What Causes Vomiting, Pain In Left-sided Neck And Shortness Of Breath?
Question: 47 year old male has been sick all day, thrown up 4-5 Times, has an ache in left side of his neck, and says he feels a little short of breath. Can you advise what we should do?
Brief Answer:
Go in to be seen tonight.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
The ache in the left side of neck may be from straining it from throwing up. And the vomiting may be from a stomach bug. And the shortness of breath may be from dehydration.
However, anytime I hear of a man with any kind of pressure type pain in the left side of the neck or jaw plus shortness of breath, I think it is important to make sure the cause is not from a problem with his heart. That can cause nausea too (although usually not that much vomiting).
So, I think he should be seem promptly - tonight.
If you are willing, please write me to follow up on how he is doing after he is evaluated.
Go in to be seen tonight.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
The ache in the left side of neck may be from straining it from throwing up. And the vomiting may be from a stomach bug. And the shortness of breath may be from dehydration.
However, anytime I hear of a man with any kind of pressure type pain in the left side of the neck or jaw plus shortness of breath, I think it is important to make sure the cause is not from a problem with his heart. That can cause nausea too (although usually not that much vomiting).
So, I think he should be seem promptly - tonight.
If you are willing, please write me to follow up on how he is doing after he is evaluated.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
more likely from a virus
Detailed Answer:
An actual fever would go more with having a virus, such as "stomach flu". But when people have cardiac ischemia (decreased oxygen to the heart such as with a heart attack), they definitely can have sweating and nausea.
If that pain in his neck feels tender to the touch and increases with movement of the neck in certain directions it may be a strain. But if it is an ache, like a feeling of pressure, please don't delay getting him evaluated. Better safe than sorry.
more likely from a virus
Detailed Answer:
An actual fever would go more with having a virus, such as "stomach flu". But when people have cardiac ischemia (decreased oxygen to the heart such as with a heart attack), they definitely can have sweating and nausea.
If that pain in his neck feels tender to the touch and increases with movement of the neck in certain directions it may be a strain. But if it is an ache, like a feeling of pressure, please don't delay getting him evaluated. Better safe than sorry.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar