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Conditions and Diseases > Lungs and Respiratory Disorders Forum > Causes of pleurisy and diagnosing pleurisy
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Q: Causes of pleurisy and diagnosing pleurisy
asked by: DoctorQuestion on January 8th, 2009
ive been haveing a stabbing pain just under my right breasts on my rib it happens when i sit up and rest an a few times it has stopped me breathing for a few moments


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Dr. Andrijana Shterjovska , MD
replied on January 9th, 2009
Lungs and Respiratory Disorders Answer A5301



According to the major symptom you describe (stabbing pain on the rib, just under the right breast), you are probably experiencing what is called a pleural pain. Pleura is the outer cover of the lungs). When there is an infection of pleura (pleurisy), infection of the lungs (pneumonia) of a kind of liquid between the pleura’s inner and outer layer (pleural effusion) of different origin, this can cause a sharp, stabbing pain, as you explained (pleural rub). Another possible cause can be a “kidney pain” reflecting on the frontal side. You might want to check it with your family doctor, who might do a physical examination first and then, if necessary, add a frontal and side chest X-ray (and/or maybe even native x-ray of the upper abdomen), to exclude or confirm the cause and treat it, accordingly.




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