Pain Under Right Breast

[pbear]

Hello I'm from Vancouver, BC and since yesterday late afternoon while walking to a mall in the snow I feel like I pulled a muscle or something inside my chest maybe because was tense in the cold whether. It especially hurts if I take a deep breath, cough or while starting to lay down or get back up from bed. I'm just wondering if this could be anything to worry about.

[John Kenyon, CNA]

Hi there -

This sounds like what you suspect, probably a chest wall irritation due to muscle strain due to tensing in the cold, or possibly even pleuritic pain (similar) due to the cold, dry air being inhaled. While generally not at all serious, it can be somewhat debilitating, especially if the pain on taking a breath is severe. Normally this type of problem will respond well to over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain meds such as ibuprofin or naproxyn. If one of these is not effective then you'll need to be seen by a doctor. Usually, though, these types of medications will resolve the pain and allow the affected muscles or chest wall lining to heal.

Hope this helps. Best of luck to you.

[pbear]

thank you doctor.

[ChrisMik]

How long might something like this take to heal?