Can Gas Cause Left Arm Pain? Truth Uncovered Here

Are you experiencing unexpected left arm pain? It is alarming that it is often linked to heart issues. But, can gas cause left arm pain? Understanding the link between gas and nerve irritation in the arm can help determine if the pain is harmless or a warning symptom of something severe. This blog will answer your question! Read on!

Can Gas Cause Left Arm Pain?

Yes, it can! Gas can get trapped, particularly in the upper part of the abdomen. It can last for a few minutes or hours and induce heartburn, a burning sensation in the chest that causes chest pain. This pain can radiate to other areas such as the left arm, jaw, neck, and back as the tissues and nerves of these body parts are close to the chest. The pain associated with gas can mimic the symptoms of a heart attack.

So, the best advice is to seek medical attention and understand the difference between gas pain and heart-related pain.

Difference Between Gas Pain and Heart Issues-Related Pain

How Does Gas Lead to Left Arm Pain?

This is how gas can lead to left arm pain:

• Nerve Irritation: Gas accumulation can put a strain on the diaphragm, which shares nerves with the arms and shoulders, leading to referred pain.

• Trapping of the Gas in the Chest Area: Gas becomes trapped in the upper part of the digestive tract, causing discomfort that radiates to the chest and left arm.

• Acid Reflux or Heartburn: Excessive gas and stomach acid can cause pain and discomfort in the chest that sometimes reaches the left arm.

How to Know It’s a Heart Attack?

Unlike gas-related pain, which occurs from the issues in the digestive system, pain associated with a heart attack can come from the blockage of the heart muscles. The heart-related pain can be life-threatening and needs immediate medical treatment. Understanding heart-related chest pain can help seek treatment on time.

So, keep an eye on symptoms of a heart attack, including:

• Chest pain that moves to the left arm, back, neck, or jaw

• Chest pain feeling like tightness, squeezing, or heaviness all over the chest

• Trouble breathing and shortness of breath

• Cold sweat, feeling lightheaded, or dizziness

• Nausea or vomiting

• Overwhelming anxiety

How Does Gas-Induced Chest Pain Feel Like?

Common symptoms related to gas-induced chest pain are:

• Pressure or fullness in the right or left side of the chest

• Sharp or stabbing pain in the upper abdomen and chest.

• Swelling or bloating in the abdomen.

• Burning sensation in the chest

• fluttering sensation in the chest

• Intermittent discomfort

• Involuntary or voluntary belching (burping) or farting

Potential Symptoms of Gas or Gas Pain

Potential gas buildup symptoms include:

• Burping

• Passing gas

• Pain or pressure in the chest

• Pain or discomfort in areas of the upper body, including the back, neck, shoulder, or left arm pain in gas

• Headache

• Vomiting

• Cramps, or a twisted (tight) feeling in your abdomen

• A feeling of fullness or pressure in your abdomen 

• An observable increase in the size of your abdomen (distention)

• Weakness or tiredness

• Shortness of breath

• Constipation

If you notice any of these symptoms, consult a doctor for proper treatment.

How Long Does Chest Pain Due to Gas Typically Last?

For some people, gas-induced chest pain might last for a few minutes or 1 hour, particularly if it occurs after consuming gas-producing foods or taking in excess air. In such cases, the pain decreases once the gas is released via flatulence (fart) or belching (burping) or the digestion process improves.

However, in other cases, the chest pain might last for a longer period, that is, for many hours to days. The duration can vary based on several factors such as severity of accumulation of the gas, presence of gastrointestinal issues (for example, GERD or IBS), and effectiveness of management strategies or provided treatment.

How Long Does Chest Pain Due to Gas Typically Last?

For some people, gas-induced chest pain might last for a few minutes or 1 hour, particularly if it occurs after consuming gas-producing foods or taking in excess air. In such cases, the pain decreases once the gas is released via flatulence (fart) or belching (burping) or the digestion process improves.

However, in other cases, the chest pain might last for a longer period, that is, for many hours to days. The duration can vary based on several factors such as severity of accumulation of the gas, presence of gastrointestinal issues (for example, GERD or IBS), and effectiveness of management strategies or provided treatment. 

When to Be Concerned?

