There are many reasons for why someone might be experiencing chest pain at night. It can vary from something as severe as a heart attack, to something as mild as snoring. If you do have any chest pain, you should check in with your physician because it can signify an underlying disease or disorder that could be life-threatening. Some of the most common causes for chest pain at night can be:
- Snoring/Sleep Apnea
- Acid Reflux
- Angina
- Chest wall injury
- Pleurisy
Snoring or Sleep Apnea
Snoring and sleep apnea can cause chest pain at night. It is not as common for someone who snores to have chest pain, but is much more common in those diagnosed with sleep apnea. Chest pain generally arises due to acid reflux. The reason why acid reflux can happen during sleep for those who snore or have sleep apnea is not very clear.
Acid Reflux
Acid reflux was briefly mentioned above, but acid reflux is when the lower esophageal sphincter, the stomach valve, doesn’t close all the way or it opens too often. This allows for stomach acid to creep up into the esophagus causing chest pain. This chest pain is also known as heartburn.
Angina
Angina is when your heart doesn’t get enough oxygen from your blood. This can cause pain in your chest and other places in your upper chest and can even be felt in your jaw. As the American Heart Association says, angina itself is not a disease but can signify underlying diseases such as coronary heart disease. It is recommended that if you feel chest pain to visit a physician because it is possible that it could be unstable angina and need emergency medical attention.
Chest Wall Injury
Chest pain can be a symptom of a chest wall injury. This could be due to any fractured bones in that area or bruising of the lungs. Any chest pain caused by chest wall injuries can generally be treated with therapy but if the pain sustains, it may be good to revisit the doctor just to make sure that things are healing correctly.
Pleurisy
Pleurisy is the swelling of the lining of the lungs which can cause chest pain. The chest pain is generally when you try to breath in which can cause a sharp pain. There are many things that cause pleurisy, but the most common causes are:
- Viral infections
- Bacterial infections
- Fungal infections
- Autoimmune diseases
- Various lung cancers including
- Small Cell Lung Cancer
- Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
- Mesothelioma
Pleurisy can be treated with antibacterials for bacterial infections as well as other various anti-inflammatory drugs. It can also be treated with prescription pain and cough medications and medications that break up blood clots, as described by HealthLine.
If you experience any of these symptoms or have chest pain, it is recommended to contact your doctor or physician to prevent any serious issues from happening and to treat possible life-threatening diseases. Contacting your doctor can help find and treat any issues experienced and treat any underlying problems that can cause chest pain or other symptoms.