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What Causes Chest Heaviness, Productive Cough And Ribs Pain?
Question: I am having chest heaviness .. Sometimes very mild rib pains .. For last 1 week ... I am coughing up sputum which is yello in color but not very much sputum .. I dont have continuous cough but sonetimes having cough ... Dry mainly but with small sputum .. I do smoke which I have stopped for 7 days but still not getting reliefed .. Do i have any serious medical issue or cancer like. Please suggest
Brief Answer:
Possibility of cancer or other serious diseases is very less.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Honestly speaking, I don't think you are having lung cancer or other serious diseases.
But since you are smoker, you should at least get done chest x ray to rule out lung cancer.
Possibility of bronchitis or lung infection is more likely in your case.
So please let me know
1. Do you have breathlessness?.
2. Do you have fever?
3. Have you ever undergone chest x ray?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.
Possibility of cancer or other serious diseases is very less.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Honestly speaking, I don't think you are having lung cancer or other serious diseases.
But since you are smoker, you should at least get done chest x ray to rule out lung cancer.
Possibility of bronchitis or lung infection is more likely in your case.
So please let me know
1. Do you have breathlessness?.
2. Do you have fever?
3. Have you ever undergone chest x ray?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks Doctor
I dont have fever or breathlessness .. I do have some heavy feeling in chest and mild rib pains ... I have not done chest xray recently.. I have never faced this problem before ..
I dont have fever or breathlessness .. I do have some heavy feeling in chest and mild rib pains ... I have not done chest xray recently.. I have never faced this problem before ..
Brief Answer:
Since how long you are smoking?
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Please let me know
1. Since how long you are smoking?
2. How many cigarettes you use to smoke in a day?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.
Since how long you are smoking?
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Please let me know
1. Since how long you are smoking?
2. How many cigarettes you use to smoke in a day?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi Doctor,
I am smoking for last 10 years but I dont smoke heavily .. Just 3-4 cig a day but that too not regular ..
I am smoking for last 10 years but I dont smoke heavily .. Just 3-4 cig a day but that too not regular ..
Brief Answer:
Is chest tightness generalized?
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Your quantity of smoking is less but duration is more.
This much duration is sufficient enough to damage your lungs.
Please let me know
1. Exactly where do you feel rib pain?
2. Is chest tightness generalized?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.
Is chest tightness generalized?
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Your quantity of smoking is less but duration is more.
This much duration is sufficient enough to damage your lungs.
Please let me know
1. Exactly where do you feel rib pain?
2. Is chest tightness generalized?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I feel rib pain in right side on one rib mainly .. I am not sure about the thing you asked as generalised chest pain but it is very mild and happening in sometimes but chest heaviness is pesistent for last 7 days ...
Brief Answer:
Do you feel chest tightness everywhere in chest or in particular part of ch
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
I was trying to ask that whether you feel chest tightness everywhere in the chest or in particular part of chest.
Chest tightness in smoker suggests bronchitis more.
Do you have rib pain worsening with coughing?
Means if you cough, do you get more rib pain?
And why you think of lung cancer?
Do you have any family history of lung cancer?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.
Do you feel chest tightness everywhere in chest or in particular part of ch
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
I was trying to ask that whether you feel chest tightness everywhere in the chest or in particular part of chest.
Chest tightness in smoker suggests bronchitis more.
Do you have rib pain worsening with coughing?
Means if you cough, do you get more rib pain?
And why you think of lung cancer?
Do you have any family history of lung cancer?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi Doctor,
I have chest heaviness mostly in the middle part of chest concentrated to verticL middle part .. No the rib pain dont get worsen on coughing .. I have tried to breathe in heavilly as well but it does not get hurt..
No i dont have any history for lung cancer but just fearing if it is as i have never felt this kind of discomfort before ..
Please suggest
I have chest heaviness mostly in the middle part of chest concentrated to verticL middle part .. No the rib pain dont get worsen on coughing .. I have tried to breathe in heavilly as well but it does not get hurt..
No i dont have any history for lung cancer but just fearing if it is as i have never felt this kind of discomfort before ..
Please suggest
Brief Answer:
No need to worry for lung cancer.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
No need to worry for lung cancer.
So you are having central chest tightness beneath sternum bone.
This is seen mostly with GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease).
It is common with smokers because cigarette smoke causes laxity of gastroesophageal sphincter.
Because of this the acid of the stomach tends to come up in the esophagus and cause symptoms of chest tightness, chest heaviness etc.
Please let me know
1. Do you have burping or belching?
2. Do you have stomach acidity problem?
3. Have you taken any medicines for this chest tightness?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.
No need to worry for lung cancer.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
No need to worry for lung cancer.
So you are having central chest tightness beneath sternum bone.
This is seen mostly with GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease).
It is common with smokers because cigarette smoke causes laxity of gastroesophageal sphincter.
Because of this the acid of the stomach tends to come up in the esophagus and cause symptoms of chest tightness, chest heaviness etc.
Please let me know
1. Do you have burping or belching?
2. Do you have stomach acidity problem?
3. Have you taken any medicines for this chest tightness?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
No i have not taken any medicine .. I do have acidity problem but right now I am not having any acidity .. And entire heaviness is not in the middle but i have heaviness in middle part of chest horizontally as well .. Also feeling some heaviness in center line of chest horizontally... Little shortness of breath as well but not much
Brief Answer:
You should get done PFT (pulmonary function test) and chest x ray.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Well in my opinion, you should get done chest x ray and PFT (pulmonary function test).
Chest x ray is needed to rule out lung infection and lung cancer.
PFT is must for the diagnosis of bronchitis.
It will not only diagnose bronchitis but it will also tell you about severity of the disease and treatment is based on severity only.
You may need inhaled bronchodilator on the basis of severity on PFT report.
Where do you live?
Do you live in India?
I can guide you where to go if you are living in XXXXXXX
You should get done PFT (pulmonary function test) and chest x ray.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Well in my opinion, you should get done chest x ray and PFT (pulmonary function test).
Chest x ray is needed to rule out lung infection and lung cancer.
PFT is must for the diagnosis of bronchitis.
It will not only diagnose bronchitis but it will also tell you about severity of the disease and treatment is based on severity only.
You may need inhaled bronchodilator on the basis of severity on PFT report.
Where do you live?
Do you live in India?
I can guide you where to go if you are living in XXXXXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I live in USA
So is there any possibility of lung cancer as well? I can check here for pulmonary funtion test as you have suggested..
Do you think it is of any serious disease or it can go out in some days normally
So is there any possibility of lung cancer as well? I can check here for pulmonary funtion test as you have suggested..
Do you think it is of any serious disease or it can go out in some days normally
Brief Answer:
Well, in this case you have to consult pulmonologist.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Well, since you are living in US, you have to consult doctor (pulmonologist) for chest x ray and PFT.
You can't get then done by yourself.
You need prescription for this.
In my opinion, you can take chance by waiting for few days and take medicines suggested by me.
Is it ok with you?
Do you get pulmonologist appointment easily in US? I have many patients who complains about this appointment issue. So asking you.
Well, in this case you have to consult pulmonologist.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Well, since you are living in US, you have to consult doctor (pulmonologist) for chest x ray and PFT.
You can't get then done by yourself.
You need prescription for this.
In my opinion, you can take chance by waiting for few days and take medicines suggested by me.
Is it ok with you?
Do you get pulmonologist appointment easily in US? I have many patients who complains about this appointment issue. So asking you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Yes appointment issues are there .. I am fine with the medicine you can give and will take a chance
But really worried about if it is any serious issue or cancer. So just wanted a hinest opnion from your side as what do youbthin based on my symptoms
Please suggest the medicine as well as also suggest the care
But really worried about if it is any serious issue or cancer. So just wanted a hinest opnion from your side as what do youbthin based on my symptoms
Please suggest the medicine as well as also suggest the care
Brief Answer:
Where do you work?
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
I appreciate your faith in me.
In my opinion, you are not having any serious lung disease or lung cancer.
But I forget to ask you 1 important thing. Your occupation. Where do you work?
See working environment is playing very important role. If you are having smoke or dust or chemicals at work place then they can harm more along with cigarette smoke.
So please let me know your work place and since how long you worked there?
Do you get over the counter drugs? I am just ensuring that you get medicines suggested by me.
Where do you work?
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
I appreciate your faith in me.
In my opinion, you are not having any serious lung disease or lung cancer.
But I forget to ask you 1 important thing. Your occupation. Where do you work?
See working environment is playing very important role. If you are having smoke or dust or chemicals at work place then they can harm more along with cigarette smoke.
So please let me know your work place and since how long you worked there?
Do you get over the counter drugs? I am just ensuring that you get medicines suggested by me.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I will be able to get over the counter drugs
I work in IT and in Bank so there is no contamination of chemical or dust . I am working here for last 6 years but yes I do play cricket here and in field there is lot of dust going around. But that is thrice a week.
I work in IT and in Bank so there is no contamination of chemical or dust . I am working here for last 6 years but yes I do play cricket here and in field there is lot of dust going around. But that is thrice a week.
Brief Answer:
No need to worry for work place exposure in your case.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Since you are doing office job, no such fear from occupational exposure.
No harm in playing cricket also.
In my opinion, you should do following things.
1. Drink plenty of fluids orally and keep your self hydrated.
2. Avoid oily and spicy food. Avoid junk food.
3. Do warm water gargles 5-6 times a day.
4. Take painkiller (ibuprofen) and anti inflammatory (acetaminophen) twice daily.
Ibuprofen is available as Advil 200mg.
Acetaminophen is available as Tylenol 500 mg.
So take Advil half tablet twice daily after some food. Take Tylenol 1 tablet twice daily.
5. Take pantoprazole 40 mg twice daily on empty stomach. Pantoprazole is available as protonix or proposed. So take T.Prilosec (40mg) twice daily on empty stomach.
Do all these for 1 week. You will mostly improve with all these in 1 week.
If not improving then consult doctor and get done chest x ray and PFT.
And please don't start smoking again.
Hope I have solved your query. If you are not having further queries, then please close the conversation and rate my answer.
You can ask me directly on bit.ly/askdrkaushalbhavsar. Wish you good health. Thanks.
No need to worry for work place exposure in your case.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Since you are doing office job, no such fear from occupational exposure.
No harm in playing cricket also.
In my opinion, you should do following things.
1. Drink plenty of fluids orally and keep your self hydrated.
2. Avoid oily and spicy food. Avoid junk food.
3. Do warm water gargles 5-6 times a day.
4. Take painkiller (ibuprofen) and anti inflammatory (acetaminophen) twice daily.
Ibuprofen is available as Advil 200mg.
Acetaminophen is available as Tylenol 500 mg.
So take Advil half tablet twice daily after some food. Take Tylenol 1 tablet twice daily.
5. Take pantoprazole 40 mg twice daily on empty stomach. Pantoprazole is available as protonix or proposed. So take T.Prilosec (40mg) twice daily on empty stomach.
Do all these for 1 week. You will mostly improve with all these in 1 week.
If not improving then consult doctor and get done chest x ray and PFT.
And please don't start smoking again.
Hope I have solved your query. If you are not having further queries, then please close the conversation and rate my answer.
You can ask me directly on bit.ly/askdrkaushalbhavsar. Wish you good health. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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