Though sometimes, gas can lead to left arm pain, it is important to differentiate the gas pain from more severe health issues such as heart attacks. So, consult a doctor if you experience these symptoms, as they might indicate heart attack signs:

• Chest pain or tightness

• Shortness of breath

• Sweating without explanation

• Dizziness

• Nausea

Diagnosis of Gas-Related Chest Pain

Diagnosis basically includes a thorough medical examination to find out the possible causes. Here is how the diagnosis is done:

Assessment of Medical History:

• The healthcare providers will ask for the detailed medical history, such as a description of chest pain, its severity, symptoms, duration, and other factors that contribute to the worsening of the pain.

• Also, they may ask about your lifestyle, dietary habits, and recent changes in your activity level or current medications.

Physical Examination:

• The doctors may understand the signs you are experiencing and check for tenderness in your chest wall, symptoms of cardiovascular or gastrointestinal abnormalities, and swelling in the abdominal area.

• They may also listen to the activity levels of your lungs and heart to detect any kind of abnormalities.

Diagnostic Tests:

The providers may order the following tests to detect the exact cause of pain:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): Helps examine the electrical activity of the heart and find the cardiac-related causes (e.g., heart attack or irregular heartbeat) of chest pain.

• Blood Tests: Evaluate the electrolyte levels, cardiac enzymes, and markers of infection or inflammation to detect the underlying cardiovascular or systemic conditions.

• Imaging Tests: CT scans and chest X-rays can help assess the abnormalities (e.g., gastrointestinal issues, pneumonia, or pneumothorax) in the chest and abdomen.

• Esophageal pH Monitoring: Measures the levels of acidity in the esophagus to detect conditions like acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which can be potential causes of chest pain.

• Upper Endoscopy: Helps identify any abnormalities in the stomach, esophagus, and duodenum. The abnormalities include hiatal hernias, ulcers, or inflammation, which can be contributing factors.

Depending on the diagnosis result, the gastroenterologist or cardiologist can perform further evaluation and help manage and treat cardiovascular or gastrointestinal conditions that are causing chest pain. 

How to Relieve Gas-Related Pain?

Here's a detailed breakdown of approaches to relieve gas-related pain:

Immediate Relief:

• Move Around: Walk or practice light stretching to release trapped gas from the digestive system. 

• Drink Warm Liquids: Have warm water or herbal teas such as chamomile, ginger, and peppermint tea to ease digestion and relieve bloating and gas pain.

• Apply Heat: Apply a warm compress on your abdominal area to relax muscles and relieve trapped gas which helps ease pain.

• Burp or Pass Gas: Allow gas to pass through farting or burping to get immediate relief.

• Try Massage: Massage your abdomen gently to stimulate gas movement. 

• Practice Yoga Poses: Practice wind-relieving pose (Pawanmuktasana) to release trapped gas.

• Take Over-the-counter Medications: Research reports that medicine like Simethicone helps ease discomfort caused by excessive gas in the digestive tract.

Long-Term Strategies:

Dietary Changes:

• Identify & Avoid Triggering Foods: Certain types of foods like spicy foods, carbonated beverages, fatty foods, caffeine, citrus fruits, and alcohol can cause gas, so avoid them completely. 

• Eat in Smaller Portions: Consume smaller and more frequent meals to prevent gas from building up in the stomach. 

• Eat Slowly & Chew Thoroughly: These dietary habits can ease digestion and lower the risk of swallowing air that leads to bloating and gas issues. 

• Avoid Drinking with a Straw & Chewing Gum: These habits can contribute to swallowing excessive air. 

Lifestyle Changes:

• Exercise Regularly: Practice physical activities or exercises regularly to move trapped gas out of the digestive system. 

• Stay Hydrated: Drinking a lot of water or fluids to support digestion and relieve constipation, which can increase gas. 

• Manage Stress: Engage in meditation, yoga, and deep breathing to reduce stress as it causes digestive issues like gas. 

• Quit Smoking: Smoking can make acid reflux more worse and cause gas-related chest pain, so quit this habit. 

Natural Remedies To Relieve Gas-Related Pain

The following are some home remedies you can try to relieve gas pain:

• Apple Cider Vinegar: Use apple cider vinegar by diluting it in water and having it before meals to relieve gas.

• Peppermint: Have peppermint tea or supplements as they can reduce gas and bloating. Just boil peppermint leaves in water for about 5-10 minutes and drink it in between meals.

• Ginger Tea: A study reports that the carminative effect of ginger aids in breaking up and expelling intestinal gas.

