health thing: so what is this?

[rm]

So out of the blue I have this cough.

My head isn't stuffed up, and my throat and eyes burn a bit.

And when I cough it hurts in my chest.

I mean, really really hurts.

Is this a chest cold? I never get coughs so I don't know? Or do I have bronchitis or something and have to go to the doctor?

Comments

[amber-n-teal.livejournal.com]

if you are coughing and it hurts, that's a go to the doctor thing. Wait, Where is it hurting? In your lungs or your throat? If it's your lungs, go to the doctor. If it's your throat, you can give it a few days and see if it gets better or worse.

[rm.livejournal.com]

In my lungs.

[amber-n-teal.livejournal.com]

yeah, if your lungs are hurting that's not good. Are you producing anything when you cough? Ie: phlegm? if so, what color? LOL. That could be bronchitis if you are producing phlegm. If you aren't, but aren't running a fever then I'd say it might be walking pnuemonia and you need antibiotics for either one.

[lilerthkwake.livejournal.com]

I vote for doctor, too. Better safe than sorry, since bronchitis 1) sucks ass and 2) can lead to pneumonia.

[fleur.livejournal.com]

Do you have a fever at all? If not it sounds more like allergies .. but if no improvement tomorrow, yes, go to the doctor.

[rm.livejournal.com]

NO fever, but pain in my lungs.

[fleur.livejournal.com]

Yep .. if it's still there tomorrow, doctor.

[phaenix-ash.livejournal.com]

does it feel like you have a goodish sized child sitting on your chest? can you breathe lying down or did you prop yourself up with pillows last night? fever? chills? those kind of symptoms would lead me to the doc.

and ditto the first comment - is it your chest or throat that hurts? the throat, tea with honey (can you eat honey?) and give it a few days. wear a scarf even inside and baby it bigtime. if it's your chest go to the doc.

[fuyukodachi.livejournal.com]

Is it a dry cough, or do you feel phlegm knocking around? Bronchitis isn't usually dry-sounding.

Did you inhale anything strange? Around any chemicals, or strange smells?

I'd probably go to the doctor.

[anathemadevice.livejournal.com]

sounds like a chest cold. I've had it on and off for a week.

Warm, moist air is the most important thing. Then fluids and rest. If you can, take a cough syrup or med that contains an expectorant and a cough suppressant.

If it persists for several days or gets worse, go to the doctor. If it's a cold (virus), they can't really do anything. If it is (or is compounded by) a bacterial infection, then they can give you antibiotics.

[melebeth]

It's not my fault! I haven't seen you to give that to you!!!!

(and it could be either, what color is the mucous in your world?)

[rm.livejournal.com]

There is no mucous. Just a lot of pain.

[schpahky.livejournal.com]

If it hurts a lot, go to the doctor pronto. Don't mess around with this stuff. You have health insurance now?

[delicatetbone.livejournal.com]

I would recommend an expectorant to get all the nasty gunk out. Sounds like the chest-cold that's been going around. You might also want to try a very hot shower with eucalyptus or a humidifier with grapefruit seed extract and eucalyptus.

[beemerbike.livejournal.com]

That's how my bronchitis starts each year. Don't let it go too long--no more than 4 days without seeing the doctor.

[labellerose.livejournal.com]

Yes, do see someone.
Try moist steam while you are waiting to get in-either a vaporizer or shower will work.

[trifles.livejournal.com]

And just to throw a wrench in -- try twisting your body in odd ways (shoulders thrust back, one arm reaching out versus the other, etc.). Does the pain come back? I've managed to strain whatever those chest muscles right in the front are (pectorals?) previously, and it honestly feels like I'm having a heart attack (or being stabbed) every time I turn the wrong way. Coughing has been known to exacerbate it for me as well.

That being said, it certainly doesn't hurt me in the lungs. So you should probably listen to everyone else instead.

Icon = to help with the feeling better. Because that is logic.

[coriander.livejournal.com]

That doesn't sound good at all! I think a doctor sounds like a good plan.

A couple more questions...

[geoectomy.livejournal.com]

...If it's still hurting.

Have you had any incidents recently that might've resulted in an injury (such that a simple cough could irritate it)?

Any difficulty breathing? (Have you found yourself more tired than usual? Short of breath? How about dizzy?)

Does it hurt more in inhale or exhale - or just when you cough?

Is there anything you do that makes it better or worse?

[spiralflames.livejournal.com]

go to the nearest hospital's urgent care and tell them you think you have pneumonia. they'll see you.