Topic: Preventing high blood sugar emergencies from diabetes
Introduction
High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) in diabetes occurs when the sugar (glucose) level in the blood rises above normal. For a person who has diabetes, high blood sugar may be caused by missed diabetes medication (insulin or pills), eating too much food, skipping exercise, or by illness or stress.
Introduction
High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) in diabetes occurs when the sugar (glucose) level in the blood rises above normal. For a person who has diabetes, high blood sugar may be caused by missed diabetes medication (insulin or pills), eating too much food, skipping exercise, or by illness or stress.
Unlike low blood sugar, high blood sugar usually develops slowly over hours or days. Blood sugar levels well above your target range may make you feel tired and thirsty. If your blood sugar level stays higher than normal, your body will adjust to that level. If your blood sugar continues to rise, your kidneys will produce more urine and you can become dehydrated. If you become severely dehydrated, you can go into a coma and possibly die. Over time, high blood sugar damages the eyes, heart, kidneys, blood vessels, and nerves.
Unless you fail to notice the symptoms, you usually have time to treat high blood sugar so that you can prevent an emergency. Three things can help you prevent high blood sugar problems:
Test your blood sugar often, especially if you are sick or not following your normal routine. You can see when your blood sugar is above your target range, even if you don't have symptoms of high blood sugar (increased thirst, increased urination, and fatigue). Then you can treat it early.
Call your doctor if you have frequent high blood sugar or your blood sugar is consistently above your target range. Your medication may need to be adjusted or changed.
Drink extra water or noncaffeinated, nonsugared drinks to prevent dehydration
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Call your doctor if you have frequent high blood sugar or your blood sugar is consistently above your target range. Your medication may need to be adjusted or changed.
Drink extra water or noncaffeinated, nonsugared drinks to prevent dehydration
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Topic: Dealing with low blood sugar when your child takes insulin
Introduction
Low blood sugar, also called hypoglycemia, occurs when the sugar (glucose) level in the blood of a person with diabetes drops below what the body needs to function normally. Taking too much insulin, not eating enough food or skipping meals, or exercising more than usual can cause blood sugar levels to drop rapidly.
Introduction
Low blood sugar, also called hypoglycemia, occurs when the sugar (glucose) level in the blood of a person with diabetes drops below what the body needs to function normally. Taking too much insulin, not eating enough food or skipping meals, or exercising more than usual can cause blood sugar levels to drop rapidly.
If your child's blood sugar level drops very low and he or she does not get help, your child could go into a coma and possibly die.
These four simple steps might save your child's life:
Test your child's blood sugar often so that you do not have to guess when his or her blood sugar is low.
Be alert to the early signs of low blood sugar: sweating, shakiness, hunger, blurred vision, and dizziness.
Have your child keep some hard candy, raisins, or other foods that contain sugar with him or her at all times. Your child should eat some at the first sign of low blood sugar.
Teach all of your child's caregivers what to do if your child's blood sugar is very low
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Be alert to the early signs of low blood sugar: sweating, shakiness, hunger, blurred vision, and dizziness.
Have your child keep some hard candy, raisins, or other foods that contain sugar with him or her at all times. Your child should eat some at the first sign of low blood sugar.
Teach all of your child's caregivers what to do if your child's blood sugar is very low
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Topic: Preventing high blood sugar emergencies in children with diabetes
Introduction
High blood sugar, also called hyperglycemia, occurs when the sugar (glucose) level in the blood rises above normal. For a person who has diabetes, high blood sugar may be caused by missed oral diabetes medicine or insulin injection, eating too much, skipping physical activity, or illness or stress. The rapid growth during the teen years can also make it more difficult to keep your child's blood sugar levels within a target range.
Introduction
High blood sugar, also called hyperglycemia, occurs when the sugar (glucose) level in the blood rises above normal. For a person who has diabetes, high blood sugar may be caused by missed oral diabetes medicine or insulin injection, eating too much, skipping physical activity, or illness or stress. The rapid growth during the teen years can also make it more difficult to keep your child's blood sugar levels within a target range.
Unlike low blood sugar, high blood sugar usually develops slowly over a period of hours or days. But it can also develop quickly (in just a few hours) if you eat a large meal or miss an insulin dose. Blood sugar levels just above the safe range may make a person feel tired and thirsty. If your child's blood sugar level stays higher than normal, his or her body will adjust to that level. Over time, high blood sugar damages the eyes, heart, kidneys, blood vessels, and nerves. If your child's blood sugar continues to rise, his or her kidneys will increase the amount of urine produced and your child can become dehydrated. If your child becomes severely dehydrated, he or she can go into a coma and possibly die.
Unless you or your child fails to notice the symptoms, you usually have time to treat high blood sugar so that it doesn't become an emergency situation. Three steps can help you prevent high blood sugar problems:
Test your child's blood sugar often, especially during illnesses or when he or she is not following a normal routine. A child may not have symptoms of high blood sugar, which are fatigue and increased thirst and urination.
Notify the doctor if your child has frequent high blood sugar levels or the blood sugar level is consistently staying above the target range. The medicine or insulin dosage may need to be adjusted or changed.
Encourage your child to drink extra water or noncaffeinated, sugar-free drinks to prevent dehydration
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Notify the doctor if your child has frequent high blood sugar levels or the blood sugar level is consistently staying above the target range. The medicine or insulin dosage may need to be adjusted or changed.
Encourage your child to drink extra water or noncaffeinated, sugar-free drinks to prevent dehydration
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Topic: Dealing with low blood sugar from insulin for diabetes
Introduction
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) occurs in people with diabetes when the sugar (glucose) level in the blood drops below what the body needs to function normally.
Introduction
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) occurs in people with diabetes when the sugar (glucose) level in the blood drops below what the body needs to function normally.
Key points
If your blood sugar drops below 65 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), you most likely will have symptoms, such as feeling tired, weak, or shaky.
If your blood sugar drops very low (usually below 20 mg/dL) and you do not get help, you could become confused, drowsy, or even lose consciousness and possibly die. If you are pregnant, your baby could be harmed.
Low blood sugar can develop if you take too much insulin, do not eat enough food or skip meals, exercise without eating enough, or drink too much alcohol (especially on an empty stomach).
You can usually treat mild—and sometimes moderate—low blood sugar by eating something that contains sugar.
You should teach your friends and coworkers what to do if your blood sugar is very low
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If your blood sugar drops below 65 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), you most likely will have symptoms, such as feeling tired, weak, or shaky.
If your blood sugar drops very low (usually below 20 mg/dL) and you do not get help, you could become confused, drowsy, or even lose consciousness and possibly die. If you are pregnant, your baby could be harmed.
Low blood sugar can develop if you take too much insulin, do not eat enough food or skip meals, exercise without eating enough, or drink too much alcohol (especially on an empty stomach).
You can usually treat mild—and sometimes moderate—low blood sugar by eating something that contains sugar.
You should teach your friends and coworkers what to do if your blood sugar is very low
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Topic: Urinary Problems and Injuries, Age 12 and Older
Topic Overview
Most people will have some kind of urinary problem or injury in their lifetime. Urinary tract problems and injuries can range from minor to more serious. Sometimes, minor and serious problems can start with the same symptoms. Many urinary problems and injuries are minor, and home treatment is all that is needed to relieve your symptoms.
Topic Overview
Most people will have some kind of urinary problem or injury in their lifetime. Urinary tract problems and injuries can range from minor to more serious. Sometimes, minor and serious problems can start with the same symptoms. Many urinary problems and injuries are minor, and home treatment is all that is needed to relieve your symptoms.
See pictures of the female urinary system and male urinary system .
Urinary symptoms
Common symptoms of a urinary problem include:
Common symptoms of a urinary problem include:
Burning with urination (dysuria). This is the most common symptom of a urinary tract infection.
Frequent urge to urinate without being able to pass much urine (frequency).
Urgent need to urinate (urgency).
Feeling like you cannot completely empty your bladder.
Blood in the urine (hematuria). Your urine may look red, brown, or pink. Blood in the urine may occur after exercise, such as running or bicycling.
Leaking urine (incontinence).
When you only have one symptom or if your symptoms are vague, it can be harder to figure out what the problem is. If you are slightly dehydrated, your urine will be more concentrated, and urinating may cause discomfort. Drink more fluids—enough to keep your urine light yellow or clear like water—to help decrease discomfort.
Frequent urge to urinate without being able to pass much urine (frequency).
Urgent need to urinate (urgency).
Feeling like you cannot completely empty your bladder.
Blood in the urine (hematuria). Your urine may look red, brown, or pink. Blood in the urine may occur after exercise, such as running or bicycling.
Leaking urine (incontinence).
When you only have one symptom or if your symptoms are vague, it can be harder to figure out what the problem is. If you are slightly dehydrated, your urine will be more concentrated, and urinating may cause discomfort. Drink more fluids—enough to keep your urine light yellow or clear like water—to help decrease discomfort.
Urinary tract infections
When you have a urinary tract infection (UTI), you may have several urinary symptoms. UTIs are more common in women than in men. This is because the urethra is shorter in women and comes into contact with bacteria from the skin, anus, and vagina. You can reduce your chance of having a UTI by controlling risk factors that can cause these infections.
When you have a urinary tract infection (UTI), you may have several urinary symptoms. UTIs are more common in women than in men. This is because the urethra is shorter in women and comes into contact with bacteria from the skin, anus, and vagina. You can reduce your chance of having a UTI by controlling risk factors that can cause these infections.
Infections that commonly cause UTI symptoms include:
Bladder infections, which are the most common type of UTI, and occur most often in sexually active women between the ages of 20 and 50. An estimated 50% of women develop bladder infections sometime during their lives.
Kidney infections, which are less common and more serious than bladder infections.
Prostatitis and epididymitis. These are urinary tract problems that are common in men. For more information, see the topics Prostatitis and Epididymitis.
Urethritis, which can occur with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), causing pain with urination. For more information, see the topic Exposure to Sexually Transmitted Diseases.
Other urinary problems
Kidney stones are another urinary problem that can cause mild to severe urinary symptoms. Men between the ages of 20 and 30 are affected most often with kidney stones, but anyone can get stones at any age. For more information, see the topic Kidney Stones.
Kidney infections, which are less common and more serious than bladder infections.
Prostatitis and epididymitis. These are urinary tract problems that are common in men. For more information, see the topics Prostatitis and Epididymitis.
Urethritis, which can occur with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), causing pain with urination. For more information, see the topic Exposure to Sexually Transmitted Diseases.
Other urinary problems
Kidney stones are another urinary problem that can cause mild to severe urinary symptoms. Men between the ages of 20 and 30 are affected most often with kidney stones, but anyone can get stones at any age. For more information, see the topic Kidney Stones.
An injury to the genital area can cause severe pain. Usually the pain subsides over the course of a few minutes to an hour. The severity of the pain is not always an indicator of the severity of the injury. After an injury such as a hit to the genital area, it is important to watch for urinary problems. You usually need to see your health professional if you are having trouble urinating, cannot urinate, have blood in your urine, have swelling, or have ongoing pain.
In women and girls, genital skin irritation can cause pain with urination.
Urinary problems related to aging
As people age, some urinary problems become more common. Stress incontinence is the most common form of urinary incontinence in older women. Multiple childbirths, aging, and decreasing hormone levels may cause changes in the pelvic muscles and supportive structures that lead to stress incontinence. It may also occur in men, especially those who have had prostate surgery. For more information, see the topic Urinary Incontinence in Women or Urinary Incontinence in Men
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As people age, some urinary problems become more common. Stress incontinence is the most common form of urinary incontinence in older women. Multiple childbirths, aging, and decreasing hormone levels may cause changes in the pelvic muscles and supportive structures that lead to stress incontinence. It may also occur in men, especially those who have had prostate surgery. For more information, see the topic Urinary Incontinence in Women or Urinary Incontinence in Men
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Topic: Home Ear Examination
Test Overview
A home ear examination is a visual inspection of the ear canal and eardrum using an instrument called an otoscope . An otoscope is a handheld instrument with a light, a magnifying lens, and a funnel-shaped viewing piece with a narrow, pointed end called a speculum.
