Pain on the left side of the chest is usually associated with heart attacks or respiratory ailments, that may result into bouts of pain. However, right chest pain can be experienced due to totally different reasons. Read this Buzzle article to know more about the possible causes of pain in the right side of the chest.

All of us have a tendency to associate chest pain with respiratory disorders, heart problems, or lung ailments. However, the side of the chest, in which the pain is experienced, is an important aspect that has to be considered, when it comes to chest pain. Like left chest pain, pain in the right side of the chest also indicates a serious health problem that may require immediate medical attention. So, chest pain should never be ignored.

Causes of Pain in the Right Side of the Chest
✦ Gastritis
The term gastritis implies the inflammation of the lining of the stomach. Excessive consumption of alcohol, indigestion, and a long-term dosage of NSAID category medications, are some of the very prominent causes of gastritis. Gastritis may be also caused after a physical injury, involving trauma or infection by microbes such as bacteria and virus. Fasting can also lead to gastritis. Gastritis can cause chest pain as the stomach comes in direct contact with the lower side of the chest. When the cardiac sphincter does not function properly, the acid and digestive juices from the stomach reflux towards the throat. When the refluxed acid reaches the esophagus, it causes heartburn, chronic pain, and one might also experience pain in the right chest when breathing.

✦ Gallbladder Diseases
Formation of gallstones is one of the most common gallbladder diseases. The gallstones, in maximum cases, develop within the bladder. However, there have also been cases where the stones have formed inside the biliary tract. The condition can lead to chest pain when swallowing. Gallstones have a tendency to cause immense pain, as the stones plague the inner tissues of the gallbladder. The gallbladder is located in the upper half of the stomach, that merges with the chest. The friction of the stone is one of the common causes of chest pain. The gallstones can be broken with medications and therapies. In some cases, surgery can also be deployed to ease the pain. In addition to gallstones, porcelain gallbladder (calcification of the gallbladder due to excessive gallstones) and gallbladder infection (cholecystitis or inflammation of the gallbladder that usually occurs when a gallstone blocks the cystic duct) are two probable causes of right chest pain. The pain may worsen after eating foods that are rich in fat.

✦ Liver Inflammation
Liver inflammation is caused due to a variety of reasons. It can be bacterial or viral infection, or it can be caused by alcohol or substance abuse. One of the common viruses that causes this ailment is the hepatitis virus. Sometimes, liver inflammation is also experienced as a result of a disorder that is named as fatty liver. This disorder is principally characterized by accumulation of fat in the liver cells and tissues. It is also associated with excess alcohol consumption and substance abuse. The proximity of the liver to the chest is the probable explanation to chest pain.

✦ Other Digestive Tract Problems
Some common causes include gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD, inflammation of the lining of the esophagus due to frequent irritation by the acid), peptic ulcers, and food blockage. Chronic use of antacids can lead to side effects like chest pain. Food blockage can lead to pain, congestion, and tightening of the chest.

✦ Lung Problems
Pneumonia, asthma, pulmonary hypertension, pleurisy (inflammation of the membrane that surrounds the lungs), pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in a lung), pneumothorax (part of a lung collapses and releases air into the chest cavity), etc. can lead to chest pain.

✦ Other Problems
Diseases like shingles, stress, anxiety, panic attacks, rib fracture, weakened muscles, etc., can lead to right chest pain. Pain in the right side of the back or shoulder blade can radiate to the chest. A person suffering from flu, cough, and cold, might suffer from intense chest pain when coughing and sneezing, due to weakened muscles.

Chest Pain Related Symptoms
There are several physical symptoms that one might experience, as a result of right side chest pain.
➺ Burning sensation behind the breastbone and within the chest
➺ Taste of reflux in the mouth
➺ Troubled swallowing
➺ Pain in the chest while changing the position of the body
➺ Pain while breathing, especially when one is lying down, or pain while bending.

There are several injury-related chest pain causes. In such a situation, it is advisable to see a doctor, especially if the pain intensifies. Pain in the right side of the chest while breathing is also not a very good sign, and might be an indication of digestive tract ailment. To find out the cause of the chest pain, it is necessary to undergo the tests suggested by a doctor. The treatment solely depends upon the cause.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a medical expert.