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Suggest Treatment For Tightness In Chest And Achy Back

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Posted on Mon, 3 Aug 2015
Question: I am feeling a tightness in my chest, with achiness in my back and chest and a little shallow breathing, with a discomfort in my throat. My lungs may be the problem area...feel achy when I breathe deeply, and like I may be on the verge of coughing...but with no apparent fever or evidence of congestion.
Problem commenced a couple of days ago...seemed to lighten up and now back again.
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Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Likely GERD, needs work up and management

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking

I read your question and i understand your concern. Feeling of tight chest with difficulty deep breathing in and pain referred to back and chest and discomfort in throat with a feel like coughing with no apparent fever or congestion likely points out towards a gastric discomfort also called acid reflux or GERD.

Same presentation could be in a respiratory tract involvement say an infection or pneumonia and age of 60 and above are prone to such infections.

With tightness of chest of any kind one should always rule out cardiac problems by doing some baseline work up like EKG and cardiac perfusion studies to be on the safer road.

It will need some work up though like gall bladder profile, pancreatic profile and conservative symptomatic management like antacids, some diet and lifestyle changes like eating small frequent meals, delaying lying down after meals, avoiding sweets and chocolates and stimulants of all kind like beverage alcohol caffeine etc. Keeping the head side of the bed elevated at least for 8 inches to prevent the acid reflux causing these sensations.

Talk to your doctor and let them sort it out for you. I believe your symptoms are likely attributed to gastric discomfort and needs to be clinically correlated and ruled out for other etiologies.

I hope it helps. Take good care of yourself and dont forget to close the discussion please.

Regards
Khan
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 3613 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Tightness In Chest And Achy Back

Brief Answer: Likely GERD, needs work up and management Detailed Answer: Thank you for asking I read your question and i understand your concern. Feeling of tight chest with difficulty deep breathing in and pain referred to back and chest and discomfort in throat with a feel like coughing with no apparent fever or congestion likely points out towards a gastric discomfort also called acid reflux or GERD. Same presentation could be in a respiratory tract involvement say an infection or pneumonia and age of 60 and above are prone to such infections. With tightness of chest of any kind one should always rule out cardiac problems by doing some baseline work up like EKG and cardiac perfusion studies to be on the safer road. It will need some work up though like gall bladder profile, pancreatic profile and conservative symptomatic management like antacids, some diet and lifestyle changes like eating small frequent meals, delaying lying down after meals, avoiding sweets and chocolates and stimulants of all kind like beverage alcohol caffeine etc. Keeping the head side of the bed elevated at least for 8 inches to prevent the acid reflux causing these sensations. Talk to your doctor and let them sort it out for you. I believe your symptoms are likely attributed to gastric discomfort and needs to be clinically correlated and ruled out for other etiologies. I hope it helps. Take good care of yourself and dont forget to close the discussion please. Regards Khan