• Fennel Seeds: The potent compounds in fennel seeds help promote digestion and relieve gas and bloating. 

• Activated Charcoal Supplements: Activated charcoal can absorb excessive trapped gas and prevent bloating and pain. Take the supplement as recommended on the packaging and have it before or after meals.

• Lemon water: Helps stimulate digestion, alleviate inflammation, and reduce the accumulated gas in the digestive tract, which helps prevent gas-related pain.

Risks or Complications of Gas-Related Chest Pain

Severe or persistent chest pain due to gas might lead to the following complications or risks:

Misdiagnosis:

• As gas-induced chest pain may imitate the symptoms of more severe health conditions, like pulmonary embolism, heart disease, or gastrointestinal disease, misdiagnosis can happen.

• This leads to a delay in appropriate treatment, which can worsen the issues.

Functional Impairment:

• Frequent or severe chest pain due to gas might cause functional impairment.

• This can impact the person's ability to perform daily tasks, be productive, or practice physical activities.

Compromised Nutrition:

• If gas-related chest pain is associated with gastrointestinal issues, like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), it can cause complications such as weight loss and malnutrition.

• These complications can occur due to the impact of the gastrointestinal issues on nutrient absorption, digestion, and nutritional status.

Psychological Distress:

• Chronic or untreated chest pain due to gas can contribute to psychological distress, for instance, depression, anxiety, and even fear of episodes in the future.

• The psychological factors can worsen symptoms and cause a cycle of distress and discomfort.

Impaired Sleep:

• Disruption of sleep patterns can occur due to gas-related chest pain, especially at night.

• This can lead to sleep disturbances, daytime drowsiness, and fatigue, affecting overall well-being.

Complications Related to Self-treatment:

• Excessive or improper use of home remedies or OTC medications to relieve chest pain due to a gas issue can cause adverse effects, masking of underlying health issues, and interactions with medications.

• This may delay the appropriate diagnosis and treatment. 

Tips To Reduce Future Gas Attacks

Consider these tips to prevent future gas attacks:

• Eat Slowly: Chewing your food thoroughly and slowly to avoid swallowing excessive air.

• Limit Gas-Forming Foods: Reduce the use of Brussels sprouts, beans, cabbage, broccoli, garlic, carbonated beverages, and dairy products (if lactose intolerant) as they cause gas.

• Stay Hydrated: Drinking a lot of water and fluids to promote digestive health and prevent issues like gas and bloating.

• Exercise Regularly: Physical activity helps with the smooth running of your digestive system and prevents gas buildup.

• Minimize Swallowing the Air: You can do it by avoiding chewing gums and using straws while drinking, quitting smoking, and not talking while eating to prevent swallowing excess air that causes gas.

• Identify Food Intolerances: Know and avoid those foods that trigger gas and bloating.

• Review your Medications: Discuss your all medications with a doctor to know whether they might be causing gas.

What Dr. Hafeez Merani Says?

Dr. Hafeez Merani, an experienced Burnaby chiropractor, emphasizes the importance of considering musculoskeletal factors in cases of referred pain, such as left arm pain due to gas.

• According to Dr. Merani, while gas and digestive issues can indeed cause referred pain in areas like the left arm, it's crucial to also assess the musculoskeletal system. This is because the spine and surrounding structures can also contribute to such pain patterns.

• Misalignments or dysfunctions in the thoracic spine, for instance, can mimic or exacerbate symptoms of gas-related pain.

• Dr. Merani also suggests that individuals experiencing such symptoms should consider consulting with a chiropractor for a thorough evaluation.

• A chiropractic adjustment or other therapeutic interventions could provide relief not only by improving spinal alignment but also by enhancing overall nerve function, which can positively impact digestive health.

Final Thoughts

So, can gas cause left arm pain? Yes, trapped gas can contribute to discomfort like chest pain which can radiate to other areas like the left arm, causing pain. Sometimes, this pain can also mimic the symptoms of a heart attack, so, always keep an eye on symptoms of gas pain and heart-related pain to prevent further issues. If you notice any symptoms seek medical help for proper diagnosis and treatment. Also, for immediate relief, you can drink a warm liquid, move around, massage, apply heat, and so on. Also, you can have OTC medications like simethicone for quick relief.

Read Also: 4 Acupressure Points For Gas & Bloating That You Didn't Know About