hello, I am a smoker for 25 years and I am 52 years old. Three days ago I started feel pain at the right chest and back area, especially when I cough and breath deeply. However, I do not have a persistent cough, I do not feel weak, I have my appetite and I do not raise fever. What should I do?
Thanks for your question on Chat Doctor. I can understand your concern. In my opinion, you should get done chest x-ray first. You are smoker for 25 years. And smokers have high possibility of lung Infection due to poor lung defense. And chest pain on coughing and deep breathing is characteristic of pleurisy (inflammation of pleura). Lung infection is the most common cause for pleurisy. So we need to rule out lung infection first. Chest x-ray is needed for this. If chest x-ray is normal then no need to worry about lung infection, you are mostly having musculoskeletal pain. Better to quit smoking as soon as possible. Avoid painful movements of heavyweight lifting. You may need painkiller and muscle relaxant Chat Doctor.  Since these are prescribed medicines, you need to consult doctor for this. Wish you good health. Thanks.