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What Causes Chest Tightness Along With Shortness Of Breath And Cough?
Question: Since March 1, I have had a tightness in my chest when breathing in. Just sitting I do not have a sensation. It actually feels like a shortness of breath. I have had some back pain as well. It started with what I would consider a common cold in March and a wheezing cough. The cough went away with the cold, however the tightness remained. It resembles the same feeling I would get if I went to the sand dunes as a kid or the one time I acid washed the show with out good ventilation. A tight irritation at the extent of my inhalation. Only other symptoms I am having is an embarrassing itchy bottom, gets worse at night. I can feel tightness in the mussels of my back either side of my spine. I have gone to my personal care physican and been prescribed Nexium for acid reflux and Claritin for allergy. I got a chest x-ray today. No result yet. I just wanted to get another opinion if there is anything else. I do exercise everyday and don't seem to need to alter my plan to accommodate the lungs. It is just annoying. I feel great, no fever, no blood coming from throat, no color at all. Thoughts?
Brief Answer:
Asthma or COPD
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for your query.
Having a chest tightness along with shortness of breath and cough is indicative of obstructive airway diseases (OAD) like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). You did not mention your smoking history. If you are long time smoker then possibility of COPD is higher in your case. The back pain may be because of paraspinal muscle spasm that may be because of cough. I think you need to have a spirometry done with bronchodialator reversibility testing in order to evaluate your symptoms better because that test only can diagnose your disease definitely.
You need to consult a pulmonologist soon and get yourself thoroughly examined for the possible presence of any rhonchi or like that suggestive of OAD. Chest X-ray may be normal but that will not exclude the presence of either asthma or COPD.
If you have further queries you can ask me.
If you are happy with my answer you can write a review for me.
Thank you.
Regards,
Dr Arnab Maji
MBBS, MD
Consultant Pulmonologist
Asthma or COPD
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for your query.
Having a chest tightness along with shortness of breath and cough is indicative of obstructive airway diseases (OAD) like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). You did not mention your smoking history. If you are long time smoker then possibility of COPD is higher in your case. The back pain may be because of paraspinal muscle spasm that may be because of cough. I think you need to have a spirometry done with bronchodialator reversibility testing in order to evaluate your symptoms better because that test only can diagnose your disease definitely.
You need to consult a pulmonologist soon and get yourself thoroughly examined for the possible presence of any rhonchi or like that suggestive of OAD. Chest X-ray may be normal but that will not exclude the presence of either asthma or COPD.
If you have further queries you can ask me.
If you are happy with my answer you can write a review for me.
Thank you.
Regards,
Dr Arnab Maji
MBBS, MD
Consultant Pulmonologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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