Test Overview
A home ear examination is a visual inspection of the ear canal and eardrum using an instrument called an otoscope . An otoscope is a handheld instrument with a light, a magnifying lens, and a funnel-shaped viewing piece with a narrow, pointed end called a speculum.
A home ear examination can help detect many ear problems, such as ear infections, excessive earwax, or an object in the ear canal.
After receiving instructions and training from a health professional, home ear examinations can be helpful for parents of young children who frequently get ear infections and earaches. Sometimes a child may have an ear infection in which the only outward symptom may be fussiness, a fever, or tugging at the ear. A home ear examination may help reveal the cause of these symptoms; however, it is challenging to learn to use an otoscope, so consultation with a health professional is generally necessary.
Why It Is Done
A home ear examination may be done to:
Why It Is Done
A home ear examination may be done to:
Look for signs of infection when a person has an earache or when a young child has vague symptoms.
Check for a foreign object in the ear, such as an insect or a bean.
Check for earwax buildup when a person complains of hearing loss or of fullness or pressure in the ear.
How To Prepare
No special preparation is needed before having this test. Always remember to clean the ear speculum in hot, soapy water before using it.
How It Is Done
If you are going to examine a young child, have the child lie down with his or her head turned to the side, or have the child sit on an adult's lap and rest his or her head on the adult's chest. Older children or adults can sit with their head tilted slightly toward the opposite shoulder. Sitting is the best position for identifying fluid behind the eardrum (otitis media with effusion).
Check for a foreign object in the ear, such as an insect or a bean.
Check for earwax buildup when a person complains of hearing loss or of fullness or pressure in the ear.
How To Prepare
No special preparation is needed before having this test. Always remember to clean the ear speculum in hot, soapy water before using it.
How It Is Done
If you are going to examine a young child, have the child lie down with his or her head turned to the side, or have the child sit on an adult's lap and rest his or her head on the adult's chest. Older children or adults can sit with their head tilted slightly toward the opposite shoulder. Sitting is the best position for identifying fluid behind the eardrum (otitis media with effusion).
Select the largest viewing piece that will fit easily into the ear canal, and attach it to the otoscope.
If the person is only having problems with one ear, examining the other ear first may make it easier to determine what is different about the affected ear.
When checking the ear of a child older than 12 months or an adult, hold the otoscope in one hand and use your free hand to pull the outer ear gently up and back. This straightens the ear canal and improves visualization. In babies younger than 12 months, gently pull the outer ear down and back. See a picture of the position of the otoscope during an ear examination.
Now, slowly insert the pointed end of the viewing piece into the ear canal while looking into the otoscope. The sides of the ear canal can be quite sensitive, so try not to put pressure on the ear canal. It may help to steady your hand on the person's face so your hand moves along with their head in case they move quickly.
Do not move the otoscope forward without looking into it. Make sure you can see the path through the ear canal. You do not need to insert the viewing piece very far into the ear—the light extends well beyond the viewing tip.
Angle the tip of the viewing piece slightly toward the person's nose to follow the normal angle of the canal. While looking through the otoscope, move it gently at different angles so that you can see the canal walls and eardrum. Stop at any sign of increased pain. If your view is blocked by earwax, see the directions for removing earwax in the What to Think About section of this medical test.
Ask your health professional to review this technique with you and to watch you do an examination. Then practice on some healthy, willing adults so you can learn what a normal ear canal and eardrum look like. Don't be discouraged if you can't see the eardrum at first—it takes some practice and experience.
How It Feels
Examining a healthy ear using an otoscope is usually painless but may cause some mild discomfort if the person being examined has an ear infection.
Risks
The pointed end of the otoscope can irritate the lining of the ear canal. Make sure that you insert the otoscope slowly and carefully. If you do scrape the lining of the ear canal, it rarely causes bleeding or infection, but you must be careful to avoid pain or injury.
How It Feels
Examining a healthy ear using an otoscope is usually painless but may cause some mild discomfort if the person being examined has an ear infection.
Risks
The pointed end of the otoscope can irritate the lining of the ear canal. Make sure that you insert the otoscope slowly and carefully. If you do scrape the lining of the ear canal, it rarely causes bleeding or infection, but you must be careful to avoid pain or injury.
An otoscope can push an object closer to the eardrum. If you suspect an object in the ear, do not move the otoscope forward once you see the object. Don't try to remove the object; seek medical help.
There is a slight risk of damaging the eardrum if the otoscope is inserted too far into the ear canal. Do not move the otoscope forward if it feels like something is blocking it.
Results
A home ear examination is a visual inspection of the ear canal and eardrum , using an instrument called an otoscope .
Results
A home ear examination is a visual inspection of the ear canal and eardrum , using an instrument called an otoscope .
Topic: Urinary Problems and Injuries, Age 11 and Younger
Topic Overview
Urinary problems and injuries are a concern in children. A young child may not be able to tell you about his or her symptoms, which can make it difficult to decide what your child needs. An older child may be embarrassed about his or her symptoms. When your child has a urinary problem or injury, look at all of his or her symptoms to determine what steps to take next.
Topic Overview
Urinary problems and injuries are a concern in children. A young child may not be able to tell you about his or her symptoms, which can make it difficult to decide what your child needs. An older child may be embarrassed about his or her symptoms. When your child has a urinary problem or injury, look at all of his or her symptoms to determine what steps to take next.
The urethra, bladder, ureters, and kidneys are the structures that make up the urinary tract .
Pain during urination (dysuria) and a frequent need to urinate are common symptoms in young children. When your child has only one of these symptoms, or when the symptoms are mild, home treatment may be all that is needed to prevent the problem from getting worse and help relieve symptoms. Mild symptoms include:
A frequent need to urinate. A child's bladder is small and does not hold as much urine as an adult's bladder. For this reason, frequent urination is common and is not necessarily a sign of a urinary problem. Your child may urinate more because he or she is drinking extra fluid, feeling nervous, or simply from habit.
Urine that is more concentrated and appears darker, if your child is slightly dehydrated. Give your child more fluids to prevent serious problems from dehydration. As your child drinks more fluids, the color of his or her urine will return to normal.
Burning pain when urine touches irritated skin around the vagina or urethra. Pain during urination because of skin irritation occurs more often in girls (genital skin irritation) than it does in boys.
Pain during urination and a frequent need to urinate can also mean your child has a urinary tract infection. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the second most common bacterial infection in children. When your child has an infection, bacteria grow in the bladder and irritate the bladder wall. This causes pain as soon as a very small amount of urine reaches the bladder. You may find your child trying to urinate more often than usual in an effort to soothe the pain. However, your child will pass very little urine because the bladder has only collected a small amount since the last time he or she urinated. Symptoms of a UTI vary depending on a child's age.
Urine that is more concentrated and appears darker, if your child is slightly dehydrated. Give your child more fluids to prevent serious problems from dehydration. As your child drinks more fluids, the color of his or her urine will return to normal.
Burning pain when urine touches irritated skin around the vagina or urethra. Pain during urination because of skin irritation occurs more often in girls (genital skin irritation) than it does in boys.
Pain during urination and a frequent need to urinate can also mean your child has a urinary tract infection. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the second most common bacterial infection in children. When your child has an infection, bacteria grow in the bladder and irritate the bladder wall. This causes pain as soon as a very small amount of urine reaches the bladder. You may find your child trying to urinate more often than usual in an effort to soothe the pain. However, your child will pass very little urine because the bladder has only collected a small amount since the last time he or she urinated. Symptoms of a UTI vary depending on a child's age.
Newborns and children younger than 2
Babies and very young children who have UTIs often have symptoms that do not seem specific to the urinary tract. Symptoms may include:
Babies and very young children who have UTIs often have symptoms that do not seem specific to the urinary tract. Symptoms may include:
Fever, especially without other signs of infections, such as a cough or runny nose. In babies, fever may be the only symptom of a urinary tract infection.
Frequent or infrequent urination.
Strong or foul-smelling urine.
Dark or blood-streaked urine. Note: It is very common for newborns to pass some pink urine in the first 10 days of life. This is caused by crystals that appear in the urine of newborns. Also during the first 10 days of life, girls may have pink urine from a small amount of normal vaginal bleeding. The parents will notice a pink color to the urine in the diaper in both cases.
Lack of interest in eating or refusing food.
Diarrhea.
Vomiting.
Squirming and irritability.
Diaper rash that doesn't go away.
Children age 2 years and older
Young children who have a UTI usually have symptoms that are more clearly related to the urinary tract. Symptoms may include:
Frequent or infrequent urination.
Strong or foul-smelling urine.
Dark or blood-streaked urine. Note: It is very common for newborns to pass some pink urine in the first 10 days of life. This is caused by crystals that appear in the urine of newborns. Also during the first 10 days of life, girls may have pink urine from a small amount of normal vaginal bleeding. The parents will notice a pink color to the urine in the diaper in both cases.
Lack of interest in eating or refusing food.
Diarrhea.
Vomiting.
Squirming and irritability.
Diaper rash that doesn't go away.
Children age 2 years and older
Young children who have a UTI usually have symptoms that are more clearly related to the urinary tract. Symptoms may include:
Burning with urination (dysuria). This is the most common symptom of a urinary tract infection.
Fever.
Frequent need to urinate (frequency) without being able to pass much urine.
A strong desire to urinate (urgency).
Strong or foul-smelling urine.
Blood in the urine (hematuria). Note: Urine may look pink, red, or brown.
Belly pain.
Pain in the back, just below the rib cage, on one side of the body (flank pain).
Vomiting.
Discharge from the vagina.
Sudden, new daytime wetting after a child has been toilet trained.
UTIs are caused when bacteria, such as Escherichia coli (E. coli), which are normally present in the digestive tract, enter the urinary tract. Two common types of UTIs are:
Fever.
Frequent need to urinate (frequency) without being able to pass much urine.
A strong desire to urinate (urgency).
Strong or foul-smelling urine.
Blood in the urine (hematuria). Note: Urine may look pink, red, or brown.
Belly pain.
Pain in the back, just below the rib cage, on one side of the body (flank pain).
Vomiting.
Discharge from the vagina.
Sudden, new daytime wetting after a child has been toilet trained.
UTIs are caused when bacteria, such as Escherichia coli (E. coli), which are normally present in the digestive tract, enter the urinary tract. Two common types of UTIs are:
Bladder infections, which occur when bacteria get into the bladder by traveling up the urethra.
Kidney infections, which usually occur when bacteria get into a kidney by traveling from the bladder up the ureters. Kidney infection also may occur if bacteria from an infection in another part of the body travel to the kidneys through the bloodstream.
Except during the first 3 months of life, girls are more likely than boys to have urinary problems. Girls are also more likely than boys to have more than one UTI.
Kidney infections, which usually occur when bacteria get into a kidney by traveling from the bladder up the ureters. Kidney infection also may occur if bacteria from an infection in another part of the body travel to the kidneys through the bloodstream.
Except during the first 3 months of life, girls are more likely than boys to have urinary problems. Girls are also more likely than boys to have more than one UTI.
Babies and young children who have problems with the structure or function of the urinary tract may be more likely to have UTIs. A problem such as vesicoureteral reflux or an obstruction in the urinary tract may make it difficult to empty the bladder completely. This will allow bacteria to grow and spread more easily through the urinary tract. These problems may be present at birth (congenital) or can be the result of surgery, injury, or past infection.
During the first year of life, boys are more likely than girls to have a structural (anatomic) reason for urinary problems. If your child has a known structural or functional problem with the urinary tract, follow your doctor's instructions about when to seek care for urinary symptoms.
In rare cases, a urinary symptom may indicate a more serious illness, such as diabetes.
An injury, such as getting hit in the back or genital area, may cause urinary problems. A visit to a doctor is usually needed if your child has trouble urinating, cannot urinate, or has blood in his or her urine.
Review the Check Your Symptoms sections to determine if and when your child needs to see a health professional.
Check Your Symptoms
If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.
Check Your Symptoms
If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.
Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your child's symptoms.
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Topic: Chest Pain
Topic Overview
Chest pain and heart attack
Chest discomfort or pain is a key warning symptom of a heart attack. Heart attack symptoms include:
Topic Overview
Chest pain and heart attack
Chest discomfort or pain is a key warning symptom of a heart attack. Heart attack symptoms include:
Chest discomfort or pain that is crushing or squeezing or feels like a heavy weight on the chest.
Chest discomfort or pain that occurs with:
Sweating.
Shortness of breath.
Nausea or vomiting.
Pain that spreads from the chest to the back, neck, jaw, upper belly, or one or both shoulders or arms. The left shoulder and arm are more commonly affected. See an illustration of areas that may be affected by chest pain .
Dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling like you are going to faint.
A fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat.
If you have any of these symptoms of a heart attack, call 911 or other emergency services immediately. Since most of the damage to the heart muscle during a heart attack occurs in the first 6 hours, emergency treatment may prevent damage to the heart muscle and death. Some people, especially those who are elderly or have diabetes, may not have typical chest pain but may have many of the other symptoms of a heart attack. Women are more likely than men to have neck and shoulder pain along with other symptoms.
Chest discomfort or pain that occurs with:
Sweating.
Shortness of breath.
Nausea or vomiting.
Pain that spreads from the chest to the back, neck, jaw, upper belly, or one or both shoulders or arms. The left shoulder and arm are more commonly affected. See an illustration of areas that may be affected by chest pain .
Dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling like you are going to faint.
A fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat.
If you have any of these symptoms of a heart attack, call 911 or other emergency services immediately. Since most of the damage to the heart muscle during a heart attack occurs in the first 6 hours, emergency treatment may prevent damage to the heart muscle and death. Some people, especially those who are elderly or have diabetes, may not have typical chest pain but may have many of the other symptoms of a heart attack. Women are more likely than men to have neck and shoulder pain along with other symptoms.
Chest discomfort or pain that comes on or gets worse with exercise, stress, or eating a large meal and goes away with rest may be a warning symptom of heart disease. If you are having this type of discomfort or pain now and you are not being treated for angina, call 911 or other emergency services immediately.
Other causes of chest discomfort or pain
Most people fear that chest pain always means something is wrong with the heart. This is not the case. Chest discomfort or pain, especially in people who are younger than age 40, can have many causes.
Most people fear that chest pain always means something is wrong with the heart. This is not the case. Chest discomfort or pain, especially in people who are younger than age 40, can have many causes.
Pain in the muscles or bones of the chest often occurs when you increase your activities or add exercise to your schedule. This is sometimes called chest wall pain.
Burning chest pain that occurs when you cough may be caused by an upper respiratory infection caused by a virus.
Burning chest or rib pain, especially just before a rash appears, may be caused by shingles.
A broken rib can be quite painful, especially when you cough or try to take a deep breath.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can cause pain just below the breastbone. Many people will say they have "heartburn." This pain is usually relieved by taking an antacid or eating.
Other, more serious problems that can cause chest pain include:
Burning chest pain that occurs when you cough may be caused by an upper respiratory infection caused by a virus.
Burning chest or rib pain, especially just before a rash appears, may be caused by shingles.
A broken rib can be quite painful, especially when you cough or try to take a deep breath.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can cause pain just below the breastbone. Many people will say they have "heartburn." This pain is usually relieved by taking an antacid or eating.
Other, more serious problems that can cause chest pain include:
A collapsed lung (pneumothorax), which usually causes a sharp, stabbing chest pain and occurs with shortness of breath.
A blood clot in the lung (pulmonary embolism), which usually causes deep chest pain with the rapid development of extreme shortness of breath.
Lung cancer, which may cause chest pain, especially if the cancer cells spread to involve the ribs.
Diseases of the spine, which can cause chest pain if the nerves in the spine are "pinched."
Review the Emergencies and Check Your Symptoms sections to determine if and when you need to see a health professional.
A blood clot in the lung (pulmonary embolism), which usually causes deep chest pain with the rapid development of extreme shortness of breath.
Lung cancer, which may cause chest pain, especially if the cancer cells spread to involve the ribs.
Diseases of the spine, which can cause chest pain if the nerves in the spine are "pinched."
Review the Emergencies and Check Your Symptoms sections to determine if and when you need to see a health professional.
