avoid certain activities that may increase your chest pain. Splinting can also be helpful for situations such as needing to cough. To splint, place a pillow or rolled-up towel firmly against the pain on your chest and hold it there when you cough. This allows control of chest wall movement and may alleviate some pain. Heat may provide some relief, however, it does not decrease inflammation. Medications are available to reduce inflammation. These include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications similar to Ibuprofen; Kenalog injections and oral Prednisone, which must be used sparingly due to side effects; the safer inhaled corticosteroids found in inhalers such as Advair and Symbicort. The use of rescue medications such as Albuterol and Combivent is essential in reducing shortness of breath, and being proactive with these meds-taking them before you become short of breath-can make doing strenuous activities more comfortable. Pain medications may also be useful at times in managing pain if the above efforts are not successful alone, but must be considered on a case-by-case basis. Working with your medical provider or a pain management specialist will help you sort out what treatment plan is best for your individual situation. Preventing lung infection is essential for those with lung disease because infections will increase airway inflammation causing an increase in shortness of breath, cough, and sputum production. These can result in an increase in chest discomfort. Thus prevention and treatment of infections is very important. Chest pain that is severe or is associated with shortness of breath needs urgent medical evaluation. The diagnosis of chest pain can frequently be difficult because the types of pain experienced are often unclear and it can be challenging to determine if the pain is from heart disease, lung disease, or other causes. You should also have a medical evaluation for less significant chest pain if it is persistent or if it interferes with sleep or other activities. By working with your healthcare team, there are many strategies available to help manage the pain associated with asbestos related disease. CARD provides free asbestos health screening to those potentially exposed to asbestos in Lincoln County, Montana for at least 6 months at least 10 years ago. If you have questions about screening. please call us at (406) 293-9274. CC CARD Center for Asbestos Related Disease SCREENING // HEALTHCARE // EDUCATION // RESEARCH // OUTREACH Call 293-9274 or stop by 214 E. 3rd St to pick up a screening application. Testing available locally or from a distance. Screening provided through CDC grant # 5NU61TS000295 Ongoing care not covered. Chest Pain dilutentnettette Chest pain has a number of causes which can include heart disease , gastroesophageal disease ( such as reflux or esophageal spasms ) , chest infections , pulmonary embolus ( blood clot to lung ) . and musculoskeletal pain ( pulled muscles or broken bones ) . Chest pain is also one of the common symptoms of asbestos related disease due to Libby Amphibole asbestos , something that is not reported with disease caused by chrysotile ( commercial ) asbestos . Chest pain has been a frequently reported symptom in those exposed to crocidolite asbestos ( Wittenoom , Australia ) , and this type of asbestos is in the same amphibole family as Libby asbestos . Chest pain may be described as sharp stabs , burning sensation , pressure , tightness , or a dull ache . Don't ignore any of these symptoms because they may signal a heart condition . Seek medical attention immediately if the pain comes on rapidly , severely , or is different from your " usual " chest pain The pleura is the lining that surrounds our lungs . It is very sensitive to pain because there are many nerve endings in this lining . Pain can be located anywhere in the chest where pleural scarring has occurred . It can be in the front of the chest , on the sides , or in the back . Its onset may be gradual ( over days or weeks ) or sudden , with intensity anywhere from mild to severe . Difficulty breathing or pain when taking a deep breath can also be related . Pleural pain can be caused by inflammation ( which includes swelling ) that results from your body continuing to react to the fibers or the scarring that is already present . Pleural pain can also be brought on by vigorous activities or by certain movements of the upper body which lead to physical irritation of the existing scarring . There are some things you can do to ease chest discomfort . Avoid certain activities that may increase your chest pain . Splinting can also be helpful for situations such as needing to cough . To splint , place a pillow or rolled - up towel firmly against the pain on your chest and hold it there when you cough . This allows control of chest wall movement and may alleviate some pain . Heat may provide some relief , however , it does not decrease inflammation . Medications are available to reduce inflammation . These include non - steroidal anti - inflammatory medications similar to Ibuprofen ; Kenalog injections and oral Prednisone , which must be used sparingly due to side effects ; the safer inhaled corticosteroids found in inhalers such as Advair and Symbicort . The use of rescue medications such as Albuterol and Combivent is essential in reducing shortness of breath , and being proactive with these meds - taking them before you become short of breath - can make doing strenuous activities more comfortable . Pain medications may also be useful at times in managing pain if the above efforts are not successful alone , but must be considered on a case - by - case basis . Working with your medical provider or a pain management specialist will help you sort out what treatment plan is best for your individual situation . Preventing lung infection is essential for those with lung disease because infections will increase airway inflammation causing an increase in shortness of breath , cough , and sputum production . These can result in an increase in chest discomfort . Thus prevention and treatment of infections is very important . Chest pain that is severe or is associated with shortness of breath needs urgent medical evaluation . The diagnosis of chest pain can frequently be difficult because the types of pain experienced are often unclear and it can be challenging to determine if the pain is from heart disease , lung disease , or other causes . You should also have a medical evaluation for less significant chest pain if it is persistent or if it interferes with sleep or other activities . By working with your healthcare team , there are many strategies available to help manage the pain associated with asbestos related disease . CARD provides free asbestos health screening to those potentially exposed to asbestos in Lincoln County , Montana for at least 6 months at least 10 years ago . If you have questions about screening . please call us at ( 406 ) 293-9274 . CC CARD Center for Asbestos Related Disease SCREENING // HEALTHCARE // EDUCATION // RESEARCH // OUTREACH Call 293-9274 or stop by 214 E. 3rd St to pick up a screening application . Testing available locally or from a distance . Screening provided through CDC grant # 5NU61TS000295 Ongoing care not covered .