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What Causes Chest Pain?
Question: Hi Doctor,
For the last couple days I have been experiencing sharp chest pains. It started Tuesday night with pains in the upper abdomens. Wednesday I experienced chest pains and pains that were coming from the back, which felt like it may have been my lungs. Thursday was probably the worst one. I had severe stabbing pains on the right side of my chest that would last a few second and then come back every 30 seconds to a minute. That lasted about 5 hours. Since Thursday I have had random pains in my chest, arms, and shoulders that come and go and now my chest is just feeling very tight and bruised. Also, I don't know if this is connected at all but I have also been coughing up green phlegm for the last six months. The pains are starting to worry me and I was wondering what it might be related too?
For the last couple days I have been experiencing sharp chest pains. It started Tuesday night with pains in the upper abdomens. Wednesday I experienced chest pains and pains that were coming from the back, which felt like it may have been my lungs. Thursday was probably the worst one. I had severe stabbing pains on the right side of my chest that would last a few second and then come back every 30 seconds to a minute. That lasted about 5 hours. Since Thursday I have had random pains in my chest, arms, and shoulders that come and go and now my chest is just feeling very tight and bruised. Also, I don't know if this is connected at all but I have also been coughing up green phlegm for the last six months. The pains are starting to worry me and I was wondering what it might be related too?
Brief Answer:
Pancreatitis
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for your query.
If the pain is radiating to the back then it could be due to pancreatitis. you may have to then get pancreatic lipase and amylase estimation. Also, get a ultrasound to rule out pancreatitis.
Pain due to infection or any sort of pathology in lungs will surely result in severe cough and breathing difficulties.
I would at first consider the need to rule out the pancreatitis.
Hope, I answered your query.
Wish you good health.
regards,
Pancreatitis
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for your query.
If the pain is radiating to the back then it could be due to pancreatitis. you may have to then get pancreatic lipase and amylase estimation. Also, get a ultrasound to rule out pancreatitis.
Pain due to infection or any sort of pathology in lungs will surely result in severe cough and breathing difficulties.
I would at first consider the need to rule out the pancreatitis.
Hope, I answered your query.
Wish you good health.
regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi Doctor,
I agree that the first day it was in my abdomen but the last few days it has been completley to the right side of my chest. Sometimes the pain moves to the left side but for the most part it is in the right side of my chest. Pancreatitis if I am correct is in the stomach, so would I be having severe stabbing chest pains if it was Pancreatitis?
Thank you,
XXXXXXX
I agree that the first day it was in my abdomen but the last few days it has been completley to the right side of my chest. Sometimes the pain moves to the left side but for the most part it is in the right side of my chest. Pancreatitis if I am correct is in the stomach, so would I be having severe stabbing chest pains if it was Pancreatitis?
Thank you,
XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Yes,
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Yes, it is called referred pain.
You can experience pain in the lower chest and back along with abdomen.
If the pain is to the extreme right of the chest and not associated with cough then gall bladder pathology may have to be ruled out.
Do get a Ultrasound scan of the abdomen to rule out both above conditions.
Regards,
Yes,
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Yes, it is called referred pain.
You can experience pain in the lower chest and back along with abdomen.
If the pain is to the extreme right of the chest and not associated with cough then gall bladder pathology may have to be ruled out.
Do get a Ultrasound scan of the abdomen to rule out both above conditions.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Also, I know a large percentage of Pancreatitis is caused by drinking. I guess I should have mentioned that I do not consume any alcohol and I never have. Please let me know if my last two emails about the fact that the pain is mostly in my chest and that I do not drink, still leads you to believe I have Pancreatitis? Also, Do you believe that any of this could be related to the heart or a vain? When I attempted to look up my symptoms that is what came up, medical issues with the heart.
Thanks again,
XXXXXXX
Thanks again,
XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Not heart
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Heart pain would be associated with excessive sweating, breathlessness, increased heart rate and disabling needing hospitalization immediately.
Lung pains are almost always associated with cough.
I suspect abdominal pathology more than heart or lung.
Regards,
Not heart
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Heart pain would be associated with excessive sweating, breathlessness, increased heart rate and disabling needing hospitalization immediately.
Lung pains are almost always associated with cough.
I suspect abdominal pathology more than heart or lung.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi Doctor,
That makes sense. Thank you very much for the explanations. My last question has to do with the phlegm. It started about 6 months ago. I had a very bad dry cough in April with green phlegm and went to the doctors a couple times and they said it could be a number of things such as: whooping cough, bronchitis, asthma, allergies, etc. They tried treating me for everything but when nothing seemed to work they said it was most likely whopping couch. Recently, in the past month my cough has gone away. However, I wake up every day with what feels like a hair ball in my throat and I cough/choke up a green, very thick, ball of phlegm about 2-3 times throughout the day, everyday. Like I said, the cough is gone though. What do you think that could be?
That makes sense. Thank you very much for the explanations. My last question has to do with the phlegm. It started about 6 months ago. I had a very bad dry cough in April with green phlegm and went to the doctors a couple times and they said it could be a number of things such as: whooping cough, bronchitis, asthma, allergies, etc. They tried treating me for everything but when nothing seemed to work they said it was most likely whopping couch. Recently, in the past month my cough has gone away. However, I wake up every day with what feels like a hair ball in my throat and I cough/choke up a green, very thick, ball of phlegm about 2-3 times throughout the day, everyday. Like I said, the cough is gone though. What do you think that could be?
Brief Answer:
Take mucolytics
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Sometimes the phlegm can be uncleared or continuously produced even after the infections is cured. You may have to take mucolytics like Bromhexine or Ambroxol for it get cleared.
Regards,
Take mucolytics
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Sometimes the phlegm can be uncleared or continuously produced even after the infections is cured. You may have to take mucolytics like Bromhexine or Ambroxol for it get cleared.
Regards,
Note: Revert back with your health reports to get further guidance on your gastric problems. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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