The pain in your chest while coughing could mean a number of things. You might be suffering from asthma or a lung condition called pulmonary fibrosis. It can also mean anything from a pneumothorax to pleurisy.
If you have any of these symptoms, you should seek medical attention. However, there are some self-care measures you can take. Changing your diet can help you address the problem.
Pleurisy
Symptoms of pleurisy are usually mild to severe. They may only be felt when coughing or breathing deeply. In rare cases, they may be present all the time and increase with deep breathing. The pain and swelling typically affects the chest wall, directly over the inflamed area.
However, the symptoms may also affect the upper abdomen, back, or shoulders. Often, a doctor will prescribe medication to alleviate the symptoms. Treatment for pleurisy depends on the cause.
Sometimes, this infection is caused by a virus, and antibiotics or antifungal drugs can treat the symptoms. Other times, the fluid can be drained with a thin needle.
In such cases, painkillers and steroid medications may help the patient get better. Taking codeine will make coughing less painful. If the condition is not treated promptly, it can lead to long-term complications.
Pneumothorax
The first step in treating a pneumothorax is to determine its cause. Typically, this condition is caused by air entering the chest cavity through a hole in the chest wall or a lung. In some cases, the air is unable to escape the trapped air, so a small procedure is performed to remove the trapped air.
Recovery time depends on the cause of the pneumothorax and its size. In some cases, a pneumothorax can resolve spontaneously, and in some cases, it can recur in 50 percent of individuals.
The most common complication of a pneumothorax is bronchopleural fistula, a punctured lung that may require chest surgery. More than half of people who have a pneumothorax will eventually have another one.
However, if you get treatment quickly and continue to care for your lungs, your chances of experiencing another pneumothorax are extremely slim.
Pulmonary embolism
If you have been coughing up blood for some time and are experiencing severe chest pain, it may be a sign of pulmonary embolism. This condition occurs when certain clotting factors in the blood are elevated, which can be due to certain diseases, some cancer treatments, birth control pills, and some hereditary conditions.
You should see your doctor if you are experiencing these symptoms, as treatment for this condition may not be as simple as you think. Medications can help, including warfarin, which can break up a blood clot in the lungs.
Anticoagulants are also often prescribed. They can prevent the formation of blood clots and can be taken to treat pulmonary embolism.
In more severe cases, a surgical procedure may be required. However, this is usually only an option for people who are extremely vulnerable to bleeding.
Asthma
A persistent, painful chest while coughing is often a sign of asthma, but it can be caused by a variety of other conditions. If it persists for more than a couple of weeks, you should see a doctor.
Symptoms of asthma can also include wheezing, a high-pitched sound that the airways produce when inflamed. Wheezing is common during asthma attacks, but you should be careful to distinguish it from other symptoms, including chest tightness and coughing
.there are various tests that can help diagnose asthma. The most important is a blood test, which will determine the severity of the disease and how to treat it. If you’re not sure, you can try a quick-relief medicine.
Remember that the symptoms of asthma may worsen rapidly if you don’t take the medication. If the symptoms don’t improve within a week, you should see a doctor.
Conclusion
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