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What Causes Chest Pain After Heavy Smoking?

Posted on Tue, 23 Aug 2016

Question: The lower left part of my lung feels inflamed, not painful though, just uncomfortable. I recently quit smoking and it feels like it started the moment I had the last cigarette 3 days ago. I've smoked off and on for the last 10 years. Never more than half a pack within a day. I'm very active and enjoy running/working out. I've had about 4 times where I wouldn't smoke for 3 months or so and countless times where I wouldn't smoke for a couple weeks. I do feel that smoking has caused this lower left pain though. Its located at the front right, bottom of rib cage and just behind the rib cage.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Do you have cough or expectoration?

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Since you were a smoker, we should definitely rule out lung diseases first for your left sided chest discomfort.
Please let me know
1. Do you have cough or expectoration?
2. Do you have breathlessness?
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

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (2 days later)

I don't have cough or feel out of breath at all. I ran 6 miles the other day. Today it feels more inflamed, uncomfortable in more areas but not painful.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Possibility of musculoskeletal pain is more.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
No need to worry for lung diseases as you are not having cough, expectoration and breathlessness.
Possibility of musculoskeletal pain is more.
So avoid movements causing pain.
Avoid heavyweight lifting and strenuous exercise.
Avoid bad postures in sleep.
Take painkiller like ibuprofen.
Apply warm water pad on affected areas.
Don't worry, you will be alright with all these in 1-2 weeks.
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. Priyanka G Raj

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (3 days later)

Thank you for your follow up. It has calmed me down a bit. I did want to say that yesterday and today I had short instances of pain in the areas mentioned rather than an uncomfortable feeling. If anything changes or it improves, I'll let you know. In the mean time, I'll follow orders. Thank you for you time.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
OK. I will wait for your reply.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
I am very happy that my advice is helping you.
No worries, you can ask me anytime you want.
I will be happy to receive your reply.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng