HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Suggest Treatment For Pain Under Left Shoulder

default
Posted on Fri, 10 Jun 2016
Question: I developed pain under my left shoulder suddenly. when I cough, it hurts and when ibend a certain way, it hurts, more like a dull ache than a sharp pain. I do go to the gym. pleurisy, maybe?
YYYY@YYYY
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
it does sound like pleurisy/pleuritis

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

Pleurisy/pleuritis is a definite possibility.

There are 2 linings around the lungs. An inner lining directly around the lung and an outer lining covering the chest wall , rib cage etc. A small amount of fluid in between.
Pleurisy/pleuritis is inflammation of the outer lining.

It does cause the symptoms that you are describing.

There are different possible causes with viral infections being one of the most common.
In some cases, no cause can be found.

Rarely there can be serious causes such as autoimmune diseases ( Rheumatoid, lupus etc), side effect of medication, cancer related, clot in lung, pneumothorax (air between lung and chest wall essentially), pneumonia.
In most cases, not related to these serious causes but may need to be ruled out.

Treatment involved pain medication and identifying the cause to see if additional treatment is needed. Pain medication such as the NSAIDS- cataflam, ibuprofen, naproxen.
If these are not strong enough then opiates may be needed.

Determining the exact cause would require examination, imaging such as chest x ray and bloods.


I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Suggest Treatment For Pain Under Left Shoulder

Brief Answer: it does sound like pleurisy/pleuritis Detailed Answer: HI, thanks for using healthcare magic Pleurisy/pleuritis is a definite possibility. There are 2 linings around the lungs. An inner lining directly around the lung and an outer lining covering the chest wall , rib cage etc. A small amount of fluid in between. Pleurisy/pleuritis is inflammation of the outer lining. It does cause the symptoms that you are describing. There are different possible causes with viral infections being one of the most common. In some cases, no cause can be found. Rarely there can be serious causes such as autoimmune diseases ( Rheumatoid, lupus etc), side effect of medication, cancer related, clot in lung, pneumothorax (air between lung and chest wall essentially), pneumonia. In most cases, not related to these serious causes but may need to be ruled out. Treatment involved pain medication and identifying the cause to see if additional treatment is needed. Pain medication such as the NSAIDS- cataflam, ibuprofen, naproxen. If these are not strong enough then opiates may be needed. Determining the exact cause would require examination, imaging such as chest x ray and bloods. I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions