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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
