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What Causes Bronchitis, Shortness Of Breath And Sharp Chest And Back Pain?

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Posted on Wed, 28 Jan 2015
Question: Hello
I have recently been diagnosed with bronchitis. It has been four days. I have chest pain tha is sharp and also back pain but it doesn't radiate. It is also intermittent. Not sure if it hurts worse when I press it.malso seem to be short of breath quite easily. I am worried that this could be heart related. Does this make sense for a bad cold or bronchitis? Should I go to ER?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (25 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
need to know few more things.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your question on HCM.

I want to know few things first.
1. Are you smoker?
2. Do you have cough (dry) or cough with expectoration?
3. Have you undergone chest x ray or PFT ( Pulmonary Function Test )?
4. Are you taking any medicines? You have not mentioned anything about this, so asked.

Your chest pain is less likely due to cardiac cause.
But, since you are in peri menopausal period, where protective effect of estrogen is decreased, this can be a cardiac cause.
Intermittent chest pain is not seen in bronchitis. Rather chest pain on coughing is more common in bronchitis.
So your intermittent chest pain also suggest possibility of heart related pain.
So better to get done ECG to rule out cardiac cause.
And let me know answers of above questions, so that I can guide you properly.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (9 minutes later)
I do not smoke. I take atenolol for palpitations. Prozac for panic disorder and vitamin I also occasionally take ranitidine for acid reflux. I have recently had blood work and EKG (at ER A few days ago). I have congestion with cough and mucus and wheezing in the upper chest/lower throat area. I have had (in April) stress Echo and nuclear stress test. Both normal. Had PFT a few months ago and it was normal.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (15 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
no need to worry for cardiac cause.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your follow up question.
And thanks for the information.
No need to worry much for cardiac cause., as your ECG(recent) is normal.
And the medicines you have mentioned, are not of bronchitis or cold.
So let me know one thing.
Are you not taking anything for cough or cold?
In my opinion you are having lower respiratory tract infection ( LRTI ) or bronchitis.
You need to get done chest x ray to rule out LRTI. As congestion, cough, mucus and wheezing are seen in LRTI.
You may require antihistamine , anti inflammatory drugs with inhaled bronchodilators.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (20 minutes later)
I forgot to mention that when I was in ER the other day the doctor did a chest X-ray and swab for influenza. Both were negative. The doctor was very thorough and also did triponin and monitored me for a few hours. He did rx albutorlo inhaler but I have not picked it up yet. Did not get out of the house today. Have been coughing badly for the last three days. Am always frightened by chest pains. I have a history of them which is why we did cardiac testing.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (21 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Mostly you are having acute bronchitis.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your follow up question.
No need to worry for cardiac cause at all.
In my opinion mostly you are having acute bronchitis.
And you should definitely start inhaler. No harm in it.
I advise you to start antihistamine and anti inflammatory drugs. Antibiotic is also needed to prevent secondary bacterial infection.
Since all these drugs are prescribed medicines, you need to consult your doctor for these.

Hope I have solved your query.
If you are not having further queries, please close the conversation and rate the answer.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Drkaushal85

Pulmonologist

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 15002 Questions

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What Causes Bronchitis, Shortness Of Breath And Sharp Chest And Back Pain?

Brief Answer: need to know few more things. Detailed Answer: Hello dear, thanks for your question on HCM. I want to know few things first. 1. Are you smoker? 2. Do you have cough (dry) or cough with expectoration? 3. Have you undergone chest x ray or PFT ( Pulmonary Function Test )? 4. Are you taking any medicines? You have not mentioned anything about this, so asked. Your chest pain is less likely due to cardiac cause. But, since you are in peri menopausal period, where protective effect of estrogen is decreased, this can be a cardiac cause. Intermittent chest pain is not seen in bronchitis. Rather chest pain on coughing is more common in bronchitis. So your intermittent chest pain also suggest possibility of heart related pain. So better to get done ECG to rule out cardiac cause. And let me know answers of above questions, so that I can guide you properly. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.