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What Causes Pain In Upper Chest While Breathing?

Posted on Sat, 5 Mar 2016

Question: Hi my name is XXXXXXX I am writing today because I have had some pain in my upper chest. I believe its my right lung due to it hurting when I breath. I was wondering what I should do. My health insurance does not begin until March 1st which is a month from now

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Get done chest x ray.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Possibility of musculoskeletal pain is more
But to rule out lung related diseases better to get done chest x ray first.
If chest x ray is normal then no need to worry.
Also let me know if you smoke.
If you are smoker then you should also get done PFT (Pulmonary Function Test) to rule out bronchitis.
So please let me know
1. Do you smoke?
2. Since how many days you are having these symptoms?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (4 minutes later)

Well Sir I am 21 years old. I have never had problems with my lungs before. I do not smoke tobacco. I have smoked Marijuana in the past. I have had these symptoms for about 4 days. the pain is in the front of my chest and my back located on the right side. Also my side has pain every now and again

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (14 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Possibility of lung related pain is very less.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Since you are not a smoker and having short history of pain, lung related pain is unlikely in your case.
Musculoskeletal pain is more likely.
Please let me know
1. Are you right handed?
2. Have you done any heavy exertion before 4-5 days?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (3 minutes later)

I am right handed and yes I have done heavy exertion. I lift weights

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (15 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Do you have pain with movements?

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Possibility of musculoskeletal pain is more.
Please let me know
1. Do you have pain associated with movements of chest or right upper limb?
2. Are you overweight?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better.
I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (6 minutes later)

It hurts mostly when I breath. It burns when I move my arm. I am not overweight. I am close to fit

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Do you have fever?

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Your chest pain is associated with breathing.
So this can be due to pleurisy (inflammation of pleura).
And lung infection is the most common cause for this.
So we should first rule out lung infection.
Please let me know
1. Do you have fever?
2. Do you have cough, mucus expectoration?
3. Do you have difficulty in breathing?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (4 minutes later)

No sir I do not have a fever. The more that you mention it. my upper back hurts when I move my arm. Also it hurts when I breathe

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No need to worry for lung related pain.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
No need to worry for lung related pain.
You are having musculoskeletal pain only.
So follow these steps for better symptomatic relief.
1. Avoid heavyweight lifting and strenuous exercise.
2. Avoid bad postures in sleep.
3. Avoid movements causing pain.
4. Take painkiller and muscle relaxant drugs.
5. Apply warm water pad on affected areas.. Don't worry, you will be alright with all these in 1-2 weeks.
Hope I have solved your query.
If you are not having further queries, then please close the conversation and rate my answer.
You can ask me directly on bit.ly/askdrkaushalbhavsar.
Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (15 minutes later)

Thank you I hope I described the pain well enough for you to help me the right way

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, you have described it correctly.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Health Care Magic.
Yes, you have described your pain correctly.
You are having musculoskeletal pain only because of heavy exertion and heavyweight lifting.
So follow things mentioned in my previous answer and you will definitely improve in 1-2 weeks.
Hope I have solved your query. If you are not having further queries, then please close the conversation and rate my answer.
You can ask me directly on bit.ly/askdrkaushalbhavsar.
Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar