[26M] Experiencing mild chest pain and breathing difficulty

Patient Description

A 26-year-old male has been experiencing left-sided, dull chest pain for about a week, with a severity of 2 out of 10. The pain worsens when laying or leaning on the left arm and alleviates somewhat with movement, although it then shifts to the armpit. The pain is described as tightness without accompanying redness, swelling, or tenderness. Additionally, the patient reports difficulty breathing, feeling the need to take deep breaths, rated at a severity of 3 out of 10, and this has been ongoing for a week. The patient has a history of similar breathing difficulties and uses Albuterol. He engages in regular workouts and volleyball but reports no recent trauma to the chest. The patient uses nicotine products, including vaping and chewing gum, but has no known allergies or adverse reactions to medications and is not on any other medications.

Arora's Assessment

What might be happening

Based on the information provided, the following conditions could be causing your symptoms:

Musculoskeletal Pain: This is often related to injury, overuse, or strain of muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Given your involvement in physical activities like volleyball and workouts, this could be a possible cause. The pain is usually localized and may increase with movement or pressure.
- Treatment typically involves rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). Over-the-counter pain relievers may also be helpful.
Costochondritis: This is inflammation of the cartilage in the rib cage. It often results in chest pain that may worsen with deep breathing or coughing. The pain can also radiate to the shoulders and arms.
- Treatment usually involves pain relievers and physical therapy.
Anxiety or Panic Disorder: These conditions can sometimes cause symptoms like chest pain and difficulty breathing. However, they are usually accompanied by other symptoms like a racing heart, sweating, trembling, and a feeling of impending doom.
- Treatment typically involves cognitive behavioral therapy and/or medication.
Pulmonary Embolism: This is a blockage in one of the pulmonary arteries in your lungs, often due to a blood clot that travels to your lungs from your legs. It can cause chest pain and difficulty breathing. However, it is usually accompanied by other symptoms like rapid heart rate, coughing up blood, and leg pain or swelling.
- Treatment involves medications to break up the clot and prevent new ones from forming.

Please note that these are just possibilities and not a definitive diagnosis. It's important to consult with a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis and treatment.

What you can do

If the pain is manageable and there are no other worrying symptoms, you could try rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) to see if it helps.
Over-the-counter pain relievers may also help alleviate the pain.
If you're feeling anxious or stressed, try relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga.
If the pain is severe, doesn't improve with rest or worsens, or if you develop new symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.