Choose a symptom and answer simple questions using our physician-reviewed symptom checker to find more information on your health issue.
Is the affected person an infant or child?
Choose an option below.
Do you have shortness of breath?
This may be a HEART ATTACK, MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION, or PNEUMONIA.
Do you have episodes of wheezing and a cough that won’t go away?
Your chest discomfort and shortness of breath may be caused by ASTHMA.
Does your chest ache along the edges of your breastbone, and does your pain get worse when you cough or take a deep breath?
You may have COSTOCHONDRITIS, an inflammation of the joints in your chest along the ribs or where the ribs meet your breastbone and sternum.
Do physical activities, emotional stress, or extreme temperatures cause a feeling of pressure under the breastbone?
Your pain may be from a heart problem called ANGINA. If it occurs under predictable circumstances (e.g., after 10 minutes of hard exercise) then it is considered STABLE ANGINA. If it occurs at different times or seems to be occurring with less exertion or while you are at rest, then it may be UNSTABLE ANGINA.
Do you have fullness and pain under your breastbone or in the upper right side of your abdomen after eating a greasy or fatty meal?
The pain you have may be from a GALLBLADDER problem.
Do you have a burning sensation in your chest that either feels worse when you eat or drink, or feels better when you eat or drink, but gets worse a few hours later?
You may have an ULCER, IRRITATION OF THE ESOPHAGUS, or SPASM of the muscles of the esophagus.
If the discomfort is in your upper stomach and gets worse when you lean forward or lie down, you may have a HIATAL HERNIA. This is a common problem in which the top of the stomach is pushed into the lower chest after eating.
Do you have stinging or burning pain at the same location where you had a recent case of SHINGLES?
Your pain may be caused by POSTHERPETIC NEURALGIA, a condition where chronic pain remains at the site of the previous SHINGLES infection.
Do you have a tight feeling in your chest and on ongoing cough that produces a lot of mucus? Does this usually occur for 2-3 months around the same time each year over the past 1-2 (or more) years?
These symptoms may be caused by CHRONIC BRONCHITIS, which is a type of CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE (COPD), a common condition if you smoke or previously smoked.
Do you have an ongoing, mild cough, has your shortness of breath been increasing slowly for years, and have you been a smoker or been exposed to dust and fumes where you work?
EMPHYSEMA, which is a type of CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE (COPD), may be the cause of your problem.
Do you have a fever, chills, or night sweats, or are you coughing up bloody mucus?
You may have an infectious illness, such as TUBERCULOSIS, FUNGAL INFECTION, or PNEUMONIA. A more serious problem, such as LUNG CANCER, could also be the cause.
Go to the closest emergency room or call an ambulance right away.
See your doctor right away. Asthma is very treatable, but it can be a serious condition. Make sure that you get your annual influenza vaccination.
If you feel that you can’t catch your breath or can’t stop coughing, then have someone drive you to the closest emergency room or call an ambulance.
COSTOCHONDRITIS usually goes away on its own. Try an anti-inflammatory medicine to relieve the pain. Heat may also help. See your doctor if the pain doesn’t get better with these treatments.
See your doctor. ANGINA is a sign that a person has a higher risk of serious heart problems, such as a HEART ATTACK. If you are concerned about UNSTABLE ANGINA, and it is actively occurring, have someone drive you to the nearest emergency room or call an ambulance.
See your doctor. Also, avoid fatty foods.
Limit your alcohol intake, eat smaller meals, and avoid fatty foods. Try an antacid to help relieve your discomfort. Sleeping on a foam wedge, or raising the head of your bed with textbooks, bricks, boards under the headboard or front feet of your bed may also help.
If these steps don’t relieve your symptoms, see your doctor.
See your doctor. In many cases, POSTHERPETIC NEURALGIA can be treated with over-the-counter pain medicines and capsaicin cream.
See your doctor. If you smoke, stop smoking. Also, avoid breathing in anything that can irritate your lungs. Make sure that you get your annual influenza vaccination.
See your doctor right away. They may recommend a chest X-ray and/or blood testing. You can take acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help with fever.
For more information, please talk to your doctor. If you think your problem is serious, call your doctor right away.
DISCLAIMER
Symptom Checker content is provided for informational purposes only. This tool may leverage certain generative artificial intelligence tools to generate results, but you should not rely on this tool as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health or the information provided when you use this tool, you should always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional. Do not disregard, avoid, or delay obtaining medical or health related advice from your healthcare professional because of something you may have read using this tool or on the FamilyDoctor.org website. Use this content solely at your own risk. If you think you may have a medical emergency, dial 911.
