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Suggest Treatment For Chest Pain In A Chain Smoker

Posted on Wed, 7 Jun 2017

Question: Hi Team ,

I have been smoking since last 2 years continuously and daily approx. 1 box a day and since past two to three weeks , I am having chest pain while smoking . I Can feel some kind of muscle tightness when I touch my chest and also when I talk for long , I am getting too much of breath from my nose . I want your advice on how to quit smoking and also wanted to reach out to specialist and get a scan . Since last one week I gradually decreased and smoking just 3 in a day as not able to control craving .

Questions :
How to quit smoking :
What kind of Scan do I need to take to have this issue checked i.e. Chest Pain and breathing issue :
Which specialist I need to visit :

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You need to see pulmonologist

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.

I read your query and understand your concerns about the ill effect of smoking and ongoing chest issues.

Regarding the immediate intervention you need to see a pulmonologist for chest pain issue. In some countries it is called respiratory medicine specialists.

Regarding the scan as per need your doctor may recommend blood tests and chest X ray. In case there is some suspicion you may need HRCT scan of chest as it helps in identifying minute issues at the earliest.

If you ask me about quitting smoking, my answer is your motivation and determination, as it is the best medicine to heal your smoking problem. However if there are some withdrawal symptoms prescription medications can be used which include bupropion and verenicline. I must inform you that medicine have value only with withdrawal symptoms and craving associated with quitting smoking.

I hope this answers you.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
In future if you wish to ask any more questions , you can use the below mentioned link to contact me.

http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386

Thanks and regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (3 hours later)

Thank you for the reply and it was very helpful .

What kind of blood tests I need to take - Do we have a name for the blood test ?
chest X ray.
Do I need take HRCT scan post my Blood test and Chest Xray if they identify anything ?

Can I contact general Physician for this issue as I am not sure who would be pulmonologist near my city - I am located in XXXXXXX , Telangana.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
tests only required to support/confirm the diagnosis of your doctor

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for follow up.

No you do not need to go directly to lab as requirement of test arises only after the physical examination. After the examination your doctor will give you provisional diagnosis and will right the blood tests and scan if necessary.

So you will need them only after meeting your doctor.

I think XXXXXXX have at least double digit respiratory medicine specialists both in the government sector and private sector. In case you do not find one, you can see a general medicine doctor.

I hope this helps you further.
Thanks and regards.

Note: In case of any other concern or query related to prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, or the recovery of persons with the any type of addiction or substance use, follow up with our Addiction Medicine Specialist. Click here to book a consultation now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T