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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Chest, Ribs And Back Pain With Breathlessness?

I am having trouble breathing specially laid down, the center of my chest hurts and sometimes my ribs and/or the center of my back (at times it does depend of the position). I feel like a ball of dry mucus is stuck in my chest all day and night, I am bearly couching amd when I do I barely spectorate (the mucus comes out transparent). I have asthma and used to smoke 3 cigarettes a day for 2 to 3 years and then after that 3 cigarettes every 3-5 months for about 1 and a half years. What could I have? I fear lung cancer.... is it possible
Mon, 23 Mar 2015
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Pulmonologist,  's  Response
Hello dear, thanks for your question on HCM.
Smoking can worsen asthma.
Smoking also cause GERD ( gastroesophageal reflux disease ).
And GERD can cause chest tightness and burning chest pain.
It also cause worsening of asthma. So your symptoms are mostly due to smoking induced GERD.
So quit smoking as soon as possible.
Get done chest x ray to rule out lung cancer.
Possibility of lung cancer is less in your case.
Better control of GERD is needed for symptomatic relief.
You need following lifestyle modifications.
1. Avoid hot and spicy food.
2. Avoid stress and tension.
3. Avoid large meals, instead take frequent small meals.
4. Start Proton pump inhibitors.
5. Go for walk after meals.
6. Keep 2 - 3 pillows under head in bed to prevent reflux.
Don't worry, you will be alright.
But quit smoking as soon as possible.
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What Causes Chest, Ribs And Back Pain With Breathlessness?

Hello dear, thanks for your question on HCM. Smoking can worsen asthma. Smoking also cause GERD ( gastroesophageal reflux disease ). And GERD can cause chest tightness and burning chest pain. It also cause worsening of asthma. So your symptoms are mostly due to smoking induced GERD. So quit smoking as soon as possible. Get done chest x ray to rule out lung cancer. Possibility of lung cancer is less in your case. Better control of GERD is needed for symptomatic relief. You need following lifestyle modifications. 1. Avoid hot and spicy food. 2. Avoid stress and tension. 3. Avoid large meals, instead take frequent small meals. 4. Start Proton pump inhibitors. 5. Go for walk after meals. 6. Keep 2 - 3 pillows under head in bed to prevent reflux. Don t worry, you will be alright. But quit smoking as soon as possible.