Had Chest Pain And Cough. All Tests Normal. What Else To Do To Ensure No Lung Problem?
Keep regular follow up with your Pulmonologist.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for the query.After going through your query, I would like to comment the following:
1. Its good that your chest Xrays were normal. A normal chest Xray has a very low chance of any lung malignancy but an HRCT scan thorax is the option above chest Xray if the suspicion of malignancy is high. In your case , currently the suspicion does not seem to be high. I think you had a previous CT scan which was normal.
2. Your current cough could be a part of COPD or just another bout of respiratory infection, so get it managed accordingly in consultation with a chest physician.
3. Do watch for any increase in chest pain, blood in sputum, any lymph node enlargement in the body, hoarseness of voice, difficulty in degluttition, a swelling of the finger tips (clubbing). In case of any clinical symptom you need to consult your Pulmonologist. Active follow up is required atleast for a period of 2 years.
4. You need to continue your smoking cessation and that should reap benefits for you.
I hope I have answered your query. I will be glad to answer follow up queries if any.
Please accept my answer if you have no follow up queries.
Regards
Dr. Gyanshankar Mishra
MBBS MD DNB
Consultant Pulmonologist