A heart attack is the first thought while experiencing a chest pain. Generally, chest pain occurs when the heart does not receive the complete supply of blood and oxygen but fortunately not all the chest pain is associated with a heart attack. It is basically a discomfort and pain in the chest area; some people also refer it to heart pain. However, heart-related pain is known as Angina Pectoris.
Ayurveda describes chest pain as Vaksha Vedana or Uras Vedana which is identified by a tightness and pressure felt in the chest area. Although all the chest pains are not directly related to heart failure, it still can lead to serious ailments that are usually considered a medical emergency.
Chest pain can be mild or severe; in some cases, it could even be fatal. Many of the times it also indicates high cholesterol levels which are hosted by a sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy diets. There are other possible reasons too like stress, acidity, respiratory problems, viral infection, tension, mucus deposit in the lungs, etc but consulting a physician becomes important to get the right diagnosis and treatment thereafter.
Many people do not even identify if it a chest pain or just a prick of gas. Misidentified symptoms can be dangerous in many ways though chest pain does not cause any instant harm but injurious in the long run. Therefore you must be aware of the causes and symptoms of chest pain so you can timely take the action.
Symptoms: The pain differs for each person starting from the neck and ending at the upper end of the abdomen. Tightening, squeezing, or pressing sensation is experienced in the chest may be with constricting sensation at the throat. Heaviness on the left arm, shoulder or elbow felt sometimes. Shortness of breath is common and the pain further spread to arms, ears, teeth, stomach and the in between the shoulder blades.
What are the Ayurvedic treatments available?
Ayurveda, a natural life science, known as the oldest form of medicine has natural or you can say home remedies to treat chest pain. Ayurvedic treatment for pain in the chest is holistic, produce lasting results and cause no side effects. According to the Ayurvedic approach to lifestyle, when a body loses its balance of life forces with those of the universe, diseases occur. Treatment for any disease is decided on the basis of dosha type which is formed at conception and remains the same through entire life for every person.
Urovasthi is a special treatment performed on the chest to relieve chest pain. In muscular chest pains, heart disease, and respiratory ailments this is the best treatment that is recommended. In this, herbal oil mixture is poured over the chest into a boundary made of herbal paste for about 45 minutes. This improves blood quality, builds and strengthens healthy muscles and tissues. This treatment has several others benefits too. It is also useful in respiratory disorders and asthma while rejuvenating the neuro-muscular system and the connective tissues.
Sometimes chest pain is due to stress and pressure caused by exercise, blunt trauma or other activities. Icing the area with the cold pack is a widely accepted method to stop the pain; hence it also helps in reducing swelling.
Garlic can ward off multiple ailments at the same time including chest pain, acidity, cough, phlegm, asthma, and many more. Swallowing a clove of garlic on an empty stomach every day helps in many ways.
Turmeric milk is an anti-inflammatory property that is very helpful when the chest pain strikes. A spoon of Turmeric added with a cup of warm milk should be drunk before bed, it alleviates pain.
Drinking almond milk is useful when a heart pain is a cause of acid reflux. Eating few almonds helps equally. These claims are not scientifically proved; they are just general knowledge people passing to others. In fact, almonds are rich in fats and could actually make the pain worse. However, some research shows almonds good for the health of the heart. Daily consumption may help with the prevention of heart disease.
Lying down immediately with the head elevated above the body can provide instant relief in chest pain.
Home remedies can be used only as the first line of defense. But you must seek the expert’s advice in a doubt of heart attack or angina. Any serious illness should be immediately treated by a medical professional.