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Chest Pain, Difficulty Breathing Deeply, Pain While Bending Down. Pericarditis Suspected. Treatment?
Today at night I woke up with a chest pain, it was hard to breath, called ambulance. In emergancy I gad x-ray cat scan and blood tests. Heart and lungs are OK. I wanted to stay in the hospital but was relesed with the instruction to see my GP, there is a suspicion of pericardis (EKG). I can't breath deeply, have a pain when bent down, the pain however is managable, non if I do not breath deep or bent down. Otherwise I am fine for 68 years old. Looked on the net, Pericardis seems fit my symptoms. Questions: 1 - should I be hospitalised, 2 - if not what is the best treatment, 3 - how to find is it viral or not (tomorrow I will see my GP)
Thanks
Michael
Thanks
Michael
Mon, 13 May 2013
Dear Sir
Thanks for your query.
Pain of pericarditis may increase on deep breath or coughing but usually gets better by bending forward and increases on lying flat.
1. The decision of hospitalization depends upon a number of factors like cause for pericarditis, associated pericardial effusion, blood counts etc. But if you have suspected viral pericarditis (other causes ruled out) with normal blood, x-ray and cat scan & no pericardial effusion , it may be managed at home. Let your doctor decide this.
2. Treatment include pain killers & anti inflammatory drugs.
3. Viral pericarditis is a diagnosis of exclusion , hence all common causes are ruled out.
sincerely
Sukhvinder singh
Thanks for your query.
Pain of pericarditis may increase on deep breath or coughing but usually gets better by bending forward and increases on lying flat.
1. The decision of hospitalization depends upon a number of factors like cause for pericarditis, associated pericardial effusion, blood counts etc. But if you have suspected viral pericarditis (other causes ruled out) with normal blood, x-ray and cat scan & no pericardial effusion , it may be managed at home. Let your doctor decide this.
2. Treatment include pain killers & anti inflammatory drugs.
3. Viral pericarditis is a diagnosis of exclusion , hence all common causes are ruled out.
sincerely
Sukhvinder singh
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