I Have Been Having Chest Pain Since Yesterday On The

Posted on Tue, 24 Sep 2019

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 24 Sep 2019 Answered on

Last reviewed on

Question : I have been having chest pain since yesterday on the right side of my chest. It’s hard to explain what it feels like, but it’s not constant. I can’t pinpoint the exact spot on the right side- it’s just the whole right side. When it hurts, it’s hard to breath because it so severe, but when it doesn’t hurt, it’s like it isn’t even there. It aches like someone just punched me in the chest. I’ve tried massaging, showering, resting, and taking medicine, but my chest still hurts slightly when I move too much. I don’t have any trouble eating. Breathing too deeply or exhaling too deeply hurts. Coughing and sneezing hurt. Every so often the left side of my chest will ache for a couple of minutes, but it is really just the right side of my chest. Simple things like tying my shoes or even when I took the shower left me out of breath. I was dizzy a little while ago which prompted me to come on here and ask for opinions. For the record, I am a 21 year old female

Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
may be related to pleuritis

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

It is possible that the pain is related to pleuritis. This refers to inflammation of the pleura which is a lining outside of the lungs.

Pleuritis can be due to different possible causes. Some of the most common causes include: (1)chest infection such as pneumonia (there would a history of cough and cold symptoms, can cause shortness of breath)
(2)pulmonary embolism ( a clot in the lungs)- normally associated with shortness of breath, may also be a history of previous swelling or pain of the calf
(3)pneumothorax (air has escaped the lung and it is present between the lung and the chest wall, would also cause shortness of breath)
(4)viral infection
(5)inflammatory bowel disease
(6)side effect of medications
(7)occurs in persons who have a history of rheumatoid arthritis or lupus etc
(8)some cases of kidney disease

It would be best to be seen so that the exact cause can be found and treatment can be started.

If there is a history of coughing or sneezing , as you mentioned above, the pleuritis is likely related to infection and the use of antibiotics (if it is thought to be bacterial and not viral)
Pain medication would also be needed as well.

An xray or other imaging of the chest is needed to find the cause of the symptoms.

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar