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Suggest Treatment For Intermittent Chest And Back Pain

Posted on Fri, 3 Jun 2016

Question: Hello,

I have been experiencing intermittent chest and back pains (mild to moderate) from the past 6 months.

For the past 5 days, I am noticing small amount of blood/brown color in spit while clearing my throat.

Dont have any persistent weight loss, breathlessness, fevers or night sweats.

Could my symptoms be sign of lung cancer? Please advise.

I am 29 years old, non smoker and non drinker and do ample amount of physical activity.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (19 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Chances of lung cancer are very very less.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Lung cancer is common after 50 years of age and more frequently seen in smokers.
Since you are young (29 years) and nonsmoker, chances of lung cancer are very very less.
But better to get done chest x ray to rule out any lung pathology.
Please let me know
1. Have you ever undergone chest x ray?
Please reply me answer of above asked question, 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 (7 minutes later)

Hello doctor,

Thank you for quick reply.

The last time I underwent a Chest X-Ray was 3 years as per my foreign (Australia) travel Visa requirements. They didn't raised any medical concerns so I am assuming my X-Ray was clear back then. Never got to see the actual report though.

Just wanted to add couple of more things to my condition:

1) I am seeing blood in spit when clearing my throat after getting up from sleep. I do get cough occasionally so I tried to clear my throat after cough as well but never noticed blood there.

2) I am exposed to second-hand smoke sometimes, when I go out with my friends outside for coffee, movies, picnics etc.

Please advise.

Thanks and regards,
XXXX

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (29 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Occasional Second hand smoke is not harmful.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Occasional Second hand smoke is not much harmful. So don't worry about it.
In my opinion, you should get done fresh chest x ray. It will mostly come normal. But it is needed to remove fear of lung cancer from your mind.
Please let me know
1. Is entire mucus is red when you cough out?
2. Or is it red spots on white mucus?
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 (38 minutes later)

Hello doctor,

Thanks for your advise.

There is hardly any mucous, it is mostly clear spit or saliva with red spots or tinges when I get up from sleep. One time, I noticed brown color spit also.

I have very little cough which doesn't produce any mucous.

I have recently developed heartburn as well, so I was wondering whether my symptoms are due to GERD or Lung Cancer.

Thanks and ergards,
XXXX

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, GERD can cause reflux and coughing.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
So, I don't think you are having lung disease and related bleeding.
But I forget to ask about occupation history.
Some occupation can cause hemoptysis.
So please let me know
1. Do you work?
2. If yes then where do you work?
GERD can cause reflux in throat. This gives irritant cough. And this coughing can produce friction bleeding.
So please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can 100% rule out lung pathology.
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 (6 minutes later)

I work in an IT firm in Melbourne, Australia.

There are hardly any dust particles around my office or residence.

What is making me worried is that majority of my friends are smokers and hence I have been exposed to second-hand smoke specially after moving to Australia (last 3 years).

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Occupational risk can be ruled out in your case.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.. So, occupational risk can be ruled out in your case.
In my opinion, you are mostly having GERD related reflux induced coughing. And this gives you blood in throat clearing.
Please let me know
1. Do you have stressful life?
2. Do you have belching or burning epigastric pain?
3. Are you taking anything for GERD?
4. Do you follow lifestyle modifications for GERD?
All these things are important in GERD management.
So 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 (12 minutes later)

Thanks for your advice doctor.

I don't have a very stressful life, other than this health worry which is making me very anxious - last 6-7 months having chest and back pains and now blood in spit.

I had epigastric pain earlier which went away with time.

I have started taking over the counter medicine for heartburn just 2 days ago which goes by the name 'Mylanta'. Its contents are as below:
Magnesium Hydroxide 400mg, Aluminium Hydroxide-Dried 400mg, Simethicone 30mg, Sorbitol & Xylitol.

I am not aware much of the lifestyle modifications. I know that caffeine can aggravate GERD symptoms. I take 2 cups of coffee a day and avoid eating dinner 2 hours before going to bed.

Regards,
XXXX

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You should follow these steps for better symptomatic relief in GERD.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
You are doing some correct things for GERD and some not.
So follow these steps for better symptomatic relief.
1. Avoid hot and spicy food. Avoid large meals, instead take frequent small meals.
2. Go for walking after meals.
3. Drink plenty of fluids orally and keep your self hydrated.
4. Eat high fiber diet like green leafy vegetables, fruits, salads etc.
5. Avoid caffeine including tea, coffee, soft drinks etc.
6. Keep 2 - 3 pillows under head in the bed to prevent reflux.
7. Don't take mylanta. Instead of this, take proton pump inhibitor (pantoprazole or rabeprazole).
With all these lifestyle modifications, your GERD will be relieved.
No need to worry much for blood thing.
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