Chest pain in children mostly a result of the stress

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Chest pain that appears to be caused by many things. But if experienced by children, researchers say it is more often caused by psychological factors such as stress rather than physical disorders.

A study done at the University of Georgia (UGA) found that children diagnosed with chest pain due to higher anxiety and depressive disorders compared with children who have heart problems such as abnormal blood flow and impaired cardiac structure.

"These facts show psychological symptoms may play a role in the occurrence of chest pain," said Jennifer Lee, chairman of the study UGA Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, as quoted from Health24, Tuesday (11/20/2012).

A study published in the Journal of Pediatric Psychology revealed a significant increase statistically in terms of anxiety and depression among patients with chest pain.

Lee describes these children also reported a larger case than the physical symptoms with no obvious cause, such as joint pain, abdominal pain and headaches. And spend less time in school and less involved in extra-curricular activities.

"These symptoms are believed to be manifestations of psychological stress. Sometimes the brain does not tell you that you are stressed, but your body will experience such symptoms," said Lee.

Pediatric patients who experience chest pain without cardiac disorders also reported higher anxiety sensitivity, fear of affecting physical symptoms as well as other matters related to psychological problems.

The study involved 129 patients aged 8-18 years who have menyelesaiakn survey before diagnosis. In this case, the researchers conducted a psychological screening, medical factors, as well as other possibilities.

If the chest pain in adults is often associated with heart problems, it is in children less than 2 percent of patients who received a diagnosis of heart problems that arise due to the pain.

To that end the most important thing if parents find their children often complain of chest pains and medical examinations did not indicate a problem, this could be caused by psychological disorders such as stress, anxiety or depression.

Patients should sit down with the family and find out what is most feared by the child, so as to overcome the psychological problems and reduce chest pain that appears.

Source:  Health24